Geotourism / Geoturystyka
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ISSN 1731-0830
e-ISSN: 2353-3641
Issue Date
2020
Volume
Vol. 17
Number
No. 3-4 (62-63)
Description
Journal Volume
Geotourism / Geoturystyka
Vol. 17 (2020)
Projects
Pages
Articles
Geotouristic bicycle path around Nowy Targ (Carpathians, Poland)
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2020) Szczęch, Mateusz; Cieszkowski, Marek; Szczęch, Szymon; Chodyń, Rafał
The area in the vicinity of Nowy Targ is located within the northern part of the Orawa-Nowy Targ Basin and the southern slopes of the Gorce Mountains in the Polish sector of the Outer Carpathians. Geologically, the region is built of the Upper Cretaceous–Palaeogene turbiditic deposits representing sedimentary successions of the Krynica Subunit of the Magura Nappe and the Neogene–Quaternary fresh-water deposits filling the Orawa-Nowy Targ Basin. The Magura Nappe in the described area is represented by the thick-bedded sandstones of the Magura Formation and thin-and medium-bedded sandstone-shale deposits of the Malcov Formation, which are well-exposed in numerous outcrops, especially in the Łopuszna stream valley. The Magura Nappe deposits were folded and cut by a fault system in the Miocene. The presented area displays varied geomorphological relief and picturesque landscapes. Moreover, rare species of fauna and flora occurring here, as well as the still-alive culture of the Podhale Highlanders and continuously improving tourist infrastructure additionally contribute to the development of geotourism in this area. In addition, this area is an increasingly popular place among cyclists, thanks to the development of a network of bicycle paths, therefore the proposed geotourist bicycle path will extend the offer for this group of tourists.
Geotouristic attractiveness of the show caves of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland area
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2020) Dzięgiel, Maciej
In this paper, six scenic caves situated in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland area were the subject for comparative research, considered as very essential examples of underground geotouristic attractions, displaying karst forms completely different from each other. These include: Smocza Jama Cave (Dragon's Den) in Kraków city, Łokietek and Ciemna (Dark) Cave at Ojców, Wierzchowska Górna Cave at Wierzchowie, Nietoperzowa-Zygmunta Cave at Jerzmanowice and Głęboka (Deep) Cave at Podlesice. The first five caves are situated in the southern part of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland and the last one, in its northern part. All of them are situated in the Silesian-Kraków Monocline. These caves developed in the Upper Jurassic (Oxfordian) massive limestones. Their karst forms are various and picturesque. Numerous animal remnants and traces of different prehistorical cultures were discovered and collected by researchers within and around three caves situated within the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland area. The geotouristic attractiveness of all six caves was demonstrated by their comparative geotourism valorisation evaluation adapted to meet tourists', educators' and investors' expectations and needs. The statistical data of the annual number of visitors at these objects were also discussed. In general, interest in these caves as geotouristic abiotic nature objects has been growing regularly up until today. They have become very widely known in Poland. Moreover, the Smocza Jama Cave, associated with the Royal Castle on the Wawel Hill, and the Łokietek Cave have become very popular worldwide.
Stratovolcanoes on the Chilean-Bolivian border as geoatraction
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2020) Panajew, Paweł; Gałaś, Andrzej
The cluster of stratovolcanoes located on the Chilean-Bolivian border, in the Western Cordillera, is composed of typical, for that part of the Central Volcanic Zone in the Andes, volcanic landforms. The highest volcano is the Nevado Sajama (6,542 m a.s.l.), apparently extinct. The other: Parinacota (6,336 m a.s.l.), Pomerape (6,222 m a.s.l.), Acotango (6,052 m a.s.l.) and Cerro Quisiquisini (5,542 m a.s.l.) were all active in both the Pleistocene and the Holocene. Recently, only the Guallatiri Volcano (6,071 m a.s.l.) is still active. The summits of these mountains are covered with permanent snow or ice caps. On the slopes, there are post-glacial valleys, rocks glaciers and debris avalanches. In the vicinity of volcanic cones, active fumaroles occur, along with hot springs, geysers and high-mountain peat bogs (bofedales), in addition to one of the highest in the world mountain lakes - the Lago Chungará (4,520 m a.s.l.). The unique landform is a huge debris avalanche and was formed during the eruption of the Parinacota Volcano. Small villages settled by Aymara Indians and their cultural monuments complete the extraordinary landscape of the Altiplano Plateau. The values of biotic nature are also unique and deserving of protection on both sides of the state border. Moreover, these sites have been registered into the UNESCO World Heritage List. Modest accommodation facilities located off the main roads satisfy the qualified tourists interested in volcanology. The authors describe the grueling trekking trails, the climbing routes leading to the summits of volcanoes and the other geoattractions, accessible for ordinary hikers.