Geoheritage

Abstract UNESCO Global Geoparks function as outdoor learning environments that integrate science education with natural and cultural heritage. This study comparatively examines the educational strategies of selected geoparks in Türkiye (Kula–Salihli, Ida Madra) and Europe (Lesvos, Burren & Cliffs of Moher) in terms of pedagogical approaches, technology use, and learner roles. Using a qualitat…

Abstract The Martins-Portalegre Plateau, located in the semiarid region of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, harbors a hydrological heritage of significant regional importance. However, the lack of (re)cognition by both local populations and public administrators has contributed to the degradation of its Sites of Hydrological Interest (SHI). This study aims to classify twelve (12) Hydrolo…

Abstract In recent years, many geoconservation studies have focused on the degradation risk of geosites. The identification of threats to geoheritage and the consequent assessment of degradation risk, is fundamental to define any geoconservation strategy. Several methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative, have been proposed in scientific literature to assess the degradation risk of geosite…

Abstract Identifying and assessing sites of geological interest can contribute to the promotion, as well as the conservation of an area’s geological heritage. This can act as the basis for sustainable and alternative tourism development and also for geo-education. For this reason, it is important to create an inventory of geosites and perform a quantitative assessment of their scientific (geologi…

Abstract The increasing recognition of the value of geodiversity has highlighted the need for practical tools that balance geoconservation and sustainable geotourism. This study presents a methodology designed to support managers of protected areas, UNESCO Global Geoparks, and aspiring geoparks in identifying geosites with high touristic potential, while simultaneously assessing their risk of deg…

Geoheritage elements are generally recognised to possess various high-level values, including scientific, educational, economic, aesthetic, and touristic significance. Numerous studies have been conducted to quantify geoheritage values, and research in this area is ongoing. This study aims to present a quantitative approach to measuring the various values of geoheritage elements by extending an e…

The Taurus Mountains, which constitute the high-southern part of Türkiye, are mainly made up of variously aged, karstified soluble carbonate rocks. In addition to eroding the terrain, groundwater and streams from these mountains contribute in the formation of important fluvial-deltaic-coastal deposits along the Mediterranean Sea. Legends pertaining to the geology of the area that have been record…

Natural stone not only endures; it records cultural memory. Bakırköy Küfeki Stone, a Miocene biosparitic limestone, historically quarried near present-day Bakırköy where is a district in Istanbul, and as the relevant lithology is most commonly found within the boundaries of this district, the stone has been named accordingly underpinned the architectural fabric of Istanbul’s Historical Peninsula …

In some Japanese localities, large rocks broken in half (split rocks) have legends such as a legendary person splitting them. The split rock also appeared in a Japanese manga (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba). The scene of the split rock was widely recognized in conjunction with the huge success of this manga and the animation based on it. This study examined news articles from newspapers and othe…