This paper describes a methodology based on a software tool to optimize the analysis of the erosion of historic monuments and to quantify its extent and distribution. It applies to the digital models of monuments, generated either with photogrammetry or Lidar data. The tool is an add-on for Blender™, a popular and free software for 3D editing. Before running it, the user is expected to generate a surface representing the theoretical original surface of the monument, in contact with the areas of the monument not affected by erosion. When this surface is ready, the erosion analysis can be performed. The tool estimates the erosion by measuring the separation between the original surface and the eroded surface of the monument. The result is plotted on the original surface as a distribution of color shades related to the erosion intensity. The numerical results are also exported to a ".csv" file that can be opened in MS Excel for further analysis. This paper also presents the application of this methodology to two case studies affected by two different erosion processes (one anthropogenic and the other natural). The presented results validate and highlight the usefulness of the proposed tool.
The Maikal plateau, located at the eastern margin of the Deccan Volcanic Province in Central India, represents a rare convergence of geological and cultural heritage, where tectonic, volcano-sedimentary, paleontological, archaeological, and sacred elements intersect. Based on field observations, we recognise 17 geosites (GS), including compound lava flows, lava cave, natural CO₂ sequestration zones, extensive columnar basalts and a recently exposed site of the Lameta inland basin. In addition to these, 10 geoheritage sites (GHS) were documented, encompassing temples, shrines, fortifications, and sacred water bodies that reflect the integration of geological features with long-standing religious and cultural practices. Many of these sites are located within the tribal-dominated landscapes inhabited by Gond, Baiga, Panika, and Agaria communities, whose cultural and ecological knowledge systems remain intimately connected to this plateau’s linked rivers, forests, and hills. Most of the sites are embedded within sacred landscapes visited annually by millions of pilgrims, yet their extraordinary geological features remain largely unrecognised. Despite their scientific significance, these geosites face increasing threats from deforestation, mining, urbanization, and unregulated infrastructure development. To address these challenges, we propose a 5G geoheritage management strategy encompassing Geoheritage, Geotourism, Geoparks, Geoconservation, and Geosacred sites. The idea of Geosacred is proposed to promote a culturally rooted conservation strategy for important geosites and to attract millions of pilgrims, tourists, and local people visiting geosacred sites with a limited understanding of the subject. By revealing the hidden geoscientific significance of revered landscapes, Geosacred sites inspire conservation through spiritual stewardship and foster grassroots participation in protecting Earth’s non-renewable geological legacy.
This paper proposes a methodology for assessing and identifying the Key Geoheritage Areas (KGAs) in Saudi Arabia. The methodology was applied to case studies across different geological units to prepare the national inventory of the Key Geoheritage Areas in Saudi Arabia. For the development of the geocode, ten criteria were selected: geological provinces, rarity/abundance, scientific or intrinsic value, additional value, IUCN geothemes, accessibility, integrity, potential threat and management, geodiversity, and interpretative condition. This method was applied to eight KGAs in Saudi Arabia, generating a geocode that represents each KGA. Saudi Arabia comprises diverse geoheritage resources, including volcano, cave, canyon, tableland, sandstone landforms, sand sea, coast, and submarine features. The present-day landscape has evolved through the opening of the Red Sea, which has led to the development of massive faults, cuestas, and tablelands. The volcanic landscape (harrat) is observed in the northern and western parts of Saudi Arabia. The eastern part is experiencing massive marine transgression and regression, as evidenced by coral reefs and fossils in the central arc of Saudi Arabia. Identification of landforms supports the development of the national inventory of diverse geological and geomorphological features in Saudi Arabia.
This study aims to explain the distribution of underground settlements in Türkiye, which are shaped by natural geographical elements and developed under the influence of human processes, and the factors affecting this distribution. In this context, 104 underground settlements identified throughout Türkiye were examined according to their geological-lithological characteristics, climate types, elevation levels, historical periods, and initial usage functions. During the literature review process, data obtained from web-based sources, scientific articles, thesis studies, and tourism inventories were transferred to a GIS environment; the spatial distribution of underground settlements was mapped via ArcMap software. Furthermore, the relationships between underground settlements and natural environmental conditions were revealed via MTA geological data, the Köppen-Geiger climate classification, and the ASTER digital elevation model. The findings revealed that geological–lithological characteristics, climate types, elevation levels, and historical and cultural processes affect the emergence and distribution of underground settlements. Accordingly, underground settlements emerge under the control of physical geography factors and are shaped by the influence of human processes. This study makes significant contributions to the existing literature. Firstly, by systematically analysing 104 subterranean settlements in terms of lithological characteristics, climate types and elevation zones, it reveals the relationship between these settlements and their natural environmental conditions. Furthermore, by evaluating these settlements within the framework of six distinct chronological periods, it situates them within historical and cultural development processes. In doing so, it introduces a geographical approach to the literature on underground settlements which has traditionally been addressed primarily from archaeological and architectural perspectives and examines the interaction between the natural environment, historical processes and human activities from a holistic perspective.
The upper coastal region of the La Guajira Peninsula (Colombia) exhibits exceptional geodiversity, biodiversity, and cultural heritage, making it a prime area for promoting sustainable geotourism. The region faces significant socio-environmental challenges, including coastal erosion, limited economic opportunities, and increasing vulnerability to climate change. This study evaluates the geotourism potential of the area and proposes strategies that integrate geoconservation, ecosystem preservation, and sustainable socio-economic development. The research combines an extensive literature review, detailed field surveys, and geosite assessment using qualitative and spatial criteria. Results highlight geosites with high scientific, aesthetic, educational, and ecological value, capable of supporting geotourism initiatives that engage local communities and traditional cultural practices. The proposed framework emphasizes participatory management, geoeducation, biodiversity conservation, and diversified livelihoods as essential components for enhancing resilience and preserving landscape integrity. By linking geological, biological, and cultural heritage with sustainable development goals, this study demonstrates how geotourism can act as a catalyst for inclusive growth, environmental stewardship, and community well-being in fragile coastal ecosystems. While not a formal geopark proposal, the approach conceptually aligns with UNESCO Global Geopark principles, integrating geoconservation, education, and community participation as key drivers of sustainable territorial development.
This article analyzes the Colina do Horto Geosite, located within the Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark (Northeastern Brazil), through an integrated approach that combines geodiversity, archaeology, and cultural landscape approaches, grounded in the theoretical and methodological framework of Archaeology of the Contemporary. The study adopts the understanding of landscape as a historical construction resulting from continuous interactions between natural elements, social practices, and symbolic systems. Methodologically, the research combined bibliographic analysis, the survey of archaeological information, interviews with a key informant involved in the recovery of lithic artifacts from the site, direct observation of local practices, and dialogue with visitors and pilgrims. Photographic images of the lithic artifacts were also used as visual stimuli to explore processes of recognition and interpretation among frequent users of the geosite. The results indicate that, despite the limited number of preserved archaeological remains, the lithic artifacts associated with the geosite present significant interpretative potential when analyzed in relation to oral narratives and contemporary ritual practices. The analysis shows that the symbolic relationship with rocks, currently expressed in devotional gestures and pilgrimage practices, reflects cultural continuities that precede the consolidation of popular Christian religiosity associated with Padre Cícero. In this sense, Colina do Horto is interpreted as a complex cultural landscape in which geological elements, archaeological records, and contemporary religious practices interact through processes of re-signification across different historical layers. Recognizing these interactions contributes to a broader understanding of geoheritage and supports integrated strategies of heritage valorization, education, and geoconservation within the Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark.
On the occasion of the first UNESCO International Geodiversity Day (October 6th, 2023), the Piemonte Region Council promulgated the Regional Law “Provisions for the conservation, management and valorisation of the geological heritage”. This legislative measure recognises the public interest in geodiversity and identifies geosites and geoparks as geological elements to protect and therefore promotes the geoconservation. The main aim is spreading knowledge of geodiversity and the enhancement of geoheritage by fostering scientific, educational, cultural and touristic appreciation of geosites for present and future generations. To enhance interpretation of geodiversity and to perform correct management and conservation of geoheritage, a descriptive form has been specifically designed for the regional geosites inventory. A descriptive form allows the collection, revision, arrangement of geosite data coherently with scientific evidence about geodiversity, respecting both provisions from the regional law and directions for the National Inventory of Geosites. The form presents an ontology-driven design, understanding the needs of developing a sequential workflow, leading the user through six sections. Results consist in the realisation of the form and its application on 23 selected geosites, proving its efficiency as a tool for geosite data collection, interpretation of geoscience knowledge and correct management of local geoheritage.
The development of geotourism and geoeducation is the best way to transfer geomorphological knowledge to society. This is how, it is possible to demonstrate that it is a scientific discipline of great cognitive and applied importance. Geomorphologists should become more actively involved in educational activities which, in the case of geoheritage, are mainly carried out within geoparks. The UNESCO Global Geoparks network has the highest rank and thus attractiveness for geotourists. They also play a very important role when it comes to education about Earth sciences, including geomorphology. The question arises, however, to what extent the current network of geoparks is representative of the geomorphological diversity of our planet. This paper conducts a geospatial analysis of the main landforms, structural units, lithologies and genetic types of landscapes found within 213 global geoparks. Geoparks most often include mountainous areas (72
Dazu Rock Carvings (a UNESCO World Heritage, China) have experienced severe weathering due to salt crystallization. However, previous studies have paid limited attention to the solution saturation and nucleation effects of salt crystallization. Microscopic experiments on soluble-salt phase change were conducted using sodium fluorescein and classification algorithms to track temporal changes in solution saturation, characterize the crystallization behavior of different salts, and evaluate the resulting damage to the stone. Subsequently, the nucleation effects of representative salts identified at the site were examined by monitoring the evolution of annular crystallization patterns. The crystals of Na2SO4, NaHCO3, and KCl exhibited acicular, dendritic, and granular morphologies, respectively. The results indicate that nucleation barriers play a key role in the development of annular crystal structures, which evolve from a dispersed initial form to an annular stage, ultimately expanding inward. Further tracking revealed that, during the critical stage of the soluble salt solid-liquid phase change, crystals preferentially precipitated at the grain-solution interface. Additionally, the combined effects of saturation gradient and evaporation determined the overall solution-crystal phase change. These findings provide new insights into salt-induced deterioration mechanisms in stone heritage by highlighting the roles of solution saturation, nucleation, and interfacial crystallization.
A comparison is made between two IUGS Heritage Stones designated in 2024, Western Ghats Laterite (India) and Tezontle volcanic scoria (Mexico), to highlight their cultural impact across millennia and analyze a possible convergence in their use and symbolism. These stones originate from contrasting cultural settings and were generated through distinct geological processes and timescales. In both cases, they exhibit extensive, long-standing use in cultural heritage and are deeply rooted in local identity. Laterite is a residual product formed in situ through prolonged chemical weathering under humid tropical conditions, whereas tezontle is a highly vesicular volcanic scoria generated by Strombolian eruptions. From an aesthetic perspective, there is a significant coincidence based on their predominant reddish coloration and rough, matte surfaces. However, their resemblance in terms of mechanical properties, such as compressive strength and density, is notably lower; consequently, their technical applications differ in each case. A striking convergence exists in how architectural practices in both regions leveraged the favorable workability and aesthetic properties of these stones to achieve comparable results; both stones were paired with lighter materials to achieve visual contrast in intricate ornamentation set against the sober, dominant reddish-dark hue of the façades. This was particularly prominent during the Baroque period (16th–18th centuries), imprinting a distinct identity upon both regions through shared elements arising from the confluence of colonialism and deep-rooted indigenous cultures. Consequently, the use of these respective stones serves as an element of material continuity, acting as a tangible bridge between colonial influence and native heritage. The designation as an IUGS Heritage Stone is strengthened by the prior recognition of World Heritage properties featuring these stones, creating a synergy that enhances the connections between cultural and geoheritage. This joint recognition should foster cohesive conservation policies prioritizing original restoration materials, the protection of historical quarries, and the development of geotourism.
Geoheritage and geopoetics are closely interconnected, sharing common elements and foundations. Both seek to develop a greater awareness of the Earth and the relationships between human beings and the natural world and the need for its care. Using selected examples from literature, poetry and art from Scotland, northern England and Czechia, this article reviews connections between geoheritage and geopoetics. It also examines geoheritage communication and raising awareness through the lens of experiential learning. Geoheritage can be a source of inspiration for geopoetic practice, and geopoetic practice can open new avenues into geoheritage awareness and appreciation through people’s direct participation or emotional responses to creative works or activities. Communicating the values of geoheritage through memorable personal experiences is more effective for most people than traditional, information-laden, didactic approaches to interpreting geological and geomorphological features and landscapes. By offering opportunities for emotional engagement and experiential learning, geopoetic practice as part of geoheritage interpretation and communication activities, for example in UNESCO Global Geoparks, can enable fresh insights into the landscape and its natural and cultural connections and provide health and wellbeing benefits. In doing so, it can help to promote geoconservation and pro-geoconservation attitudes and behaviours. A grounding in geoheritage can help to sustain geopoetic practice and creativity as well as a renewed sensitivity to the natural world and its geological foundations. Geopoetics offers relational pathways for people to engage with geoheritage, to rediscover a sense of wonder about planet Earth and develop a geoethical awareness.
The British legacy in the province of Huelva emerged from intensive mining operations carried out between the 19th and early twentieth centuries, producing a profound and lasting transformation of the territory. The establishment of foreign companies such as The Tharsis Sulphur Copper Co. Ltd. (1866) and The Rio Tinto Company Limited (1873) marked the beginning of an unprecedented process of industrialization. These enterprises introduced modern techniques for ore extraction and processing, along with major industrial and transport infrastructure, including mining railways, specialized ports and manufacturing complexes, all oriented toward an export-based economic model. British influence extended beyond the economic sphere, leaving a significant imprint on social, urban and cultural life. New urban settlements were developed following British planning models, featuring differentiated residential areas, Victorian-style architecture, and improved health and educational facilities aligned with contemporary standards. Advanced hygiene practices were introduced, and the creation of hospitals, schools and social clubs was promoted, contributing to improvements in certain aspects of quality of life. In the cultural and recreational sphere, British presence encouraged the spread of sports and customs previously uncommon in the region, such as football, tennis and golf, which later became part of the local identity. However, this process of modernization coexisted with deep social inequalities, as mining workers endured harsh labor conditions that led to significant social conflicts and protest movements.
In the Imlil–Tizi n’Tazoult area, west of Tinghir in southeastern Morocco, Infra-Cenomanian siliciclastic deposits overlie Carboniferous metamorphic rocks. This area contains geosites of significant interest in structural geology, mineralogy, sedimentology, stratigraphy, paleontology, and geomorphology. Seven Visean–Quaternary geosites, including eleven features, were quantitatively assessed for their scientific, educational, touristic, and degradation-risk values. Scientific value is high at three geosites (300–320) and moderate at four (220 and 280). Educational values are high for all geosites (300–345), while the touristic values are high at six geosites (300–320) and moderate at one geosite (290). Degradation risk is low at all geosites (130–165), mainly due to their small size and vulnerability to water and wind erosion. It is essential to implement integrated protection measures and broadly concerted strategies for the conservation of the geosites in the Imlil–Tizi n’Tazoult area. These efforts would contribute to strengthening the conservation of this natural geological heritage while enhancing the touristic appeal of the Tinghir Province. In the longer term, these geosites could serve as a major lever for the establishment of a new UNESCO Global Geopark in the region. Such an initiative would not only foster the improvement of the economic resources of local communities but also increase the attractiveness and visibility of the territory.
Morocco is world-renowned for its spectacular fossil record, spanning (among others) long intervals of the Palaeozoic. While large vertebrates or spectacular geological features and landscapes usually receive the most attention, we discuss the extraordinarily diverse and abundant cephalopod occurrences in the eastern Anti-Atlas and their role as geoheritage. We describe five remarkable geosites with their regional context including landscapes, touristic highlights and spectacular geomorphological structures. We use a standardised approach to assess the quality of these geosites according to their scientific, educational and touristic value. Additionally, we discuss potential strategies to manage geoheritage in the eastern Anti-Atlas, considering possible sites to be developed or protected, as well as geopolitical conflicts. We also provide some information about the new legal context. Finally, we shortly discuss whether protective measures are required. Clinical trial number: not applicable.
The Ifrane National Park (PNI) in the Middle Atlas (Morocco) and its surroundings are distinguished by an exceptional geological diversity, encompassing a wide range of natural sites of significant scientific, educational, and touristic interest. Despite this richness, the region’s geoheritage remains largely overlooked and insufficiently known, both within the scientific community and among local communities and visitors. To bridge this gap, the present study aims to characterise and highlight this natural heritage in order to support its promotion and sustainable management. To achieve this objective, the methodology employed is based on the approach proposed by Brilha (2016), which evaluates geosites according to scientific, educational, and tourist criteria, while considering the risks of degradation. This approach was used to identify and evaluate sixteen key volcanic and karst geosites. Quantitative assessments reveal that the majority of the geosites hold high scientific value; the highest scientific score reaches 320, reflecting the major importance of certain sites within the park. Conversely, educational and tourist values remain moderate, indicating significant untapped potential for geotourism development. This study not only contributes to the protection and promotion of the PNI’s geoheritage but also provides a scientific basis for its sustainable management and serves as a starting point for developing a future geopark project in the Middle Atlas.
Karst caves are unique geoarchaeological archives where geological processes and human activities are preserved together within the same stratigraphic record. This study examines the sedimentary sequence of İnboğazı-Andık Cave in northwestern Anatolia to reconstruct its depositional history and assess its geoheritage and archaeoheritage significance. The research combines detailed stratigraphic documentation, grain-size analysis, micromorphological observations, and archaeological data from a sediment profile within the cave. The stratigraphic sequence shows that the cave deposits formed during multiple phases, with changes in sediment transport energy, hydrological conditions, and human activity. The lower layers consist mainly of poorly sorted colluvial deposits with limestone clasts from rockfalls and gravitational sediment transport near the cave entrance. In contrast, the upper layers contain finer sediments with ash, charcoal fragments, and archaeological materials, indicating repeated prehistoric occupations and human-caused sediment accumulation. Grain-size data reveal shifts between high-energy and low-energy depositional environments, reflecting changes in sediment supply and cave hydrology. The combined sedimentological and archaeological evidence suggests that the cave deposits resulted from both natural karst processes and human activities. The İnboğazı-Andık Cave sequence, therefore, serves as a multi-layered geoarchaeological archive preserving records of both environmental change and human presence. In terms of heritage, the site is a key example of integrated geoheritage and archaeoheritage, emphasizing the significance of cave environments as joint geological and cultural records within karst landscapes.
Geotourism and ecotourism are being increasingly recognized for their interdependent roles in natural heritage conservation, yet many tourist destinations still rely on passive sightseeing that fails to communicate complex geo-ecological relationships. This study focuses on Zhijin Canyon in the Zhijindong Cave UNESCO Global Geopark to explore the structural integration of geological and biological resources in tourism route design. Through comprehensive field investigations of key karst features, this research identifies “geo-biodiversity linkages”, showing how rock structures and microclimates create unique habitats for local plants. A subsequent visitor experience diagnosis, utilizing online reviews, onsite interviews, and administrative data, reveals that the canyon suffers from low perceived visitor value, underutilized interpretive resources, and a lack of interactive programming. To address these challenges, this study applies the Four-Realm Experience Framework (Education, Entertainment, Esthetics, and Escapism) to restructure the geotourism experience. We propose an integrated georoute design featuring inquiry-based interpretation and immersive “Junior Geo-ecologist” task cards, which transition visitors from passive observers to active scientific participants. The findings indicate that linking geology with biology through better experience design not only enhances the educational effectiveness and immersive appeal of the route but also extends visitor dwell time, ultimately supporting the sustainable development of geopark.
The article emphasizes the importance of the middle reaches of the Nemunas River for the knowledge of the geology and geomorphology of Southern Lithuania, as it preserves a large part of Pleistocene deposits. These deposits, found in palaeovalleys up to 200–250 m deep, contain glacial till and interglacial and interstadial sediments of various ages. By performing lithological, geochemical, palaeobotanical and other analyses, can distinguish weathered crusts of deposits from interglacial periods and those that were formed during the interaction between the river and the glacier during its advance and retreat. Good geological and geomorphological studies of the area and the abundance of geoheritage objects (outcrops, boulders, springs, landforms) together with existing regional and national parks create good conditions for cognitive geotourism. This situation has been used for many years in conducting scientific conferences and field symposia, as well as in conducting geology, geography, environmental sciences, and pedagogy studies at Lithuanian universities. The protection of geoheritage in the middle reaches of the Nemunas River is sufficient, but its use for education and the organization of geotourism is good only in national and regional parks. Outside the parks, they are occasional, not related to regular excursions on topics relevant to society.
To advance the goals of geoparks in increasingly urbanized societies, greater attention to urban geoparks and a clearer understanding of how they operate are needed. This study examines the Busan Geopark in South Korea as a case of integrating geoheritage conservation, education, tourism, and regional development through a collaborative governance model in a major metropolitan setting. Its 20 geosites, distributed across the city and accessible through public infrastructure, preserve records of tectonic evolution, magmatic activity, and paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental change from the Cretaceous to the Quaternary. Educational programs in schools, communities, and public institutions support geoscience literacy and place-based learning. Geotrails linked to public transportation and pedestrian networks improve access and offer a potential approach to low-carbon urban geotourism. Partnerships with local enterprises, cultural institutions, and civic organizations may contribute to local economic and social development while extending geopark activities beyond individual geosites and integrating geoheritage into urban community life. Together, these features position the Busan Geopark as a potential model for urban geoparks, suggesting how urban infrastructure, institutional frameworks, and public participation can be mobilized for geoheritage conservation, geoscience education, public engagement, and sustainable development.
Cultural geomorphology embodies the interdisciplinary study of the relationships between landforms and human culture on how physical landscapes shape, and are shaped by, cultural beliefs, practices, identities, and heritage. This study explores the intricate interrelationship between geology, geomorphology, and culture within the Ukhrul Ophiolite Complex (UOC) in eastern Manipur, India, with a focus on the indigenous Hao-Wung (Tangkhul) Naga community. The Ukhrul Ophiolite Complex, part of the broader Nagaland-Manipur Hill Ophiolite belt of Indo-Myanmar Ranges, is a significant geological formation comprising ultramafic rocks, serpentinized peridotites, chromitites, and ophiolitic mélanges. Beyond its scientific value, the UOC holds profound cultural, historical, and spiritual significance. The research introduces the concept of cultural geomorphology in the context of Ukhrul Ophiolite Complex (UOC), emphasizing the dynamic shaping of ophiolite landscapes by indigenous cultural practices, myths, and settlements. Case studies include hills (e.g., Shirui, Phangrei etc.), sacred caves (e.g., Khangkhui Mangsor and Movā), hilltop settlements, waterfalls, toponyms and distinctive geomaterials used in traditional crafts such as Longpi Hampai (Longpi pottery). This study also highlights how geotourism and geoheritage can serve as powerful tools for advancing sustainable development, fostering conservation efforts, and strengthening cultural identity. It presents the UOC as a living cultural landscape where geological diversity intersects with ethnographic depth, positioning the region as an exemplary model for integrated geo-cultural research and heritage management.
