lembuss/nakuru-geotourism-geospatial-analysis

QGIS spatial processing pipeline and cartographic production for a peer-reviewed geotourism study along the Gregory Rift, Nakuru County, Kenya. Processes EARS geological datasets and SRTM rasters to produce geosite localisations and geological mapping overlays across four primary sites. # Nakuru County Geospatial Analysis QGIS-based spatial data processing pipeline and cartographic production developed in support of a peer-reviewed geotourism research study evaluating geological heritage sites along the Gregory Rift in Nakuru County, Kenya. **Paper:** *Geotourism potential of geological resources in selected regions of Nakuru County, along the Gregory Rift, Kenya* **Authors:** Shalom Chemutai Maina (AGH University of Krakow), Brian K. Lembuss Kirwa (TU Munich), Elżbieta Gałka (AGH), Anna Waśkowska (AGH) **Funding:** UNESCO/Poland Co-Sponsored Fellowships Programme (Engineering cycle 2023A) & AGH University UNESCO Chair (2023/2024) > **Note:** This repository covers the geospatial and cartographic component of the research only. The geological fieldwork, site assessments, and geomorphosite evaluations were conducted by the co-authors at AGH University of Krakow. --- ## Study Area Four geotourism sites across Nakuru County, Kenya, situated along the East African Rift System (EARS) / Gregory Rift: | Site | Coordinates | Key Feature | |------|-------------|-------------| | Hell's Gate National Park | ~0.90°S, 36.31°E | Olkaria Volcanic Complex, Ol Njorowa Gorge, Fischer's Tower | | Menengai Crater | ~0.17°S, 36.07°E | 84 km² trachyte caldera — second largest in Africa | | Lake Naivasha Basin | ~0.76°S, 36.35°E | Highest Rift Valley lake in Kenya (1,890 m a.s.l), RAMSAR site | | Kariandusi | ~0.45°S, 36.28°E | Primary diatomite deposit in Kenya, Acheulean archaeological site | --- ## Contribution — Geospatial Pipeline ### Data Sources | Dataset | Type | Source | |---------|------|--------| | Geological boundaries & formations | Vector | EARS geological datasets | | Digital elevation | Raster | SRTM elevation data | | Administrative boundaries | Vector | Kenya national spatial data | ### Processing Steps 1. **Data import & CRS alignment** — all datasets reprojected to a consistent coordinate reference system in QGIS 2. **Regional boundary ma …