Development of a New Type of Geodiversity System for the Scoria Cones of the Chaîne des Puys Based on Geomorphometric Studies

A new geodiversity system for scoria cones, developed through geomorphometric studies of the Chaîne des Puys UNESCO World Heritage site, addresses a critical limitation in existing methods. Traditional geodiversity indices often underestimate the aesthetic and scientific value of symmetrical volcanic features like scoria cones due to their regular shapes. The proposed approach modifies these indices by adapting them to cone geometry, enhancing the representation of uniformity and symmetry in larger landscape elements. This method is computationally simple yet effective, applicable to thousands of monogenetic volcanoes globally and extendable to other volcanic features such as domes or even larger volcanoes. It bridges the gap between scientific quantification and aesthetic appreciation, offering a robust tool for analyzing geodiversity in volcanic landscapes.

Vörös, F., Pál, M., van Wyk de Vries, B., & Székely, B. (2021). Development of a New Type of Geodiversity System for the Scoria Cones of the Chaîne des Puys Based on Geomorphometric Studies. Geosciences, 11(2), 58. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11020058