Geologia e génese do relevo da Rocha da Pena (Algarve, Portugal) e o seu enquadramento educativo

Dissertação mest., Biologia e Geologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2006

Located in central Algarve, the Rocha da Pena (RP) Classified Site constitutes a place of renowned scientific importance for several disciplines. The study area involves terrains belonging to the Hesperian Massif and to the Algarve Basin. The ages of the units found in the study area range from the topmost Lower Carboniferous to the Quaternary, presenting two major stratigraphic hiatuses – the first between the lowermost Upper Carboniferous and Upper Triassic and the second between the Lower Jurassic and, at least, the Pliocene. Several factors, such as the lithology, stratigraphy, tectonics, geomorphology, hydrology and climate, acted together to produce the RP, which consists of a residual and structural upland. Fracturing along an E-W direction controlled the alignment of both the topography and the drainage network in the area. Structurally, the RP consists of an anticline, which axis bears an E-W trend inherited from the Upper Cretaceous N-S compressive phase. Vertical fluvial erosion resulting from the uplift of the Algarve Ridge and differential erosion associated to the uneven resistance of the lithologic units and its stratigraphic order isolated the RP from the neighbouring terrains during Upper Pliocene times. The RP constitutes an example of karst topography that has been preserved throughout the geologic time due to karst immunity phenomena and to a paleoclimatic setting unfavourable to its erosion. Given its geologic peculiarities and grandeur, which kindles the curiosity of numerous visitors, the RP should be considered a valuable piece of geologic heritage and, as such, it is a legacy that should be promoted and preserved for the future generations. On this account, several partnerships were forged with a number of institutions in order to develop scientific and educational material and activities rooted on the fields of geodiversity and geoconservation.