Representation of geologic time in the global geopark network: A web-page study

Abstract

Geologic time is a fundamental geological category that should be of interest to geopark visitors. The compilation of on-line information from all 120 UNESCO Global Geoparks located in 33 countries permits an analysis of the different ways geologic time is represented by this network. It is established that the major time units from the Proterozoic to the Neogene are represented by the global geoparks more or less equally, which is an unexpected achievement. The documented situation is highly favourable for two important tasks. First, the global geopark network has the potential to improve the general public's knowledge of geologic time. Second, such publicity may facilitate equal attention to the work of scientists on different intervals of geological history. However, the promotion of the relevant knowledge needs some adjustments in order to be most effective. Moreover, different preferences shown by “antiquity”-oriented and “modernity”-oriented tourists should be taken into account.