Geoheritage Values Research Articles

부산국가지질공원의 두송반도 지질명소에 분포하는 지질노두의 지질유산적 가치

부산국가지질공원의 두송반도 지질명소에 분포하는 지질노두의 지질유산적 가치

Geomorphological features of the Manengouba Volcano (Cameroon Line): assets for potential geopark development

Mount Manengouba is a volcanic complex, age between 1.5 and 0 Myr, situated in the Cameroon Line in Cameroon, approximately 120 km NE of Mount Cameroon. It comprises some important geomorphological features, of geoheritage significance, i.e., geomorphosites, namely, two nested sub-circular calderas, broken cones, crater lakes (Female Lake, Male Lake, and Beme Lake), domes and basins. The scientific values, aesthetic appeal, and the uniqueness of Mt Manengouba geomorphosites are suitable for geotourism. However, there are conflicting land-use values as its fertile soils favor farming in the downslope areas of the volcano, and the pyroclastic cones are quarried for pozzolana. While there are field excursions and research programs undertaken by Universities to educate the public about its geoheritage values, currently, tourism at Mt Manengouba is not well developed. It is proposed to promote better local environmental management of the area, improve roads to facilitate the accessibility to these geomorphosites, and produce interpretative panels, guide books and postcards to educate tourists on the geological setting and geoheritage values of the Mt Manengouba area.

Geological Fieldwork: A Study Carried Out With Portuguese Secondary School Students

ABSTRACTRecognizing the relevance that fieldwork and field trips have in the teaching of geosciences and related learning processes, this study presents two geological fieldwork studies that were established with Portuguese secondary school students. Both studies were focused on geoscience content knowledge, and attempted to increase environmental awareness and highlight geoheritage values. Following the Orion model (1993), the fieldwork was established in three stages (the preparatory unit, field trip, and summary unit), which facilitated its implementation and subsequent assessment. Both studies took place in regions in the north of Portugal. One field trip was undertaken at the coastal area of Vila do Conde and the other on the left bank of the Minho River, in Monção. Since a mixed methods research design was applied, different data types were collected and triangulated. Results indicate that the fieldwork was effective in terms of facilitating the development of conceptual knowledge, motivation, and diverse competencies. These results contribute to the recognition of fieldwork as an important strategy in geoscience education and geoscience awareness. The study also highlights that the relevance of fieldwork should be recognized by Portuguese curriculum designers and should be incorporated in the Portuguese science curriculum.

Valoración territorial del geopatrimonio de la zona costera del sur del Desierto de Atacama, Chile (27°S)

La zona costera del sur del desierto de Atacama, en el área de Caldera y Copiapó, se caracteriza por sus elementos geomorfológicos y paleontológicos que son reconocidos por su importancia geopatrimonial, a escala nacional einternacional. En este contexto, se efectuó una zonificación de dicho territorio, con el objetivo de generar una base científica que considere dichos elementos naturales de valor, para orientar la gestión y la ordenación integradade la zona costera del desierto de Atacama en un contexto de protección del geopatrimonio y conservación de la geodiversidad. El litoral se caracteriza por sus terrazas marinas fosilíferas, sus dunas costeras y particularmente,por el gran Mar de Dunas situado en las serranías de la Cordillera de la Costa de Copiapó; además, por la existencia del Área Marino Costera Protegida Isla Grande de Atacama y áreas prioritarias.Se exponen los resultados de la zonificación del área costera en unidades territoriales valoradas según metodología de análisis espacial multicriterio, integrando las variables de localización de geositios; existencia de áreas deprotección; geomorfología de interés, y vegetación. Las unidades territoriales de valoración máxima y muy alta, corresponden a espacios como el Mar de Dunas de Atacama, sitios paleontológicos, acantilados fosilíferos, y el humedal del río Copiapó. En particular, el Mar de Dunas, conforma un conjunto escénico, paisajístico notable, de relevancia regional y nacional; este componente del geopatrimonio del desierto costero del Norte de Chile, junto a otros identificados con máxima valoración, deben ser considerados en las propuestas de ordenación integrada de dicha zona costera, para lo cual aquí se presentan recomendaciones.

Geoheritage values in the Cat Ba islands, Vietnam

Geological wonders have been generally known as natural wonderful products. Resulted from geological processes, geological wonders are diverse in size that have geoheritage values that should be protected from damaging of substance, form and natural development. In a large scale, geological wonders can be geoheritage areas, containing several geodiversity elements that are geologically important or in a smaller scale, they can be geosites of heritage values (or geoheritage sites). In the delimitation of areas, having geoheritage values and the establishment of geoparks, the first thing is to recognise them as geosites and geoheritage areas that indicate great geological values. Besides the Ha Long bay, the world natural heritage with its outstanding aesthetic and geological values, the Cat Ba islands are typical and grandeur karst landscapes formed in tropical condition. Based on the geodiversity elements with their own geoheritage values on aesthetics, uniqueness and grandeur in the Cat Ba islands, the authors have recognised three geoheritage areas: the south cape of the Cat Ba embayment, Tung Gau (shelter), and the Lan Ha bay. Sites where Brachiopods, Crinoids and Tetracorals are exposed on the way through the island are considered as palaeontological geosites. The folds of limestone layers in the northern part of Cat Co 3 beach, with typical turbidite structures in carbonate formations are considered as a lithological geosite. The Devonian-Carboniferous boundary near the Cat Co 3 beach is regarded as a stratigraphical geosite while Que Kem and Turtle islands, etc. are considered as geomorphological geosites.

The contribution of Dutch landscape painters to the conservation of geoheritage

Landscape images are a way to register geoheritage, and we have applied it here in a consideration of the landscapes of the Netherlands. Before the 1950s these landscapes were documented chiefly by landscape painters; with useful photographs of limited availability. We have looked through a large number of paintings of Dutch landscapes to assess their geoheritage value, and present here a first reconnaissance.