#NewPaper #Paleontology #Geoheritage

Emese M. Bordy, Roger M. H. Smith, Jonah N. Choiniere, and Bruce S. Rubidge (2023)
Selected Karoo geoheritage sites of palaeontological significance in South Africa and Lesotho
in: Clary, R. M., Pyle, E. J. and Andrews, W. M. (eds) Geology’s Significant Sites and their Contributions to Geoheritage. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 543(1): advance online publication)
doi: https://doi.org/10.1144/SP543-2022-202
https://www.lyellcollection.org/doi/10.1144/SP543-2022-202

#Geoheritage on Coruscant, ha. The top of a mountain the only visible rock on the #StarWars planet. From the Mandalorian, Disney+.

Beyond forts & palaces, Udaipur, #Rajasthan, hosts some lesser-known #geoheritage.

Over the next 2 days, I've been invited to a field workshop to explore:

- Zawar: the world's FIRST zinc smelting site.
- Jhamarkotra stromatolites: signatures of the earliest life on Earth.

Follow the adventure...

A study in weathering ...
Glaciofluvial erratic septarian nodule from Pleistocene sands & gravels at Earsham, Norfolk, UK: Jurassic mudstone with interstitial calcite - gets weathered by acidic groundwater - crumbles as calcite dissolves - gets nostalgic about past glories. #Jurassic #Geology #geoheritage #EarthHeritage

Worst of all, the GSI can clear/reject proposals for industry/infrastructure projects on or near notified geosites. If cleared, geosites can be denotified.

This is especially grim, as India has already lost a lot of its #geoheritage due to unregulated/unscientific development.

Knowledge about India's #geoheritage is decentralised. Different institutes, organisations & individuals can help identify/validate sites.

Granting GSI sole authority fails to harness this diverse expertise, isn't transparent & may create bottlenecks in granting research access.

#Geoheritage sites often have scientific, cultural, ecological or economic value.

Participatory governance, or community-led conservation would be more effective in safeguarding geosites.

Yet the bill decrees the government as sole authority to preserve/maintain the sites.

Some of #India's #geoheritage sites are located in tribal tracts/Scheduled Areas, and may also be sacred to the adivasis.

The GSI is empowered to acquire/move a geo-relic if it deems fit.

The draft bill makes no provisions for indigenous rights:
https://www.newsclick.in/indias-first-draft-bill-geo-heritage-conservation-ignores-rights-adivasi-communities

Legal protection for #India's #geoheritage is much-needed, and long overdue, yet vesting complete control in GSI is problematic.

GSI has a shaky track record of maintaining, preserving & facilitating access to sites/collections.

This will limit non-GSI research & discoveries.

[#Geoheritage News - #India]

A draft law may allow the Geological Survey of India (GSI) control over all sites & materials of geological value across India:

https://www.science.org/content/article/india-s-draft-geoheritage-law-sends-tremors-through-research-community

Here's why having a centralised authority over India's geoheritage resources would be a problem:
🧵

A recording of my recent talk for Joggins Fossil Cliffs #UNESCO World Heritage Site is now available - #geoheritage #historyofgeology #NovaScotia on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/DHSsknKOHIo

I will be giving a virtual seminar for the Joggins Fossil Institute tomorrow,
Thursday Nov 24th, from 1-2 pm (Atlantic Standard Time).

"Historic Journeys to the Fundy Fossil Forests at Joggins 1842-1913"

Feel free to join us #historyofgeology #geoheritage and #geotourism #NovaScotia

#Geoheritage Dinosaur Tracksite in Nangdo-ri, Yeosu is maybe one of the youngest dinosaur tracksite in South Korea. Over than 3,500 footprints of theropods (Including bird tracks), ornithopods, sauropods are known from 5 neighboring islands. Here are some photos including sedimentary structures which I took from Nangdo Island, but unfortunately I wasn't able to see trackway because of tidal issue.

RT @StaffaNTS@twitter.com

Learn how @N_T_S@twitter.com cares for its amazing geodiversity and #geoheritage including Staffa!

https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/protecting-our-geodiversity-and-geoheritage

@scottishgeology@twitter.com

📷Romain Plagnol

🐦🔗: https://twitter.com/StaffaNTS/status/1592217548749250562