Geotope

Geotopes ( of or from Greek γῆ gé the earth and τόπος topos of place ) are geological formations of inanimate nature, impart the knowledge about the development of the earth and the origin of life.

Description

Geotopes are by nature extremely diverse. The geotopes counting example striking, striking rock formations, outcrops of rocks and soil formations, important sites of minerals and fossils, and natural landscape features (caves, sinkholes ). The dimensions of geotopes fluctuate between small exposed rock surfaces on slopes and large quarries that can be interpreted at first glance as a heavy engagement landscape.

Those geotopes be regarded as worthy of protection, which have a special geological significance, rarity, uniqueness or aesthetics. For scientific and educational work, for Nature and History as well as for the Geotourism they are documents of particular value - so-called window of Earth's history. The Geotopschutz is a department of nature conservation, which deals with the maintenance and care worthy of protection geotopes. Frequently geotopes are reported as areal natural monument. That way they are protected by law and subject to similar protection as nature reserves. In addition, the relevant legal bases in the individual federal states geotopes may also be disclosed, for example, on the basis of the Monument Protection Act or the Soil Protection Act in response.

Geotopes are often used when geocaching as EarthCaches for teaching geoscientific processes.

Day of Geotops

The day of the Geotops was carried out in the year of Geosciences first time in 2002 in Germany on October 6 and is since then every year on the third Sunday in September. On the day of action places the population at large are presented by geological significance, where you can trace the evolution of Earth and life: Geologic outstanding and worth seeing outcrops, landforms, boulders, springs and caves.

The day of action organized by the trade section GEOTOP of the German Society for Geosciences ( DGG ), together with the Academy of Geosciences at Hanover ( AGH ) and the Palaeontological Society ( PG). With the help of expert authorities, Geoparks, universities, associations and groups a variety of actions is offered - including excursions, guided tours to visitors geotopes and mines, establishment of nature trails and museum tours.

News

In recent years, numerous publications have appeared in the individual federal states, which had the collection of geological sites at the country level to the target. Due to the different approach to the surveys, it was agreed by the departments of Geotopschutz the Geological Surveys of the work instructions Geotopschutz in Germany a uniform approach regarding the mapping and documentation of the results to the parent of nationwide a nationwide network of the most important geological sites to create. In May 2006, was awarded as a result of a nationwide competition 77 properties in Germany the predicate National Geotop.

Contact for geotopes the Geological Surveys of the individual provinces.

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