Typology of plutonic geoheritage in the locality of Lara: A contribution for the enhancement of touristic offers in the Far North Region of Cameroon

Lara is located in the northern litho-structural domain of the Central African Fold Belt that includes plutonic landforms. The latter constitutes a natural wealth that has been studied in order to increase the geotouristic offer in the Far North Region of Cameroon. Several field and laboratory works have been carried in the study area and in the University of Maroua respectively. Indeed, the inventory, the selection and the study of plutonic landforms with particular shape, representativeness and geological features have been made. The locality of Lara is made up of plutons that are composed of fine to coarse granites encompassing white and pink micas, quartz and feldspar. Several granitic geomorphosites are found in Lara: (1) primary geomorphosites include inselbergs and flagstones. Four inselbergs are found in the study plot with altitudes of 435, 675, 690 and 558 meters respectively. They are conical in shape and are made up of rocks field. Flagstones are mostly elliptical in shape and cover surfaces of up to ten square meters; (2) secondary geomorphosites are tors, pedestal rocks, boulders and shelters. Tors and pedestal rocks are vertical constructions with variable highs and shapes that embellish the inselbergs slopes and piedmonts. Boulders present mainly rough surfaces and exceptional shapes, ranging from dog, mushroom to a bell... Their accumulation built several shelters of significant cultural value; (3) tertiary geomorphosites are taffoni and enclaves. Taffoni are of various sizes found on some boulders and flagstones where some are coalescent. Enclaves are composed of coarse-grained pegmatites and xenocrysts quartz. In the Far North region of Cameroon touristic offer is only focused to National Reserves and cultural events although the diverse geoheritage components present in the region. Thus, the Lara’ plutonic geoheritage constitutes an asset for the enhancement of the touristic offer in that region.