Aesthetic-remarkable localities of Kharkiv region as geotourism objects

Abstract

Formulation of the problem. The aim of work is to prove the expedience of using the beautiful localities with valuable geosites of the Kharkiv region as geotourism objects. Presentation of the main material. The most interesting objects of geotourism in the Kharkiv region are Izyum district, Gorodishhenska and Kozacha mountains, locality Kruchi in Zmijov district, Bajdaki cretaceous rock near Protopopivka village in Balakliya district, cretaceous mountains in Oskil and the Volcha river valleys in Dvorichna and Volchansk districts, locality Krutyj Log near Ruski Tyshki village in Kharkiv district. The objects of Izyum district are described in details. They are located in the south-east of the Kharkiv region near Izyum town, at the distance of 130 km from Kharkiv. Apart from picturesque landscapes, there are 3 remarkable geosites in this locality: Kremenec mountain, Protopivska ravine and lower part of the Grekivka river valley, which is also called the Big Kamenka outcrops. Kremenec mountain is situated on the territory of the Izyum town. The outcrops are located on the crest and western slope of this upland and are composed of Jurassic and Cretaceous deposits. The Big Kamenka outcrops and Protopivska ravine are located on the territory of the Kamenka village. The Big Kamenka outcrops are composed of Jurassic gritstones, sandstones, aleurolites, clay deposits and limestones. The Protopivska ravine is located in the core of Kamenka anticline and is composed of Triassic deposits. In the Izyum district different types of valuable geological objects have been discovered, namely: paleontological – Triassic flora, Jurassic fauna; stratigraphical – the stratotypes of regional suites of Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous sediments – Protopivska, Izyumska, Kremenecka, Priizyumska suites; mineralogical – quartz, chalcedony, calcite, limonite; petrographical – non-ordinary rocks as coral limestones etc.; tectonic – are visible folds and faults – for example, Kamenska anticline; paleogeographical – consists of geological evidences of different conditions of sedimentation – for example, the Oxfordian bioherms, Kimmeridgian lagoonal deposits; geomorphological – remarkable forms of surface, such as limestone rocky outcrops of Iziumska Suites; hydrogeological – the Jurassic springs (Big Kamenka outcrops); raw materials – Turonian chalk, phosphorite concretions in the Cenomanian sediments, which have practical value; mining history – remainders of chalk quarry on the summit of the Kremenec hill; memorial – prominent geologists' work-places and spots of findings of valuable geological materials, such as Cenomanian plesiosaur Cimoliosaurus bernardi Owen in Kremenec and others. Conclusion. The Izyum area contains numerous remarkable geological objects, beautiful landscapes and can be successfully used for geotourism.