www.bahraintribune.com: The Supreme Commission for Tourism plans to develop the Harrah Rahat (Rahat Volcano) into an eco-tourism centre.
Harrah Rahat on the 916-meter high Jabal Lamsa plateau near Madinah is a volcano crater with an enormous surrounding licorice-black lava field. “It is one of the most spectacular natural sites in the kingdom,” tourism department head in Madinah Yusuf Al Mozaini says. “In terms of volcanic studies the site is immensely significant.” The tourism department, the municipality and the Saudi Geological Survey are working to preserve the natural features of the Harrah.
The volcano first erupted in this part of Arabia two million years ago and remained active till 1256 AD when it last erupted. Then, the fiery eruptions lasted nearly two months and spewed lava and ash from a massive fissure southeast of Madinah, throwing up six cones of cinders.
The lava flowed up to 23 kms from the crater. According to historians, the depth of the lava flow was a long spear’s length, around three meters and flowed like a red-blue boiling river, carrying in its way gravels, stones and trees, with a noise-like thunder.
The volcanic cinders have consumer uses as well. Glowing a pleasant red at 1000 degrees Centigrade, volcanic cinders are ideal for lining gas barbecues. As firewood becomes scarcer in the region, kebab restaurants and grills increasingly turn to volcanic stone placed over gas fires.
A visitor to the top of the mountain can see of Madinah in its full glory sprawling around the Prophet’s Mosque.
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