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Inventory of Key Geosites in the Butajira Volcanic Field: Perspective for the First Geopark in Ethiopia

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Abstract

Notable attractions of a geological environment in Ethiopia are described as potential for geosites. Apart from the UNESCO-recognised sites of cultural and historical values, we appraise the potential of a volcanic landscape endowed with multitude of natural attractions in central Main Ethiopian Rift near the town of Butajira. A volcano that stands still with the crystalized lava flow from its top to several kilometres forming a lava canyon, a spectacular crater lake, a mystic cave in a basaltic rock, a series of majestic waterfalls, and geysers and still the rich local cultural and cuisine experiences all converge at the locality. Each of the attractions is described and put to context as call out to the concerned entities for the attention to develop a scheme for appraising, developing, and protecting such sites elsewhere in the country and utilise them as additional attractions.

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Acknowledgments

The geoheritage potential has been evaluated concurrently with research on geological hazards in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region within the framework of the Czech-Ethiopian Development Cooperation supported by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Czech Development Agency. We are grateful to the Geological Survey of Ethiopia and its staff as well as to local people for assistance during field work, namely at the entrance to Shetan Cave. The manuscript was completed with support from the Czech Geological Survey (project 310410).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Science, Institute of Petrology and Structural Geology, Charles University in Prague, Albertov 6, 128 43, Prague, Czech Republic

    Leta Megerssa & Kryštof Verner

  2. Geological Survey of Ethiopia, P.O. Box 2302, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Leta Megerssa & Firdawok Legesse

  3. Czech Geological Survey, Klárov 3, 118 21, Prague, Czech Republic

    Leta Megerssa, Vladislav Rapprich, Roman Novotný, Kryštof Verner & Vojtěch Erban

  4. Construction Design and Supervision Enterprise of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Mihret Manaye

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  1. Leta Megerssa
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Correspondence to Leta Megerssa.

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Megerssa, L., Rapprich, V., Novotný, R. et al. Inventory of Key Geosites in the Butajira Volcanic Field: Perspective for the First Geopark in Ethiopia. Geoheritage 11, 1643–1653 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-019-00393-y

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