Geological Sites Research Articles

Combining Remote Sensing Data and Geochemical Properties of Ultramafics to Explore Chromite Ore Deposits in East Oltu Erzurum, Turkey

The present research’s main objective was to apply thorough exploration approaches that combine remote sensing data with geochemical sampling and analysis to predict and identify potential chromitite locations in a complex geological site, particularly in rugged mountainous terrain, and differentiate the ultramafic massif containing chromitite orebodies from other lithologies. The ultramafic massif forming the mantle section of the Kırdağ ophiolite, located within the Erzurum–Kars Ophiolite Zone and emerging in the east of Oltu district (Erzurum, NE Turkey), was selected as the study area. Optimum index factor (OIF), false-color composite (FCC), decorrelation stretch (DS), band rationing (BR), minimum noise fraction (MNF), and principal and independent component analyses (PCA-ICA) were performed to differentiate the lithological features and identify the chromitite host formations. The petrography, mineral chemistry, and whole-rock geochemical properties of the harzburgites, which are the host rocks of chromitites in the research area, were evaluated to verify and confirm the remote sensing results. In addition, detailed petrographic properties of the pyroxenite and chromitite samples are presented. The results support the existence of potential chromitite formations in the mantle section of the Kırdağ ophiolite. Our remote sensing results also demonstrate the successful detection of the spectral anomalies of this ultramafic massif. The mineral and whole-rock geochemical features provide clear evidence of petrological processes, such as partial melting and melt–peridotite interactions during the harzburgite formation. The chromian spinels’ Cr#, Mg#, Fe3+, Al2O3, and TiO2 concentrations indicate that the harzburgite formed in a fore-arc environment. The Al2O3 content and Mg# of the pyroxenes and the whole-rock Al2O3/MgO ratio and V contents of the harzburgite are also compatible with these processes. Consequently, the combined approaches demonstrated clear advantages over conventional chromitite exploration techniques, decreasing the overall costs and supporting the occurrence of chromite production at the site.

Geological Sites of the Anergui Region: Description and Place in the Alpine Geological History of the M'goun UNESCO Global Geopark (Morocco)

The M'goun UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the central part of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Numerous studies have highlighted the richness of the geological heritage of this area. Despite these increased efforts in characterization, some areas, such as Anergui, remain underexplored. This mediation work aims to describe the most significant geological landscapes of this region and place them within the broader geological history framework of the UNESCO M'Goun Geopark, thereby enriching the list of geosites within this geopark and promoting geological awareness in the area. This study focused on describing 16 geosites selected based on scientific, educational and geotourism values. These geosites stand out for their geodiversity, showcasing both deep-seated and surface geological phenomena. They provide an excellent framework for understanding the alpine geological history of the M'Goun Geopark. Each site bears witness to one or several key stages of this history, highlighting the extension of the High Atlas basin, the development of carbonate platforms, Jurassic diapirism and magmatism, Late Cretaceous and Tertiary compression, Tertiary and Quaternary uplift, and erosion, resulting in a variety of geological features relating to deformation and alteration.

An overlooked contribution to Devonian studiesin the Holy Cross Mts: rediscovering Alexei Doronin’s 1893 article on the Kadzielnia Limestone

The unused Kadzielnia quarry in Kielce is the most publicly known geological site in the Holy Cross Mts and its geotouristic landmark (now the Kadzielnia Park and Reserve). The ‘rocky’ (coral) Kadzielnia Limestone, corresponding to a stromatoporoid-microbial mud mound, now treated as the Kadzielnia Massive Limestone Member of the Kowala Formation, has been studied for almost 200 years. This large bioherm is famous for its exceptionally diverse fossil inventory. The history of its geological exploration is insufficiently known, as exemplified by the overlooked contribution of Alexei Doronin, a master’s student at the Imperial University of Warsaw (IUW). In 1893, under the guidance of Professor Vladimir Amalitsky, he published a note on the age of the Kadzielnia Limestone. The paleontological basis for this discussion was the IUW student’s fossil collection, in which Doronin identified 28 taxa, mainly brachiopods (19 species). He was the first to recognize the occurrence of gastropods (e.g., Loxonema) and crinoids, and at least four species of brachiopods (e.g., Dielasma sacculus). In a comprehensive brachiopod-based stratigraphic discussion, Doronin emphasized the great similarity of the Kadzielnia assemblage to the Middle Devonian fauna of Western Europe, but also including the typical Upper Devonian species Rhynchonella cuboides. Ultimately, he advocated assigning a terminal Middle Devonian age to the Kadzielnia Limestone. Despite this erroneous dating, Doronin’s noteworthy but unnoticed contribution holds significant implications not only for further study of Kadzielnia but also for understanding the development of geosciences in the late 19th century in the Congress Poland (then part of partitioned Poland within the Russian Empire), including the academic role of the IUW. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, the scientific career of Amalitsky’s talented pupil never truly began.

Geologic Input Databases for the 2025 Puerto Rico—U.S. Virgin Islands National Seismic Hazard Model Update: Crustal Faults Component

Abstract The last National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM) for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (PRVI) was published in 2003. In advance of the 2025 PRVI NSHM update, we created three geologic input databases to summarize new onshore and offshore fault source information in the northern Caribbean region between 62°–70° W and 16°–21° N. These databases, of fault sections, fault-zone polygons, and geologic estimates of fault activity (fault-slip rate and earthquake recurrence intervals) at specific sites, document updates to fault parameters used in prior seismic hazard models in PRVI. Fault sources were reviewed from published studies since 2003, which document substantial changes to the understanding of fault location, geometry, or activity. New fault section sources were added for features that meet the criteria of (1) length ≥7 km, (2) unequivocal evidence of recurrent tectonic Quaternary activity, and (3) documentation that is publicly available in a peer-reviewed source. In addition, we revised several broad areal sources, such as the Mona and Anegada extensional zones. The 2003 model included three fault sections and two fault-zone polygons (areal sources). These databases include 35 fault sections, 6 fault-zone polygons, and 51 earthquake geology sites. To characterize fault activity rates, slip-rate bins were assigned based on landscape expression and paleoseismic trench observations for faults without published slip-rate sites. Additional fault sources were evaluated but not included in these databases due to a lack of published information about fault location, geometry, or recurrent Quaternary activity. The PRVI NSHM 2025 geologic input databases describe crustal faulting; the geometries and coupling of Puerto Rico subduction zone and Muertos Trough models are considered in a separate database. Updates to the fault sections, fault-zone polygons, and earthquake geology databases can help inform the location and recurrence rate of damaging earthquakes in the PRVI NSHM implementation.

Roles of kaolinite-oil-gas molecular interactions in hydrogen storage within depleted reservoirs

Hydrogen is a clean alternative to fossil fuels, emitting only water vapor during combustion. In a future hydrogen economy, large-scale storage will be an important component of the supply chain. Due to its low volumetric density, conventional surface storage methods are inadequate. Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) offers a viable solution, enabling the storage of millions of cubic meters. Among potential geological sites, including salt caverns, aquifers, and depleted gas reservoirs, depleted oil reservoirs show promise. Studying hydrogen interactions with residual oil and reservoir minerals is vital for understanding the properties of hydrogen and the reservoir post-injection. In this study, we employed molecular dynamics simulations to gain molecular-level insights into these interactions. We investigated hydrogen dissolution in oil, adsorption at kaolinite/oil interfaces, the role of CO2 as a cushion gas, and the influence of kaolinite’s hydrophobicity on H2 behavior. The main findings include: (1) hydrogen dissolves more in oil than in water, (2) the introduction of CO2 suppresses hydrogen dissolution in oil and reduces the interfacial tension (IFT) between oil and gas, (3) CO2 decreases H2 partitioning near kaolinite surfaces due to its strong affinity for the hydrophilic gibbsite surface of kaolinite, and (4) CO2 is more effective than H2 in reducing IFT between kaolinite and the oil–gas mixture. These findings emphasize the effectiveness of CO2 as a cushion gas and the important role of clay hydrophobicity in UHS, providing insights that are challenging to obtain experimentally.

Manajemen Pengelolaan Situs Geologi Batu Angus dalam Mendukung Pulau Ternate Menuju Geopark Island di Indonesia

Batu Angus Geological Site is one of the tourist attractions that can support Ternate Island towards Geopark Island in Indonesia. Although the attraction of this tourist attraction is very potential, it is not yet popular and the visit of foreign and domestic tourists to the location of these attractions is also still not optimal. The objectives of this study are (1) to determine the existence of angus geological sites on Ternate Island, (2) to describe the management of angus geological sites on Ternate Island, and (3) to develop a management strategy for angus geological sites. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative method where data is obtained through interviews, field observations, documentation, and literature studies. Sampling in this study was carried out using purposive sampling method. The results of this study, namely (1) The Angus Rock Area of Ternate Island has been identified and catalogued by IAGI (Indonesian Geologists Association) North Maluku together with the Ternate City Bappelitbangda Office and the Ternate City Tourism Office, (2) The Angus Rock geological site is very good, but still lacks facilities and infrastructure and lacks Human Resources (HR), the government and the surrounding community need to work together to make the Angus rock geological site into one of the tourist attractions that can support Ternate Island towards a geopark island in Indonesia. (3) The strategy used to improve the management of angus stone geological site in supporting Ternate Island towards Geopark Island in Indonesia by using strength-opportunity strategy, weakness-opportunity strategy, strength-threat strategy, and weakness-threat strategy. The four strategies can make the angus stone geological site better. By applying the right strategies, it can improve the management of Batu Angus geological site on Ternate Island.

CO2 Storage in Deep Oceanic Sediments in the form of Hydrates: Energy Evaluation and Advantages Related to the Use of N2-Containing Mixtures

Permanent storage in suitable geological sites and/or deep aquifers is emerging as the most concrete and effective solution to mitigate its increasing concentration in the atmosphere. This article experimentally investigated its storage in deep marine environments in the form of hydrates. Gas hydrates were formed into a small-scale reactor, designed to reproduce marine seafloors. Hydrates were formed with pure carbon dioxide and with CO2-based gaseous mixture containing nitrogen at different concentrations, equal, respectively, to 30, 50 and 60 vol%. The results obtained for each mixture were then compared to each other. In particular, the quantity of hydrates formed was evaluated as a function of the thermodynamic conditions selected for the experiments. The energy spent for the process, calculated by considering the cooling and compression phases, was calculated for the unit quantity of hydrates formed and for the unit quantity of carbon dioxide stored. Finally, the energy requirements for gas cooling and for gas compression were calculated separately in order to comprehend the contribution of the single process for each mixture.

Soil arthropods in bioindication and ecotoxicological approach: The case of the extreme environment Mefite (Ansanto Valley, Southern Italy)

Soil arthropods are pivotal in maintaining soil health and serve as sensitive indicators of soil alterations. The soil arthropod community in the Mefite Geological Site (Italy), characterized by a sulphurous lake and intense degassing, was the focus of this study. In details, the objectives were: i) to characterize soil arthropod community at different distances from the Mefite lake; ii) to identify resilient taxa acting as bioindicators to assess soil ecotoxicity. Soil cores were collected at A) 30m, B) 80m, C) 120m away from the lake; soil organic matter (SOM), and pH, ecotoxicity tests (Lepidium sativum: germination index, elongation inhibition; Folsomia candida: survival, reproduction), and identification of soil arthropods (orders, Collembola families, Protura species) have been carried out. Statistical analyses assessed the impact of sulphurous emissions on soil chemistry, ecotoxicity, and arthropod parameters (community structure, taxa associations, biodiversity indices like Shannon and Simpson, and soil biological quality index – QBS-ar). The results showed: no SOM differences; pH: A < B < C; the highest ecotoxic effects were observed in A for both target species; arthropod community composition and QBS-ar varied notably in A compared to C, with the lowest soil biodiversity found in A. Hypogastruridae (Collembola) showed a clear association with A, while Protura were notably absent in A. This study also provided the first records of 4 Protura species in Campania, updating existing knowledge. Overall, arthropod community biodiversity and composition proved to be effective soil bioindicators in highly acidic conditions, reflecting soil ecotoxicity. In particular, the QBS-ar index demonstrated sensitivity in sulphurous environments.

Managing a potential conflict between the protection of geological sites and the need to safeguard essential road infrastructure: the Coverack North Coast Protection Scheme and palaeo-Moho in Cornwall, UK

In alignment with the Cornwall &amp; Isles of Scilly Shoreline Management Plan (SMP2), adopted by Cornwall Council, the Coverack North Coast Protection Scheme comprised the construction of a circa 125m long rock armour revetment, and 55m long retaining wall, at Coverack Cove on the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall, UK. This was to prevent sea erosion impacting vehicle access via the B3294, the main public highway into Coverack. The site of the proposed works on Coverack Beach is part of a Natural England designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its geology, specifically the exposure on the foreshore of an almost continuous cross section of a palaeo-Moho, the former boundary between the earth's crust and underlying mantle. Following a period of consultation, a set of management proposals and mitigation measures were agreed with Natural England and Cornwall Council to protect and offset the impact of the proposed works on the SSSI asset. It is sometimes difficult to reconcile the issue of protecting communities from coastal erosion and ensuring the protection of geological assets. This can be mitigated if a balanced approach is adopted, and the work is sensitively managed to offset the impact of coastal protection schemes such of this.

The analysis of potentially toxic heavy metal contamination in the Lake Bogoria geothermal springs

Lake Bogoria geothermal system is a natural geological site in Kenya that boasts a habitat for Flamingos which attract tourists, and its water find applications in agriculture and recreation. Accordingly, its geological processes, closed water systems and anthropogenic activities may lead to accumulation of potential toxic metal contamination. The present study focused on the analysis of potentially toxic metals — manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) in geothermal spring water samples after acid digestion method, and evaluated their health risks through dermal and ingestion exposures. Principal component analysis (PCA), enrichment factors (EF) and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) were performed to determine the sources and correlation between the metals investigated. Manganese, Cu and Ni recorded mean concentrations (ppm) of 0.19 ± 0.08, 0.02 ± 0.02 and 0.03 ± 0.02, respectively, which were below the permissible World Health Organisation (WHO) limits, whereas Pb (0.06 ± 0.04) and Cd (0.05 ± 0.02) levels were above the threshold standards. PCA revealed that these metals may have originated from geological regimes and surface run-offs. Copper and Cd metals were highly enriched indicating an anthropogenic origin. The Hazard quotients (HQ) of Pb and Cd were >1,\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$>1,$$\\end{document} hence they are potential precursors for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks in both children and adults. The findings of this study showed possible Pb and Cd metal contamination from geothermal waters. Therefore, there is need for remediation, continuous monitoring and assessment of geothermal waters before utilization for recreation, crop production and geothermal energy exploitation to ensure environmental conservation and human safety.

The Effect of Antecedent Topography on Complex Crater Formation

AbstractImpact craters that form on every planetary body provide a record of planetary surface evolution. On heavily cratered surfaces, new craters that form often overlap antecedent craters, but it is unknown how the presence of antecedent craters alters impact crater formation. We use overlapping complex crater pairs on the lunar surface to constrain this process and find that crater rims are systematically lower where they intersect antecedent crater basins. The rim morphology of the new crater depends on the depth of the antecedent crater and the degree of overlap between the craters. Our observations suggest that new craters do not always obliterate underlying topography and that transient rim collapse is altered by antecedent topography. This study represents the first formalization of the influence of antecedent topography on rim morphology and provides process insight into a common impact scenario relevant to the geology of potential Artemis landing sites.

Evaluation of geological sites in a park environment for the needs of the Bulgarian geoparks, nature parks, and national parks

Evaluation of geological sites in a park environment for the needs of the Bulgarian geoparks, nature parks, and national parks

Perspectives on Eco-Translation in Diane Ackerman ("The Zookeeper’s Wife") and Kapka Kassabova ("Border: A Journey to the Edge of Europe")

The present article takes into account a current trend in the translation studies that reconsiders anthropocentric thinking about translation – as Michael Cronin, one of the leading theoreticians of this movement believes, communication systems have to be made effective against the threatening prospects of an imminent ecological crisis. Central to this expanded vision of translation is the idea that communication is not the exclusive “property” of humanity, but a natural means of interaction that characterizes the lives and being of all planetary forms of existence (including landscapes and geological sites). In other words, the Earth itself is held together by impulses of verbal and non-verbal communication, and human beings are just members of this infinitely extended, but effectively operating communicative space that Cronin refers to as “tradosphere”. While this is just the beginning of a challenging, exciting and meaningful re-routing of the conventional modes of thinking about translation, I aim to explore how this planetary consciousness can be employed as a critical instrument in reading narratives of suffering and survival. It is in such survival stories that human integrity is tested both psychologically and physically as physical menace strips human characters of their cultural identities and relocates them in the immense network of cross-species communication.

Potential Area for A National Geoheritage Site at Injana Area, Himreen South Mountain, Middle of Iraq

The study area is located on both limbs of Himreen South Mountain, approximately 150 km northeast of Baghdad city alongside Baghdad- Kirkuk main road. Injana Geoheritage sites are interesting to consider for this study's geological conservation. It includes five national geological sites. The first interesting site of vertebrate fossils that showed the significance of the evolution of life. It also includes twenty-one species of vertebrate fossils within a pebbly sand bed in the Mukdadiya formation in late Miocene-Pliocene. The second interesting volcanic activity showed the significance of structural features. That involved feature showed volcanic ash deposited in the Mukdadiya formation during the late Miocene–Pliocene. The third interesting depositional environment showed the significance of ancient environments. The third site includes some ancient environments, such as a closed lagoon in the Fatha formation, fluvial in the Injana formation as well as fluvial or lacustrine environments in the Mukdadiya formation. The fourth interesting economic deposit showed the significance of rock types. That contains some industrial rocks and building materials such as gypsum in the Fatha formation and gravel and sand in the Mukdadiya formation and in the Quaternary sediments. The fifth interesting burnt hill showed the significance of surface and subsurface features. That contains unaltered and baked sediments capped by fused rocks. The suggested study areas are perhaps protected as a national geoheritage sites because of the inventory characterizations of geosites criteria, besides it is considered the first study on the national geoheritage in Iraq.

Low Bacterial Diversity and Nitrate Levels in Cores from Deep Boreholes in Pristine Karst.

This study investigates the nitrate gradients within the deep biosphere of karst carbonate rocks and their resident microbiota. Samples were taken from borehole cores at depths down to 350 m below the surface, collected during geological site investigations for proposed railway tunnels and analysed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing analysis revealed relatively low microbial diversity, which can serve as a reliable indicator of the pristine nature of deep karst. However, some local hotspots of diversity are independent of depth. Pseudomonadota dominated the samples, with Gammaproteobacteria dominating at the class level. The low nitrate content in deep karst, in contrast to higher values closer to the surface, serves as an additional marker of its undisturbed and unpolluted status. Based on the prediction of functional profiles from 16S rRNA sequencing data, nitrates remain low due to indigenous microbial denitrification and assimilatory nitrate reduction. Pathways related to nitrogen fixation, ammonia assimilation, and nitrification were not confirmed. When elevated nitrate levels are observed in karst, they are most probably related to anthropogenic activities. Environmental factors other than depth and nitrate content play an important role in shaping bacterial communities.

Erosion rate of lunar soil under a landing rocket, part 2: Benchmarking and predictions

In the companion paper (“Erosion rate of lunar soil under a landing rocket, part 1: identifying the rate-limiting physics”, this issue) an equation was developed for the rate that lunar soil erodes under the exhaust of a landing rocket. That equation has only one parameter that is not calibrated from first principles, so here it is calibrated by the blowing soil's optical density curve during an Apollo landing. An excellent fit is obtained, helping validate the equation. However, when extrapolating the erosion rate all the way to touchdown on the lunar surface, a soil model is needed to handle the increased resistance to erosion as the deeper, more compacted soil is exposed. Relying on models derived from Apollo measurements and from Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Diviner thermal inertia measurements, only one additional soil parameter is unknown: the scale of increasing cohesive energy with soil compaction. Treating this as an additional fitting parameter results in some degeneracy in the solutions, but the depth of erosion scour in the post-landing imagery provides an additional constraint on the solution. The results show that about 4 to 10 times more soil was blown in each Apollo landing than previously believed, so the potential for sandblasting damage is worse than prior estimates. This also shows that, with further development, instruments to measure the soil erosion during lunar landings can constrain the soil column's density profile complementary to the thermal inertia measurements, providing insight into the landing site's geology.

Glass reinforced plastic (GRP) boats and the impact on coastal environment – Evidence of fibreglass ingestion by marine bivalves from natural populations

Classified as marine debris, man made materials are polluting the world’s oceans. Recently, glass reinforced plastic (GRP) has been shown to degrade and contaminate the coasts. In this pioneering study, fibreglass particles have been detected in the soft parts of oysters and mussels collected from natural populations, in front of an active boatyard. The presence of particulate glass, with concentrations up to 11,220 particles/kg ww in Ostrea edulis and 2740 particles/kg ww in Mytilus edulis, was confirmed by micro Raman spectroscopy. The results showed higher accumulation during the winter months, when boat maintenance activities are peaking and, through repair work, the release of glass fibres in the environment is more likely. Bivalves are considered high risk species due to their sessile nature and extensive filter feeding behaviour. The microparticle inclusion may contribute to adverse impacts on physiological processes and eventually to a decline in the overall health and subsequent death of the animal. The high costs involved in the proper GRP disposal and the lack of recycling facilities worldwide lead to boat abandonement and further contamination of the coasts. For the first time this study presents the extensive fibreglass contamination of natural bivalve populations, in a popular South England sailing harbour, designated a biological and geological site of specific scientific interest (SSRI).

Usability of sand samples in TL Radiation Dosimetry.

This study investigated natural sand thermoluminescence (TL) response as a possible option for retrospective high-dose gamma dosimetry. The natural sand under investigation was collected from six locations with selection criteria for sampling sites covering the highest probability of exposure to unexpected radiation on the Egyptian coast. Dose-response, glow curve, chemical composition, linearity, and fading rate for different sand samples were studied. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) analysis revealed differences in chemical composition among the various geological sites, leading to variations in TL glow curve intensity. Sand samples collected from Ras Sedr, Taba, Suez, and Enshas showed similar TL patterns, although with different TL intensities. Beach sands of Matrouh and North Coastal with a high calcite content did not show a clear linear response to the TL technique, in the dose range of 10Gy up to 30kGy. The results show that most sand samples are suitable as a radiation dosimeter at accidental levels of exposure. It is proposed here that for high-dose gamma dosimetry with doses ranging from 3 to 10kGy, a single calibration factor might be enough for TL measurements using sand samples. However, proper calibration might allow dose assessment for doses even up to 30kGy. Most of the investigated sand samples had nearly stable fading rates after seven days of storage. The Ras Sedr sands sample was the most reliable for retrospective dose reconstruction.

Amplification effects of ground motion due to the local geology of the building site in the cities of Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa

The results of the research presented in the article elucidate the importance of taking into account the amplitude-frequency characteristics of soil stratum models in the context of seismic safety of construction objects on the territory of Ukraine, in different regions. The presented results of the analysis of the calculated amplitude-frequency characteristics of models of soil environments for different regions of Ukraine reveal that the amplification of vibrations by soils has a complex nature that depends on many factors and can differ significantly for different construction sites. We have shown that during the earthquake-resistant design of buildings and structures, it is necessary to properly take into account the properties of soil complexes under the research site, which can significantly increase oscillations at “resonant” frequencies. The article examines in detail the features of amplitude-frequency characteristic models of soil strata for different geological conditions in Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih and Odesa. The purpose of this study is to compare these characteristics and develop recommendations for reducing risks associated with seismic hazards.

Encompassing geoheritage's multiple voices, multiple venues and multi-disciplinarity

Abstract Geoheritage is recognized globally as a critical concept that celebrates unique geological sites, their history and scientific value, educational potential and geotourism opportunities. Importantly, geoheritage encompasses a wide range of geodiversity, which exists in a variety of scales – from local outcrops to internationally recognized UNESCO sites – and within a continuum of scientific value, historical merit, indigenous meaning, educational potential and geotourism possibilities. We celebrate a selected example of geoheritage sites across the world that have been noticed, recognized and utilized. The breadth and geodiversity of some of these sites indicate we should broaden our geoheritage definition and include historical collections and largely inaccessible sites. Notably, all geoscientists and educators must remain diligent to ensure the sustainability of these sites so that future generations can enjoy our geological and cultural heritage.