Classification of Geological Heritages

Classification of Geological Heritages

Geodiversity elements accepted as geological heritage can be divided into many subgroups depending on the classification criteria. The preferred upper classification system in this study is the classification consisting of 10 subgroups in the classification proposed by ProGEO Group-98 (Table 1). The 10 subgroups in this table are divided into subgroups depending on the scope of the group. In determining these subgroups, the classification in the “Geological Heritage and Framework List of the Geosites in Turkey” proposed by Kazancı et al. (2015) and following revisions by Çiftçi and Güngör (2021) was taken as basis and developed in this publication (Table 9). How the JS-10 group was formed in this classification was explained in detail by Çiftçi and Güngör (2024).

Table 1. Geosite Classification Table (Modified from ProGEO Group-1998).

Framework List of Geosites

This distinction is for guidance and grouping purposes. It is not a detailed and exhaustive definition system. Within each group, many subgroups can be created based on common features. Thus, it becomes easier to create lists with almost the same features and compare them with each other. Especially thanks to this framework list, similar formations in different countries can be recorded. Accepting these lists as the official inventory list of the countries will provide very important benefits in terms of creating a data bank (Brilha et al., 2005; de Lima et al., 2010). The need for an framework list for geosites in our country was expressed by Kazancı et al., (2005) and Kazancı and Şaroğlu (2009). The concept in question was further developed in the articles of Çiftçi and Güngör (2021) and they detailed the grouping proposed by Kazancı et al. (2015).

Brilha J.,Andrade C., Azerêdo A., Barriga F.J.A.S., Cachão M., Couto H., Cunha P.P., Crispim J.A., Dantas P., Duarte L.V., Freitas M.C., Granja M.H., Henriques M.H., Henriques P., Lopes L., Madeira J., Matos J.M.X., Noronha F., Pais J., Piçarra J.,Ramalho M.M., Relvas J.M.R.S., Ribeiro A.,Santos A., Santos V., Terrinha P. 2005. Definitionof the Portuguese frameworks with international relevance as an input for the European geological heritage characterisation. Episodes, 28(3), pp. 177-186.

Çiftçi, Y., Güngör, Y., 2021. Geological Heritage Inventory Studies: New Approaches. In the Conference Book: Geological Heritage: Concepts, Legislation and Application Examples, The Chamber of Geological Engineers, 62-104.

Çiftçi, Y., Güngör, Y., 2024. Anthropogenic Geosite Concept within Geological Heritage and Turkey’s Anthropogenic Geosites. Geoheritage 16, 61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-024-00968-4

Kazancı, N., Şaroğlu, F., Kirman, E., Uysal, F., 2005. Basic threats on geosites and geo-heritages in Turkey. Proceedings of Second Conference on Geoheritage of Serbia. 149-153.

Kazancı, N., Şaroğlu, F., 2009. Türkiye Jeositleri Çatı Listesi. 62. Türkiye Jeoloji Kurultayı. Bildiri Özleri Kitabı 266-267.

Kazancı, N., Şaroğlu, F., Suludere, Y. 2015. Geological Heritage and Framework List of the Geosites in Turkey. Bulletin of the Mineral Research and Exploration 151, 263-272.

de Lima, F.F., Brilha, J.B. & Salamuni, E. Inventorying Geological Heritage in Large Territories:       A Methodological Proposal Applied to Brazil. Geoheritage 2, 91–99 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-010-0014-9

ProGEO-98. ProGeo Group, 1998. A first attemt at a geosites framework for Europe -an lUGS initiative to support recognition of World heritage and European geodiversity. Geologica Balcanica 28, 5-32.