GEOCONSERVATION IN S. PEDRO DA COVA-COUCE (NORTH PORTUGAL): AN EDUCATIONAL ANDSCIENTIFIC-TOURISTIC TRAIL

References: 14th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2014, www.sgem.org, SGEM2014 Conference Proceedings, ISBN 978-619-7105-07-0 / ISSN 1314-2704, June 19-25, 2014, Book 1, Vol. 1, 137-144 pp

ABSTRACT

The proposal of creating the geotrail S. Pedro da Cova - Couce, linking Gondomar (S. Pedro da Cova) to Valongo (Couce) with educational and touristic purposes arises from the fact of being an interesting trail with a great geodiversity, representing a relevant part of the Earth history from Cambrian to Carboniferous (about 250 millions of years). Besides that, traces of mining works related with coal or gold exploitation can be observed. Along the geotrail rocks of different ages arises allowing to observe variations in sedimentary environments (marine and continental) since about 540 millions years ago. Some particular rocks occur along the geo-trail showing for instance the existence of two seas, the evidence of a rift related with the opening of the Rheic Ocean 485 millions years ago, the existence of a beach in the area of Valongo and Gondomar 480 million years ago, submarine volcanic activity 475 million years ago related with the auriferous mineralization or the presence of icebergs 445 million years ago. The tectonic activity is evidenced by the presence of folds and faults. In what concerns the geomorphology we highlight the relief inversion of the Valongo Anticline that can be observed in the top of Santa Justa Mountain near the end of the trail. It is also possible to observe the paleobiodivertity and evolution of the life during the Palaeozoic Era based on the fossil record, with spotlight in marine fauna of Middle Ordovician, or the existence of an equatorial forest with large trees and ferns populated by insects. Concerning geomining heritage, the geotrail begins next to S. Pedro da Cova coal mine that worked since the end of XVIII century till 1974. Regarding the auriferous mineralizations, the mining activity for gold began in Roman Times, and some mining works can be observed. The geotrail finish in Couce a small and typical rural village located in the Ferreira valley.

Keywords:Palaeozoic; geodiversity; geotrail; Valongo; Gondomar