Once again we can be proud to visit this beautiful natural enclave, since Cabo de Gata-Níjar is the first Natural Terrestrial-Maritime Park of Andalusia and the second Spanish Geopark. The extreme climatic conditions of Cabo de Gata together with the volcanic materials (black) and fossil dunes (white) have captivated a large number of photographers, for example.
Let us remember that it has 375 square kilometers of land space and 120 square kilometers of maritime zone. With about 60 kilometers of coastline, it is one of the best preserved examples of unspoiled Mediterranean coastline with minimal human intervention.
At the same time, it represents one of the best examples of Neogene fossil volcanism in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula and allows us to walk through an open-air museum dotted with calderas and volcanic domes, columnar disjunctions, lava flows, beaches and fossil reefs, etc. . that allow us to reconstruct the recent history of the Mediterranean.
Thus, the ecological importance of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park is found in its origin, of volcanic nature, semi-arid climate, extreme wind and wave conditions that select habitats of great interest with highly specialized animal and plant species: Mediterranean steppe, dune formations, salt flats, coastal cliffs and seagrass meadows (posidonia).
It has an impressive geological and natural setting that has resulted in an area worthy of numerous international recognitions such as Biosphere Reserve, Wetland of international importance (RAMSAR), Special Protection Area for Birds, Mediterranean Area of Special Interest, Place of Community Interest and, finally, European and Global Geopark by UNESCO.
INTRODUCTION:
What is a Geopark ?: Let's get familiar with the concept.
A protected territory ...
A European Geopark is a territory that includes a certain geological heritage and a sustainable territorial development strategy.
... with a great geological heritage ...
A European Geopark must comprise a certain number of geological sites of particular importance based on their scientific quality, rarity, aesthetic appearance or educational value. Most of the sites present in the territory of a European Geopark must be part of the Geological Heritage, but their interest can also be archaeological, ecological, geotouristic or cultural.
… Which is used to support sustainable development.
The googical sites in a European Geopark must be linked within a network and benefit from protection and management measures in order to promote and develop educational, geotouristic and local development activities.
So, a Geopark is a geographic area where geological heritage is part of a holistic concept that includes conservation, education and sustainable development.
Non-geological features are an integral part of the Geopark, especially when their relationship to the landscape and geology can be demonstrated to the visitor. For this reason it is necessary to include these sites of ecological, archaeological, historical or cultural interest. In many societies natural, cultural and social history are intimately linked and therefore cannot be separated.
Geoparks are part of a network that:
1. Preserve its geological heritage for present and future generations.
2. Educates and teaches the general public about geological sciences and its relationship with environmental issues.
3. Ensures sustainable socio-economic and cultural development.
4. It fosters multicultural cooperation for heritage and the conservation and maintenance of geological and cultural diversity, using participatory schemes.
5. Encourage investigation when appropriate.
6. Actively contributes to the life of the Network through joint initiatives (communications, publications, information exchange, twinning, participation in meetings, etc.)
GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE AND GEODVERSITY OF THE NATURAL PARK;
TECHNICAL DATA OF INTEREST:
- MAP AND GEOLOGICAL CUT.
- THE SIERRA DE CABO DE GATA: VOLCANOES AND REEFS.
Almeria.
The magma rose to the surface generating numerous volcanic buildings, mostly submarine, favored by the weakness of some large tectonic accidents, such as the gigantic Carboneras or Serrata fault. These volcanic buildings are, in many cases, recognizable in the landscape of Cabo de Gata, since they are still the elevated, more or less conical hills of the area: Los Frailes, Mesa de Roldan, Cerro de los Lobos, La Tórtola, etc. . Brecciated volcanic rocks are very abundant (formed by fragments of different composition or appearance) that are the result of various volcanic processes: differential cooling of different parts of the lava flow, explosions, fiery clouds, avalanches on the slopes of volcanoes, etc. .In a changing global climate, the region went through warmer and colder times. Some volcanic buildings emerged as islands, forming an extensive archipelago. In a warm, tropical sea (above 20ºC), coral reefs developed as atolls or coastal reefs. These fossil coral reefs, such as those of Purchena, Cariatiz, Níjar, Mesa de Roldan, etc., are among the best examples that exist in the world.
In addition, the circulation of seawater through the rocks and the heat released by the magma allowed the formation of hot fluids (hydrothermal) that generated exclusive mineral deposits, such as the gold of Rodalquilar. The Park is home to two important archaeological-industrial complexes of a mining nature: the Rodalquilar mining facilities and the Aguamarga mineral jetty.
- THE BAY OF ALMERÍA: DUNES, ALBUFERAS AND FOSSIL BEACHES.
Book published by the Department of the Environment of the Junta de Andalucía.
