Volcanic Geosite Inventory and Assessment in the Perşani Monogenetic Basalt Volcanic Field (Romania): Geoheritage Framework of the Proposed Carpaterra Geopark

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Abstract The Perşani Volcanic Field (PVF) is the youngest and the smallest (as territory and volcano numbers) manifestation of mafic intracontinental monogenetic volcanism in the Carpathian-Pannonian Region, eastern-central Europe. Eruptions of basaltic magmas took place behind a slab roll-back segment of the Vrancea zone between 1.25 Ma and 0.65 Ma. It is still a geodynamically active region, where further volcanic activity cannot be excluded. The PVF provides an excellent area, where wide range of products of basaltic volcanism can be observed in a restricted area and therefore it can play a significant role in education and geotourism. Lava flows and shallow intrusions are represented by columnar as well as platy and curvilinear jointed basalts. There are scoria cones with unique exposures of proximal and distal deposits and maar structures with hydrovolcanic pyroclastic successions including ballistic impact sag structures. In addition, large number of mantle-derived ultramafic xenoliths are found both in the basalt lava rocks and also in the maar volcanic pyroclastic rocks. The well-preserved volcanic structures form unique geoheritage and in combination with historic and cultural heritage this offers a potential to establish a geopark, where visitors can learn about volcanic rocks and processes. This study summarizes the initial comprehensive findings of the regional geosite inventory and evaluate the volcanic geosites. The geosite assessment was carried out by combination of two widely used quantitative methods. The results highlight the current status of the volcanic geosites, demonstrating their strengths and weaknesses from touristic, educational, and scientific perspectives. Based on the assessment results, the most representative 10 volcanic geosites were selected and described in detail. Finally, the preliminary assessment also provides new data for territorial management and tourism development, as well as regional geoconservation plans, which could help to establish a potential UNESCO Global Geopark project in the near future.

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