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Gondwana Park Draft1corr.Pub GONDWANALAND GEOPARK Cover Photo: Chlorite-muscovite-schist of the Toscanini Formation near the mouth of the Huab River -GONDWANALAND GEOPARK- A proposed Geopark for Namibia by GIC Schneider & MB Schneider The Gondwanaland Geopark Project was made possible with financial support from UNESCO (Windhoek Cluster Office) Gondwanaland Geopark EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has taken a decision in 2001 to support efforts of member states to promote territories or natural parks having special geological features through the inclusion in an international network of Geoparks. Namibia’s spectacular landscapes and the geological history of its rocks, minerals, fossils and landforms are of unique geological importance and constitute a significant geological heritage. This proposal for Africa’s first Geopark covers an area of approximately 60 000 km² and is situated between 20º and 22º south and 13º and 16º east, in the central western part of Namibia with the Atlantic Ocean as its western boundary (see p. 10). The area boosts scenic landforms, palaeontological and archaeological sites, rare minerals and rocks, and it bears witness to geomorphological processes. These are combined with ecological biodiver- sity of scientific and cultural significance as well as with cultural and historical aspects. The proposed Geopark is located in an area with an underdeveloped economy. Over the last 10 years, local communities have made tremendous efforts to develop and protect geological sites of scientific importance, forming part of Namibia’s geological heritage. Local conser- vencies were established within the area with the aim to improve the living conditions of lo- cal communities and at the same time diversifying the rural economy. The popularization of earth sciences within the borders of a first Namibian Geopark could further strengthen the socio-economic development in a sustainable manner. Most sites of geological interest in the proposed Geopark have no conservation status yet and are under considerable stress from unsustainable usage. They need to be protected within their rural environment. The local economy will be able to benefit from increased geo-tourism, if national and regional stakeholders can agree on management issues, and the responsibilities for the necessary conservation of geological heritage sites, including any physical maintanance. Participartory representation from all sections of the community needs to be secured, and should involve amongst others: public authorities, local organiza- tions, private interests and research and educational bodies. Awareness programmes for visitors to a Geopark will have to include education on environ- mental issues and sustainable development. Pedagogical programmes for schools need to be developed together with scientific explanations of geological features. Certain forms of geotourism have already become popular among Namibian and international tourists, and this has shown the need for sustainable heritage conservation, providing a foundation for education and scientific research and at the same time enabling the local communities to safeguard and market their own resources and earn income from them. Proclamation of Africa’s first Geopark under UNESCO patronage will ensure the appropri- ate recognition, preservation and utilization of Namibia’s important geological and geomor- phological heritage. 1 Gondwanaland Geopark CONTENTS 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 5 2. Background ............................................................................................................. 6 3. Global UNESCO Network of Geoparks ................................................................. 8 4. General Geography ................................................................................................. 9 5. Landscapes ............................................................................................................ 10 5.1 Atlantic Coast ..................................................................................................11 5.2 The Namib Desert ........................................................................................... 12 5.3 Great Western Escarpment ............................................................................. 13 5.4 The area east of the Escarpment ..................................................................... 13 5.5 Ephemeral Rivers and their catchment areas .................................................. 14 6. Geology ................................................................................................................. 15 6.1 Vaalian to Early Mokolian rocks .................................................................... 16 6.2 Middle to Late Mokolian rocks .......................................................................17 6.3 Namibian to Early Cambrian rocks .................................................................17 6.4 Permo-Carboniferous to Jurassic rocks .......................................................... 18 6.5 Cretaceous to Cenozoic rocks ......................................................................... 19 7. Geological sites in the proposed Geopark area ..................................................... 21 7.1 Brandberg ........................................................................................................21 7.2 Messum Crater ................................................................................................ 24 7.3 Doros Crater ....................................................................................................25 7.4 Organ Pipes ..................................................................................................... 25 7.5 Petrified Forest ................................................................................................26 7.6 Spitzkuppe .......................................................................................................27 7.7 Burnt Mountain ............................................................................................... 29 7.8 Etendeka Plateau ............................................................................................. 29 7.9 Erongo .............................................................................................................31 7.10 Vingerklip and Ugab Terraces ...................................................................... 33 8.Minerals and Gemstones .......................................................................................... 34 8.1 Tourmaline ...................................................................................................... 34 8.2 Aquamarine-Heliodore-Morganite ................................................................. 36 8.3 Dumortierite .................................................................................................... 37 8.4 Garnet ..............................................................................................................38 8.5 Pyrophyllite .....................................................................................................38 8.6 Rock crystal .................................................................................................... 38 8.7 Amethyst ......................................................................................................... 39 8.8 Smoky quartz .................................................................................................. 39 8.9 Rose quartz ......................................................................................................39 8.10 Agate ............................................................................................................. 40 8.11 Topaz .............................................................................................................40 8.12 Jeremejevite .................................................................................................. 41 8.13 Zeolites ..........................................................................................................41 2 Gondwanaland Geopark 9.Historical Mining ...................................................................................................... 41 9.1 Tin ................................................................................................................... 42 9.2 Gold .................................................................................................................48 9.3 Lithium-Beryllium .......................................................................................... 49 9.4 Copper .............................................................................................................50 9.5 Tungsten .......................................................................................................... 51 9.6 Dimension stone ..............................................................................................52 9.7 Diamonds ........................................................................................................ 52 10. Current Mining and Exploration ........................................................................... 53 10.1 Navachab ....................................................................................................... 53 10.2 Cape Cross Salt ............................................................................................
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