Geoheritage and geodiversity elements of the SW Pacific: A conceptual framework
The Soutwest (SW) Pacific is an expansive oceanic region with many of its islands difficult to access and relatively unexplored in a geoheritage context. Here we provide a potential framework for systematically assessing geoheritage values of the SW Pacific and creating a holistic and multi-value in...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
2022-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S257744412200065X |
| _version_ | 1811197544463597568 |
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| author | Károly Németh Ilmars Gravis |
| author_facet | Károly Németh Ilmars Gravis |
| author_sort | Károly Németh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Soutwest (SW) Pacific is an expansive oceanic region with many of its islands difficult to access and relatively unexplored in a geoheritage context. Here we provide a potential framework for systematically assessing geoheritage values of the SW Pacific and creating a holistic and multi-value inventory. We outline the use of digital terrain models as landform classification tools, and other newly available spatial data. While New Zealand is scientifically and culturally recognised as part of the SW Pacific, due to its large landmass and significant scientific data already available, here we excluded it from our analysis. Rather, the aim of our ongoing research is to provide the first comprehensive overview of the geoheritage potential and unique characteristics of small island nations of the SW Pacific. Only those islands were included in this study where geoheritage research has been initiated and include islands reflecting a good spectrum of geodiversity such as Vanuatu (Ambrym, Ambae, Lopevi, Kuwae group, Tanna), Tonga (Tongatapu, Tofua), and Samoa (Savai’i and Upolu). In a geotectonic context the SW Pacific sits on the western extremity of the large Pacific plate, resulting in a broad array of geotectonic situations where convergent plate boundary processes govern the broad geological evolution and geomorphological processes seen on the islands of our study area. Volcanism associated with plate boundaries is one of the most characteristic and recognisable geological processes linked with the region in the public perception of the area. Volcanism is associated with arc-type geosystems forming complex and compound polygenetic volcanism which offers unique geological-geomorphological elements shaping geodiversity of the region. In addition, these volcanic processes have shaped human communities since the earliest days of their establishment. The interaction of Polynesian societies with volcanism provides a unique geocultural perspective based on accumulated oral traditions, forming the basis of cultural practices that remain part of everyday life into the 21st century. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T01:16:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9b5df4b833db47ceacd2ce9a626e4222 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2577-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T01:16:41Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks |
| spelling | doaj.art-9b5df4b833db47ceacd2ce9a626e42222022-12-22T03:53:57ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks2577-44412022-12-01104523545Geoheritage and geodiversity elements of the SW Pacific: A conceptual frameworkKároly Németh0Ilmars Gravis1Volcanic Risk Solutions, Massey University, New Zealand; Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science, Sopron, Hungary; The Geoconservation Trust, Ōpōtiki, New Zealand; Saudi Geological Survey, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Corresponding author at: Volcanic Risk Solutions, Massey University, New Zealand.The Geoconservation Trust, Ōpōtiki, New ZealandThe Soutwest (SW) Pacific is an expansive oceanic region with many of its islands difficult to access and relatively unexplored in a geoheritage context. Here we provide a potential framework for systematically assessing geoheritage values of the SW Pacific and creating a holistic and multi-value inventory. We outline the use of digital terrain models as landform classification tools, and other newly available spatial data. While New Zealand is scientifically and culturally recognised as part of the SW Pacific, due to its large landmass and significant scientific data already available, here we excluded it from our analysis. Rather, the aim of our ongoing research is to provide the first comprehensive overview of the geoheritage potential and unique characteristics of small island nations of the SW Pacific. Only those islands were included in this study where geoheritage research has been initiated and include islands reflecting a good spectrum of geodiversity such as Vanuatu (Ambrym, Ambae, Lopevi, Kuwae group, Tanna), Tonga (Tongatapu, Tofua), and Samoa (Savai’i and Upolu). In a geotectonic context the SW Pacific sits on the western extremity of the large Pacific plate, resulting in a broad array of geotectonic situations where convergent plate boundary processes govern the broad geological evolution and geomorphological processes seen on the islands of our study area. Volcanism associated with plate boundaries is one of the most characteristic and recognisable geological processes linked with the region in the public perception of the area. Volcanism is associated with arc-type geosystems forming complex and compound polygenetic volcanism which offers unique geological-geomorphological elements shaping geodiversity of the region. In addition, these volcanic processes have shaped human communities since the earliest days of their establishment. The interaction of Polynesian societies with volcanism provides a unique geocultural perspective based on accumulated oral traditions, forming the basis of cultural practices that remain part of everyday life into the 21st century.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S257744412200065XgeoheritagegeoconservationgeoeducationgeotourismgeodisasterPolynesia |
| spellingShingle | Károly Németh Ilmars Gravis Geoheritage and geodiversity elements of the SW Pacific: A conceptual framework International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks geoheritage geoconservation geoeducation geotourism geodisaster Polynesia |
| title | Geoheritage and geodiversity elements of the SW Pacific: A conceptual framework |
| title_full | Geoheritage and geodiversity elements of the SW Pacific: A conceptual framework |
| title_fullStr | Geoheritage and geodiversity elements of the SW Pacific: A conceptual framework |
| title_full_unstemmed | Geoheritage and geodiversity elements of the SW Pacific: A conceptual framework |
| title_short | Geoheritage and geodiversity elements of the SW Pacific: A conceptual framework |
| title_sort | geoheritage and geodiversity elements of the sw pacific a conceptual framework |
| topic | geoheritage geoconservation geoeducation geotourism geodisaster Polynesia |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S257744412200065X |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT karolynemeth geoheritageandgeodiversityelementsoftheswpacificaconceptualframework AT ilmarsgravis geoheritageandgeodiversityelementsoftheswpacificaconceptualframework |