Tabuk’s Harrat Lunayyir: A volcanic wonderland

UMLUJ: Tabuk region, renowned for its diverse terrain, is a major tourist destination in northwestern Saudi Arabia. One of its most striking features is Harrat Lunayyir, or Harrat Al-Shaqa as it is locally known.

Located east of Umluj Governorate, this volcanic lava field is one of the Kingdom's most prominent, with lava covering approximately 70 percent of its area. Marshes constitute 5 percent of the land, particularly in the coastal regions bordering the Red Sea.

Harrat Lunayyir is an open-air natural museum, showcasing volcanic formations dating back to the early Tertiary Period, which, according to scientists, began about 66 million years ago. Its massive volcanic hills and cones add to its unique aesthetic appeal.