Analyzing Geotourism of Khas-e- Tarash Cave by Pralong method

Extended abstract
1- Introduction
The khas-e Tarash cave is one of the caves of the Isfahan region that can considers as a Geo-touristic area. This cave is a limestone cave and based on speleology is located in vadose area. This cave is located near khas-e Tarash village, about 55 Km away from the city of Isfahan. Studying formation of cave is very important in speleological studies. Tectonic is the main factor of khas-e Tarash cave forming. Its architecture is based on backup process which caused widening, cutting of rock blocks and gaps that redound to form the passages and halls.
 
According to the cave classifications, this cave is an irregular fissure network cave.
 
2- Methodology
In this study, for identification of the khas-e Tarash cave was used field studies, Lab and digital methods. During these studies the tectonic map of the cave was prepared. For determining mineralogy of cave, imaging electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic absorption (AAS) methods were used. The results identified aragonite layers from calcite (figure 1). The Pralong uses to evaluate scientific, economic and cultural Matrix of the four indicators. This model is for assessing the tourism potential of the four aspects of a geomorphological Landforms deals (appearance beauty, scientific, cultural - historical and society - economic). In this method, applies the specific criteria for determining the value of every aspect of the geomorphologic features of tourism.

 

 
Figure 1- pictures by scanning electron microscope (SEM), 1. Gypsum bladedminerals &
 2. Needle Aragonite
 




3- Discussion
Results of geology studies classified the cave as a limestone cave which located in Vados area.  Formation of this cave provides a tourist attraction. It formed by two factors tectonic and solution. Tectonic as a primary factor formed the fractures and joints in stones, then in the next step solution of rocks along extension and gaps redound to unique passage and halls. According to the cave classification, this cave is network and irregular fissure network. Speleological varieties of along the passages and halls are another tourist attraction of the cave. These varieties are in wide range of carbonate (aragonite, calcite), evaporated minerals (Gypsume, Halite &Thenardite) and in some cases deposits with silica combination. After chemical combination appointing, speleothems named based on morphology and Palmer method. Most of the carbonate speleothems of the cave are observable in forms of stalagmites,stalactites, pillars, popcorns, helictite, anthodites,globulites, flowstone, drapery, rimstone pool, crasts, and needles with dispersal and different frequencies. Variety of Gypsumecrystal's types is one of the rare phenomena of the cave. Few types of different Gypsume morphology are rhomboidral’s Gypsume, prismatic’s Gypsume, subhedral’s Gypsume in few morphologies, angel hair Gypsume, amorphous, very tiny crystals outspread in soil which can be observed spread and make all over the wall, on the floor and roof in the halls and defiles. Traits of this landform are assessed by Pralongmethod, which prepared in papers as a geomorphologic landform identity. Thus after preparing recommended formulas, marking tables organized and related coefficient calculated *Social- economical value 0.5, cultural-historical value 0.5, scientific value 0.92, beauty valuation 0.75 in total come to 0.64 which is a good mark. At the end the mark of assessment of statistic summery for tourism values and productivity concerning gained marks were organized in the table by Pralongmethod, then the mark of related landform 0.64 assessed as a good degree (figure 2). 

 

 
 
Figure 2. Statistic of assessment for tourism values landform productivity
Of geomorphology for the area of the study by Pralong method.
 



4- Conclusion
In this research, have been used prolong method for marking and coefficient evaluation tourism of the khas-e Tarash cave which consists of based on four indicators of the method, the value of social-economic, cultural-historical, scientific value in matrix evaluation resulted in: based on obtained marks and beauty valuation, the cave obtained 0.64 that this point is comparable with UNESCO's standards for geo-tourism cave.