The UNESCO Management Board recently awarded the UNESCO World Geopark label to 13 sites showing the range of the planet’s geology. These inscriptions were beneficial by the UNESCO World Geoparks Council.
UNESCO Global Geoparks are territories that promote geodiversity through community-led initiatives geared toward strengthening sustainable regional development, specifically through sustainable tourism. They help monitor and promote awareness of climate change and natural disasters, and lots of help local communities develop disaster mitigation strategies.
Below is the complete list of the world’s geoparks for 2018 FOUR places in Southeast Asia.
The reason why we should always at all times surround ourselves with nature and be proud, and spread the “excellent news” of getting multiple place that enjoys worldwide recognition.
GEOPARK NGORONGORO LENGAI – TANZANIA
One of crucial features of the UNESCO Ngorongoro Lengai Global Geopark is the Ngorongoro Crater, home to an enormous number of wild animals akin to elephants, black rhinos, lions, gazelles and other large mammals that coexist with humans. Oldoinyo Lengai “Mountain of God” or “Holy Mountain” within the Maasai language is the youngest and most lively stratovolcano (2,962 m) of the Ngorongoro Volcanic Plateau, positioned at its northern tip.
This volcano produces natrocarbonatite lava that incorporates almost no silicon, which is exclusive. The most vital paleoanthropological site on this planet, Olduvai Gorge incorporates volcanic deposits formed throughout the Pliocene Epoch with unparalleled environmental records of the past, including hominid fossils, in addition to Middle and Late Stone Age artifacts and a wide selection of fossilized fauna.
MUDEUNGSAN GEOPARK AREA – SOUTH KOREA
The Mudeungsan Area UNESCO Global Geopark is centered around Mount Mudeung, which rises high above town of Gwangju.
The mountain has long held a vital place within the spiritual world of the people of Jeollanam-do, the previous Honama, who see the mountain peaks as altars for heavenly worship. Its geoheritage includes large polygonal articulated tuff columns recording a minimum of three phases of Cretaceous volcanic activity, extensive periglacial landforms, unusual microclimatic environments, dinosaur tracks and tracks, and a spread of other geological and geomorphological features.
PENINSULA GEOPARK WEEK – JAPAN
The Izu Peninsula UNESCO World Geopark is positioned within the southeastern a part of the island of Honshu. It is a novel place where two lively volcanic arcs meet and various phenomena related to the collision of tectonic plates occur.
The area’s uninterrupted volcanic history during the last 20 million years is unparalleled. Thanks to geothermal activity, the world is home to among the most famous hot springs in Japan. Izu witnessed many natural disasters akin to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis, which helped to strengthen local beliefs as communities began to worship deities who would govern the forces of nature and built over 90 temples spread throughout the Geopark.
HUANGGANG DABIESHAN GEOPARK – CHINA
Huanggang Dabieshan UNESCO World Geopark is positioned in Hubei Province in eastern China. It shows the geological evolution of the region, specifically the collision of the North China and Yangtze tectonic plates.
The oldest continental core of the mountain belt, which was formed in consequence of this collision, is a mix of the belt of garnets, biotites and gneisses and the green belt (Muzidian Group). These rocks were formed under the influence of high pressure and high temperatures, and are over 2.8 billion years old. The biological diversity of the region makes it one among the seven major gene pools in China.
TREMP BASIN MONTSEC GEOPARK – SPAIN
The Conca de Tremp Montsec UNESCO World Geopark in northeastern Spain, near the borders of France and Andorra, is characterised by a set of mountain ranges and valleys oriented to the east and west. This setting corresponds to the several mantles deposited that form the southern slope of the Central Pyrenees. The geological record covers the last 550 million years.
The wealthy natural heritage of the southern slopes of the Pyrenees is internationally recognized as a natural laboratory of sedimentology, tectonics, external geodynamics, paleontology, ore deposits and soil sciences. The area covers a really broad representation of the evolution of life on Earth and includes sites from the Permian to the Paleogene: fossils of vertebrates, invertebrates and plants.
PERCÉ GEOPARK – CANADA
Percé UNESCO World Geopark in Canada is positioned in the center of the massive Appalachian Mountain range along eastern North America. The mountain formation and igneous and tectonic events in the world are related to the opening of the Atlantic Ocean throughout the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods (roughly 150 million years ago).
Over the last twenty thousand years – the last ice age – the Quebec section of this chain was subjected to the erosive motion of glacial elements, which gave the landscape its present shape. The territory is home to many ecosystems characterised by diverse fauna and flora. Percé’s major economic activities concentrate on tourism, fishing and forestry.
GEOPARK FAMENNE-ARDENNE – BELGIUM
Three elements characterizing the Famenne-Ardennes UNESCO World Geopark are clearly visible within the landscape: Famenne within the north is a big depression with a slate base. The Ardennes within the south form an enormous plateau composed mainly of sandstone rocks.
Between them is Calestienne, a limestone substrate wealthy in karst phenomena. The region’s karst is distinctive, and its geological evolution, with disappearing and emerging rivers, sinkholes and weird caves, has helped shape the pervasive human activity within the Geopark. Limewater can be needed for brewing the famous and typical “Rochefort Trappist” beer.
RINJANI LOMBOK GEOPARK – INDONESIA
The almost circular island of Lombok with a 70-kilometer “tail” of the peninsula is one among the islands of Sunda Kecil, positioned between Bali and Sumbawa. The geology of Lombok Island is dominated by Quaternary calc-alkaline volcanoes overlying Neogene sedimentary rocks, Oligo-Miocene volcanoes and intrusive igneous rocks of Paleogene age.
The formation of the volcanic complex is brought on by the subduction of the Indian Ocean tectonic plate under the sting of the Southeast Asian tectonic plate. The Saxon population of Lombok is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural. The diversity of the Sasak cultural heritage is reflected in buildings akin to temples and the old mosque.
SATUN GEOPARK – THAILAND
UNESCO’s Satun Global Geopark is often called a tranquil place of magnificent natural beauty. Many cultures and groups, including Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and smaller groups akin to the Semung or Maniq and Urak Lawoi (or Chao le in Thai), live together in harmony on this area.
It is well often called the land of Paleozoic fossils as a result of their abundance, great diversity and weird order of fossils, including trilobites, brachiopods, stromatolites, conodonts, graptolites, tentaculites and nautiluses. The major economic activities of the inhabitants are focused on agriculture, fishing, tourism and small local businesses.
GUANGWUSHAN-NUOSHUIHE GEOPARK-CHINA
The Gangwushan-Nuoshuihe UNESCO World Geopark is positioned in town of Bazhong in Sichuan Province. Located on the junction of the southern central orogenic belt (Qinling) and the Yangtze block, this area is characterised by natural landscapes akin to karst and tectonic features, waterfalls and ponds.
It is a vital place for analyzing the geological evolution of peripheral basins as a result of its location within the transition zone between the southern and northern karst formations. The famous 2,000-year-old ancient Micang Road, connecting Shaanxi and Scihuan Province, winds through this landscape where cultures of various dynasties and kinds have left their traces.
BEAUJOLAIS GEOPARK – FRANCE
The Beaujolais UNESCO World Geopark is positioned in a region of France known all over the world for its twelve protected vineyard appellations. But the Beaujolais country also has other extraordinary geological and cultural treasures.
The complex geology of Beaujolais, shaped over greater than 500 million years, underlies the range of landscapes, natural habitats and constructing stones utilized in local construction. The geological heritage and history of Beaujolais have had and proceed to influence the lives and culture of its inhabitants.
CILETUH-PALABUHANRATU GEOPARK – INDONESIA
The Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu UNESCO World Geopark in West Java was named after the Ciletuh River and Palabuhanratu (the Queen’s port), in reference to the legend of the Queen of the Southern Ocean, who was said to be the guardian of the world. The oldest rocks within the Geopark were formed in consequence of the subduction process between the Eurasian and Indian Ocean tectonic plates. Today, three rural communities maintain the traditions of their ancestors in Kasepuhan, especially in agriculture and rice cultivation (called tatanen).
CAO STATE GEOPARK – VIETNAM
Cao Bang UNESCO World Geopark positioned within the mountainous area within the north-east of the country. Geologically, Cao Bang Geopark could be divided into two separate parts as a result of the so-called deep-seated Cao Bang-Tien Yen lively fault. The eastern a part of the world is made from Paleozoic limestone.
In the western part there are sedimentary rocks, pillow basalts, ultramafic and granite intrusions wealthy in minerals and hydrothermal transformations. The majority of the population belongs to one among nine different ethnic groups with distinct, wealthy cultural identities and traditions.
Source :UNESCO official website
