Cultural Geology and Geological Heritage; new initiatives for earthsciences

Abstract

Rapid urbanization, increase in population and unemployment has a great effect on society and as a consequence seems to have caused unawareness to earth sciences. However, increasing demand on water and energy, natural disasters, climate changes and sustainable development still keeps humankind depend on nature. This discrepancy can be avoided by utilizing new initiatives in both education and applications to increase public attention to earth sciences. We hereby present Cultural Geology and Geological Heritage as new initiatives of earth sciences. Cultural Geology, aim to explain all natural phenomenon (such as climate, geography, environment, landform, water and sea level changes and raw material sources) which have had effected human activity from the dawn of the species until recent. Briefly study the geological processes that drive the cultural development. It is proposed by Turkish Scientists, for the first time, as a new education and research topic. Geological Heritage, can be defined as artefacts of the evolution of the earth and a perfect example of geopark and geotourism applications, also can be regarded as valuable assets for nature protection and sustainable development. Turkey has a significant potential for both Cultural Geology and Geological Heritage.