Geomorphosites and Geotourism in the Parks of the Abruzzo Region (Central Italy)

The geomorphologic landscape of the Abruzzo region is a good example of the variety and complexity of processes and morphogenetic events in Italy. Complex Meso-Cenozoic palaeogeographies are still reflected by the main mountain chains of Abruzzo and enable both scientists and tourists to make imaginary journeys through ancient, long vanished, coral atolls and blue deep seas. Valleys of glacial origin, alluvial cones, actual soils and palaeosoils still preserve the memory of these ‘by-gone-worlds’, with unique geomorphosites scattered throughout the region. The educational enhancement of geomorphological themes has been pursued in Abruzzo, known as the ‘region of parks’ par excellence and a ‘green lung’ of Europe, with the creation and placement of information panels and theme trails. Within this framework, in this paper we report on the methods, initiatives and activities that have been undertaken for the enhancement of the geological landscape and geomorphosites, mainly through geological trails and geological information panels but also by contributing to the identification of possible new geomorphosites. Geological trails and information panels are mostly based on different types of tools, such as three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions, aimed at providing a 3D perception of geologic processes and elements, landform highlights, aimed at increasing the perception and identification of landforms and processes as well as their impact on the landscape, and palaeo-geographic reconstructions and cartoons, aimed at presenting the evidence of landscape evolution.