Volcanic Geoheritage in the Light of Volcano Geology

Abstract

AbstractVolcanic geoheritage relates to the geological features of a region that are associated with the formation of a volcanic terrain in diverse geoenvironmental conditions. These features include the volcanic processes, volcanic landforms and/or the eruptive products of volcanism that form the geological architecture of that region. Volcanic geoheritage is expressed through the landscape and how it forms and evolves through volcanic processes on various spatio-temporal scales. In this sense it is directly linked to the processes of how magma released, transported to the surface and fragmented, the styles of eruption and accumulation of the eruptive products. Volcanic geoheritage is directly linked to the natural processes that generated them. Geocultural aspects are treated separately through volcanic geosite identification and their valorization stages. Identification of volcanic geosites, based on various valorization techniques, have been applied successfully in the past decades to many geological heritage elements. Volcanism directly impacts societal, cultural, and traditional development of communities, hence the “living with volcanoes” concept and indigenous aspects and knowledge about volcanism can and should play important roles in these valorization methods through co-development, transdisciplinary approaches by including interconnected scientists in discussions with local communities. Elements of volcanism and volcanic geoheritage benefit of the geoculture of society so volcanic geoheritage sites are ideal locations for community geoeducation where resilience toward volcanic hazard could be explored and applied more effectively than it is done today. Geoparks within volcanic terrains or volcanism-influenced regions should be the flagship conservation, education and tourism sites for this message. Volcanism can be an integral part of processes operating in sedimentary basins. Here volcanic eruptive products and volcanic processes contribute to the sediment fill and geological features that characterize the geoheritage of that region.