Reassessing the Global Significance of Geological Heritage in the Miné-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark
The Miné-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark (aUGGp) in western Japan hosts several geologically significant heritage sites, including the Late Paleozoic Akiyoshi Limestone, the Late Triassic Mine Group, the Late Cretaceous Naganobori copper deposits, and the Akiyoshido Cave and...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-02-01
|
| Series: | Geosciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/2/56 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849719017034481664 |
|---|---|
| author | Koji Wakita Hokuto Obara Nozomu Oyama Takashi Murakami |
| author_facet | Koji Wakita Hokuto Obara Nozomu Oyama Takashi Murakami |
| author_sort | Koji Wakita |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Miné-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark (aUGGp) in western Japan hosts several geologically significant heritage sites, including the Late Paleozoic Akiyoshi Limestone, the Late Triassic Mine Group, the Late Cretaceous Naganobori copper deposits, and the Akiyoshido Cave and karst plateau. The Akiyoshi Limestone at the Kaerimizu site originated as an atoll reef atop a seamount on an oceanic plate. It preserves approximately 80 million years of ancient marine environments and subduction-related tectonic histories. The Mine Group at the Momonoki site, with its coal-bearing strata, contains fossils of the earliest members of Diptera and Hymenoptera. The Naganobori copper mine at the Naganobori site played a vital role in Japanese society from the 8th to the 20th centuries. Meanwhile, the Akiyoshido site, renowned for its scenic beauty, is one of Japan’s most iconic tourist destinations. Using the IUGS guidelines and geoheritage assessment methodology, we reassessed the value and utilization of these geological heritage sites. The Kaerimizu and Momonoki sites were identified as internationally significant and ideal for scientific research. The Naganobori site was determined to be well-suited for educational purposes with national significance, while the Akiyoshido site was deemed optimal for geotourism with national significance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-059e78ced53249e9981b3fd761529029 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-3263 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geosciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-059e78ced53249e9981b3fd7615290292025-08-20T03:12:14ZengMDPI AGGeosciences2076-32632025-02-011525610.3390/geosciences15020056Reassessing the Global Significance of Geological Heritage in the Miné-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau Aspiring UNESCO Global GeoparkKoji Wakita0Hokuto Obara1Nozomu Oyama2Takashi Murakami3Communication Future Center, Yamaguhi University, Yamaguchi City 753-8511, JapanMine-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau Geopark Promotion Council, Mine City 11237-862, JapanCentre de Recherche en Paleontologie-Paris (CR2P), MNHN-CNRS-Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, FranceMine City Board of Education, Mine City 759-2212, JapanThe Miné-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark (aUGGp) in western Japan hosts several geologically significant heritage sites, including the Late Paleozoic Akiyoshi Limestone, the Late Triassic Mine Group, the Late Cretaceous Naganobori copper deposits, and the Akiyoshido Cave and karst plateau. The Akiyoshi Limestone at the Kaerimizu site originated as an atoll reef atop a seamount on an oceanic plate. It preserves approximately 80 million years of ancient marine environments and subduction-related tectonic histories. The Mine Group at the Momonoki site, with its coal-bearing strata, contains fossils of the earliest members of Diptera and Hymenoptera. The Naganobori copper mine at the Naganobori site played a vital role in Japanese society from the 8th to the 20th centuries. Meanwhile, the Akiyoshido site, renowned for its scenic beauty, is one of Japan’s most iconic tourist destinations. Using the IUGS guidelines and geoheritage assessment methodology, we reassessed the value and utilization of these geological heritage sites. The Kaerimizu and Momonoki sites were identified as internationally significant and ideal for scientific research. The Naganobori site was determined to be well-suited for educational purposes with national significance, while the Akiyoshido site was deemed optimal for geotourism with national significance.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/2/56JapanatollPanthalassafusulinidsinsect fossilsdoline |
| spellingShingle | Koji Wakita Hokuto Obara Nozomu Oyama Takashi Murakami Reassessing the Global Significance of Geological Heritage in the Miné-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark Geosciences Japan atoll Panthalassa fusulinids insect fossils doline |
| title | Reassessing the Global Significance of Geological Heritage in the Miné-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark |
| title_full | Reassessing the Global Significance of Geological Heritage in the Miné-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark |
| title_fullStr | Reassessing the Global Significance of Geological Heritage in the Miné-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reassessing the Global Significance of Geological Heritage in the Miné-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark |
| title_short | Reassessing the Global Significance of Geological Heritage in the Miné-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark |
| title_sort | reassessing the global significance of geological heritage in the mine akiyoshidai karst plateau aspiring unesco global geopark |
| topic | Japan atoll Panthalassa fusulinids insect fossils doline |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/2/56 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kojiwakita reassessingtheglobalsignificanceofgeologicalheritageinthemineakiyoshidaikarstplateauaspiringunescoglobalgeopark AT hokutoobara reassessingtheglobalsignificanceofgeologicalheritageinthemineakiyoshidaikarstplateauaspiringunescoglobalgeopark AT nozomuoyama reassessingtheglobalsignificanceofgeologicalheritageinthemineakiyoshidaikarstplateauaspiringunescoglobalgeopark AT takashimurakami reassessingtheglobalsignificanceofgeologicalheritageinthemineakiyoshidaikarstplateauaspiringunescoglobalgeopark |