Geoheritage of the Precious Opal Bearing Zone in Libanka Mining District (Slovakia) and Its Geotourism and Geoeducation Potential
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Methods
3. Geographic and Geological Overview
4. Geoheritage of the Study Area
4.1. Post-Magmatic Mineralization
4.1.1. Polymetallic Formation
4.1.2. Antimonite Formation
4.1.3. Opal Formation
4.2. Mineralization of the Supergene Stage
4.3. Rock Environment of the Zlatá Baňa Stratovolcano
5. Geoeducation and Geotourism Potential of the Area—Discussion
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Potential Educational Use | |||
---|---|---|---|
Criteria/Indicator | Score | Weight | Weighted Score |
Vulnerability: | |||
The geological elements of the geosite present no possible deterioration by anthropic activity | 4 | 10 | 40 |
Accessibility: | |||
Site is located less than 100 m from a paved road and with bus parking | 4 | 10 | 40 |
Use limitations: | |||
The site has no limitations to being used by students and tourists | 4 | 5 | 20 |
Safety: | |||
Site with safety facilities (fences, stairs, handrails, etc.), mobile phone coverage, and located less than 25 km from emergency services | 3 | 10 | 30 |
Logistics: | |||
Lodging and restaurants for groups of 50 persons less than 50 km away from the site | 3 | 5 | 15 |
Density of population: | |||
Site is located in a municipality with less than 100 inhabitants/km2 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
Association with other values: | |||
Occurrence of several ecological and cultural values less than 10 km away from the site | 3 | 5 | 15 |
Scenery: | |||
Site is currently used as a tourism destination in local campaigns | 2 | 5 | 10 |
Uniqueness: | |||
The site shows unique and uncommon features considering this and neighboring countries | 4 | 5 | 20 |
Observation conditions: | |||
All geological elements are observed in good conditions | 4 | 10 | 40 |
Didactic potential: | |||
The site presents geological elements that are taught at all teaching levels | 4 | 20 | 80 |
Geological diversity: | |||
There are three types of geodiversity elements in the site | 3 | 10 | 30 |
Total score | 345 |
Potential Touristic Use | |||
---|---|---|---|
Criteria/Indicator | Score | Weight | Weighted Score |
Vulnerability: | |||
The geological elements of the geosite present no possible deterioration by anthropic activity | 4 | 10 | 40 |
Accessibility: | |||
Site is located less than 100 m from a paved road and with bus parking | 4 | 10 | 40 |
Use limitations: | |||
The site has no limitations to being used by students and tourists | 4 | 5 | 20 |
Safety: | |||
Site with safety facilities (fences, stairs, handrails, etc.), mobile phone coverage, and located less than 25 km from emergency services | 3 | 10 | 30 |
Logistics: | |||
Lodging and restaurants for groups of 50 persons less than 50 km away from the site | 3 | 5 | 15 |
Density of population: | |||
Site is located in a municipality with less than 100 inhabitants/km2 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
Association with other values: | |||
Occurrence of several ecological and cultural values less than 10 km away from the site | 3 | 5 | 15 |
Scenery: | |||
Site is currently used as a tourism destination in local campaigns | 2 | 15 | 30 |
Uniqueness: | |||
The site shows unique and uncommon features considering this and neighboring countries | 4 | 10 | 40 |
Observation conditions: | |||
All geological elements are observed in good conditions | 4 | 5 | 20 |
Interpretative potential: | |||
The public needs to have some geological background to understand the geological elements of the site | 3 | 10 | 30 |
Economic level: | |||
The site is located in a municipality with a household income lower than the national average | 1 | 5 | 5 |
Proximity of recreational areas: | |||
Site located less than 15 km from a recreational area or tourist attraction | 2 | 5 | 10 |
Total score | 300 |
Month/Year | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | 0 | 0 | 251 | 8 |
February | 0 | 0 | 262 | 34 |
March | 369 | 0 | 228 | 346 |
April | 806 | 0 | 0 | 822 |
May | 1338 | 979 | 597 | 1231 |
June | 1886 | 1226 | 1500 | 1684 |
July | 4616 | 5412 | 7509 | 2969 |
August | 6200 | 6885 | 8688 | 3810 |
September | 1834 | 1866 | 1766 | 1069 |
October | 2084 | 967 | 332 | 1316 |
November | N/A | 387 | 0 | 424 |
December | N/A | 0 | 0 | 271 |
Total | 19,133 | 17,722 | 21,133 | 13,984 |
Municipality | Site | Distance | Main Feature(s) |
---|---|---|---|
Kecerovský Lipovec | rock outcrop | 9 km * | andesite jointing |
Herľany | geyser | 16 km * | unique cold-water geyser |
Šimonka | peak | 6.5 km ** | the highest peak of the Slanské Vrchy Mts. |
Solivar | museum | 19.7 km * | unique complex of technical objects dating from the 17th century used for pumping and cooking salt from brine |
Zlatá Baňa | mine | 6.1 km * | historical mining of antimony |
Ploské | tuff canyon | 19.3 km * | approx. 60 m long tuff canyon formed by water erosion with 5 to 12 m high walls |
Hermanovce | rock cliffs | 13 km ** | the most extensive exposed rock complex in the Slanské Vrchy Mts. consisting of two andesite complexes |
Rankovce | rock cliffs | 17.3 km * | volcanic rock complex, unique viewpoint |
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Palgutová, S.; Štrba, Ľ. Geoheritage of the Precious Opal Bearing Zone in Libanka Mining District (Slovakia) and Its Geotourism and Geoeducation Potential. Land 2022, 11, 2293. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122293
Palgutová S, Štrba Ľ. Geoheritage of the Precious Opal Bearing Zone in Libanka Mining District (Slovakia) and Its Geotourism and Geoeducation Potential. Land. 2022; 11(12):2293. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122293
Chicago/Turabian StylePalgutová, Silvia, and Ľubomír Štrba. 2022. "Geoheritage of the Precious Opal Bearing Zone in Libanka Mining District (Slovakia) and Its Geotourism and Geoeducation Potential" Land 11, no. 12: 2293. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122293
APA StylePalgutová, S., & Štrba, Ľ. (2022). Geoheritage of the Precious Opal Bearing Zone in Libanka Mining District (Slovakia) and Its Geotourism and Geoeducation Potential. Land, 11(12), 2293. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122293