Geology of National Parks of Central/Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania : Geotourism of the Gregory Rift Valley, Active Volcanism and Regional Plateaus

This book describes the interrelationship between the spectacular geology of an area of East Africa that includes a branch of the rift valley, as well as giant freestanding ice-capped mountains and extraordinarily toxic, alkaline lakes, and some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife on Earth. It suggests that geological processes that have shaped the iconic landforms, including active volcanoes, may also be responsible for the unusually diverse speciation which characterises the region. Moreover, it is not a coincidence that important palaeoanthropological discoveries have been unearthed in the region. National parks and conservation areas have tremendous potential for geotourism and the book assists both tour guides and visitors in this regard. In addition, the book may provide a better understanding to management of the importance of geology for sustaining wildlife. Front Matter ....Pages i-xxxv Front Matter ....Pages 1-1 Introduction (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 3-10 Geological Framework (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 11-18 The East African Rift System (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 19-28 Front Matter ....Pages 29-29 Basement Complexes and Regional Plateaus (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 31-38 The Gregory Rift (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 39-57 Late Pleistocene Ice Ages and the Holocene Epoch (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 59-66 Front Matter ....Pages 67-67 Serengeti National Park (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 69-79 Mount Elgon National Park(s) (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 81-90 Aberdare and Mount Kenya National Parks (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 91-101 Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 103-114 Oldupai Gorge and Laetoli (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 115-128 Kilimanjaro National Park (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 129-140 Arusha National Park (Mount Meru) (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 141-154 Amboseli, Chyulu Hills and Tsavo West National Parks (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 155-165 Lakes of the Gregory Rift Valley: Baringo, Bogoria, Nakuru, Elmenteita, Magadi, Manyara and Eyasi (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 167-180 Lake Naivasha and the Mount Longonot and Hell’s Gate National Parks (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 181-192 Lake Natron and the Oldoinyo Lengai Volcano (Roger N. Scoon)....Pages 193-206 Back Matter ....Pages 207-221