RIYADH: The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) approved the Saudi Geological Survey’s (SGS) nomination to list volcanic basalt from Saudi harrats (lava fields) as an internationally recognized heritage stone, a first for the Kingdom, SPA reported on Sunday. SGS said the decision crowns scientific work documenting the geological, historical, and cultural value of basalt. This has helped shape the natural landscape and cultural identity of western Saudi Arabia for thousands of years
