Skały w krajobrazie obszaru Barberton (RPA) i ich potencjał geoturystyczny

Abstract

Rocks in the landscape of the Barberton area (South Africa) and their geotouristic potential.A b s t r a c t. The area around the city of Barberton in the north-east part of South Africa is built of varied rocks belonging to the so-called Barberton Greenstone Belt (BGB), which are among the oldest (Paleo-and Mesoarchaic) and best preserved in the world. Their observation directly in the field is possible thanks to the “Barberton Makhonjwa Geotrail” created in 2014. The article briefly presents the geological structure of this area and provides important information on the development of the Earth in the Archaic, in the light of the latest research. Examples of representative outrops of BGB rocks and the close relationship between the geological structure and morphology are presented. The important raw materials of this area, including rich gold deposits (“Sheba”and others), known since the 19th century, are also mentioned.