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Qualitative-Quantitative Assessment of Geodiversity of Western Samoa (SW Pacific) to Identify Places of Interest for Further Geoconservation, Geoeducation, and Geotourism Development

Author

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  • Vladyslav Zakharovskyi

    (School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand)

  • Károly Németh

    (School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
    Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science, 9400 Sopron, Hungary
    The Geoconservation Trust Aotearoa, Opotiki 3122, New Zealand)

Abstract

The assessment of geodiversity is a relatively new field of research connecting abiotic aspects of nature to the wider environment. The study of geodiversity is still in development, so a uniform and complete paradigm remains to be defined. Therefore, an assessment of geodiversity may be highly dependent on the nature of the territory subject to study, available databases, and the researchers’ field of specialization. The main quantitative method for the assessment of geodiversity was proposed to the scientific world only few years ago and may only be relevant to some places in the world, rather than all, which would be desirable. However, while similarities in research methods may be apparent, the directions, scales, and data utilized are clearly different. This article demonstrates a quantitative-qualitative method for an assessment of geodiversity, based on a five-point evaluation system and the utilization of widely available standard databases such as geological maps, SRTM models, and satellite images. Western Samoa Islands (Savai’i and Upolu Islands) were selected for assessment, as a typical example of basaltic ocean island volcanism generating relatively homogenous rock formations and subject to gradual geomorphology (e.g., shield volcano). While initially appearing as a region of simple geology and morphology, complexity is added by considering rock ages, the position and type of eruptive centres, and the coastal geoenvironment. By considering these factors, the assessment becomes specifically tailoring for geodiversity assessment of the islands of Samoa. In conclusion, it has been demonstrated a simple methodology of general assessment of geodiversity with additional improvements to take account of variability in other abiotic factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Vladyslav Zakharovskyi & Károly Németh, 2021. "Qualitative-Quantitative Assessment of Geodiversity of Western Samoa (SW Pacific) to Identify Places of Interest for Further Geoconservation, Geoeducation, and Geotourism Development," Geographies, MDPI, vol. 1(3), pages 1-19, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jgeogr:v:1:y:2021:i:3:p:20-380:d:704965
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    References listed on IDEAS

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