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Geosites, Classification of

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Encyclopedia of Mineral and Energy Policy

Geosite is a geological heritage site (Ruban and Kuo 2010; Wimbledon 1999). According to “Protocol on geoconservation principles, sustainable site use, management, fieldwork, fossil and mineral collecting” adopted by the European Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage (ProGeo), geosite is a particular locality or area of geological interest for the knowledge of Earth history (ProGeo 2011; Wimbledon and Smith-Meyer 2012) or the peculiar Earth’s crust phenomena (typical or, in contrast, unique geological feature or process) (Ruban and Kuo 2010). Geosites can be established according to their scientific, educational, and aesthetic values, rarity, current condition, accessibility, etc. The special protection status, maintenance, monitoring, and planning of tourism should be specified for them (Ruban and Kuo 2010). Methods and purposes of geoconservation and the status of geosites vary greatly in different countries in accordance with local geoconservation laws....

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Correspondence to Svetlana O. Zorina .

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Zorina, S.O., Silantiev, V.V. (2014). Geosites, Classification of. In: Tiess, G., Majumder, T., Cameron, P. (eds) Encyclopedia of Mineral and Energy Policy. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-40871-7_7-1

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