Geotourism in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park (central Italy): The example of Mount Greco and Chiarano valley

The geomorphological landscape of the Abruzzo region is a great example of a variety and complexity of processes and morphogenetic events as well as all the Italian territory. Here, complex Mesozoic-Cenozoic palaeogeographies are still reflected by the main mountain chains of Abruzzo and offer scientists and tourists imaginary journeys through ancient, now vanished, coral atolls and blue deep seas. Valleys of glacial or fluvial origin, alluvial fans, present and paleolandslides still preserve the memory of these ancient landscapes. In Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, where all of these landscapes are incorporated, the educational enhancement of geological and geomorphological themes has been pursued, with the creation and installation of information panels, theme trails and geotourist maps. In this framework, this paper illustrates methods, initiatives and activities for the enhancement of geological landscape and geomorphosites, and particularly the Geotourist map of Mount Greco e Chiarano Valley. This map allows for the presentation of rocks and landforms of an awesome landscapes within the park in an easy-to-understand way, by means of different types of tools such as: 3D reconstructions, aimed to provide a three-dimensional perception of geologic processes and elements; landforms highlights, aimed at increasing the perception and identification of landforms and processes, as well as their impact on the landscape; palaeo-geographic reconstructions and cartoons, aimed at showing the evidence of landscape evolution. Main objective of the map is to enhance the geological heritage of a peculiar landscape in the Park and to make people aware that the present day landscape (i.e., a valley, a ridge, a landslide, but also a rock, a fracture) is the result of a millions to hundreds of millions of years of a dynamic evolution ongoing until now and the future. Through the comprehension of the present landscape it is possible to explain to the public (from very young to aged) the geological history written in rocks and landforms and to make people aware of the very high dynamics of the landscape, which provides outstanding landscapes but also natural hazards and risks.