Geoheritage最新文献

We will look at four types of urban geosites with a subterranean aspect in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area (called the “Twin Cities”) of Minnesota in the American Midwest. Springs, as shown by Coldwater Spring, a unit of the National Park system. Natural caves, as shown by Carver’s Cave, an early landmark on the Upper Mississippi River. Artificial caves, as shown by the abandoned sandstone caves of Mushroom Valley. Sandstone tunnels, as shown by Mill Ruins Park and Pillsbury Park, on opposite banks of the river. However, the monotonous uniformity of the St. Peter Sandstone, in which they are found, raises questions about the meaning of geodiversity. I argue that the subterranean Twin Cities provides a corroboration of the “Ollier argument” (2012) as it applies to geoheritage sites in uniform sandstones. The acute difficulty of balancing science, education, and geoconservation at urban sites like this is also discussed.

The Ambaji region in Gujarat, Western India, harbors a wealth of geoheritage sites, characterized by diverse geological formations, cultural landmarks, and ecological wonders. This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the geoheritage values of the Ambaji region, aiming to identify and categorize significant sites for conservation and sustainable tourism development. Through detailed field traverses and observations, thirty geoheritage sites have been identified, covering a range of geological features. Additionally, the region boasts religiously significant sites, ecologically rich areas, and tourist attractions, enhancing its overall geoheritage value. The study highlights the potential for establishing a geopark in the Ambaji region, which would not only promote the conservation of its geological heritage but also stimulate economic growth and community development through sustainable tourism practices. Embracing the concept of geotourism and geoconservation can position the Ambaji region as a model for integrated and sustainable development, balancing environmental preservation with socio-economic progress.

This study investigates the integration of geoheritage into geoconservation strategies, with a specific emphasis on the Khowai Badlands in West Bengal, India. Recognizing the importance of preserving geological, ecological, and cultural heritage, this research aims to address the challenges and opportunities associated with holistic conservation approaches. Methodologically, the study employs a combination of literature review, case study analysis, and policy evaluations. The findings underscore the critical role of geological formations in supporting biodiversity and the cultural heritage embedded within these landscapes. Moreover, the study emphasizes the need for sustainable tourism practices and community involvement in conservation efforts, ensuring the long-term sustainability of our planet’s natural and cultural heritage for future generations.

A complete inventory of 16 mineral type localities and 1 rock type locality in Romania, as well as their assessed geoheritage characteristics and values are presented for the first time. Thirty-nine mineral species, one chemical element and one common rock type were discovered, described and named in Romania. Most of these are closely linked to traditional mining areas: the Baia Mare region, the Apuseni Mts. and the Banat region. Three mineral type localities are outstandingly rich: Săcărâmb/Nagyág in the southern Apuseni Mts. (8 new minerals), Baia Sprie/Felsőbánya in the Baia Mare region (6 new minerals), and Băița Bihor/Rézbánya in the Northern Apuseni Mts. (6 new minerals). The scientific, educational and touristic value and significance of the type localities regarded as „geosites” and „geodiversity sites” are discussed. Based on the quantitative assessment of the scientific, educational and touristic values, the type localities were hierarchically classified, Baia Sprie, Săcărâmb and Măgura Uroiului being the highest ranked. From the geoconservation perspective, site protection and valuation strategies at local and/or regional scales are envisaged.

The IGCP 714 project “3GEO – Geoclimbing & Geotrekking in Geoparks” is financed by the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) and supported by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). In this paper, we report on the results of the first phase of the project focused on the criteria to be adopted to select geodiversity sites equipped for climbing or trekking. The selection of geoclimbing sites and geotrekking routes is aimed at combining multimedia tools and outdoor activities for Geosciences promotion and conservation in UNESCO Global Geoparks, aspiring geoparks or geoparks project, and also in protected areas featuring geoheritage sites. Indeed, both outdoor activities and multimedia tools favour the pursuing of many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (e.g., 3, 4, 8, 11). An international consortium of geoscientists from 12 different countries selected, through the proposed procedure, 22 geoclimbing sites, and then they also detected 30 geotrekking routes mirroring Earth geodiversity. At some test sites (geoclimbing and geotrekking) multimedia tools and digital outcrop models have been developed through different methodological approaches (e.g., Structure from Motion and Multi-View Stereo photogrammetry), to open the way to the second part of the project still in progress. These sites and the relative virtual models are herein also shown. The final aim of the IGCP 714 project is indeed to create an open data repository (digital outcrop models, videos, virtual tours, photos, scientific information, and interpretations) to upload data of the selected sites to mirror Earth geodiversity for different users including tourists and school groups.

The cross-border Krijtland region in Belgium and the Netherlands encloses hundreds of historical underground limestone quarries. The municipality of Riemst, Belgium, is used as a case study because of the high density of underground quarries found there, and which are prone to frequent collapses related to the historical underground exploitation. As not all underground quarries have been mapped, a mobile laser scanner has been employed to aid the mapping surveys. This paper investigates how this method and its data can be used in the field of geoheritage and safety studies of underground quarries. The mobile laser scanner is an effective tool in mapping the vast underground networks, as well as georeferencing and mapping underground voids that are inaccessible for normal surveyors using a total station. The large amount of data, obtained by various surveys provides a high level of detail in which different structures and features can be identified. The results demonstrate the presence of different typologies of entrances, gallery morphologies and outlines in various underground quarries. It also appears to be a valuable tool in visualizing and identifying geological and stability features, such as karst, pillar instability and collapse areas. It can be concluded that in the field of safety management and geoheritage studies a mobile laser scanner proves to be an efficient method for mapping, documenting the underground landscape and describing different structural elements of underground quarries.

In this work, the old Lungro mining site was studied by applying two classification methods (Brilha and IELIG Method), considering the site-specific scientific, educational, touristic, and degradation aspects, to promote it as a geosite. The results were compared with those from other worldwide areas, and a potential re-evaluation in the tourism sector was suggested, considering historical data and geological issues. The methods used evaluate the Lungro site an average score from a scientific perspective, and from high to very high for the tourist-educational aspects. On the contrary, lower scores were found regarding the degradation of the site due to natural phenomena, led to a lower total score. The obtained results are comparable with other similar restored mining areas, located in various parts of the world which today represent important geotourists sites recognized internationally.

Based on these results, the safest, most cost-effective, and straightforward way to preserve and restore the site is by creating a “Geotourism Route.“. This choice would increase awareness of the area, providing the general public, including the curious and “non-experts”, with an understanding of various geological processes and the extensive history of the mine. A campaign to promote and preserve the Lungro site as a geoheritage will be encouraged, with significant implications for tourism at the local, national, and international levels.

Qian’an National Geopark locates in the southern Yanshan Mountain uplift belt. Active tectonics resulted in mineral enrichment, as well as geoheritages in this area. This includes one of the oldest metamorphic complex exposed in China. This study aims to investigate and protect local geoheritage, to develop geotourism and to contribute to sustainable development. According to the classification standards of geoheritage, we divided geoheritages in Qian’an National Geopark into 6 major categories, 10 categories and 12 subcategories based on extensive field surveys. There are well-preserved human and ecological resources, e.g. the Great Wall as a typical representative. By the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) evaluation, we assessed 20 geoheritage sites in Qian’an National Geopark, resulting in 1 world-class, 2 national-level, 11 regional-level and 6 local-level. Based on their scientific value and rarity, as well as local development planning, the geopark is divided into 3 classes conservation areas. With hierarchical conservation measures, geoheritages have been well protected, and awareness of ecological environment has been greatly improved. Geotourism has made outstanding contributions to local economy and promoted more sustainable development.

In recent years, various studies have been conducted on inventory and assessment of geosites as well as proposals of georoutes, leading to the implementation of geoconservation actions worldwide. The aim of this research is to explore the geological heritage and itineraries of the El Bayadh area in Algeria, which exhibits a rich and diverse geology and offers scenic landscapes. The methodology used is to identify and describe three potential geological itineraries, composed of 11 geosites that have scientific, educational, and touristic value. The most important results are that El Bayadh has unique geological features, such as Triassic diapirs, dinosaur footprint sites, oases, dams, and rock engravings that reveal the area’s ancient history and geological processes. The geoheritage of El Bayadh can contribute to sustainable development, conservation, and community engagement, by promoting geotourism, geoscience education, and natural heritage preservation.

The island of Madeira forms part of the Madeira Archipelago, an Autonomous Region of Portugal, in the NE Atlantic Ocean. The Madeira Archipelago was built on 140-million-year-old oceanic crust. The exposed geology of Madeira is comprised of the Miocene (> 5.6 million years old) Basal (Inferior), Pleistocene-Miocene (1.8–5.6 million years old) Intermediate Volcanic, Pleistocene (0.7–1.8 million years old) Upper (Superior) Volcanic, and Holocene-Pleistocene (0.007-0.7 million years old) Upper (Superior) Volcanic complexes, generating the landforms and landscapes for which the island is renowned. There are at least 17 geosites on Madeira, including those in the Ponta de São Lourenço, Porto da Cruz, São Vicente Valley, Pico Ruivo, and Ponta da Cruz areas. Geotourism is not as well developed as cultural or biodiversity tourism on Madeira, however, it represents another way for tourists to explore the island’s natural heritage if done in a sustainable manner. Future studies are required to better delineate and set up georoutes on Madeira, particularly in the Ponta de São Lourenço, Porto da Cruz, and São Vicente Valley areas. It is envisaged that the aforementioned geosites could be linked by a single georoute around Madeira, the Madeira Georoute. Further investigation of the geosites identified by this study is required to ensure that these sites are managed and conserved, thereby protecting the geoheritage of Madeira. Geoconservation, sustainable tourism and the cooperation between the public and government authorities (including geologists) are required to improve geotourism on Madeira. The application of the Inventario Español de Lugares de Interés Geológico (IELIG) and Geosite Assessment (GA) models are required to assess and manage threats to Madeira’s geoheritage sites. Such threats include coastal erosion and human activities, such as mass tourism and urban expansion. It is proposed that the government of the Autonomous Region of Madeira in consultation with local and regional stakeholders should submit an application to create a UNESCO Global Geopark on the island of Madeira. This territorial sustainable development approach should be implemented based on the principles of geotourism, geoconservation, and geoeducation.