Del i serien Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism

Geoheritage of Georgia

The Caucasus

Inbunden, Engelska, 2026

3 079 kr

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This book presents the first integrated account of Georgia’s geological heritage at the scale of the whole country. Situated in the heart of the Arabia–Eurasia collision zone, Georgia compresses high peaks, active volcanoes, karst plateaus, deep river gorges, semi-deserts and Black Sea coasts into a remarkably small territory. Geoheritage of Georgia - The Caucasus shows how that collision-born complexity underpins exceptional geosites and landscapes, from the tower villages of Svaneti and the rock-cut city of Vardzia to dinosaur trackways, cave systems, natural freezers, placer goldfields and volcanic plateaus, while also shaping biodiversity, agriculture, sacred waters and cultural identity.Combining contributions from leading Georgian and international scientists, the book frames these sites within modern conservation tools, especially IUCN’s emerging Key Geoheritage Areas (KGAs) and the UNESCO Global Geoparks and World Heritage frameworks. It outlines a national KGA map, assesses candidate territories for future geoparks, and proposes practical pathways for geoheritage-based geotourism, education and community development. Designed for geoscientists, conservation professionals, planners and advanced students, as well as interested visitors, Geoheritage of Georgia offers both a scientific foundation and a roadmap for celebrating and protecting Georgia’s geoheritage for future generations.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2026-08-31
Mått210 x 279 x undefined mm
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
SerieGeoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism
Antal sidor218
FörlagSpringer Nature Switzerland AG
ISBN9783032276384

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Avtandil Okrostsvaridze is a Professor at Ilia State University (Tbilisi, Georgia) and a leading Georgian geoscientist whose work integrates magmatism, geochronology, metallogeny, and geoheritage. He graduated from Tbilisi State University and obtained his Doctor of Geological Sciences degree from the Geological Institute of the Georgian Academy of Sciences.His research focuses on collision-zone magmatism and volcanism, regional geological evolution, and the identification, assessment, and conservation of key geoheritage sites that underpin sustainable geotourism and emerging geopark initiatives in Georgia. Dr. Okrostsvaridze has led and contributed to numerous national and international research projects. He has authored more than sixty peer-reviewed publications and several books, and has presented widely at international scientific congresses. His work has significantly advanced understanding of the geology of Georgia and the Caucasus, particularly in relation to geoheritage and geoconservation.Daniel Tormey is Technical Director at Catalyst Environmental Solutions Corporation, a U.S.-based environmental consulting firm specializing in protected areas, water resources, energy, and infrastructure. He is a member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas and has extensive experience in environmental assessment and management of protected and conserved areas. He has undertaken numerous World Heritage-related evaluations and contributions, including field missions and co-authoring IUCN guidance on World Heritage volcanoes and geoconservation in protected and conserved areas. Since 2019, he has served as a lead reviewer for multiple UNESCO Global Geopark applications, supporting both the development and evaluation of geopark proposals. Dr. Tormey has conducted fieldwork in Georgia since 2010, focusing on volcanology, tectonics, and related geoheritage themes. He holds a PhD in Geology and Geochemistry from MIT, and Bachelor’s degrees in Civil Engineering and Geology from Stanford University

Chapter 1. Geoheritage of Georgia: Where Continents Meet and Culture Endures (Introduction).- Chapter 2. Geoheritage Pathways for Georgia: Key Geoheritage Areas and the UNESCO Global Geopark Framework.- Chapter 3. Georgia’s Candidate Geopark Territories: Portraits and Readiness.- Chapter 4. A Brief Overview of Georgia’s History and Cultural Heritage.- Chapter 5. Geological History of the Caucasus: How Georgia's Geoheritage was Created.- Chapter 6. Georgia as an Ideal Geotourism Destination, Supporting Aspiring Geoparks.- Chapter 7. Placer Gold Geoheritage of the Enguri River, Greater Caucasus (Georgia), and the Legend of Argonauts’ Expedition.- Chapter 8. Living within the Mtkvari Ignimbrite Geoheritage, Lesser Caucasus, Georgia.- Chapter 9. The Majestic Summits of the Greater Caucasus: Mountain Geoheritage of Georgia.- Chapter 10. Magnificent Glaciers of the Greater Caucasus in Georgia.- Chapter 11. Underground Wonders of Georgia: Karst Caves and the Mith of Amirani.- Chapter 12. Water-Shaped Geoheritage as Indicators of Active Geodynamics: River Gorges, Canyons, Waterfalls, and Lakes of Georgia.- Chapter 13. Geoheritage of the Georgian Black Sea Coast: Between the Greater and Lesser Caucasus.- Chapter 14. Stunning Geoheritage of Georgia: Natural “Freezers”.- Chapter 15. Seismicity of Georgia and Historical Earthquakes.- Chapter 16. Mudslides and Landslides in Georgia: Historical Hazards.- Chapter 17. Desert in Georgia: Colorful hills, Mud Volcanoes and Rock-Cut Monastery Complex.- Chapter 18. Fossil Land Mammal Faunas of Georgia.- Chapter 19. The Unique Early Cretaceous Dinosaur Footprints of Sataplia (Georgia).- Chapter 20. Goderdzi Petrified Wood Site of Georgia.- Chapter 21. The Kldeisi Mass Burial Site of Gryphaea in Georgia.- Chapter 22. Ore Deposits of Georgia: Geological Wealth and Mining History.- Chapter 23. The Bolnisi Gold-Copper-Polymetallic Mining District (Georgia): Key Geosite of Nationale Importance.- Chapter 24. Mineral and Thermal Water Riches of Georgia: The Phenomenons of the “Immortality Water”.- Chapter 25. Geoheritage Actors in the Development of Viticulture in Georgia: the Homeland of Wine.- Chapter 26. Epilogue: Georgia’s Future includes Celebration and Protection of Its Geoheritage.