The Khadzhokh Canyon System—An Important Geosite of the Western Caucasus

A new category of geosites, termed dendritic geosites, is proposed based on the Khadzhokh Canyon System in the Western Caucasus. These geosites are characterized by a continuous occurrence of geoheritage along branching stripes, which can be either natural (driven by dendritic drainage networks and deep valley incision) or anthropogenic (shaped by dendritic road networks with extensive road cuttings). The study identifies multiple unique geological features, including three distinct canyons, Triassic stratigraphical sections, a Late Jurassic coral reef, megaclast accumulations, chevron folds, and waterfalls. This complex geoheritage, distributed along the Khadzhokh Canyon and its branches, is ranked as national significance. The research employs field studies to characterize these features, contributing to a deeper understanding of geological heritage diversity.

Mikhailenko, A. V., Ruban, D. A., & Ermolaev, V. A. (2020). The Khadzhokh Canyon System—An Important Geosite of the Western Caucasus. Geosciences, 10(5), 181. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10050181