Geoeducational assessments in Khon Kaen National Geopark, Thailand: implication for geoconservation and geotourism development

Khon Kaen Geopark (KKGp), located on the Mesozoic sandstone syncline of the Khorat Plateau, northeastern Thailand, is distinguished by spatially small-scale (100–10,000 m2) forms of geodiversity (rocks, fossils, structures, landforms, landscapes, and minerals). Field investigations and classificatio...

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Main Authors: Vimoltip Singtuen, Natcharee Vivitkul, Thitaree Junjuer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022-12-01
Series:Heliyon
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022037525
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author Vimoltip Singtuen
Natcharee Vivitkul
Thitaree Junjuer
author_facet Vimoltip Singtuen
Natcharee Vivitkul
Thitaree Junjuer
author_sort Vimoltip Singtuen
collection DOAJ
description Khon Kaen Geopark (KKGp), located on the Mesozoic sandstone syncline of the Khorat Plateau, northeastern Thailand, is distinguished by spatially small-scale (100–10,000 m2) forms of geodiversity (rocks, fossils, structures, landforms, landscapes, and minerals). Field investigations and classification suggest that paleontological sites present the first dinosaur species in Thailand and confirm the existence of five dinosaur species: Phuwiangosaurus sirindhornae, Kinnareemimus khonkaenensis, Siamotyrannus isanensis, Siamosaurus suteethorni, and Phuwiangvenator yaemniyomi. The geomorphological sites feature representative sandstone landforms, including waterfalls, cliffs, caverns, honeycombs, pedestal rocks, and rugged surfaces with irregular features. In addition, the mineralogical site has a Uranium Field (Cu–U-related ore deposit). This work proposes four geoeducation models: a geodiversity one-day trip, a geomorphological study trail, a geoethical study site, and the Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum for geoconservation development for school and university students. According to the geoeducation assessment, KKGp has considerable educational value based on the Accessibility, Safety, Invulnerability, Observation condition, and Didactic (ASIOD) framework for geology and geography. Our findings suggest ways to broadly transform and enhance the geoeducation concept through a storytelling narrative of the geopark.
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spelling doaj.art-5156bd7bc9f244e1a9a6506082f1bffe2023-01-05T08:40:35ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402022-12-01812e12464Geoeducational assessments in Khon Kaen National Geopark, Thailand: implication for geoconservation and geotourism developmentVimoltip Singtuen0Natcharee Vivitkul1Thitaree Junjuer2Corresponding author.; Department of Geotechnology, Faculty of Technology, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitrparp Rd., Nai Mueang, Mueang Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandDepartment of Geotechnology, Faculty of Technology, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitrparp Rd., Nai Mueang, Mueang Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandDepartment of Geotechnology, Faculty of Technology, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitrparp Rd., Nai Mueang, Mueang Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen 40002, ThailandKhon Kaen Geopark (KKGp), located on the Mesozoic sandstone syncline of the Khorat Plateau, northeastern Thailand, is distinguished by spatially small-scale (100–10,000 m2) forms of geodiversity (rocks, fossils, structures, landforms, landscapes, and minerals). Field investigations and classification suggest that paleontological sites present the first dinosaur species in Thailand and confirm the existence of five dinosaur species: Phuwiangosaurus sirindhornae, Kinnareemimus khonkaenensis, Siamotyrannus isanensis, Siamosaurus suteethorni, and Phuwiangvenator yaemniyomi. The geomorphological sites feature representative sandstone landforms, including waterfalls, cliffs, caverns, honeycombs, pedestal rocks, and rugged surfaces with irregular features. In addition, the mineralogical site has a Uranium Field (Cu–U-related ore deposit). This work proposes four geoeducation models: a geodiversity one-day trip, a geomorphological study trail, a geoethical study site, and the Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum for geoconservation development for school and university students. According to the geoeducation assessment, KKGp has considerable educational value based on the Accessibility, Safety, Invulnerability, Observation condition, and Didactic (ASIOD) framework for geology and geography. Our findings suggest ways to broadly transform and enhance the geoeducation concept through a storytelling narrative of the geopark.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022037525GeodiversityGeoheritageGeomorphologyPhysical geographySustainable geotourism
spellingShingle Vimoltip Singtuen
Natcharee Vivitkul
Thitaree Junjuer
Geoeducational assessments in Khon Kaen National Geopark, Thailand: implication for geoconservation and geotourism development
Heliyon
Geodiversity
Geoheritage
Geomorphology
Physical geography
Sustainable geotourism
title Geoeducational assessments in Khon Kaen National Geopark, Thailand: implication for geoconservation and geotourism development
title_full Geoeducational assessments in Khon Kaen National Geopark, Thailand: implication for geoconservation and geotourism development
title_fullStr Geoeducational assessments in Khon Kaen National Geopark, Thailand: implication for geoconservation and geotourism development
title_full_unstemmed Geoeducational assessments in Khon Kaen National Geopark, Thailand: implication for geoconservation and geotourism development
title_short Geoeducational assessments in Khon Kaen National Geopark, Thailand: implication for geoconservation and geotourism development
title_sort geoeducational assessments in khon kaen national geopark thailand implication for geoconservation and geotourism development
topic Geodiversity
Geoheritage
Geomorphology
Physical geography
Sustainable geotourism
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022037525
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AT natchareevivitkul geoeducationalassessmentsinkhonkaennationalgeoparkthailandimplicationforgeoconservationandgeotourismdevelopment
AT thitareejunjuer geoeducationalassessmentsinkhonkaennationalgeoparkthailandimplicationforgeoconservationandgeotourismdevelopment