Quantitative assessment and valorization of the Noun Plain volcanic geoheritage in Cameroon for a UNESCO Global Geopark

The Noun Plain along the Cameroon Volcanic Line holds an exceptional but under-exploited volcanic geomorphological diversity. This study presents a quantitative assessment of nineteen pilot geosites to evaluate the territory's potential for a future UNESCO Global Geopark. Today, the lack of formal geoconservation strategies and a clear legal framework leaves these unique sites vulnerable to active quarrying and rapid urbanization. To structure our inventory, we classified the regional geoheritage into distinct volcanic landforms and magmatic features: maars, scoria cones, polygenetic volcanic complexes, and felsic intrusive domes. Our quantitative evaluation reveals high international Scientific Values (SV) for Mbapit Peak (SV: 395). This rhyolitic needle belongs to the broader Mbapit Massif, a composite volcano-plutonic complex that also encompasses the South Volcano and the Mfou maar, providing outstanding morphological evidence of bimodal magmatism. Furthermore, the Nkoambeng and Kechuentim complexes (SV: 395 and 380) display green-core clinopyroxenes recording deep magma mixing, while Lake Monoun (SV: 390) represents a world reference for limnic hazards. For educational and tourist uses, the highest scores belong to Mfoumben (PEU: 380) and Petpenoun (PTU: 395), where the volcanic morphology is deeply intertwined with the Bamoun intangible cultural heritage. Conversely, extreme Degradation Risks (DR) at Njigoumbe (DR: 400) and Chapchap (DR: 380) driven by intense quarrying highlight an urgent need for legal protection. Ultimately, we introduce the “Water and Fire” framework as a holistic model bridging geological features with local cultural identity, offering a practical path to turn regional geoheritage into a real driver for geotourism.