Basaltic Dyke with Specific Volcanogenic Structures and its geomorphic evolution: Unique Geoheritage of the Faroe Islands (North Atlantic Ocean)

Volcanic landforms resulting from Cenozoic volcanism represent the most peculiar features of global geodiversity and provide eminent narratives for geoeducation. Among them, however, relict volcanic forms and site-specific landforms in remote areas have received less attention. In this paper, we provide the first description of unique volcanogenic features (hereinafter referred to as pseudo-hieroglyphs) developed on a summit rock wall at the Sandfelli ridge near the village of Gjógv in the N Eysturoy Island (Faroe Islands). The geomorphic evolution of the ridge and rock wall during the Quaternary is described and detailed petrographic analyses of the volcanogenic features are provided. Based on observed petrographical features, we interpret the pseudo-hieroglyphs to probably represent unique examples of chaotic horizontal columnar jointing. Following the geomorphological and petrographic examination of the study site, we analyse current Faroese legislation aiming at nature conservation and use this case to discuss broader implications of geoheritage conservation and geotourism in distant regions.Vulkanická krajina vzniklá kenozoickým vulkanismem představuje nejpodivnější rysy globální geodiversity a poskytuje vynikající příběhy pro geovzdělávání. Méně pozornosti se však dostává reliktním vulkanickým formám a lokálním tvarům reliéfu v odlehlých oblastech. V tomto článku přinášíme první popis unikátních vulkanogenních tvarů (dále jen "pseudo-hieroglyfy"), které se vyvíjely na skalní stěně vrcholu na hřbetě Sandfelli u vesnice Gjógv v severní části ostrova Eysturoy (Faerské ostrovy). Je popsán geomorfologický vývoj hřbetu a skalní stěny během kvartéru a jsou uvedeny podrobné petrografické analýzy vulkanogenních vlastností. Na základě pozorovaných petrografických rysů interpretujeme pseudo-hieroglyfy, které pravděpodobně představují jedinečné příklady chaotické horizontální sloupcovité odlučnosti. Po geomorfologickém a petrografickém studiu zájmové lokality analyzujeme současnou faerskou legislativu zaměřenou na ochranu přírody a užíváme tohoto příkladu k diskusi širších důsledků zachování a geoturistiky geografického dědictví ve vzdálených regionech

Arouca Geopark in Portugal

Arouca Geopark is located in northern Portugal, approximately 50 km to the southeast from the city of Porto. It was established in 2006 and covers 330 km2 of the municipality of Arouca. Geologically it includes Early Palaeozoic weakly metamorphosed slates and quartzites, intruded by several granite massifs of Carboniferous age. Geological highlights of the area are findings ofgiant Ordovician trilobites, now on display in a special museum and rare textural varieties of granites. Arouca Geopark offers interesting geomorphology too, such as high-elevated planation surfaces in granites, tors and boulder fields, waterfalls and river gorges. Mining heritage is also present, focused on tungsten. Earth heritage is made accessible primarily through a network of 41 designated geosites and further promoted by a range of educational activities addressed to schools of all levels and initiatives aimed at engagement of local communities

Bakony : Balaton Geopark in Hungary.

Two UNESCO Global Geoparks were established in Hungary. This paper presents the Bakony - Balaton Geopark, located in the western part of the country, predominantly within the Transdanubian Range. It includes uplands and low-elevation mountains of North Bakony, South Bakony, Balaton Uplands and Keszthely Mountains, with basins situated in between, as well as Lake Balaton itself. Geologically, the dominant part of the territory is underlain by Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, mainly limestones and dolomites. Other significant rock formations are Eocene limestones, Mio-Pliocene sediments of the Pannonian Sea and end-Neogene basalts. Karst phenomena, residual volcanic hills, fossil sinter cones and river gorges are the most characteristic geomorphological features of the Geopark. Forty-five geosites have been recognized in the Geopark, although access facilities and interpretative content the Geopark is also rich in cultural heritage and its southern part counts as the major touris

Papuk Geopark in Croatia

Papuk Geopark is located in eastern Croatia,in the Slavonia region,and was established in 2007 in a mountain range of the same name. It covers 524 km2 of geologically diverse terrain, with geological formations ranging in age from Precambrian to Quaternary and representing metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary rocks.The geopark,which is the old est geological nature reserve in Croatia, host an outcrop of columnar jointing in rhyolite at Rupnica. In terms of geomorphology, Papuk is a fluvially dissected young horst, with widespread karst phenomena on Triassic limestones. Cultural heritage includes ruins of medieval fortresses, ancient abbeys, and country-famous wine culture around the town of Kutjevo. The educational offer consists of 69 designated geosites, several educational trails, open-air rock exhibitions, and guided walks and classes for schools

Obszary geotermalne Nowej Zelandii jako obiekty turystyczne - przykład komplementarności tematycznej i konkurencyjności produktu turystycznego

Geothermal phenomena in the North Island of New Zealand have been a basis of tourism industry since the mid- 19th century. Their highlights include geysers, hot springs, mud pools, steam vents, craters, and various silica deposition features. Five geothermal sites, Te Puia Whakarewarewa, Waimangu, Wai-O-Tapu, Orakei Korako, and Craters of the Moon, are subjects of this study which is focused on interrelated issues of diversity, accessibility, and interpretation. The sites are sufficiently different in terms of natural phenomena to be perceived as complementary, offering jointly a comprehensive picture of geothermal phenomena. However, cooperation between their properties hardly exists. In promotion, unusual scenic values and record features are emphasized, whereas more in-depth interpretation is limited. There are opportunities to enhance educational components of each site, so that they can offer experience and learning rather than experience only and become fully developed geotourist destinations.Zjawiska geotermalne na Wyspie Północnej w Nowej Zelandii były podstawą rozwoju turystyki na tym obszarze już od połowy XIX w. Szczególnym zainteresowaniem cieszyły się gejzery, gorące źródła, sadzawki błotne, fumarole i różnego rodzaju formy depozycyjne krzemionki. Do analizy form udostępniania dla zwiedzających oraz zagospodarowania pod kątem edukacyjnym wybrano pięć popularnych miejsc geotermalnych: Te Puia Whakarewarewa, Waimangu, Wai-O-Tapu, Orakei Korako i Craters of the Moon. Miejsca te są znacząco zróżnicowane pod względem przyrodniczym i w sposób komplementarny przedstawiają pełen obraz zjawisk geotermalnych, jednak pomiędzy tymi obiektami, zarządzanymi przez różne przedsiębiorstwa, praktyczne nie ma współpracy. W promocji podkreślane są głównie walory estetyczne tych miejsc, natomiast brakuje pogłębionej interpretacji prezentowanych zjawisk. Aby opisywane miejsca mogły oprócz przeżyć natury estetycznej dostarczać walorów edukacyjnych, a więc w pełni spełniać kryteria atrakcji geoturystycznych, niezbędne jest rozszerzenie oferty umożliwiającej interpretację zjawisk geotermalnych

Udostępnianie geoturystyczne form krasowych w Krasie Morawskim (Republika Czeska)

The Moravian Karst in the south-eastern part of the Czech Republic has considerable potential for the development of geotourism. It is characterized by outstanding geodiversity, revealed in abundant, surface and subterranean karst landforms, as well as protracted history of karst evolution which can be traced back to the Mesozoic. An additional value is provided by the presence of cultural heritage, related to exploitation and processing of mineral resources genetically linked to the karst environment. The significance of this area is further enhanced by easy access to karst landforms and phenomena. Five caves, each of different morphology, can be visited. A dense network of educational trails, marked paths, forestry and field-access roads allows the visitor to reach all interesting features of karst morphology.Kras Morawski w południowo-wschodniej części Republiki Czeskiej jest obszarem o bardzo dużym potencjale geoturystycznym. Cechuje go znaczna georóżnorodność, wyrażająca się bogactwem form krasu powierzchniowego i podziemnego oraz złożoną historią ewolucji krasu, sięgającą ery mezozoicznej. Elementem dodatkowym są liczne obiekty dziedzictwa kulturowego, związane z eksploatacją i przeróbką surowców mineralnych genetycznie związanych ze środowiskiem krasowym. O randze obszaru decyduje także bardzo dobre udostępnienie form rzeźby krasowej. Do zwiedzania jest przystosowanych pięć jaskiń o odmiennej morfologii, wytyczono kilka ścieżek edukacyjnych, a gęsta sieć znakowanych szlaków, dróg leśnych i polnych pozwala na dotarcie do wszystkich interesujących form powierzchniowych

Geological natural monuments of nature in the Karkonosze Mts. and adjoining areas – 100th anniversary of the work by Georg Gürich

Geological monuments of the Karkonosze by Georg Gürich was published in 1914 and is essentially a catalogue of sites of special geoscientific interest in the West Sudetes, including the Karkonosze range and the adjacent areas. As many as 115 separate localities are described, among them 79 in the Karkonosze proper. The inventory includes outcrops of characteristic rock types, contact phenomena, tors and crags, weathering features, sites with typical fracture patterns, waterfalls, potholes, glacial landforms, blockfields and others. Although numerical evaluation of significance of individual sites was not attempted, elements of verbal assessment and comparative analysis are present. Despite the passage of time, the book of Gürich remains a valuable reference work and has proved very useful during preparation of documentation for the national geopark in the Karkonosze

Granite landscape of the Jelenia Góra Basin : a complement to the Karkonosze Geopark

The intramontane basin of Jelenia Góra in the West Sudetes (SW Poland) is located adjacent to the Karkonosze Mountains, recently proclaimed as a national geopark. Although formally not included into the geopark, geological history and geomorphology allow to consider the basin as a logical complement of the Karkonosze Geopark. More than 20 easily accessible localities are potential geosites, illustrating the history of magma emplacement, lithological and structural diversity of granite, Cenozoic volcanism, evolution of denudational granite relief, the history of Pleistocene inland glaciation and human - geoheritage interactions, which culminated in the development of landscape parks in the 19th century. Geosites in the Jelenia Góra Basin do not duplicate those in the Karkonosze Mountains, but tell different chaptersfrom the long-term geological evolution of the West Sudete

Geoparks and geoturism in Taiwan

The island of Taiwan is located at the boundary of the Eurasiatic Plate and the Phillipine Plate, in the zone of collision and hence, intense mountain building and seismic activity. Rates of uplift and incision around the Taroko Gorge belong to the highest on Earth and a variety of inland and coastal erosional landscapes occurs in Taiwan. Geodiversity of Taiwan is extremely high and provides natural basis for geotourism development. Although official participation in the UNESCO-supported Global Geopark Network is not possible on political grounds, Taiwan strongly adheres to the idea of geo-education through geoparks and interpreted geosites. In 2011 a national network of geoparks was created in Taiwan that so far consists of six geoparks, including four on the main island and two on offshore archipelagos. Themes such as basalt volcanism, coastal evolution, melanges and badlands, landslides and mud volcanoes are represented in Taiwanese geoparks