Geological Heritage

The objective of this paper is to present a view of the geoheritage of the Paraiba state south coast, northern Brazil, in order to insert potential sites in coastal geo touristic routes. For this, a mapping of this geoheritage was carried out through the inventory of sites with relevant value. This coast is part of a sedimentary basin that developed on a failed crystalline basement, whose Plio-Pleistocene reactivation resulted in a stepped substrate, and the terrain has coastal geo touristic potential from the point of view of its geoheritage. It was necessary a detailed study of the geoscientific literature of the area, besides a detailed field work, whose look about the physical substrate reflected the importance of this as a heritage element of space. The relief was fragmented into three major morpho sculptural units: coastal plains and tablelands, limited by the slopes, all with their potential sites, developed at various scales and presented herein. Coqueirinho Canyon, Tambaba Beach, Coqueirinho tombolo, the Coqueirinho cones of dejection and the Coqueirinho High Structural were identified as sites. It is therefore pertinent to interconnect this heritage to tourism in the area, so that more motivation arouses the interest of tourists, now turned to the bias of the lithosphere and hydrosphere.

The highlands of Mesoamerica are an area densely dotted with enormous Volcanoes and carved by the tectonic movements of the earth, creating spectacular formations of steep mountain ranges. The constant shaking of the earth and the ever present silhouettes of massive volcanoes would generate a fascination in the locals for ascribing a meaning and a mystic understanding to these manifestations of natural might. The geography of Mesoamerica not only molded the political history of Mesoamericans, it also plagued their mythological world with sacred mountains and creatures of the spiritual realm that resided in the high summits.
In the wake of 2018’s eruption of the fierce Fuego volcano in Guatemala, this research paper will aim to explore the folklore of the prolific cultures in the Mesoamerican highlands through the mythical stories surrounding their Mountains and Volcanos. The brief study will focus on the mythological conceptions about these geological formations developed by two of the main civilizations that inhabited the highlands of Mesoamerica: the Mayans and their closely related cultural ‘cousins’ the Lencas in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. To this purpose, the paper will employ available resources about these culture’s perceptions in regards to volcanoes and mountains, as well as traditional knowledge which has traversed the sphere of written record into the popular lore that survives orally until this day. However, the limitations of the assignment would not allow for a more profound study of this fascinating topic, therefore it will be presented in broader terms that concisely describe the intended concepts here proposed.

The action of SIGEA  Italian Society for Environmental Geology , after 1993, to promoting and sharing information about the geological heritage in Italy.
As organizing 2th and 7th international symposium  with ProGEO on the conservation of geological heritage and geosites, held at Bari, 24-28 september 2012. www.sigeaweb.it

Presentation of the Technical Report about the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Nature Park Sites of Geological Interest Inventory
Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac is an extremely interesting massif for geologists as it hosts exceptional sites for research and dissemination of subjects including geomorphology, hydrogeology and sedimentology. Since the 1990s it has been the venue of numerous studies and field trips by universities, oil companies and environmental education organisations.
In recent years there has also been growing interest in cataloguing, conserving and using geological heritage for scientific, teaching and geotourism purposes. In this regard Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Nature Park commissioned an inventory in 2015. As a result, 31 sites of geological interest have been catalogued and a user guide has been written for the Park’s technicians and managers.

Analisa as produções científicas brasileira e portuguesa, através de um estudo comparativo visando conhecer e mapear a produção do conhecimento científico sobre patrimônio geológico com base num
levantamento bibliográfico em língua portuguesa, em fontes de informação oriundas do Brasil e de Portugal, selecionando aqueles que possuíam no seu título as palavras-chave patrimônio e valorização associadas a fossilífero, paleontológico, geológico ou mineiro; geoturismo e seus derivativos; geoconservação; monumento,
associadas a geológico, paleontológico ou natural; museu e seus derivativos; museologia ou musealização e sítio geológico ou paleontológico, extraídas e organizadas utilizando a metodologia KWIT e inseridas numa base de dados construída sob a interface do Microsoft Access 2003®. Conclui que no Brasil um dos efeitos do movimento da preservação do patrimônio geológico foi o lançamento do livro Sítios Geológicos e Paleobiológicos do Brasil (2002) e que são poucas as publicações que lidam com a valorização e preservação do patrimônio geológico. Enquanto que em Portugal foram realizados muitos estudos com este enfoque, inclusive em eventos científicos e programas de pós-graduações específicos.

A criação de um parque paleontológico em São José, Itaboraí/RJ teve como objetivo proteger o sítio paleontológico. Essa medida de proteção foi solicitada pela comunidade paleontológica, acolhida e aplicada pela prefeitura de Itaboraí. Nesta ação, participaram tanto a prefeitura, quanto alguns paleontólogos. Contudo, neste processo, não se verificou a participação da comunidade do entorno. Reconhecendo a existência de diferentes esferas interagindo e atuando neste parque, o presente trabalho objetivou verificar quais são os atores envolvidos, tencionando compreender como eles se apropriam do parque e como interagem entre si. Através das entrevistas e pesquisas realizadas (100 questionários, 14 entrevistas, observações direta e indireta), verificou-se a existência de distintos olhares para esse patrimônio. Procurou-se organizá-los e classificá-los de acordo com a seguinte proposta: 1 - a esfera local, onde se insere o olhar de uma complexa e diversificada população local; 2 - a esfera científica, correspondente aos pesquisadores interessados na implantação e gestão do parque para preservar aquele patrimônio e 3 - a esfera política, referente aos líderes políticos e ao Estado. A relação entre essas três esferas nem sempre é harmoniosa, pois cada esfera tem um acesso e entende esse patrimônio de forma distinta, usufruindo dele de diferentes maneiras, o que pode gerar tensões. Um maior diálogo entre as partes é necessário para a completa e eficaz preservação deste patrimônio, o que pode ser feito através de ações conjuntas entre essas várias esferas. Nunca é demais lembrar que outras vozes são tão importantes como as opiniões técnicas, científicas e acadêmicas. Todas as vozes em conjunto poderão contribuir na criação de um espaço de sociabilização, aprendizado e trocas. Essas trocas possibilitarão a criação de uma identidade com o espaço do parque, melhorando, conseqüentemente, a relação com o seu entorno, ao mesmo tempo em que esse patrimônio é preservado.

The Bahariya and Farfara oases are
located in the western desert of Egypt at
coordinates 28°21′5.36″N; 28°51′44.6″E
for Bahariya and 27°03′30″N; 27°58′12″E
for Farafra oasis. These areas are known
for their unique geologic features, and
have been mentioned by previous
authors as regionally important geologic
heritage sites.
During the last decades an incredible
loss of geodiversity has been clearly
detected in the Bahariya and Farafra
oasis protected areas. Some Geo-sites
have been fully removed, and others
have been partially destroyed due to
the anthropogenic misuse of the area.
Although the effects of weathering are
important in the area, the actions of
people greatly accelerate the processes
of erosion and thus the destruction of
the unique features of the area, in the
absence of any protective regulations.
Study of the geologic features in the
area shows that they are all under a high
degree of threat. An effective management
system is highly recommended for
the area, as an integrated part of wellcontrolled
Geotourism. An effective and
well-designed visitor plan is needed, as
preventing vehicular traffic in the area
will aid in preservation of the unique
geologic features.

Urban geological heritage is prone to anthropogenic pressure linked to urbanization. In order to understand
the necessity of conservation of such a heritage located in two areas of Cairo (Egypt), namely El-
Mokattam and Abu Roash, their assessment is undertaken. It is established that the both areas possess
geological heritage. As much as five types of the latter are represented in each of them. The most
important in El-Mokattam is geomorphological type (the Mokattam Mountain itself), and the most
important in Abu Roash are palaeogeographical (facies and palaeoecosystems) and structural (outcropscale
fold and faults) types. In the both areas, the geological heritage is destroyed because of rapid and
often uncontrolled (even illegal) urbanization. According to the results of the satellite images interpretation,
the urban area has grown by 1.4 times in El-Mokattam and 3.4 times in Abu Roash during the
period of 2000e2017 when many unique objects were damaged and destroyed. Some aesthetic properties
have been also lost, which has decreased the important of these objects to tourists, as well as many
students and researchers. Assigning official protected status and possible geopark creation can facilitate
efficient conservation of the urban geological heritage of Cairo.

The ancient Egyptians had an advanced scientific knowledge and their sciences, texts, and archeological remains reflect the
breadth of that knowledge. Although geology is now recognized as the youngest of the major branches of the professional
sciences, this paper addresses the use of geology by ancient Egyptians in building their civilization and the advanced knowledge
of geology that they applied in building pyramids, extracting ores, and in quarrying. This includes a knowledge of crystallography
employed in building pyramids and establishing obelisks; petrological knowledge is indicated in their selection of rock
types with respect to character and durability; quarrying expertise is evident in their means of extraction of rocks for building;
mineralogical knowledge is evident from their use of minerals, as well as the use of metals in reshaping and molding monuments.
Knowledge of gemology and mining geology is evident from their use of gems and semi-precious stones, and their knowledge of
how to prospect for and extract them. Their achievements in field geology include making the first geological map in the world.
Knowledge of this history is useful to inform inventory-based geoconservation and around 7000 years of its history has left
Egypt, replete with related geo-sites, classic sites illustrating geological principles, and examples of historical geological exploitation,
geological controversy, and geoconservation. Archeologists have used geology as a science to explain some issues in the
ancient history, but have never recognized the degree to which geology was used by the ancient Egyptians themselves. This
article discusses the evidence from ancient Egypt that, far from being a recent science, geology was widely used in ancient Egypt.

Bu çalışmanın amacı Levent Vadisi’nin Jeopark ve Jeoturizm Potansiyelini tespit etmektir. Jeopark, başta jeolojik ve jeomorfolojik miras niteliğindeki öğeler olmak üzere, tüm doğal ve kültürel mirasın korunmaya alındığı, ancak bu yapılırken sosyo-ekonomik kalkınmanın, eğitim ve sürdürülebilirliğin de amaçlandığı, ekoloji, arkeoloji, tarih ve kültürel değerleri de içeren bir coğrafi bölge olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Türkiye’de Kula Volkanları Jeopark Alanı, Ankara Kızılcahamam-Çamlıdere Jeopark Alanı, Pamukkale, Kapadokya, Van ve Tuz gölleri, Nemrut Kalderası ve Tortum –Narman çevresi gibi jeolojik ve jeomorfolojik miras niteliği taşıyan çok sayıda jeopark alanı ve potansiyeli bulunmaktadır. Bunlardan biri, Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi’nde Malatya’nın Akçadağ ilçesi sınırları içinde yer alan 28 km. uzunluğundaki Levent Vadisi’dir. Levent Vadisi, içinde bulundurduğu çok sayıda mağara, deniz fosilleriyle bir jeolojik-jeomorfolojik miras niteliği ve yerleşme tarihi açısından arkeolojik sit özelliği taşımaktadır. Bu düşüncelerden hareketle çalışmada Levent Vadisi’nin jeopark ve jeoturizm potansiyeline yönelik tespitler yapılmıştır. ArcGIS 10 ve Special Analysis Module kullanılarak jeoloji, topografya ve jeoturizm haritaları hazırlanmıştır.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Jeopark, Jeolojik miras, Geoturizm, Levent Vadisi ve Malatya

Tourits caves of Ortigosa de Cameros (Cave of La Viña and Cave of La Paz), are one of the best examples of the geological heritage in La Rioja (Spain). Their care and preservation should be a priority for the authorities with competence in these caves. In the years 1998-1999, the Council of Ortigosa de Cameros and the European Leader II Programme, financed the geological and environmental project of these caves to highlight the problems that the massive number of visitors generated in the speleothems and that were evident to the public. The problems of dryness and discoloration and those generated by algae or bacteria communities were found to be more harmful to the conservation of the calcareous structures that have formed in the caves. Also included in the text are several methods to remediate these problems and a series of assessments of the result of the implementation of such steps in the eleven years that have elapsed from the realization of the project.

This article reflects what has been done for the study, assessment and cleanup of exogenous algal communities that were deteriorating speleothems in the touristic caves of La Paz and La Viña in Ortigosa de Cameros (La Rioja) and growing in favour of artificial light sources installed for sightseeing.

Based on the bibliography review, the possibility of using two general types of treatment in order to remove the underground plant was assessed. On the one hand the use of mechanical methods such as brushing, sanding or grinding or the other, the use of chemical methods, such as hypochlorites, peroxides or biocides.

After relevant laboratory studies, the method of dilute hydrogen peroxide as the least harmful to the speleothems and caves fauna was chosen.

In situ tests were performed and after observing the results, proceeded to apply the methodology tested with this product to all areas affected by the "lampenflora".

The results were entirely satisfactory, removing all non-native flora of the underground speleothems, not producing any damage on the wildlife that inhabits these caves and without leaving any noticeable track for the visitor.

The conclusion is that with an economical and friendly method to the subterranean environment, can remove the algal mat that covers the speleothems of many caves adapted for tourist visits owing to the artificial light sources.