Potential Geopark Research Articles

Assessment of Online and Onsite Information on Heritage and Its Presentation in Slovak Geoparks

Geoparks, via the ABC geotourism concept, represent ideal places to effectively combine natural and cultural heritage, allowing visitors to better understand the country’s history and development. In this way, the sustainable development of local communities is promoted and contributes to the protection of the unique natural and cultural values of the region. Proper presentation of natural and cultural heritage in a geopark is key to developing soft forms of tourism, e.g., geotourism or ecotourism. The paper focuses on Slovak geoparks with a special emphasis on analysing the information availability and presentation of both natural and cultural heritage in these areas from the perspective of potential geopark visitors. Based on the analysis and evaluation of defined categories, including websites, social media platforms, mobile applications, information centres, brochures, educational trails, information panels, and guided tours, results show that, in general, existing geoparks’ promotional materials can be considered the best source of information on heritage and its presentation. On the other hand, the most significant identified shortcomings include insufficient use of mobile applications, a lack of educational activities, and the relatively low quality of existing educational trails. However, considerable differences exist in information access and heritage presentation in Slovak geoparks. Based on the findings, specific measures are suggested as potential solutions to enable the appropriate and correct presentation of heritage in the territories of Slovak geoparks. Their practical application will contribute to the development of Slovak geoparks, increase awareness of heritage located in the areas of individual geoparks, and provide a better understanding of the values of this heritage by the wider public.

Palaeovolcanic Geoheritage from Volcano Geology Perspective within Earth's Geosystems: Geoeducation of the Potential Geopark Kratovo-Zletovo (North Macedonia)

Palaeovolcanic Geoheritage from Volcano Geology Perspective within Earth's Geosystems: Geoeducation of the Potential Geopark Kratovo-Zletovo (North Macedonia)

Attractiveness Assessment Model for Evaluating an Area for a Potential Geopark—Case Study: Hațeg UNESCO Global Geopark (Romania)

Many studies have developed methods for assessing attractiveness, but the question is which one should be used to evaluate geopark designated areas? Therefore, the aim of this study is to find suitable criteria for assessing the attractiveness of a natural area such as a geopark in order to find the best quantifiable method as a methodological guide to evaluate attractiveness. The principle of the methodology takes into account three facts: the use of available attractiveness methods elaborated over time, the UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) geopark requirements, and a certified geopark (Haţeg UNESCO Global Geopark was chosen as etalon—benchmark), then matching these together. To this end, the following specific objectives have been set: (i) an inventory of factors used to estimate attractiveness; (ii) through analysis, identifying the appropriate evaluation criteria for the field (a set for criteria’s SMART parameter, which can be clearly expressed, quantitatively measurable, and achievable); and (iii) developing a methodological guideline for geopark attractiveness assessment. The methodology is based on an analytical thinking approach, builds on the experience of existing methods, and stands out by the attributes matched to the UGGp’s evaluation criteria using the certified geopark as a benchmark. The result itself presents a method for assessing the attractiveness of geoparks. The outcome offers the attractiveness suitability for new geopark-designated areas as well as for existing geoparks aspiring to UNESCO certification.

Geotourism Assessment using the M-GAM method (Modified Geosite Assessment Model) Sawahlunto Region, West Sumatra

The geological setting in the area is a strong attraction for natural tourism. The Sawahlunto Geopark area is one of the Geoparks located in West Sumatra Province which has a variety of geological sites. This area meets the criteria that make it a potential Geopark. The purpose of this analysis is to evaluate the potential of geotourism and use this assessment as a basis for developing geotourism in the Sawahlunto and surrounding geotourism areas. This analytical study was carried out using the M-GAM (Modified Geosite Assessment Model) method. In the study process, research methods were carried out using questionnaire data based on 27 indicators from the M-GAM method.M-GAM method has 27 indicators consisting of main and additional values that will be used as a questionnaire which will produce quantitative results. The 27 indicators contain several geotourism assessments, including scientific value, aesthetic value, protection value, functional value, and tourism value of a geosite. The maximum score that can be obtained by a geosite that has all the perfect criteria in 27 indicators will get a main score of 12 and an additional score of 15. 7 geosites will be assessed with results, namely Batu Runciang (8.17 and 7.62), Serpih Bakelok (6.35 and 7.72), Tabiang Tinggi (6.81 and 8.14) and Puncak Cemara (8.19 and 8.41), Stone Garden (6.37 and 7.96), Batu Gantuang Cave (3.91 and 6.07) and Kubang Waterfall (3.48 and 6.48). Referring to the results of the Sawahlunto geosite assessment, it was concluded that the Batu Runciang and Puncak Cemara Geosites had a high value in terms of main values compared to the other 5 geosites. Meanwhile, for additional value, Tabiang Tinggi and Puncak Cemara have sufficient value compared to the other 5 Geosites. This is because geosites with low value still lack various things such as facilities and promotions. Efforts that can be made are to build facilities at several geosites that still experience a lack of public facilities. Apart from that, promotion on social media is also very helpful in introducing geosites to the public.

Late Cretaceous–Early Paleocene Geodiversity of Fatehgarh Formation of Petroliferous Barmer Basin, Western Rajasthan, India: A Potential Geopark Site

Late Cretaceous–Early Paleocene Geodiversity of Fatehgarh Formation of Petroliferous Barmer Basin, Western Rajasthan, India: A Potential Geopark Site

Assessment of the Geomorphological Heritage of the Costa Branca Area, a Potential Geopark in Brazil

The Atlantic margin of South America is considered passive and stable. However, there are some local points of discordance within the Brazilian coastal region with more than 7490 km of extension, where there is only one tectonic relief. These sites are located in a marginal sedimentary basin in which there is a small area of Quaternary tectonic relief, which makes it scientifically relevant at an international level. The present work proposes using two methods for quantifying the geomorphological heritage of this area. The main difference between the methods is the use of aesthetic values together with scientific ones as central values in one of the methods, while the other method focuses only on scientific values. The quantitative evaluation performed here allowed for the identification of seven geomorphosites with one method and only four with the other. Considering the results obtained, meetings were held with civil society and with the state and local municipalities which presented the possibility of creating a geopark, given the area’s importance for understanding the history of the Earth and potential as a priority area for geoconservation.

Quantitative Assessment of Five Geosites Locations in Northeast Misan Southeast Iraq by Using Satellite Images and Field Survey

Sentinel satellite images are enhanced using Erdas-2014 and analyzed by GIS techniques to distinguish the main geological features in the study area. Satellite image is processed to select and determine several geological and geomorphological features that are evident through a Sentinel image as a Geopoint. These Geopoints were checked in the field survey to be geosite. Field techniques include phtogeological and terrestrial photogrammetry. Quantities’ assessment of geological heritage in five geosite in Potential Geopark (Telal AL Band ). Scientific, educational, functional, and touristic categories values were calculated for each Geosite. The Results of the quantitative assessment depend on questionnaire data for three types of audiences: university students, Government circles, researchers, tourists then, and previous geoscientific studies. The infrastructures like paved roads, bridges, and security, played a vital role in the scores in different studied sites. The infrastructures of geoutorism need to devselop through local government funding and community people investments. The area of east Missan required more professional promoting efforts to develop geoeducation and geotourism. The results of the study show the Telal AL Band geopark of geoeducation, geotourism, and economical importance

Geoheritage Resources in Polish Landscape Parks as a Basis for Developing a Network of Geoparks

Despite intensive scientific research on geodiversity and geotourism, the development of a network of geoparks in Poland has been slow. There are only two geoparks here. The reasons include difficulties of an organisational nature. The existing network of spatial forms of nature conservation should be used to streamline the process of establishing geoparks. The areas of the potential geoparks partially overlap with the areas of the landscape parks. The study presents a comprehensive quantitative assessment of abiotic nature sites (abiotic nature reserves, abiotic natural phenomena, documentation sites, geosites) occurring in landscape parks (125 in Poland). Parks with the greatest number of such sites and the highest geoheritage value are indicated (10% of the total number). Within these areas, new geoparks could be established and tourism based on geoheritage resources could be developed. In some cases, landscape parks located within the planned geoparks feature a small number of geoheritage sites, which may indicate the occurrence of deficiencies in the system of spatial forms of abiotic nature conservation in Poland.

Geoconservation Through Geotourism Around Geologically Significant Sites and Desert Landscapes in Potential Geopark in Jaisalmer Basin, Western India

Geoconservation Through Geotourism Around Geologically Significant Sites and Desert Landscapes in Potential Geopark in Jaisalmer Basin, Western India

Geodiversity of Smaquli area as a potential geopark in Kurdistan region, Iraq

This research aims to spotlight abiotic elements of geodiversity in the Smaquli area and value and use as geoconservation through potential geopark. Smaquli area, situated in the southeastern part of Safen anticline, north of Iraq Kurdistan region, has a rich and diverse geological and geomorphological heritage, making it an interesting area for this study. This study aims to present the geodiversity of the Smaqule site as an opportunity to carry out future sustainable socio-economic activities in the geopark. The study includes fieldwork on the area's stratigraphy, structural geology, and geomorphology. Tectonically, the study area lay within the High Folded Zone of the Unstable Shelf of Iraq and was affected by the collision of Arabia-Eurasia Plates which started before 23–25 Ma in northern Zagros. The exposed rock unit formations in the Smaqule area range in age from Cretaceous to Paleogene. The oldest outcrop rock unit is the Qamchuqa Formation. Stratigraphy of the study area includes Qamchuqa, Bekhme, Shiranish, Tanjero, Kolosh, Gercus, and Pila Spi Formations. The study area is a mountainous area with different heights ranging from valleys to high ridges; this is due to structural controlling topography and differential erosion of the structures in the area and their different lithology of the rocks. Many geomorphological landforms are studied in the area, such as ridges, longitudinal and transverse valleys, Sulfur springs, caves, faults, drainage patterns, Badland, and an elongate lake. These features are very attractive landscapes for tourism and balneotherapy. This study highlights the area's geological significance to add to its known cultural value, local products, and tangible and intangible heritage. The study area is suitable for investment by the national and international tourism, creating employment opportunities for local people, and leading to socio-economic development. The Geosites Assessment Model (GAM) has been applied in this study to quantify the Geotourism potential in the four Geosites within the study area.

Studi Komparatif Fungsionalitas, Performance dan User experience pada Website Geopark

Indonesia has great natural resources. UNESCO recognized at least six geoparks, and Indonesia will continue to develop more geoparks in the future. However, currently, Indonesia's geoparks are not widely known. One of the reasons is that the existing websites do not pay attention to performance guidelines, information, economics, and search engine optimization even though the website is a vital marketing medium so that geoparks can be promoted widely and effectively. A comprehensive study of the website contents is required to build a good geopark website. In addition, it is also necessary to study user experience when visiting web pages. This study aims to find the standard website content on the geopark website and compare existing website performance and user experience. This study compares three geopark websites. The three websites include the Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu, Hongkong geopark, and Cliff of Fundy Geosite website. Three indicators are used: website performance, user experience, and what information should be on the geopark website. These three indicators are essential as an attraction for website visitors so they can enjoy the content of the website and they can stay longer so that the visitors can turn into potential geopark tourists. Good website performance is supported by consistent ease of providing information and speed in providing information to website visitors. In comparison, the user experience visiting the website relates to the interactive visual design, organization, and navigation structure of the website framework and the completeness of the content. We use performance and user experience metrics as evaluation tools for the three selected websites. As a result, the general availability of information is as follows: information about geoparks, UNESCO, list of tourist attractions, activities, itinerary, tourist accommodation, education, contacts, language choices, news articles, pamphlets, maps, and virtual tours. In terms of performance, the three websites have slow speeds, but in cumulative layout shifts, they have good scores.

Characteristics of Geological Heritages in Phu Yen Potential Geopark, Vietnam

With an area of 1,575 km2, the coastal area of Phu Yen province (the area to be established in Phu Yen Geopark, hereinafter referred to as the research area) is a place with great potential for local heritage. Initial research results have established 9 types of geological heritage here including: Paleontology; Geomorphology and Landscape; Paleo-environment; Rock; Stratigraphy; Minerals; Geo-Economics; Tectonic structure, evolutionary history of geological and Quaternary geology, marine geology, and ocean-continent interactions. The most valuable geological heritages include: Fossil leaves, fossil wood, fossil diatomae, Neogene age in Tuy An; Columnar basalt in Da Dia Reef, in Hon Yen and elsewhere; beautiful lagoons, bays and beaches; Magma formations related to the Indosini orogeny and the collision between the Indochinese geo-lithic with the Vietnam-China complex; The difference in vertical movement in Neogene - Quaternary creates mountainous and hilly terrain in the northern, western and southern parts, while the eastern part is a plain, bordering the sea; Historical development of Quaternary sediments created 4 terraces along the Ba River valley; marine activities created 3 coastal erosion shelves. The study of geological heritage and other heritage values is the scientific basis for establishing a geopark in Phu Yen. Key words: geological heritage, Phu Yen

A Monograph on Potential Geoparks of India, D. Rajasekhar Reddy (Editor), Published by Indian National Trust for Art and Culture Heritage, 266p. (Price not mentioned).

A Monograph on Potential Geoparks of India, D. Rajasekhar Reddy (Editor), Published by Indian National Trust for Art and Culture Heritage, 266p. (Price not mentioned).

Geological characteristics of potential geoparks in the South central of Viet Nam

The coast of South Central Vietnam from Danang city to Binh Thuan province is about 1200 km long, distributing many geological and geomorphic heritages of high scientific values, including representativeness, integrity and rarity, deserving to build a national geopark such as: i) Ly Son volcanic island geopark is formed up of volcanic materials mainly explosive in the late Holocene age; ii) Phu Yen coastal geopark possessed geological and geomorphic diversity with the presence of ancient Pre-Cambrian rocks; iii) Red Sand Plateau and Rocky Coast Ninh Thuan- Binh Thuan geopark has shaped by intrusive and extrusive igneous rock tips and characterized by majestic red sand plateau. The three geological parks will be established as a legal basis for the conservation of geological and geomorphological heritage for the research, education and local economic development.

Speleological objects becoming show caves: evidence from the Valjevo karst area in Western Serbia

The interaction between speleology and tourism has been active in science and society for a very long time. In many countries, tourist caves shape the economic situation at the local and regional level. This shows their value for the development of local communities and for scientific research and promotion of science. Caves represent the indicators of cave tourism development, and they are one of the main geosites for geotourism travel. Transforming speleological objects into show caves has brought numerous positive results for many regions in the world, including Serbia. In this paper, we try to reveal the ability of speleological objects becoming show caves. The case study of our research is four caves in the Valjevo karst area (West Serbia). We examined their current state and the possibilities for cave tourism development. Using the M-GAM (modified geosite assessment model), we evaluated these four caves and thus determined their values and show cave potential. The obtained results point out the significant values of the explored speleological geoheritage, which possess imposing cave tourism potential. Moreover, the regional conception and creation of a geopark in this area is an evident potential, and more concrete indicators are presented in this paper. Cave tourism in the Zlatibor region is considered an important aspect of a potential geopark in Western Serbia and Valjevo karst area as a crucial complementary potential. The importance of including these caves in the tourist market has been determined by the research results. Active cave tourism of researched geosites can significantly influence both local and regional economic growth, as well as the concept of sustainability of the cave environment and its ecosystem, education, and responsibility.

The Inventory of the Geological and Paleontological Sites in the Area of the Aspirant Geopark Bodoquena-Pantanal in Brazil

The interest in geoparks in Brazil began after the inclusion of the Araripe Geopark into the Global Geopark Network (GGN) in 2006. After that, several areas within Brazil were proposed as potential geoparks, two of which were then formalized—the Quadrilatero Ferrifero (Minas Gerais) and Bodoquena-Pantanal (Mato Grosso do Sul), and formal applications were submitted to GGN in 2010 but not accepted. In spite of the relevance in the geology and paleontology of both areas, the refusals were due to being only a project and not an actual functioning structured geopark yet working. No kind of inventory or quantification of the geological sites was carried out to both of the proposed geoparks. Furthermore, the purpose of the present work is to present an inventory of the sites of the area proposed for the Geopark Bodoquena-Pantanal (GBP) in an effort to demonstrate the significance of the geological heritage of the area. The area of the GBP includes Ediacaran animal fossils, which provide information about the geological record just before the Cambrian Explosion. This record created international interest in the area, together with sections with that record of global changes that characterized the end of the Neoproterozoic Eon, such as the iron formations of the Urucum Massif (Rapitan type) and Marinoan glacial sediments and limestone (Tamengo Formation). The present inventory was compiled by the GEOSSIT platform of the Geological Survey of Brazil (CPRM), which is based on the method of Brilha (2016), with modifications. The 51 sites investigated were distributed among 6 geological frameworks, defined to represent the geological history of the region, and 26 sites were considered as geosites, of which 12 present international relevance, specifically the sites of Corumba Group, due to the importance for the investigation of the Ediacaran period. The inventory and its numerical result show the scientific importance of the area, as already recognized by international meetings and publications on the geology, and is useful to future plan and revision of the proposed geopark.

The Holocene Becher Point Cuspate Foreland, Western Australia – An internationally significant and globally unique potential geopark

Located in south-western Australia in a distinctive setting sedimentologically, oceanographically, climatically, biologically, and sea-level history context, the Becher Point Cuspate Foreland is globally unique, and is a site of International Geoheritage Significance that has the potential to be developed as a Geopark. The cuspate foreland is part of an extensive shore-parallel Holocene coastal sand system that forms the seaward edge of the Swan Coastal Plain and eastern border of the Rottnest Shelf. It is the largest cuspate foreland complex in Western Australia and one of the largest in the World. Sedimentary accretion in the region began some 7000 years BP with a sea level + 2 m AHD. Since then, attended by a progressive climate change, sea level has steadily fallen to its present position, and sedimentation has built a coastal plain of low beach ridges with wetlands in the swales. Sedimentologically and stratigraphically, the cuspate foreland developed by seagrass bank accretion shoaling to the strand to form beach and beach-ridge/dune deposits capped in the swales by wetland deposits. Key features of the Cuspate Foreland are (1) the accreted Holocene beach-ridge plain, (2) the evolution of Holocene swale wetlands, (3) the Holocene sea level history, (4) Holocene climate history as recorded in the wetlands, and (5) a host of small-scale geological phenomena. The complex of beach ridges and swale wetlands is the basis of a geopark in which coastal plain evolution, wetland evolution, Holocene sea level history, and Holocene climate changes can be explored and explained essentially in an outdoor Museum. To illustrate the richness of the natural history information, from macroscale to microscale, embedded in the Becher Point Cuspate Foreland, we choose, as case studies, two aspects of the area and describe them in a holistic and multi-scalar manner for education and research, and potential thematic geotours.

The Archaean to Proterozoic igneous rocks of the Pilbara region, Western Australia –internationally significant geology of a globally unique potential geopark

Abstract The Pilbara region of Western Australia, covering some 500 km × 500 km, provides a diversity of Archaean to Proterozoic igneous rocks in a relatively compact area that records a younging southward crustal history of igneous activity, sedimentation, early life, tectonics, and metamorphism from the Archaean (3.6–2.7 Ga) to Proterozoic (2.5–1.8 Ga). The igneous rocks are variable in age, types of rocks, and mode of occurrence and, throughout the Precambrian, record varying igneous rock activity that appear related to several age-related geological settings: to north, the Archaean Pilbara Craton consists of a granitoid-and-greenstone complex; in the central region, there are Proterozoic sequences of volcanic rock, volcaniclastic rock, ironstone, chert, dolomite, shale, and intrusive dolerite sills and cross-cutting dolerite dykes; to the south, there are Proterozoic shale, dolomite, and chert with isolated granitic batholiths. Igneous activity begins in the Archaean with mafic and ultramafic volcanism alternating with sedimentation, and then granitoid cratonisation. This was followed by Proterozoic volcanic crustal accretion with mafic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks, and by dolerite and gabbro sill and dyke intrusions, ending with isolated granite batholithic intrusions. Igneous rocks in the Pilbara region are diverse: komatiite; mafic volcanic/volcaniclastic rocks; basalt; tuff/volcanic breccia/accretionary lapilli; dolerite, gabbro, leucogabbro, pegmatitic gabbro, granite, and adamellite; xenolithic dolerite/gabbro; andesite, dacite, rhyodacite, rhyolite; granitoids: adamellite, monzogranite, syenogranite, granodiorite, tonalite, granite; granophyre; felsic dykes; and felsic porphyry. They are expressed as granitoid batholiths, komatiite and basalt sheets/lenses, mafic volcanic/volcaniclastic rocks in sheets, sills of dolerite, gabbro, ultramafic rocks, and diorite, dykes of dolerite, gabbro, and felsic rocks, structurally-oriented dolerite dyke swarms, tuff/volcanic breccia/accretionary lapilli in sheets/lenses, sheets of dacite, rhyodacite, rhyolite, and andesite, gabbroic plugs, apophyses, and a variety of host-rock to xenolith relationships. Today, the Pilbara region is arid, hence outcrop is excellent and many of these geological features are well exposed. The diversity of Archaean to Proterozoic igneous rocks in a relatively compact and well-exposed area and qualifies it as a globally unique potential Precambrian igneous-rock geopark.

Una Propuesta para la Valoración de Geoparques en Costa Rica

Tourism became one of the most important sectors of the economy in Costa Rica since the end of the 1980s. It is from the massive arrival of international tourists attracted by the wide ecotourism offer based on a robust national system of areas of National conservation as well as a rapid adaptation of both, the public and private sectors, that investment in projects to improve the conditions of access, dissemination and diversification of the options of tourist attractions throughout the country has been increasing steadily. This work was carried out using the 28 national parks (NP) of the total protected areas of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC). A landscape and aesthetic, cultural, didactic, scientific and tourism valuation of potential geoparks was generated in Costa Rica. The evaluation determined that 13 of the NP obtained a high evaluation, 11 were cataloged within an average classification, while 4 obtained a low evaluation. This initiative is an original and novel contribution for Costa Rica, since it determines a baseline in the study of geoparks and geomorphosites in the country; in addition it shows the weaknesses and strengths of each national park in its objective to attract more visitors in the future.

Evaluation of Geological Heritage of Geosites for a Potential Geopark in Binh Thuan–Ninh Thuan Coastal Zone, Vietnam

This paper presents the first steps of an official geoconservation strategy for geosites in the Binh Thuan–Ninh Thuan coastal zone, one of the most attractive destinations in Vietnam. These steps consist of identifying of geological characteristics and merits of the site location critical to establishment of a geopark. Additionally, detailed assessments of the exceptional values of science, education, and tourism aspects that need to have a management plan for a potential geopark are addressed in this proposal. The impressive red sediment, including wide sand dune fields with tourism potential, asymmetric valley formations, rock gardens, and unique multicolored rock piles make the coastal zone considered one of the most attractive destinations in Vietnam. The zone is not just esthetically pleasing to citizens and visitors; it is of great scientific importance that should be valued a great deal. Despite some initial classification and study, the geological elements of the site have not been completely categorized and evaluated. Critical scientific inventory of the geosite still needs to be systematically carried out and prioritized. Furthermore, this area has become an interesting target of the real estate industry and pristine land including the critical information it holds may disappear in the near future due to developer pressure. According to the global framework for geological heritage of Dingwall et al. (2005) and quantitative assessment of geosites from Brilha (Geoheritage 8(2):119-134, 2016), the present work demonstrates that the study area displays a large number of potential geosites with significant geological heritage values. Eleven selected illustrative geosites are relevant to key values for science, education, and tourism with additional consideration given to degradation risk. All data are made available to enhance focus on the ultimate goal of the study, which is to demonstrate the findings as justifications for the conservation of the area as a potential Geopark.