CANDIDATURA OFICIAL DEL GEOPARQUE DE LA COSTA VASCA A LA RED EUROPEA DE GEOPARQUES

ÍNDICE

Índice propuestoOFFICIAL de la memoria de la candidatura APPLICATION a la Red Europea de Geoparques (EGN) DescripciónBY THE BASQUE COAST A. Identificación del Geoparque. Definición del territorio

1. Nombre GEOPARKdel lugar que solicita ser geoparque. PROJECT 2. Localización y límitesTO del territorio. BECOME A 3. Superficie,EUROPEAN elementos geográficos y humanos GEOPARK 4. Organización responsable del geoparque

B. Descripción científica de la región propuesta a la nominación de Geoparque Europeo

1. Caracterización geográfica del territorio (Definición de la zona geográfica donde se localiza el territorio)

2. Descripción geológica general

2.1. Introducción

2.2. Estratigrafía

2.3. Tectónica

2.4. Historia geológica

2.5. Relevancia del patrimonio geológico

2.5.1. Estratigrafía

2.5.2. Paleontología

2.5.3. Tectónica

2.5.4. Geomorfología y paisaje

2.5.5. Hidrogeología

3. Listado y descripción de los puntos de interés geológico (o “geositios”)

4. Detalles del interés de estos puntos (científico, educativo, etc.)

5. Amenazas o impactos actuales o futuros en el territorio y en los “geositios”

MUTRIKU - DEBA - NOVEMBER 2009 OFFICIAL APPLICATION BY THE PROJECT TO BECOME A EUROPEAN GEOPARK

A. Description of the Geopark territory 2

1. Name of the area applying to become a European Geopark 2 2. Location of area applying to become a geopark 2 3. Physical and human geography 3 4. Organisation in charge of the geopark 4 4.1. Background 4 4.2. Management of the geopark 5 4.3. Geopark funding 6

B. Scientific description of the region applying to become a European Geopark 6

1. Geographical features of the territory 6 2. General geological description 6 2.1. Introduction 6 2.2. Stratigraphy 7 2.3. Tectonics 8 2.4. Geological history 10 2.5. Importance of the geological heritage 10 2.5.1. Stratigraphy 10 2.5.2. Palaeontology 11 2.5.3. Tectonics 11 2.5.4. Geomorphology and landscapes 11 2.5.5. Hydrogeology 12 3. List and description of the places of geological interest (or “geosites”) 12 4. Details of the reasons why these places are of interest (scientific, educational, etc.) 13 5. Current or future threats or impacts facing the territory and the “geosites” 14 6. Current protection status of the “geosites”. Policies for the protection, promotion and economic development of the geological heritage in the territory. Existing policies and those currently being prepared, as well as current and future actions 14 6.1. Status derived from country legislation 14 6.2. Special Protection Areas and Areas of Nature Conservation Interest in the Land Use Planning Guidelines for the Basque Country 14 7. Information on the management of these “geosites” 15 8. List and description of the sites of non-geological interest, which can link up with the sites of geological interest 16 8.1. Areas of natural interest 16 8.2. Geocultural heritage 17 8.2.1. with archaeological sites 17 8.2.2. Mythology 18 8.3. Architecture 18

C. Reasons that justify the nomination of this territory as a European Geopark 19

1. Comprehensive analysis of the territory’s potential for the development of geotourism 19 2. Overview of the geoinstitutions and geoactivities in the geopark region 22 3. The territory’s interest in becoming a member of the European Geopark Network 24

D. General information about the territory 25

1. Economic activity. Description of the main areas of activity within the territory and its surrounding area. Brief description of the main structures in charge of the sustainable development policy for the territory 25 2. Plans for the future protection of the territory 26 3. Existing infrastructures 27 4. Planned infrastructures 28

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 1 A. DESCRIPTION OF THE GEOPARK TERRITORY

A.1. NAME OF THE AREA APPLYING TO BECOME A EUROPEAN GEOPARK

The of Zumaia, Deba and request incorporation in the European Geoparks Network and the Global Geoparks Network (EGN and GGN, respectively) under the name Basque Coast Geopark.

A.2. LOCATION OF AREA APPLYING TO BECOME A GEOPARK

The three municipalities that comprise the territory being proposed for geopark status are located on the west coast of , one of the three provinces making up the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country in the north of . Gipuzkoa borders on the department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques in the French region of Aquitaine.

The geopark boundaries are the of Getaria to the east; , , , and to the south (all municipalities located in Gipuzkoa); and the municipality of , in the province of Bizkaia, to the west.

The privileged geographical location and well-developed facilities, including excellent transport and communications to the three Basque capitals, situate the proposed geopark at the nerve centre of the Basque territory. San Sebastián, for example, is only 30 minutes by car and Bilbao, 50 minutes (driving time calculated from Zumaia, the most populated town in the proposed geopark). The French border is 35 km from the eastern boundary of the geopark candidate site.

The territory can be accessed via the following road, rail and air connections:

The A-8 (E-70) Bilbao-Behobia (French border) motorway, which becomes the ‘Autovía del Cantábrico’ continuing westward to and , and crossing the entire geopark territory. 25 km to the east the A-8 (E-70) connects up with the Madrid- Paris road (N-I and E-5, and at this point also called the E-80).

The AP-1 -Vitoria motorway, which links the A-8 and the N-1 through the geopark territory.

The N-634 road San Sebastián-Bilbao passes through the territory.

The Euskotren railway links Bilbao and San Sebastián, and has two stations within the geopark territory.

Various local and regional public bus transport routes have numerous stops in the area.

Bilbao International Airport, the leading airport in the northern Iberian Peninsula, with direct flights to the most important cities in Spain and Europe, is located 77 km from the geopark. In 2008 served 4,172,903 passengers travelling to more than 20 destinations. Gipuzkoa has its own airport in , 53 km from the geopark (serving 403,191 passengers in 2008, two destinations), and another three airports offering national and international flights are located within a 110 km radius of the geopark.

BASQUE GIPUZKOA COAST DONOSTIA PROPOSED SAN SEBASTIÁN GEOPARK Distance in km CITY (from Zumaia)

San Sebastián/Donostia 35 Bilbao 74 Vitoria/Gasteiz 75 /Iruña 103 Bayonne (France) 87 Pau (France) 194 Bordeaux (France) 275 Zaragoza 283 Valladolid 311 Madrid 427 Barcelona 592 Paris (France) 854 SPAIN

Fig. A.1 Location maps of the proposed geopark

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 2 AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY BASQUE COAST BASQUE COAST OF THE BASQUE COUNTRY PROPOSED GEOPARK PROPOSED GEOPARK

BASQUE COAST PROPOSED GEOPARK

The nearest geoparks are relatively far from the proposed geopark: · Distance from Sobrarbe Geopark in Aragón: 295 km; travel time: 4 hours, 00 min. (distance calculated from Deba to Ainsa; source: www.viamichelin.com, on 12-11-2009) · Distance from Maestrazgo Geopark in Aragón: 438 km; travel time: 5 hours, 01 min. (distance calculated from Deba to Molinos; source www.viamichelin.com, on 12-11-2009)

A.3. PHYSICAL AND HUMAN GEOGRAPHY The population within the proposed geopark area is approximately 19,476. The surface area comprises 89 Km2, and the population density is 219 inhabitants per km2. The total population of the province of Gipuzkoa is 701,056 (source: National Statistics Institute, INE, 2008) and the population of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country is 2,140,908. The GDP of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country is distributed among sectors as follows: services 60.8%, industry 29.3%, construction 8.9%, and fishing and agriculture 1%. The province of Gipuzkoa contributes approximately one third of the GDP.

The population within the proposed geopark is concentrated in the larger towns and neighbourhoods (Zumaia, Narrondo, Oikia, Deba, Itziar, Mutriku and Mijoa), which account for more than 96% of the local population. Thus, the population is mainly confined to certain areas, such as valleys, mouths of rivers, ports and a few rural areas. Apart from the larger towns and neighbourhoods cited above, the remainder of the population is sparsely distributed throughout the region, and traditionally engaged in agricultural activities.

As regards land use, it is important to point out that 55% of the Table 1. SURFACE AREA AND POPULATION OF GEOPARK surface area of the territory is forested. Pastures, and to a lesser extent orchards or land converted to other agricultural uses, account for 28% of the area. 8% of the countryside is covered with Municipality Surface area (Km2) Town mountainous grassland, shrubland or thicket. Rocky areas cover Source: Eustat. 2005; Source: I.N.E. 2008 3% of the surface area and inland waters or wetlands account for I.N.E. Nomenclature 1%. The remaining 5% is urban land or land occupied by infrastructures, quarries or dedicated to other uses which have Deba 50 5,404 transformed the area into man-made spaces. Mutriku 28 4,973 Zumaia 11 9,099 The proposed geopark territory encompasses 23 km of abrupt coastline consisting largely of steep cliffs. Inland the landscape 2 TOTAL 89 Km 19,476 is dominated by hilly countryside, where much of the agricultural activity takes place. A group of mountains composed of Urgonian limestone — former barrier reefs — can be found in the southern part of the region, the highest point (Sesiarte) reaching an elevation of 755 metres.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 3

A.4. ORGANISATION IN CHARGE OF THE GEOPARK

A.4.1. Background In 2006 the municipalities of Deba and Zumaia joined forces to promote and enhance the geological, natural and cultural heritage of the zone. The two towns promoted collaborative initiatives including the creation of a joint tourism offering consisting of guided tours and geotourism excursions by boat. The initiatives were reinforced in 2007 and a wider-reaching strategy for the future was more clearly defined. The flagship event took place on March 28 2008, when the town councils of Mutriku, Deba and Zumaia signed a collaboration agreement to create the “Coastal Flysch Route”, a geotourism initiative to link, coordinate and enhance the natural heritage of the three municipalities and to develop a line of studies on future developments. The lines of action included in the initiative were joint promotion and enhancement, a commitment to good practices and respect for local heritage, and the joint presentation of the project to higher-level agencies. A phase of regular work meetings began between tourism offices, local experts and political representatives. Work also consisted in generating information and formulating the future strategy with different admi- nistrations in the Basque Country. Funding for the “Coastal Flysch Route” initiative came from the three municipalities involved in the project with finantial backing from the Basque Government and Gipuzkoa Provincial Council. Together they contributed a total of €61,000 in 2008, and over €70,000 in 2009. Funding was provided for the following activities: • Project feasibility studies and strategy studies (Master Plan and Action Plan Proposals)

• Guided tours and geotourism activities

• Creation of a website, www.flysch.com, with an online booking system

• Promotional activities

• Geopark Management Training (2008-2009 International Geoparks Conferences; International Intensive Course in Lesvos, , 2009)

• Attendance of fairs, etc.. Two people have coordinated the initiative since 2008, overseeing the various actions and garnering significant recognition.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 4 A.4.2. Management of the geopark On 16 November 2009, the town councils of Zumaia, Deba and Mutriku formed Geogarapen, the Association for the Mana- gement of the Basque Coast Geopark, as its founding members. Geogarapen was created for the purpose of managing and developing the geopark project.

To ensure the continuity and stability of the project, this basic municipal-level structure is expected to be backed and supported by supramunicipal institutions (see letters of institutional support in Appendix 03).

Geogarapen was created under the Basque Associations Act of 22 June 2007, to pursue the following goals: • Promote the sustainable balanced development of the territory, with special focus on sites of geological, natural and cultural value, by developing actions and implementing activities that benefit the residents of the region.

• To protect and preserve the territory’s natural heritage, with particular emphasis on geological heritage and its enhancement as a resource, for the economic and social development of the community.

• To promote research, education (both formal and nonformal) and dissemination of Earth Sciences in the region, and to foster other areas of natural and environmental sciences.

• To enhance, reclaim and promote public outreach and awareness of our cultural heritage.

• To promote and implement activities related to the material and nonmaterial cultural heritage (traditions, customs, trades, oral memory, artistic creation, etc.), placing priority on activities linked to geological, paleontological and archaeological heritage.

• To foster environmental education, with special attention to local environmental assets.

• To promote nature tourism, with special focus on sites of geological value, and cultural tourism, all within a framework of sustainability.

• To improve the quality of tourism in our region and the tourism offer itself.

• To spur economic activities compatible with the goals of the geoparks, particularly initiatives designed to promote local products.

• To promote and implement actions in partnership with other organisations that can help further the aims of the Association.

The Association Bylaws (see Appendix 08) set out the guidelines and conditions for the incorporation of new partners such as public administrations at the municipal, provincial and autonomous region levels, as well as other bodies linked to the territory or to the goals of the geoparks. After a long history of collaboration with universities, scientific institutions and other organisations related with the geopark goals and development of the geopark territory, relations will be formalised.

The Association’s General Assembly shall meet at least once every six months. Special sessions may be convened when con- sidered necessary by the Board of Directors, or when requested by 50% of the affiliates; special sessions shall be called in all cases involving agreements that must be reached within the affiliates’ scope of competence.

The Board of Directors is the governing body that manages and represents the interests of the Association according to the provisions and directives of the General Assembly. In summary, the duties of the Board of Directors are to oversee the ordinary management of the Geopark Association in accordance with and under the control of the General Assembly. The Board of Directors is also in charge of submitting to the General Assembly for approval all proposals concerning annual or quarterly plans, budgets, the constitution of the technical team, and reports or proposals.

With regard to the geopark’s management and decision-making duties, the management structure comprises the following per- sonnel: the Association has a technical team responsible for the overall management of the geopark, implementing the action plans and ensuring that the decisions adopted by the Association are carried out. The team is described below:

• General manager: in charge of overall representation, management, strategy coordination, resource and financial management.

• Science director: content creation, relations and collaboration with universities and scientific institutions, studies on geological heritage and its enhancement, annual action plans, relations with the EGN, etc.

• Project director: technical profile, expert in regional development, enhancement projects, etc.

• Promotion and marketing director: specialist in promotion, contact with the media, marketing strategy, etc.

The fortitude and continuity of the geopark and its management structure are underpinned by an eight-year track record of insti- tutional commitments. Every year the commitments have grown stronger and have remained unaffected by political vicissitudes. Both the Association and the management structure will be headquartered in Deba.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 5 A.4.3. Geopark funding The Association will have an annual budget approved by the General Assembly for general operating costs and the accomplishment of the annual programme of activities; the programme, in turn, is the consequence of the Four-year Action Plan, also approved previously by the General Assembly.

The Association will take over the management of funds, which in the past years have been used either in the “Coastal Flysch Route” initiative or independently by each of the participating municipalities. Thus, the new Association will continue and broaden the actions already set in motion.

Another source of stable funding is provided by the Provincial Government of Gipuzkoa (Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa) and the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country (Comunidad Autónoma del País Vasco) through regular investments in the region’s economic development. These governments also transfer funds to carry out a large number of activities in the territory. The transfers can be made directly to the municipalities or through local development bodies such as the Society for the Economic Development of (DEBEGESA), which have been working in this territory for 25 years.

Budgets of €150,000 and €175,000 are expected for 2010 and 2011, respectively, and in 2012 the required budget is expected to exceed €200,000. Budgetary forecasts are based on the 2009 feasibility study (Geopark Master Plan Proposal), a document that establishes a four-year course of action with a total of 68 proposed initiatives. Funding will be secured mainly by the affiliates themselves but also using stable mechanisms for subsidies from the Provincial Government or Basque Government, or from other external entities such as sponsors.

B. SCIENTIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE REGION APPLYING TO BECOME A EUROPEAN GEOPARK B.1. GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF THE TERRITORY

The three municipalities that make up the territory applying to become a Geopark - Mutriku, Deba and Zumaia – form a mountainous area next to the (Bay of ), with heights in the region of 1,000 m inland. The coastal strip, meanwhile, is at a lower altitude and is oriented ESE – NWN. The orientations of the valleys are determined by the mountainous areas (Arno and Izarraitz) in the southern part of the territory.

This area has a temperate Atlantic climate, with plentiful rainfall (1,200-1,350 mm), spread out over the course of the year. The average temperatures vary from 14ºC on the coast and 9ºC in the highest part of the Izarraitz massif.

The coastal landform is affected by the tides (mesotidal) and is characterised by one of the most extensive abrasion platforms in Europe.

In the southern part of the territory, the karst landform of the limestone massifs (Arno, Izarraitz) is quite evident, with spectacular examples of both exokarst and endokarst. Indeed, this territory has the largest number of caves in the Province of Gipuzkoa. These karst landforms condition the distribution of the area’s water resources.

In addition to this geodiversity, the territory also has a high level of biodiversity. On the coastal strip, the vegetation of the coastal cliffs is well represented, and also includes small areas of psammophilous (sand-loving) plants, which are now officially protected. Above this first strip, the extensive areas of original oak woods have been replaced by forests of non-native pine trees. The Cantabrian holm oaks, on the other hand, have not been disturbed to such an extent, since they grow on more inaccessible ground.

Along the coastal section the sea birds are worthy of note, with species such as the blue rock-thrush and the peregrine falcon. The Zumaia estuary and sandbank are home to a wide variety of fish and invertebrate species. The osprey is an outstanding species observed in this area.

On the southern landforms a wide variety of vertebrates linked to the Cantabrian holm oak forests can be observed: large mammals, snakes, birds, etc.

B.2. GENERAL GEOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION

B.2.1. Introduction Located in the NW quadrant of Gipuzkoa (Fig. B1), the territory applying to become a member of the EGN constitutes an area of great interest and scientific importance. In stratigraphic terms, it is mainly made up of sedimentary rocks, dating from the Upper Period (215 million years, Ma) to the Middle Eocene Epoch (45 Ma). In the coastal zone, there is an almost unbroken sequence more than 5,000-m thick, outlining around 60 Ma of the history of our planet.

From a tectonic point of view, this territory is located in the Western and its structures appear to be aligned NW-SE. It basically represents the extension process that occurred when the opened up (Jurassic – Upper Cretaceous), and the subsequent inversion and compression stages (Upper Cretaceous - Palaeogene), which culminated in the formation of the Pyrenees. The sedimentation in the central parts of the marine basin is represented in the municipalities of Deba and Zumaia. The opening process is represented by the shallow marine sedimentation (Urgonian reef limestones) during the Aptian-Albian, and later, with the deepening of the whole area, it became turbidite sedimentation (flysch) from the Upper Albian (Black Flysch) up to the Eocene (Eocene Flysch or Gipuzkoa Flysch). This lengthy deep-sea sedimentation record offers a wide variety of facies, which contribute to the exceptional quality of the outcrops.

The zone includes one of the most complete and continuous marine facies sedimentary records from the Cretaceous and the Cenozoic in the whole of Europe. It is a global point of reference for the Cretaceous-Tertiary and Palaeocene-Eocene boundaries.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 6 Fig.B1. Geological diagram of the Basque Country. The territory applying to become a European Geopark is located in the NW quadrant of Gipuzkoa (box). Source: IGME, 1975.

B.2.2. Stratigraphy The Upper Triassic (Keuper) is represented by clays and limestone with volcanic rock formations (ophites).

The Urgonian Complex (Lower Aptian-Albian) contains a large number of different lithologies, which reveal sudden facies changes: solid and laminated limestone limolites, sandy limolites, solid (reef) limestones and alternating layers of limestones and marls. The reef limestones contain large amounts of rudists and corals, whilst the interspersed layers of marls contain corals and foraminifera (Orbitolina ssp.).

In stratigraphic terms, on the Urgonian Complex, and also on the lateral facies change, there is a detritic series made up of argili- tes, calcareous limolites and calcareous , with the presence of layers of quartzite conglomerates in the uppermost unit being worthy of note. This detritic series is known as the Supra-Urgonian (Upper Albian) Complex. (García-Mondéjar, J., et al., 2004.)

The siliciclastic turbidite systems and associated deepwater deposits proliferated in the central and deepest part of the basin du- ring the Middle Albian-Lower Cenomanian (Flysch Negro; Souquet et al., 1985), with maximum paleo-bathymetric depths ranging between 600 and 2,500 m. In this detritic sequence, quartz-sandstone alternate with calcareous sandstone with dark tonalities. It contains ferruginous and mica nodules.

The detritic sequence is mainly made up of turbidite fans, fed by delta fans and – to a lesser degree – by turbidite slope deposits (EVE, 2003). The submarine fans on both edges of the Pyrenean ridge constitute fairly inefficient transport systems (Agirrezabala and García-Mondéjar, 1989, 1994, 1995). The Upper Cretaceous of the Gipuzkoa coastal chain begins with a unit of marly limestone, calcareous marls and grey marls. On this unit there is a thick series of turbidite facies (flysch), made up of alternating layers of limestones and marls. From Zumaia eastwards, on this facies there are light grey, greenish and reddish limestone and calcareous marl beds, which date back as far back as the Maastrichtian Stage and up to the Palaeocene Epoch.

In the coastal syncline, the Mesozoic-Cenozoic transit is characterised by a stratigraphic continuity and a lithological appearance. The boundary can mainly be identified by the change in the microfauna.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 7 There are Cretaceous flysch outcrops in the northernmost part of the territory. They consists of a thick and monotonous turbidite succession of axial flows (from E to W), deposited in the Pyrenean ridge, with interspersed layers mainly consisting of hemipelagic marls and limestones. A more calcareous lowermost unit and another upper, detritic calcareous unit are worthy of note (Rat, 1959; Mathey, 1986).

In the Basque-Cantabrian Basin, a large transgression began in the Upper Maastrichtian Stage (Baceta, 1996; Baceta et al., 1999). In the deep zone (Basque Basin), the change from regressive to transgressive conditions occurred at the start of the Upper Maastrichtian Stage, reflecting a major drop in the sedimentation rate and a decrease in turbidite deposits (Mount and Ward, 1986, Baceta, 1996).

The Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) boundary in the Basque Basin was recorded by a centimetre-thick layer of iridium-rich clay. The Initial Eocene Thermal Maximum (IETM) has been observed in sections at the foot of the slope and basin (Orue-Etxebarria et al., 1996; Schmitz et al., 1997, 2001).

The generalised transgression that started at the end of the Cretaceous – beginning of the Tertiary, culminated in the Lower Ilerdian Stage. In the Basque Basin, this transgression was reflected in the formation of calcareous turbidites and hemipelagic limestones (Baceta et al., 2000; Dinarès-Turell et al., 2002).

There are outcrops of Tertiary materials in the northern part of the territory, which date from the Palaeocene to the Lower Eocene. The Palaeocene is represented by the so-called “Danian Limestone Formation”, which contains several lithologies that are very typical of this region (red layers), locally eroded by submarine canyons that were filled during theThanetian Stage.

The Lower Eocene is represented by a very homogeneous turbidite sedimentation, with the currents from east to west. It contains alternating layers of sandy limestones and calcareous marls. The highest stratigraphic layers are found in the E and are characte- rised by bands of sandy calcareous marls between the sandstone units.

Finally, the most representative Quaternary materials in the area are concentrated in the river systems and coastal zone.

B.2.3. Tectonics The extensional deformation (rifting) that took place in the marine gulf of the Basque- Cantabrian Basin began in the Triassic and continued throughout the entire Jurassic Period. The Pyrenean Gulf compression and closing phase began at the end of the Creta- ceous (sandy flysch). This phenomenon generated predominantly NW-SE alignments. During this extensional period, the presence of a ductile substrate (Keuper) favoured the generation of listric rotational and rollover anticline growth faults (García-Mondéjar et al., 2004).

All the boundaries of the Basque-Cantabrian sequence are associated in groups that reflect successive tectonic pulsations of different intensity. These pulsation tectonics are related to the opening up of the North Atlantic, as well as the operating eustatism.

The most characteristic palaeogeography during the Lower Albian shows reef systems in raised zones, separated by terrigenous systems into intra-platform ridges. This structure is attributed to the transtension effects caused by the drifting of Iberia (García- Mondéjar et al., 2004). The Basque-Cantabrian Basin experienced its period of greatest subsidence during the Aptian-Albian, due to the NE-SW and NW-SE crustal extension (Agirrezabala and García-Mondéjar, 1989). Fig.B.2.

Fig.B2. Palaeogeographical reconstruction of the Lower Albian. Source: Geología de España [Geology of Spain] (J. A. Vera, Ed. 2004).

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 8 During the Upper Albian-Upper Santonian interval, in the Basque-Cantabrian Basin there were different independent sedimentary basins, located on the passive margin and created by a characteristic post-rift evolution (Gräfe, 1994, 1996).

During the Upper Santonian-Maastrichtian interval, the different basins reacted in diverse ways to the change in the movement of the Iberian Plate, converging NNE towards the European Plate (Olivet, 1996). One of the results of this change was the closing up of the Iberian Strait, replaced by an marine bay open to the Bay of Biscay, whose extension decreased gradually until, at the end of the Cretaceous, it formed the Basque-Cantabrian Basin. (Alonso et al., 1983, 1987ª, 1989, 1993; Floquet, 2004). Fig. B3.

Fig. B3. Palaeogeographic reconstruction of the Pyrenees in the Lower Palaeogene. Source: Geología de España [Geology of Spain] (J. A. Vera, Ed. 2004).

In short, the proposed territory is made up of two main sectors: 1) To the south and southeast, the carbonate mountain ranges of the Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous (Arno and Izarraitz zone), which form a large anticline oriented northwards, known as the Northern Vizcaya Anticline.

2) To the north and northeast, the zone has gentler reliefs formed by the turbidites of the Upper Cretaceous and the Lower Palaeogene, which constitute a large monoclinal structure that dips 30-50º northeastward and forms part of a syncline oriented NW-SE (Gipuzkoa Coastal Syncline).

The contact between both sectors is complex in tectonic terms, and is defined to a large extent by thrust and strike-slip faults grouped in what is known as the Andutz fault.

Most of the territory that is applying to become a European Geopark is within the coastal syncline. In this sector there are two important elements: the Mutriku diapir and the Zumaia Tertiary materials.

At the NE end of the Basque Arc, there is a structural unit (San Sebastián Unit, sensu Feuillée and Rat, 1971), characterised by several generations of folds, formed in different post-Eocene deformation phases, with a subhorizontal axial plane. This structure, strongly north-vergent, suggests the non-native character of this unit.

The presence of plastic Keuper materials in Mutriku are the cause of the diapiric structure of the zone, which allows the outcropping of masses of ophitic rocks through the sandstone complex of the Upper Albian-Lower Cenomanian.

The most outstanding characteristic of the Tertiary coastal range in the Zumaia area is the inversion of the series, with overturned dips that become normal towards the E.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 9 B.2.4. Geological history Once the evaporitic materials of the Upper Triassic (Keuper) were deposited, the region was covered in a shallow sea as a result of a transgressive marine phase.

At the end of the Jurassic, the Basque-Cantabrian bay began to form. Detritic materials were deposited in delta systems, whose source area was located in the emerged zone of the Asturian-Castilian massif. In the Aptian Age, a large marine transgression became generalised. The marine conditions, along with a prolonged subsidence, allowed for the development of bioconstructions that resulted in the creation of reef limestones and associated rocks. The subsidence continued during the Albian Age, whilst there was an elevation of the emerged relief, which created clastic sediments.

In the Cenomanian, the transgression and subsidence became more accentuated, favouring the development of turbidite systems. At the end of the Cretaceous, due to a general westward tilt, the Pyrenean massif rose up, creating a large amount of eroded sedi- ments, which would continue to feed the turbidite systems (flysch). In the Palaeocene, there was a marked regression, represented in the facies of the shallow marine sediments. In the basal Eocene, a new transgressive pulsation began after considerable ero- sion, probably submarine, recorded by brecciated limestones. The marine sedimentation continued intermittently until the start of the Oligocene (not represented in the territory). At this stage, the sea retreated until it was almost as far back as today’s coastline, whilst the Alpine folding lifted up the Pyrenees.

B.2.5. Importance of the geological heritage Thanks to the quantity and diversity of the studies carried out over the last few decades, the NW quadrant of Gipuzkoa is one of the best-known parts of the Western Pyrenees. Moreover, these studies have revealed a rich and varied geological heritage (Baceta, 2009).

Numerous doctoral theses have been written on this zone (several of them at the Universidad del País Vasco [UPV-EHU]), and around a hundred specialised articles have been published, many in highly prestigious, international scientific journals.

These circumstances have been known to the international scientific community for several decades and are the main reason for the repeated visits and work carried out by geology specialists from all over the world. Worthy of note, for example, is the Climate and Biota of the Early Palaeogene international meeting (Bilbao, June 2006). One of the publications resulting from this congress compiles important information on the geology of the coastal strip of our territory; more specifically, on the lithostratigraphy and palaeontology of the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary; the magnetostratigraphy, the cyclostratigraphy and the biostratigraphy of the Danian and the Palaeocene, and on the Palaeocene/Eocene boundary.

The Aptian and Albian stages represent the majority of the Mesozoic record of the Basque-Cantabrian Basin. The most important studies of the area have consisted of 15 doctoral theses (García-Mondéjar et al., 2004): Rat, 1959; Aguilar, 1975; García-Mondéjar, 1979; Pascal, 1985; Reitner, 1985; Fernández-Mendiola, 1986; Hines, 1986; Gómez-Pérez, 1994; Gräfe, 1994; Neuwiler, 1995, Rosales, 1995; Agirrezabala, 1996; Aranburu, 1998; López- Horgue, 2000; Quintanar-Soto, 2003), and several sedimentology and tectostratigraphy overviews: Floquet y Rat, 1975; Rat, 1988; Robles et al., 1988; García-Mondéjar, 1989, 1990; García-Mondéjar et al., 1996; Robles et al., 2002.

Intensive scientific activity has been carried out by the Universidad de Zaragoza, especially on our territory’s coastal zone. Worthy of note are the doctoral theses written during the period 2000-2009 by Alegret, Arenillas, Arz, Canudo, Ortiz, N., and Ortiz, S.

The Geosites project, implemented by the IUGS Global Geosites working group and sponsored by UNESCO, is creating a global list of the Earth’s geological heritage. In this international project, the Spanish Geological Survey (Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, IGME), has defined 20 geological frameworks within Spain. One of them is located within the municipality of Zumaia, more specifically, the stratigraphic sections of the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary of geosite nº 69 (Code KT-02).

B.2.5.1. Stratigraphy From a stratigraphic point of view, the flysch section in Zumaia is of particular importance. It contains an excellent, complete record of the important boundaries between geological ages (for example the Cretaceous/Tertiary and the Palaeocene/Eocene), and likewise includes the official stratotypes (international points of reference established by IUGS-UNESCO) for the two internal boun- daries within the Palaeocene (Danian-Selandian and Selandian-Thanetian). Fig. B4.

All these geochronological boundaries are re- presented in a fairly complex manner in seabed successions, which were deposited at a depth of over 1,000 m (for example the Black Flysch of the Lower Cretaceous in Mutriku and Deba, the Sandy Flysch of the Upper Cretaceous in Aitzuri and the Sandy Flysch of the Eocene between Zumaia and Getaria). Baceta, 2009.

Fig. B4. The international reference stratotypes for the Selandian and the Thanetian are situated on the Zumaia coastal strip. Source: “Natural Resources Management Plan for the Deba-Zumaia coastal strip” (Plan de Ordenación de los recursos naturales del tramo litoral Deba-Zumaia), Department of the Environment and Land-use Planning (Departamento de Medio Ambiente y Ordenación del Territorio), Government of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country (Gobierno Vasco), 2009 .

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 10 The geological attributes of the flysch formations that characterise the coastal zone constitute one of the main natural assets that endorse the Basque Government’s recent designation of the area between Deba and Zumaia as a Protected Biotope. In this area, a working group from the Universidad del País Vasco has completed an ambitious project to catalogue the geological heritage of the coastal outcrops, and have described around one hundred geosites (in press). In order to do this, a methodology has been proposed for the quantitative assessment of the points of interest (Barba, Redondo and Rivas, 1997).

B.2.5.2. Palaeontology

Almost the entire stratigraphic record corresponds to marine environ- ments. There is a great deal of palaeontological evidence, in particular the following concentrations of fossil remains, which have helped re- construct the palaeontology and date the sediments (Fig. B5):

Bioconstructions of rudist bivalves (Lower Cretaceous).

Ammonoidea (Cretaceous).

Fossil remains (Cretaceous and Palaeogene).

Accumulations of calcareous plankton, mainly in pelagic li mestone and marls (Cretaceous and Palaeogene).

Fig. B5. Preparing Ammonoidea at the Nautilus Interpretation Centre in Mutriku. Personal initiatives have played a key role ensuring the recovery, conservation and promotion of the palaeontological heritage. Photograph: J.M. Narváez.

B.2.5.3. Tectonics

From a structural point of view, the entire area we are consi- dering contains excellent examples of tectonic deformation structures, which were created during the compression and lifting of the Pyrenees, such as different types and scales of folds and faults (Mutriku, Aitzandi, Izarraitz, Andutz, ltxas- pe, etc.; Fig. B6). Some of these faults were already active during the Cretaceous and, whilst they were being created, they acted as a route via which metal-laden hydrothermal fluids could flow. This gave rise to the formation of a large number of small deposits and traces of iron, copper, zinc and lead.

B.2.5.4. Geomorphology and landscapes

Another extremely important aspect in the area is its geomorphology and landscapes, which are mainly the result of the combina- tion of a varied geological substrate and unique climatic conditions dating as far back as the Pleistocene and up to the present day.

On a large scale, two geomorphological elements stand out: a) The coastal geomorphology of flysch succession, subject to an open, mesotidal coastal regime, gives rise to the formation of one of the most extensive abrasion platforms in Europe, along with series of promontories, coves and different types of accumulation (sandy or pebble beaches, accumulations of topple deposits, etc.).

b) The karst landform of the limestone massifs from the Lower Cretaceous that define the inland zone (mainly Arno and Izarraitz), include a large number of forms, both superficial (karren, poljes) and endokarstic (caves, shafts, emergences etc.). A general assessment revealed the presence of the following geomor- phological elements: abrasion platforms, cliffs, beaches, tidal plains, dune fields, doline fields, karren, blocks of colluvium, terraces, etc

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 11 B.2.5.5. Hydrogeology This territory is of also of great interest from a hydrogeological point of view, especially with regard to the karst massifs of Izarraitz and Arno, in which significant finds have been made, such as numerous underground rivers and extraordinary fauna. Many scientific studies have been carried out on the territory’s water resources, which reveal their importance as elements of the geological heritage. See, for example: Carreras, Hidalgo, Octavio de Toledo and Tames (1987), Galán (1992).

B.3. LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PLACES OF GEOLOGICAL INTEREST (OR “GEOSITES”) Several different studies have been carried out of the north-western quadrant of Gipuzkoa in order to catalogue the points of geo- logical interest (compiled by Llordés, 2009, unpublished): a) Points of geological interest in Gipuzkoa. Source: Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa (Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa), 1992.

b) PATRIGEO database of points of geological interest, IGME Inventory Projects, MAGNA projects, Inventories not carried out by IGME (CCAA, ENRESA, etc.) 1978 – 2008.

c) Geological context of international importance. Point of geological interest applying to become a member of the international list of the GLOBAL GEOSITES project (IGME, 2008).

d) Points of particular geological importance on the coastal strip in the Natural Resources Management Plan for the Deba- Zumaia coastal strip. Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, 2009.

e) Emergences of thermal spring water Figures B.6. show points of interest or geosites in and around the territory that is now applying to become a European Geopark. It is worthy of note that most of the coastal strip of the municipalities of Deba and Zumaia constitutes a geozone with numerous geosites of particular scientific interest, related to the stratigraphy of the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) boundary and the subdivisions of the Palaeogene (not detailed on the geological map in Figure B6).

COASTAL GEOZONE

Fig. B.6. Geological map of the proposed geopark territory (bright colours) with the main points of geological interest. Other nearby geosites are included because of their complementary character and their potential for forming part of geological routes. The meaning of the numerical codes is given in the attached table (see also Appendix 04.2). Source: Department of Land-use Planning, Housing and the Environment (Departamento de Ordenación del Territorio, Vivienda y Medio Ambiente), Government of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, 2003. Basque Energy Board (Ente Vasco de la Energía, EVE), 1994.

The classification of the points of geological interest in the proposed territory was carried out using the previous sections (a) – (e) and the Environmental mapping system of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country (Sistema de cartografía ambiental de la Comunidad Autónoma del País Vasco), Department of Land-use Planning, Housing and the Environment (Departamento de Ordenación del Territorio, Vivienda y Medio Ambiente). Government of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country (Gobierno Vasco), 2003:

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 12 Code Point of geological interest Main interest Main use

0646 Ugarteberri Valley Landscape Tourism 0642 Olistolithe facies in Mastran Stratigraphy Scientific 0611 Lastur Valley karst complex Geomorphology Educational 0636A Andutz reef complex Stratigraphy Scientific 0610 Andutz reef complex Palaeontology Scientific 1230 Sasiola formation Stratigraphy Scientific 0616 Synsedimentary folds. Etzandi Tectonics Educational 0614 Vein of blende and galena. Irure Petrology Scientific 1228 Istina viaduct (Istinako zubia) Landscape Tourism 1234 Astigarribia Valley karst complex Geomorphology Tourism 0613 Blende mineralisation in Sagarmina Mineralogy Scientific 1232 Olatz Valley karst complex Geomorphology Tourism 0605 Mouth of the River Sedimentary processes Educational 1238 Deba Estuary Sedimentary processes Educational 0606 Erosion in Mendata-Sakoneta Geomorphology Educational 1231A Olatz dolines Geomorphology Tourism 1231B 1231C 0607 Deba megaturbidite Sedimentology Scientific 1227 0615 Folds in Danian limestones. Zumaia Tectonics Educational 0604A Coastal strip-Cliffs Stratigraphy Tourism 1237 1229 Mylonite and Mutriku fault Tectonics Educational 0608 Fold styles Tectonics Educational 1236 Rasa de Punta Pitzarri-Punta Arrilaban Geomorphology Tourism 1233 Saturraran conglomerates Sedimentology Scientific 0594 Quartzite breccia amongst the flysch Sedimentology Scientific 1235 Black Flysch from Saturraran Sedimentology Scientific 0603 Saturraran Beach Sedimentary processes Tourism Deba-Zumaia Coastal Geozone Chronostratigraphy Scientific

In the southern zone of the proposed territory, the Mesozoic limestone massifs of Arno-Izarraitz are an example of the karst landform, which has over 400 caves.

Worthy of note are two rock-art sites in the municipality of Deba. These are the Ekain and Praileaitz caves. The Ekain Cave contains interesting rock art made up of over 700 figures (paintings and engravings), which is why it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008.

B.4. DETAILS OF THE REASONS WHY THESE PLACES ARE OF INTEREST

As a result of the Palaeocene Working Group (international group of experts backed by UNESCO) workshop, held in June 2007, the stratotype of the chronological boundaries between the Danian- Selandian and the Selandian-Thanetian was established on the coastal zone of the municipality of Zumaia. This zone has become a place of extremely high scientific and educational value and of international importance (Fig. B7). It is visited by different groups of geology students and professionals each year. The clear visibility of the outcrops and the impressive landscapes have facilitated the development of geotourism, both on land and at sea.

Since 2005, the Algorri Interpretation Centre has been actively involved in teaching the general public (from beginners to experts) about the coastal outcrops at Zumaia. In addition to guided tours on land and at sea, the creation of an educational unit called the Geological history of the Basque Country: a journey through time via the rocks and fossils in our mountains is worthy of note (Historia geológica del País Vasco: un viaje por el tiempo a través de las rocas y los fósiles de nuestras montañas). This educational unit fills a gap in the curricula currently offered by secondary schools, and also provides a vision of geology adapted to the local geographical setting, as do the activities offered by the “Nautilus” Interpretation Centre in the municipality of Mutriku. Other educational units at the Algorri Interpretation Centre are specifically designed for students of different ages (primary, secondary and university).

Another noteworthy example in this area is the Ekain Cave (municipality of Deba) discovered in 1969, which is known for its Magdalenian cave paintings. To avoid it being damaged by educational and tourist activities, a replica was built. The latter is called Ekainberri and is located in the municipality of Zestoa, very close to the territory that is applying to become a geopark. Thanks to this replica, it is now possible to discover, learn about and experience this Basque Palaeolithic artistic legacy, through a complete educational programme designed for all ages.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 13 B.5. CURRENT OR FUTURE THREATS OR IMPACTS FACING THE TERRITORY AND THE “GEOSITES”

Spanish Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity makes it compulsory to consider all the geosites when planning land use and the execution of infrastructures that may damage the environment.

At the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country level, the different legislations and land-use instruments in force in the territory (such as the Sector-specific Coastal Land-use Plan, Partial Land-use Plans, Municipal Subsidiary Regulations, other sector-specific, provincial or regional plans, etc.) provide clear protection for the majority of the points of geological, cultural and natural interest in the territory. Moreover, the conservation of natural areas by different legislations, guarantees additional protection to the points of geological interest they contain.

With regard the geosites on the coastal section, the “Plan de Ordenación de los Recursos Naturales del tramo litoral Deba-Zumaia” [“Natural Resources Management Plan for the Deba-Zumaia coastal section”] is the most recent legal document produced by the Department of the Environment and Land-use Planning (Basque Government, 2009). It describes and assesses the characteristics of the environment (mainly geological, biological and landscape features), diagnoses the status of the relation between the environment and human uses, and establishes the need for protection in the event of environmental threats or impacts using action objectives and strategies.

Due to the above, and in view of the existence of the different land-use plans that protect them, it is important to highlight the fact that from a general perspective there is no specific threat facing the points of geological interest in the proposed territory.

Despite this generally satisfactory panorama, there are a few exceptions. For this reason, in the first place, and with regard to the archaeological heritage, it is important to mention the problems corresponding to the Praileaitz quarry. The latter’s operational area is located close to the Praileaitz caves. Although the current situation constitutes a threat to this important site, the conflict is being monitored and it is probable that in the near future a definitive decision will be taken in favour of the caves. There are other quarries in this area that should be monitored to ensure that they do not pose a threat to the geological heritage of this zone and its landscapes.

Other possible future threats to the geological heritage could come from maintenance, extension or development work on road or railway network infrastructures in this area. Despite this possibility, the compulsory environmental impact studies will ensure the impacts derived from the work on these infrastructures will have to be kept to an absolute minimum.

B.6. CURRENT PROTECTION STATUS OF THE “GEOSITES”

B.6.1. Status derived from country legislation

The conservation of the countryside is the responsibility of the Autonomous Communities, but they must take into account the national regulations: Law 42/2007 on Biodiversity and Natural Heritage. This Law replaces Law 4/89 on Natural Spaces and Wild Flora and Fauna. The new Law includes specific new features relating to the protection of the geological heritage and geodiversity. In addition, the Spanish Geological Survey (IGME) is currently advising the Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM), the organisation responsible for writing this law. Its references relating to geology include the fact that studies into geodiversity are obligatory for the cases set out in the Law. Moreover, it supports advances in the cataloguing and conservation of geological heritage and geodiversity, and as a final mention it widens the definition of “Natural Monument” to include, amongst other things, stratotypes.

Mention should also be made of Law 45/2007 for Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment. This law proposes that geological resources in a rural area can be used for sustainable development, as long as priority is given to the conservation of the environment, the countryside, and the natural and cultural heritage. It also means that, in relation to land planning, initiatives must be developed which favour protecting and sustainably managing the biological, geological and mineral heritage as a scientific, cultural and tourism resource.

B.6.2. Special Protection Areas and Areas of Natural Interest in the Land-use Planning Guidelines for the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country

Law 4/1990, of 31 May, on Land Use in the Basque Country establishes the land use instruments for the Basque Country. Amongst these, the Land Use Directives (DOT), approved in 1997, form the main framework in place, and any other documents produced have to be moulded to these. The aforementioned Law establishes, as one of the features that must be included in the DOTs, “the delimitation and precise definition of the areas or zones that must be subject to special protection to conserve their ecological, cultural or economic value and to ensure, where relevant, the reasonable exploitation of the existing natural resources in them, in accordance with the specific legislation applicable in each case.”

In accordance with this, the Land Use Directives (DOT), contain a proposal for the categorisation of all the “Not for building use land” (suelo no urbanizable) in the Basque Country. The most restrictive category included in this proposal is that of “Special Protection” which applies “to well conserved native forests, rivers and estuaries, complex fluvials in good condition, beaches, inland wetlands, coastal cliffs, peaks and areas with unique vegetation and, in general, to any element which is valuable from an ecological, cultural or scenic point of view or all of that together.”

For these areas it includes binding regulations which refer to the uses and activities that are prohibited, allowed or favoured in these areas. Specifically, the following are prohibited in them: intensive recreation, agriculture, agricultural industries, mining activities, transport routes, Type A non-linear technical service facilities, rubbish tips and dumps, and any type of building, except for buildings of public use or social interest.

In addition, the DOT contains an appendix with an “Open List of Natural Areas of Interest”, which includes the spaces to take into account when carrying out land use, sectoral or municipal planning so that their ecological, cultural and economic value can

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 14 be conserved. To achieve this, protection is provided at a local level in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country by designating these areas as of Special Protection. In some cases, these areas have already been included (totally or partially) in other protection figures.

There is extensive legislation in the Basque Country relating to land use, and this directly affects the natural heritage. For example, we can cite the Partial or Sectoral Land Use Plans (such as those for Bajo Deba, 2005, for Urola Kosta, 2006; and for the Basque Coast, 2004) in which the Government of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country (Department of the Environment and Land Use Planning), together with the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa (Department of Development and Land Use Planning) established a land planning model which takes account of the heritage of the area that needs to be protected, such as the geological and archaeological elements of interest, hydrological areas of interest, agricultural areas of interest and particularly the coastal area.

It should be pointed out that the whole coastal strip is governed by the Spanish Coastal Law 22/1998, and in addition, this protection is reinforced by the aforementioned “Sectoral Land Use Plan for the Coastal Area” (2004), and by the “Natural Resources Management Plan for the Deba-Zumaia coastal strip”, written by the Department of the Environment and Land Use Planning (Government of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, 2009). In this document, one part of the coastal area included in the proposed geopark is declared a Protected Biotope in accordance with Law 16/1994 on Nature Conservation in the Basque Country. It should be mentioned that although the main motivation for the strong protection of this coast is its biodiversity, this protection directly affects all of the geozone (Fig. B.8.).

Fig. B.8. Map of the Protected Biotope. Source: Department of Development and Land Use Planning Government of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, 2009

B.7. INFORMATION ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE “GEOSITES”

In appendix IV of the “Natural Resources Management Plan for the Deba-Zumaia coastal strip”, written by the Department of the Environment and Land Use Planning (Government of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, 2009) the main geological heritage features of the coastal strip are listed and proposals are set out for their protection and management. These proposals are based on studies carried out by researchers at the Department of Stratigraphy and Palaeontology at the University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU): Dr. X. Orue-Etxebarria, Dr. J. I. Baceta, Dr. E. Apellániz, Dr. G. Bernaola. Dr. M. Martín and Dr. V. Pujalte.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 15 Appendix V of the “Natural Resources Management Plan for the Deba-Zumaia coastal section” contains the types of land use and activities allowed, specifying:

• Environmental protection: conservation, environmental improvement and research.

• Leisure and recreation: recreational use of the area (extensive or intensive recreation). In Appendix VI there is a plan for the public use of the area, which includes guidelines for taking geological samples as part of the control and regulation of the heritage on the coastal stretch between the municipalities of Deba and Zumaia, required in light of its great scientific value.

B.8. LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF THE SITES OF NON-GEOLOGICAL INTEREST, WHICH CAN LINK UP WITH THE SITES OF GEOLOGICAL INTEREST

The area around the geopark contains a large number of heritage features, both natural and cultural, which can be linked in many ways to the geological heritage of the land. This connection is relatively easy to make thanks to a range of factors including the variety, quantity and proximity of the various elements and the multiplicity of possible links using footpaths or transport routes (see Appendix 04.1, maps 05-15).

B.8.1. Areas of natural interest

The natural heritage that characterises the land being considered for a geopark is very rich and varied, and holds many elements connected to the geological heritage. The land contains different types of natural areas and includes the Sites of Community Interest (LICs) of the NATURA 2000 network listed below. It also has various natural areas of interest included in previous studies, as can be see from the Open Catalogue of Relevant Natural Areas in the Basque Country (1996).

The areas listed below are the main natural spaces present in the area and contain its main elements of biodiversity. With a total area of 20.14 km2 they account for 22.6% of the geopark:

. Protected land and marine biotope area along the Deba-Zumaia costal strip. The protected land and marine biotope area along the Deba-Zumaia costal strip, declared as such in early 2009, forms part of the network of protected natural areas in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country. This space occupies 495 ha on land and 3,756 marine hectares, as well as a narrow coastal marine-land strip of 49 hectares in public hands. The coastal strip forming part of the biotope includes elements of great geological, as already described above, scenic and natural value. The scenic interest comes from different aspects such as the limited transformation of the environment, the variety of erosion patterns and landscape formations, with hanging valleys, intertidal platforms, large receding cliffs, promontories, the beauty of the area and its recreational and educational value. Interest in terms of the nature in the area comes from the variety and diversity of the environments formed by a large abrasion platform, characterised by a very slight slope, which gives rise to a large number of ecological niches and which favours great life diversity. In addition, highlights in the land area include small wooded areas, open country and meadows, which together create a mosaic which is both very varied and of great interest. It should be stressed that the natural and scenic richness is the result of natural processes connected to the geological processes that have taken place in the area.

. Arno (NATURA 2000 NETWORK, code: ES 2120001: 762 ha in the geopark (of a total of 1,011.6 ha) Arno is a sharp massif formed by a group of peaks, with Arno mountain dominating the rest with a peak altitude of 628m, and separated by depressions and valleys. Taken as a whole, this forms a very rugged relief created by the breaking up of the Cretaceous limestone packet that forms its substrate and base. As a result of its origin and formation, the enclave has shallow soils, which specially favour the oak (Quercus ilex Ilex), leading to the presence of large Cantabrian oak groves that cover most of the massif. The Cantabrian oak seems to be the final vestige of a much larger forest that covered a very wide area in ancient times, when the climate was warmer than today. Among the diverse factors that have limited and reduced the size of these old forests we should mention the glaciations, which relegated them to the coast. As a result, the presence and location of these oaks, true relics from the past, is a direct reference to the paleoclimate of the area. In addition, the presence of caves close to the sea, and therefore close to marine resources, offered a more benign environment during colder times than the more southerly higher mountains. This led to our ancestors choosing them for their settlements.

. Izarraitz (NATURA 2000 NETWORK, code: ES2120003): 425 ha (of a total of 1,536.9 ha) Izarraitz is an imposing calcareous relief that rises up above the low valleys of Urola and Deba, a wide area where the population is limited to small villages taking advantage of the meadows created in the flatter areas. The great variation in altitudes and habitats is another feature of this area. It is home to a wide range of plant communities connected to basic rocks such as limestone beech forests, heathlands, hawthorn thickets, and mixed forests, with many relevant species of interest. There is also an important subterranean world that includes some virtually unknown species of fauna. The area holds certain features closely linked to the geology, like the megalithic elements and the upwellings of thermal waters, used for their healing properties or in the production of mineral water.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 16 . Ría del Urola (NATURA 2000 NETWORK, code: ES2120004): 103 ha Despite the small size of this enclave, it retains a good representative sample of the estuary landscape, including a notable variety of environments such as Cantabrian oak groves, alluvial forests, oro-Mediterranean heaths with Spanish gorse, halophilous scrubs, dune vegetation and estuary salt marsh vegetation. The mouth of the river Urola contains one of the few examples of dunes that still exist on the Basque coastline today, with one of the beaches with the richest flora to be found along the whole coast. Close by, if we move inland we can find marsh communities; here the river sketches some pronounced meanders, flanked on occasions by steep banks or fields of meadows, thickets and marshes, and at times partially urbanised spaces. From the point of view of the fauna, the area stands out for its importance as a resting and feeding point for migratory birds. The river Urola forms part of the network of estuaries which help the migrating birds on their journey from northern to southern Europe.

The geological value of the area is high because it contains spaces and soils that have been formed recently, in the Quaternary Period, together with cretaceous materials. The area also includes examples which allow us to understand the fluvial dynamics, the formation of dunes and many other geological processes, which act as a connection between the current processes and the stratigraphic record.

. Mutriku-Saturraran Cliffs (Open Catalogue of Relevant Natural areas in the Basque Country, 1996): 20 ha The coastal zone between Saturraran and the town of Mutriku is formed by a series of high and very steep cliffs. At low tide one can see at the foot of the cliffs a fairly large abrasion platform which contains Albian fossils. As for the Deba-Zumaia Biotope, the biodiversity in this zone is linked to its geomorphology. It should also be mentioned that the tops of the cliffs offer a wide maritime panorama and, in particular, views to the outcrops located to the east. It is therefore an area with optimal attraction for the geological interpretation of the area.

. Monte Andutz (Open Catalogue of Relevant Natural Spaces in the Basque Country, 1996): 209 ha Andutz mountain is a limestone outcrop very close to the sea, which reaches an altitude of 610 m above sea level. It consists of Cretaceous reef limestone and has strong karst features (sinkholes, depressions, grooves and channels). With regard to the vegetation, highlights include an extensive Cantabrian oak forest with its associated plant and animal communities. From a geological point of view, it provides an explanation for the transition between the coastal area and the inland area, and so documents the geological history of the area.

Figure 9. Natural Areas of Interest in the North- West of Gipuzkoa. Source: Basque Government.

B.8.2. Geocultural heritage B.8.2.1. Caves with archaeological sites

The municipalities of Deba and Mutriku, surrounded by their limestone massifs of Izarraitz and Arno respectively, have one of the greatest concentrations of caves with archaeological sites in the whole of Gipuzkoa. In the municipality of Deba, 32 caves of archaeological importance have been discovered to date, which ranks it first amongst all the Gipuzkoa municipalities. If to that we add the 15 in Mutriku, the combined total represents almost 22% of the total for Gipuzkoa, which leads us to the conclusion that this was one of the most heavily populated parts of Gipuzkoa in prehistoric times.

The most intense populating activity in this area probably took place during the Upper Palaeolithic period. The municipality of Deba is home to two important archaeological sites from this era, namely the Ekain and Praileaitz caves. It should also be mentioned that the cave paintings in Ekain cave (belonging to the Magdalenian), are one of the best examples of Franco-Cantabrian parietal art. The figures of horses, in particular, are considered to be the best cave paintings of this species created by parietal art. As a result, the Ekain cave was awarded the status of Site of Cultural Interest and, in 2008, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. also contains some cave paintings, but is of particular interest because various examples of Palaeolithic mobile art –objects of limited and manageable size which could be transported– have been found there such as pendants, in addition to other elements. These findings lead to the conclusion that the cave was a site for worship or a sanctuary in Palaeolithic times. In short, these caves are home to the first-known examples of art in Gipuzkoa.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 17 B.8.2.2. Mythology

Many of the caves in the area contain important archaeological sites that have been mythified and sanctified over the years. As has been explained, those at Ekain and Praileaitz show clear signs of having been prehistoric sanctuaries, which makes the connection between the non-living natural resources (caves) and culture (local religions) patent.

In addition, the land provides many other examples of these connections. Some caves, for example, have traditionally been considered to be the homes of mythical genies: the Jentiletxeta caves in Mutriku for example. Other caves have also been sanctified, as is the case for Ermitia (Hermitage), the aforementioned Praileaitz (Friar’s Rock) and Urteaga, which is located very close to the Salbatore hermitage.

The land also contains other sanctified or mythified elements, such as, for example, the river Deba, a name which alludes to a Celtic Pantheon female divinity connected to the worship of waters.

Mention must also be made of the fact that various geographic accidents and geological features of the countryside have also been attributed to the intervention of mythological characters. For example, there is a legend that tells of the heathens, giant people who remained on the margins of the Christian religion, who did not want Itziar church to be constructed and so used slingshots to throw large stones to try and prevent its construction. However, they did not aim well and the stones thrown fell nearby and created the limestone peak of Andutz mountain (Deba). There are many mountains and crags in the area, which were created by the stones thrown by these mythological creatures from a nearby peak.

The toponymy of the area bears witness to these myths: Jentiletxe (house of the heathens), Lamiategi, and Sorginzulo (witch´s needle) are just a few examples. The examples quoted here give a general idea about why the space proposed as a geopark is an important area in terms of the connection between the local culture, beliefs and mythology and the geology.

B.8.3. Architecture

The ancient inhabitants of this area, influenced or conditioned by their beliefs, including the elements discussed above or, for example, the desire to ward off evil spirits, constructed hermitages and temples close to the outstanding features of the landscape, some of which are mentioned above. The Nuestra Señora de Itziar Sanctuary, highly venerated amongst Basque seamen and the scene of other legends, is a good example of this. The Nuestra Señora de Arritokieta (place of stones) hermitage in Zumaia, the object of great devotion from the fishermen in the area, was constructed next to a clump of stones which was the site of an apparition of the Virgin. Next to the first ford that connects both banks of the river Deba in Astigarribia we find one of the oldest hermitages in the area, an ecclesiastical institution since the tenth century.

Amongst the collection of heritage features in the area, its churches and other noble buildings stand out, constructed as they are with the stone found in the respective areas. One must note that as a result, when we visit the churches along the coast we are also seeing the geology of the area. In terms of details, we can mention the Zumaia parish church, constructed using two different types of stone, which is an exponent of the change in the geological diversity that we can find within the municipality itself.

In many cases we can identify the quarries from which the stone was extracted in order to construct the buildings in the area. As a result, in the future the intention is, through creating routes, to link the buildings with the quarries from which the blocks of stone were extracted for the construction, a task that is currently the subject of studies and which will allow the cultural heritage to be linked to the geology and other elements of the geopark.

Another of the cultural features in the area, which we can connect to its geology, is the Coastal Way of St. James or . It should be noted that occasionally the hermitages for pilgrims were constructed on the sites where shell fossils had been found, since in the past this was considered to be indisputable proof that the Apostle Santiago had visited these sites.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 18 Sites listed in the Catalogue of Monuments, Monumental sites and Archaeological Sites in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country

Architectural and Infrastructure Elements MUNICIPALITY 1. Zuloaga house museum Zumaia 2. Santiago hermitage Zumaia 3. San Telmo hermitage Zumaia 4. Arritokieta hermitage Zumaia 5. Olazabal house Zumaia 6. San Pedro church Zumaia 7. Ubillos tower Zumaia 8. Municipal market Deba 9. San Sebastian de Elorriaga hermitage Deba 10. Sasiola monastery Deba 11. San Roque hermitage Deba 12. Sasiola tower Deba 13. Agirre palace Deba 14. Nuestra Señora de Itziar church Deba 15. Ibañez house Deba 16. Santa Catalina hermitage Deba 17. Santa Maria la Real church Deba 18. Salvador hermitage Deba 19. San Roque road Deba 20. Sasiola hospital Deba 21. Nuestra Sra. de la Asunción church Mutriku 22. Galdona house Mutriku 23. Montelibet Mutriku 24. Olezarra palace Mutriku 25. Txurruka / Gaztañeta house Mutriku 26. Zabiel palace Mutriku 27. City walls Mutriku 28. Itxas etxea Mutriku 29. Town hall Mutriku 30. Txurruka statue Mutriku 31. Suilangoa Mutriku 32. Caserío torre Mutriku 33. Astigarribia road Mutriku 34-164. List of 130 buildings in the old quarter of Mutriku Mutriku (Mutriku monumental collection of historic buildings)

C. REASONS THAT JUSTIFY THE NOMINATION OF THIS TERRITORY AS A GEOPARK

C.1. COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE TERRITORY’S POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEOTOURISM

C.1.1. Origins of tourism in the region

The tourism phenomenon in the Basque Country can be said to have begun over 200 years ago, precisely at a place abutting the proposed geopark region. In the municipality of Zestoa, next to Zumaia and adjoining Deba, the Basque Country’s first thermal water spa, “Balneario de Cestona”, opened its doors in 1806. Drawn to Zestoa by the spa and its therapeutic properties, people began to visit nearby towns, mainly Zumaia, but also Deba and , thereby making the area a tourism destination. Local tourism expanded in the 19th century, thus contributing to economic and social development and to the construction of new communication routes. The phenomenon would increase throughout the 20th century, although marked by occasional fluctuations as a result of social events.

C.1.2. Potential for development The proposed geopark comprises a region with a huge potential for the development of tourism. Among the reasons for this claim are the wealth of resources in the region, its privileged location near the three Basque capital cities, the proximity between different resources and their potential for interrelation, and the appropriate transport and communications infrastructure (see Section A and appendix 4.1). Among the potential visitors there is a broad spectrum of motivations and typologies with regard to the tourism offer, demonstrating the capacity to attract a wide range of visitors.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 19 The different types of tourism are outlined below:

• Geotourism based on routes and itineraries revolving around local sites of geological interest: boat trips, coastal trekking, geological tours, etc.

• Nature and rural tourism: based on the region’s rich natural heritage, and associated with activities developed in the natural and rural environment, including mountain hiking, trekking, guided nature tours, routes on horseback, etc. as well as agritourism, accommodation in country homes, enjoying local products, etc.

• Scientific and university tourism linked to the presence of geological elements of international scientific relevance, and school field trips designed to reinforce Earth Sciences in the school curriculum.

• Urban and cultural tourism, associated with the region’s rich architectural and cultural heritage, including the historic quarters of towns such as Mutriku (declared a Monumental Heritage Site), churches, museums, etc. Elements of geocultural interest can also be included in this area, including Basque legends, myths and traditions associated with the Earth, consecrated places, prehistoric caves, etc. Over 111 elements of geocultural interest in the geopark candidate site constitute an extraordinary endowment of resources. The extensive network of maintained trails and other infrastructures currently in place will make it possible to connect these sites, creating thematic routes.

• Leisure tourism: linked to beaches, gastronomy, markets, festivals, general entertainment, etc.

• Health & wellness tourism in thermal spas (Zestoa) or thalassotherapy (seawater) spas (Deba and Zumaia)

• Business tourism based on the important presence of entrepreneurial activity in the area and on good transport and communications

• Stopover and local catchment tourism: people travelling along the main transport routes can stop en route to visit points of interest in the area; there is a population over two million potential day-tourists who live less than one hour by car from the proposed geopark.

• Religious tourism linked to the sanctuary of Loiola and pilgrimage connected to the coastal route of the Way of Saint James.

Another important analysis of the territory’s possibilities of success as a geopark is drawn from the study of potential visitors in the region. Results show that the number of potential visitors in the catchment area of the candidate territory easily removes any doubts as to its feasibility:

- 2,166,000 potential visitors within approximately 1-hour’s drive by car - 4,640,000 potential visitors within a 2-hour drive by car - Nearly 7,000,000 potential visitors within a 3-hour radius

C.1.3. Recent development Geotourism activities in the region began in Zumaia in 2002. The first tours were guided walking tours of the sea cliffs at Zumaia, in which visitors viewed the area and learned about the main geological and geomorphologic characteristics, i.e. the inter-tidal rock platform, Cretaceous–Tertiary boundary, etc. Guided trekking tours along the coast from Deba to Zumaia were also offered, following the coastal outcrop. Eighteen programmed guided tours were offered in July and August of the first year, in which 53 people participated.

In 2003 the offer was extended to include geotourism tours of Zumaia from March to October, and the local entity Urola Kosta joined the effort to give impetus to the project. Urola Kosta promoted new activities in collaboration with the Zumaia city council and tourism office, and published promotional material on all of the activities. From that point on companies operating in the area began to offer à la carte group activities.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 20 Thus, the geotourism tour offer began to take shape and build momentum. The pattern of tours in the area continued to increase annually in terms of both offer and demand. In 2005 the Algorri Interpretation Centre was opened in Zumaia, further promoting these activities. Both the centre and the Zumaia outcrop itself began to draw greater attention from the press.

In 2006, a boat service was introduced offering coastal tours between Deba and Zumaia. The initiative proved to be very successful and helped boost local geotourism activity. That same year the municipalities of Zumaia and Deba began to work together to promote these activities.

Owing to the positive development of the different activities, in 2007, 5,600 people participated in the various programmed and à la carte tours in the area (Zumaia and Deba). 2007 also saw the inauguration of the “Nautilus” Interpretation Centre in Mutriku, dedicated to local geology and housing an extensive fossil collection.

In 2008 the “Coastal Flysch Route” initiative got underway, serving as an umbrella for all of the geotourism activities in Zumaia, Deba and Mutriku. The initiative, launched through an agreement signed by the three municipalities, included the registration of the brand, creation of the logo, etc. The new impetus gave rise to nearly 100 geotourism tours, a new website designed to bolster the initiative, www.flysch.com, and a joint promotional publication. Included among the new tours was a coastal boat route between the three towns, which included the two interpretation centres (Nautilus in Mutriku and Algorri in Zumaia). In 2008, the number of people taking part in the programmed guided tours amounted to 5,200, and if we add the à la carte tours, the total number of participants came to 11,600. 2008 is also the year that saw the opening of Ekainberri, a replica of the Ekain cave (Deba), built in Zestoa, which attracted over 40,000 visitors in the first year. In 2009 the tours were expanded in number and variety, bringing the calendar of events to a total of 150 activities (March to November). In addition, the website www.flysch.com added an online booking and payment system. Since the website was launched in July 2008, nearly 22,000 individuals (90% from Spain, 10% from other countries) have visited a total of 206,783 pages.

www.flysch.com

This short summary provides a brief sample of the work undertaken to date and the results obtained. It also serves to confirm the existence of consolidated geotourism products, and to demonstrate the region’s suitability and commitment to the implementation of geotourism. It is important to underscore the fact that the proposed geopark territory already has eight years of geotourism experience marked by a wide variety of activities and an ongoing process of expansion.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 21 A wide range of well-located accommodation is offered in the area, with facilities available in a large part of the territory. Accommodation types can be broken down as follows: · 6 hotels, 214-bed capacity · 4 guest houses, 51-bed capacity · 20 agritourism and rural B&Bs, 199-bed capacity · 2 youth hostels, 87-bed capacity · 2 apartment rental establishments, 52-bed capacity

The accommodation on offer includes a total bed capacity of 603. There are also five campsites with a total of 450 individual plots accommodating 1,580 people, and in some cases bungalow accommodation is also available.

The initiatives carried out in the area have yielded clear-cut results in terms of tourism activity. According to results released by INE (National Statistics Institute), the number of overnight stays in the proposed geopark territory has increased 44% over the past four years, reaching a total of 111,920 overnight stays. It should also be noted that the proposed geopark area has experienced greater growth than the surrounding region: between 2005 and 2008 in the rest of the region (districts of Urola Kosta, Urola Erdia and Debabarrena) overnight stays were up only 22%; in the rest of Gipuzkoa as a whole, the figure was only 8% for the same period. The evolution of the tourist accommodation provision is also noteworthy: bed capacity in the proposed geopark area increased 55% between 2005 and 2008 (see Appendix 07.1).

Total overnight stays (geopark area) Evolution in the number of beds available Evolution in the percentage of overnight stays 2005-2008 2005-2008 2005-2008 100% 100% 2005 2006 2007 2008 2005 2006 2007 2008 2005 2006 2007 2008 111.920 75% 75% 104.104 50% 50% 55% 50% 95.315 37% 33% 44%

25% 25% 14% 22% 8% 11% 10% 7% 83.476 5% 8% 0% 5% 4% 0% 3% 6% 1% -25% -25% Deba, Mutriku, Zumaia (geopark area) Deba, Mutriku, Zumaia (geopark area) Deba, Mutriku, Zumaia (geopark area).a Rest of Urola Kosta, Urola Erdia-Debabarrena Rest of Urola Kosta, Urola Erdia-Debabarrena Fig.C.1-3. Source: INE Gipuzkoa Gipuzkoa

C.1.4. Future development with geopark status The Master Plan carried out in 2008 and 2009 proposes a definition and demarcation of the geopark based on the inclusion of the main geological elements in the entire zone, such as the complete stratigraphic flysch series and all the reef limestones, as well as other elements that would give the whole territory greater potential as a geopark (see Master Plan Proposal). The Master Plan Proposal identifies a series of potential resources centred on the initial geopark. These elements can significantly increase what it can offer and promote geotourism in the area. Whether it be through future collaboration with the geopark or through the enlargement of the latter, a higher number of resources of great interest could be incorporated. These include the Ekain replica, the Cestona spa, the waters of Alzola, the Getaria wine area (sparking dry white wine), new museums, natural areas etc., etc.

C.2. OVERVIEW OF THE GEOINSTITUTIONS AND GEOACTIVITIES IN THE GEOPARK REGION Moreover, in order to show the strategies that should be adopted in the future, it is important to reveal the stages of enhancement and promotion consolidated to date (1st phase, coastal routes), as well as to present the developmental phases that are going to be worked on in the future within the proposed geopark territory. These new phases (2nd and 3rd), which involve starting activities inland and will allow a more varied series of routes to be created, are indicated in the figure C.4 (page. 25).

C.2. OVERVIEW OF THE GEOINSTITUTIONS AND GEOACTIVITIES IN THE GEOPARK REGION

A large number of different institutions have promoted activities related to the geology of this area. A small selection of those most worthy of note is presented below:

• Zumaia Town Council-Algorri Interpretation Centre: open to the public since 2005, it offers a permanent exhibition on the geology and nature of this zone, a 3D projection on this subject, a library, a workshop zone, a laboratory, etc. It also offers temporary exhibitions and a large number of activities related to geology and the environment, many of which are aimed at schoolchildren, the local population and other visitors. Since opening, it has welcomed over 500 school groups and 32,000 visitors. Website: www.algorri.eu

• Mutriku Town Council-”Nautilus” Interpretation Centre: opened in 2007, it offers an excellent collection of fossils from the Albian, collected from the coastal rocks over more than two decades by J.M. Narváez and E. Azkarraga. It offers different activities for groups and schoolchildren, such as fossil and geology workshops, geological walks, boat trips, etc. The centre has attracted over 4,000 visitors to date. Website: www.mutriku.net/nautilus

• Zumaia, Deba and Mutriku municipal tourist information centres: their directors make up the “Flysch Coastal Route” working group and participate actively in offering guided geotourism tours and hiking trails in the area, as well as publishing leaflets, informative material, etc. Websites: www.zumaia.net/turismo, www.deba.net, www.mutriku.net

•

•

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 22 •

• Since 2008, the regional developmental body, Debegesa, which represents the town councils of Mutriku and Deba, along with Zumaia Town Council, have been coordinating the “Flysch Coastal Route” itinerary and geotourism destination www.flysch.com, described earlier.

• Gipuzkoa Provincial Council, which has implemented a large number of initiatives related to the geology of this area over the last few years. Worthy of note are the first inventories of geosites in Gipuzkoa, which were compiled two decades ago. The zone’s geological assets have also been publicised through field guides, books, posters, etc. Since 2009, it has also been in charge of the Deba-Zumaia Coastal Biotope, with the support of a scientific director, and carried out a large number of initiatives related to this site and this subject in general. Examples of these activities include a documentary film, an informative book, lectures, etc. Website: www.gipuzkoa.net

• The Department of the Environment and Land-use Planning, Agriculture and Fisheries of the Government of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country (Departamento de Medio Ambiente y Planificación Territorial, Agricultura y Pesca - Gobierno Vasco), and the Directorate of Biodiversity and Environmental Participation (Dirección de Biodiversidad y Participación Ambiental) that is run by that department, have been actively involved in this area and organised the creation and declaration of the Deba-Zumaia Coastal Biotope, a status that was achieved after a long process of public awareness-raising and far-reaching social participation. Website: www.ingurumena.ejgv.euskadi.net

• With its headquarters in San Sebastián, the Aranzadi Society of Sciences (Sociedad de Ciencias Aranzadi), has worked particularly hard in this zone, focusing on areas such as history, archaeology, etc. by carrying out a large number of studies, archaeological digs, inventories, etc., and via its Geology Department in the design of the “Nautilus” Interpretation Centre in Mutriku, the production of publications, videos, the organisation of visits to the area, collaboration in the preparation of working camps, etc. It also runs the Luberri Geological Interpretation Centre in . Websites: www.aranzadi-sciences.org / www.luberri.org

• The social and cultural outreach project section of the Gipuzkoa Savings Bank (Caja de Ahorros de Gipuzkoa - ) has implemented a large number of different general and local activities by providing economic support. This includes the organisation of lectures, publications, films, fieldwork aimed at cleaning coastal cliffs, and raising awareness about geological matters. Some of these activities have been promoted by the “Kutxaespacio” Science Museum. Websites: www.kutxasocial.net / www.miramon.org

• The Faculty of Sciences at the University of the Basque Country (UPV) has several geology departments such as the Department of Stratigraphy and Palaeontology and the Department of Mineralogy and Petrology. These departments have promoted or participated in numerous studies in the zone, including those that were used as basis for the preparation of the Natural Resources Management Plan for the Deba-Zumaia coastal strip (Plan de Ordenación de los Recursos Naturales del tramo litoral Deba - Zumaia), drawn up by the Department of the Environment and Land-use Planning (Departamento de Medio Ambiente y Ordenación del Territorio), Basque Government (Gobierno Vasco), 2009. Websites: www.estratipaleo.ehu.es / www.mineralogia-petrologia.ehu.es

• The Government of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country’s Basque Energy Board (Ente Vasco de Energía, EVE), which has produced a large number of studies and very detailed geological publications on the entire Basque Country; for example, it has published a series of 1:25.000 geological maps, and carried out a project on geological routes in Bizkaia. Website: www.eve.es

• The Spanish Geological Survey (Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, IGME) has run the Geosites project, in which the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary was identified in stratigraphic sections of the coastal strip of Zumaia as geosite nº 69 (Code KT-02). Website: www.igme.es

• The Department of Earth Sciences at the Universidad de Zaragoza has carried out a great deal of research in this area and participated in the definition of the boundary stratotypes of the Seladian and Thanetian stages. Website: http://micropal.unizar.es

• The Andrés de Urdaneta Basque Geographical Institute (Instituto Geográfico Vasco Andrés de Urdaneta, INGEBA) offers geographical and geological information on its website and has produced different publications on the geological aspects of the territory. Website: www.ingeba.org

• The Association of Professional Geologists of the Basque Country (Colegio de Geólogos del País Vasco) promotes the work of geologists in the Basque Country.

• The Elhuyar Science and Technology Foundation (Elhuyar Fundazioa) has produced informative geology publications and articles. Website: www.zientzia.net

• Different companies in the zone or surrounding area such as ARAZI, BEGI BISTAN, XENDA NATURA, ZARPAR, LA BALAGUÈRE etc. have been involved in management, guided geotourism tours, educational programs, publications, studies, etc.

• The area also has numerous speleological, nature conservation, cultural groups, etc., which have carried out a large number of different activities in the area.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 23 C.3. THE TERRITORY’S INTEREST IN BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN GEOPARK NETWORK

The local bodies that manage the territory back the European geopark model, since it embodies the lines of work that have been implemented in the territory over the last decade, and thus constitutes a figure that can integrate fully into the local strategies and also respond to society’s, the local population’s and the general public’s growing interest in this heritage. If this area is designated a European Geopark, it will for example allow geotourism activities to be consolidated and reinforced, it will enhance and publicise the geology of this area and consolidate the territory’s desire to promote and develop its natural and geological heritage. The territory thus has the following reasons for wanting to become part of the network:

A) GEOLOGY, TERRITORY AND LOCAL POPULATION

• It could favour awareness-raising about, and the improved protection of the geological, natural and cultural heritage of the geopark territory, Gipuzkoa and the Basque Country as a whole, both with regards visitors and the local population.

• It could involve the local society in the development of the territory and connect the population with their environment.

• It could offer new job opportunities and the creation of business in a territory with geographical limitations and very little building land, which is far from the Basque Country’s nerve centres, and also suffers from many other problems. In short, this would help improve the local inhabitants’ quality of life in general.

• It could improve the offer and quality of the services and activities in the area.

• It could promote local products and the development of one or more quality brands.

B) TOURISM AND CULTURE

• It would allow an exceptional heritage to be promoted at local, regional, national and international levels.

• It would help differentiate this area from other destinations and help offer high-quality, sustainable tourism.

• It would use the zone’s great potential to reinforce the development of tourism in disadvantaged rural areas, extending geotourism inland by developing different itineraries, routes and activities. Thus, it would distribute the benefits of tourism across the entire territory in a more balanced manner. (See Fig. C.4)

• It could strengthen links between the tourism, cultural, associative sectors, etc. and achieve greater social cohesion.

• It could help reinforce local tourism and cultural resources: Ekain cave replica, Urola train, spas, etc.

C) ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

• It could favour the recovery of natural areas and reinforce their management.

• It could favour the sustainable development of the territory and a sustainable tourism that promotes conservation.

D) BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN A FAR-REACHING NETWORK

• It would help people exchange experiences in a network of territories that share the same objectives.

• It would help secure local, regional, national and European funding.

• It would favour the use of the geosites and infrastructures for student exchanges and the promotion of research through international student cooperation programmes (Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci, Seneca, Marie Curie, etc.).

• It would make it possible to participate in an Iberian Geopark Network and help create a Basque Geodiversity Network, in which territories with geological heritage of interest could take part.

• Given the complementary nature of the Sobrarbe, Maestrazgo and other geoparks, it will be possible to collaborate in the development of educational and informative activities and to promote shared routes jointly, thereby reinforcing the tourism offer within the framework of the Geopark Network.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 24 BASQUE COAST GEOPARK PROJECT

ZUMAIA DEBA MUTRIKU

Fig.C.4. Flysch Coastal Route (2002-2009) 2nd phase 3rd phase

D. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TERRITORY

D.1. ECONOMIC ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION OF THE MAIN AREAS OF ACTIVITY WITHIN THE TERRITORY AND ITS SURROUNDING AREA. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE MAIN STRUCTURES IN CHARGE OF THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY FOR THE TERRITORY The territory applying to become a geopark has historically been an area used by different productive sectors, a characteristic that continues to define it today.

With regards the characterisation of the different productive sectors, the one most closely linked to traditional activities – the primary sector – plays a very small role in the area’s economy, and moreover is in decline. In 2001, the number of individuals employed by the primary sector was 357, 4.4% of the total, and 124 fewer than in 1996. The downward trend continued and, in 2008, it was estimated that the percentage of individuals employed in the primary sector had dropped to 2.5%.

With regards the industrial sector, in terms of employment its activity accounts for around 40% of the working population. In economic terms, industry represents 50% of the gross added value in this area, which is higher than in the Province of Gipuzkoa, and continues to be higher than the services sector. The industrial activity is concentrated in the manufacturing industry sub-sector (98%), with a small representation of the extractive industry and the energy sector (2%). Within the manufacturing industry, the most important sub-sectors of activity in this area are the metallurgy sector, the manufacture of metal products and machinery construction. Some of the area’s traditional assets are maintained, for example the canning industry, shipping or machine tool industries and activities associated with timber.

Meanwhile, it is estimated that the tertiary sector provided approximately 50% of the jobs in this zone in 2008, whilst in 2001 it represented 44.6% of the working population. Tourist activity is without a doubt one of the factors that has led to the growth of the services sector and the economic performance of the zone.

The construction sector’s contribution to the economy increased somewhat during the period 2000-2008, although the percentage of jobs remained the same as in 2001.

Population pyramid Gross value added evolution 2008 85 + 2000 2008 80-84 100% 75-79 70-74 65-69 40,4% 43.5% 60-64 80% 55-59 50-54 60% 45-49 3.6% 40-44 5.7% 35-39 30-34 40% 25-29 20-24 53.9% 49.8% 15-19 20% 10-14 05-09 2.0% 1.0% 0-4 0% -1000 0 1000 Primary Industry Men Women Construction Services

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 25 With regards the demographic evolution of the territory, over the last 5 years the population of this area has grown in the three municipalities, and now stands at 19,476 inhabitants. The variation over the period 2003-2008 was +4.1%, almost double the figure recorded in the Province of Gipuzkoa. The age pyramid of the local population is a reflection of the ageing of the Basque and European society as a whole, a process that occurred in the last two decades of the 20th century and which has stabilised over the last 10 years. The distribution of the population by level of education attained is: 60% with primary education or lower; 28% with secondary or secondary vocational education and 8% with tertiary education (4% unclassified).

A brief summary of the actions and policies aimed at promoting sustainability in the territory applying to become a geopark follows below (see Appendix 11). The starting point for planned institutional action designed to promote sustainability in this zone could be said to be 2002, a year when a large number of initiatives began to be implemented at different levels. In 2002, the municipalities of Mutriku and Deba began their Local Agenda 21 processes, with Zumaia starting two years later. The final goal of these processes is to establish a comprehensive action strategy for environmental protection and to integrate it across the economic and social spheres. In 2006, the three municipalities approved their respective Local Action Plans (LAP), a basic element of the Local Agenda 21, which constitutes the strategy and commitment adopted by each municipality in terms of sustainability, and consists of a programme of actions to be carried out over a period of several years in order to attain the Agenda 21 objectives. Overall, the implementation of the local Agenda 21 programme in the municipalities of Deba, Mutriku and Zumaia over the past decade has constituted a great progress in the area of sustainable development, and has produced a large number of results.

The three municipalities also participate in the School’s Agenda 21 and in other local and provincial initiatives, as well as those at the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country level. Examples of this include their joining the Udalsarea 21, Basque Network of Municipalities for Sustainability. The mission of Udalsarea 21 is to promote the effective implantation of the Local Action Plans of the Local Agenda 21 and the integration of sustainability criteria in all areas of municipal management in line with the Aalborg Commitments. This reinforces the role of the municipalities in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country’s sustainable development policies and the involvement of the Basque society.

The Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa has a Sustainability Section, within the Directorate General of the Environment. Its main function is to design and develop sustainability strategies for Gipuzkoa on three different scales or levels: provincial (Gipuzkoa), local (municipality) and organisational (Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa). The Sustainability Section identifies all its activities as the Gipuzkoa Sustainability Observatory. The Observatory plans, acts, assesses and communicates sustainability issues.

D.2. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE PROTECTION OF THE TERRITORY

The development of legislation, both at State and Autonomous Community of the Basque Country levels, represents an improvement in the obligatory studies of geodiversity and progress in the cataloguing and conservation of the geological heritage.

Spanish Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity, which replaced law 4/89 on the Conservation of Natural Areas and Wild Flora and Fauna, includes explicit innovations in terms of the protection of the geological heritage and geodiversity:

• The authorities’ duties are specified with regards the objectives and previsions required for the conservation and promotion of the natural heritage and geodiversity.

• At the very least, the Natural Resources Management Plans should describe and interpret the local physical, geological and biological features.

• The Spanish Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino) is to produce an inventory of the natural heritage and biodiversity, which will include the representative points of geological interest following the guidelines of the geosites project.

• There are plans to implement a State Strategic Plan for the Natural Heritage and Biodiversity, which will include an assessment of the geodiversity.

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 26 Spanish Law 45/2007 on the Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment affirms that in land-use planning tasks, initiatives should be carried out to facilitate the knowledge, protection and sustainable management of the biological, geological and mining heritage, as scientific, cultural and tourism resources.

Other progress made in the territory applying to become a European Geopark includes:

a) In accordance with Law 3/98, the Basque Sustainable Development Environmental Strategy (2002-2020) was prepared. It defines 5 goals:

A guarantee of clean, healthy air, water and land.

The responsible management of Natural Resources and waste products.

Nature and biodiversity conservation: a unique asset to promote.

Favouring proper land stewardship – ensuring territorial balance and adequate mobility.

Limiting the impacts on climate change.

Based on this strategy, the Basque Government’s Environmental Framework Programmes for 2003-2006 and 2007-2010 (the latter currently in force) were developed. They specify the objectives to be attained in the corresponding period, and incorporate a series of monitoring and annual assessment tools.

b) In 2008, the Basque Government’s Department of the Environment and Land-use Planning began the process of designating 23 Special Conservation Zones (Zonas Especiales de Conservacion, ZEC) as part of the Natura 2000 Network, including all those within the geopark area. The Department also started the process of creating conservation and management tools for these areas (Dossier Nº 030A/2008).

D.3. EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURES

In addition to the installations described in previous sections (museums, interpretation centres, tourism offices, etc.), the area also has a number of facilities and infrastructures that support the geopark activities:

Two boats with seating capacity for 40 and 25 passengers respectively, to organise excursions to the coastal outcrop sites and link the coastal towns in the area

Wharves in the ports of Zumaia and Mutriku equipped for geotourism activities, wheelchair-accessible in the case of Zumaia

Extensive network of marked paths (PRs) and coastal trail GR-121 (108 km in total)

67 km of mountain bike tracks, with network headquarters in

Cultural centres and libraries in each of the three main towns

Coastal lookouts over panoramic points

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 27 D.4. PLANNED INFRASTRUCTURES

The geopark action plan contains a number of proposals which reinforce other local or regional initiatives. The most noteworthy of these and other projects are outlined below:

Enlarge or update the Algorri and “Nautilus” interpretation centres

New visitor centre in Deba

Passenger access to geotourism boats in Deba

New thematic paths

Urban and interurban bicycle networks

Gipuzkoa metro connecting the capital to the main towns of the proposed geopark

Coastal footpath

New cultural centre in Zumaia

New mountain bike centre in Zarautz offering routes in the geopark

Refurbish the medieval monastery of Sasiola

Official application by the Basque Coast Geopark Project to become a European Geopark 28