Terrestrial impact structures as geoheritage: an assessment method of their scientific value and its application to Brazil.

Joana P Sánchez,José B.R Brilha

doi:10.1590/0001-3765201720160081

Abstract

Terrestrial impact structures are geological and geomorphological features with particular importance to understand the history and evolution of the planet. Impact structures are scattered around the world but in many countries these features are under threat, essentially due to anthropic factors. Impact structures with higher scientific value should be considered as geological heritage and, consequently, be subjected to geoconservation strategies. In order to select the most important impact structures to be properly conserved and managed, this paper proposes a quantitative assessment method of the scientific value of these structures. The eight Brazilian impact structures were used to test this method that has the potential to be applied to any geological context in any country. The structures known as Araguainha Dome-MT and Serra da Cangalha-TO reached a higher scientific value, which justifies the need to develop geoconservation strategies and a proper management.

Highlights

Studies and protection initiatives on geological heritage have been expanding all over the world in order to conserve particular geodiversity elements that are important for the understanding of Earth’s origin and evolution
It was considered that the size of the impact crater (30%) and the diversity of megascopic and macroscopic elements (40%) are the two most important criteria to assess the scientific value of impact structures
In spite of the fact that some of these structures are located in remote areas and with few threats, many other structures are under pressure, mainly due to anthropic activities such as urban development. This is the reason why it is important to rank the impact structures according to the scientific value

Summary

Introduction

Studies and protection initiatives on geological heritage have been expanding all over the world in order to conserve particular geodiversity elements that are important for the understanding of Earth’s origin and evolution. Geoheritage may have other types of values, which constitute the bases for its sustainable use with educational, recreation, and tourism activities at national and local levels (Brilha 2016 and references ). Geoconservation – the identification, conservation, and management of exceptional occurrences of geodiversity – is of extreme importance for the study of Earth’s environmental and life evolution (Henriques et al 2011, Prosser et al 2011, Brilha 2015, 2016, Henriques 2015).

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