Geoheritage (2015) 7:65–84, DOI 10.1007/s12371-014-0097-9
The Monviso Massif and the Cottian Alps as Symbols of the Alpine Chain and Geological Heritage in Piemonte, Italy
Franco Rolfo & Piera Benna & Paola Cadoppi & Daniele Castelli & Sergio E. Favero-Longo & Marco Giardino & Gianni Balestro & Elena Belluso & Alessandro Borghi & Fernando Cámara & Roberto Compagnoni & Simona Ferrando & Andrea Festa & M. Gabriella Forno & Fabio Giacometti & Franco Gianotti & Chiara Groppo & Bruno Lombardo & Pietro Mosca & Gianluigi Perrone & Rosanna Piervittori & Gisella Rebay & Piergiorgio Rossetti
Abstract In order to promote geosite conservation in the project entitled ‘PROactive management of GEOlogical heritage in the PIEMONTE Region’, we propose a comprehensive study involving the Monviso Massif (MM) geothematic area, one of the most outstanding symbols of the Alps and particularly of the Cottian Alps. Specifically, at the MM, the inventory of a number of different geosites whose conservation and development require different geologic and some dditional non-geological expertise is considered: (1) some of the best preserved ophiolites in the Alps and the associated
Cu–Fe mineralizations; (2) the lithostructural units in the Germanasca Valley; (3) the first primary source of jade in the Alps at the MMand its importance in terms of Neolithic to Bronze Age-polished stone implements; (4) the world-famous minerals such as coesite and giant pyrope, as well as type localities for new minerals (including carlosturanite); (5) the area, now buried under a debris flow, where Hannibal is thought to have regrouped his army while crossing the Alps; and (6) the biodiversity of lichens, microfungi and cyanobacteria colonizing the ophiolites, which can give additional value for the environmental assessment and evaluation of the MM outcrops. Following geodiversity identification, further stages will be devoted to develop appropriate plans for geodiversity conservation in this area.