POLE OF ATTRACTION THE PETRIFIED FOREST AND THE GEOPARK OF LESVOS FOR MAJOR UNIVERSITIES ABROAD
Students of China University of Geosciences Beijing in the Petrified Forest and Volcanoes of Lesvos
For the sixth year this year, 12 students of
China University of Geosciences Beijing in Lesvos are conducting field training exercises in the Petrified Forest and Geopark of Lesvos from August 17 to 22, 2024.
This is an extremely important training program, which is carried out in collaboration
UNESCO Chair on Geoparks and the sustainable development
of insular and coastal areas with the University of the Aegean and the Museum of Natural History of the Lesvos Petrified Forest.
The students are accompanied by
China University of Geosciences Beijing Dean of Geology Professor Li Yalin and
China University of Geosciences Beijing Professors Zhang Jianping and Genhou Wang.
The educational exercise of the students started on the first day with an update of the students by Professor Nikos Zouros, about the geological structure of Lesvos and the Aegean, the major volcanoes of Lesvos and the volcanism in the NE Aegean area, the active volcanoes and geotopes of Lesvos Geopark.
Field training exercises in the Miocene volcanoes of Lesvos
The students participated in field exercises with the aim of getting to know the volcanism and volcanic geosites of Lesvos as well as the big faults of the island.
The students, accompanied by Professor N. Zouro, visited the lava flows of Parakoila, the impressive volcanoes of Agra, Vatoussa and Anemotia, the volcanic structures and the volcanic geological monuments that dominate every corner of Lesvos. In particular, they visited and got to know the volcanic structures, the crater and the tectonic structures in the area of Mesotopos. The students were particularly impressed by the Portos volcanic edifice and the lacolith in the area of Eresos.
In Antissa they learned about the impressive cave of the same name and the myth of Orpheus and discovered how mythology is connected to the geological heritage. They visited the area of Gavathas and got to know the rocks and the geological history of the area where the bones of Deinotherio were found.
They then visited the Vatoussa volcanic crater, followed the Voulgaris River and recorded the tectonic structures of the area. This was followed by a visit to the area of Anemotia, where impressive volcanic structures were recognized in the old quarry.
Field training exercises in the protected area of the Petrified Forest and the Marine Park of Nisiopi
Field training exercises continued in the protected area of the Lesvos Petrified Forest, where they initially included an introduction to the Ypsilos volcanic structure and the Sigri pyroclastic flows.
This was followed by exercises at the fossil sites along the new Kalloni Sigri road, where they were informed about the excavation work, maintenance, protection and highlighting of the fossil sites
This was followed by a visit of the students to the Petrified Forest Park where they had the opportunity to observe the fossilized ecosystem, visit the fossil sites and learn information about the plants of the Petrified Forest, their evolution over time.
The educational exercises continued at the Museum of Natural History of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos, where they toured its exhibition spaces, got to know the different types of plants of the Petrified Forest, the plant fossils from around the world and the Greek area which are housed in the Museum's showcases and testify to us the evolution of plants on earth, while at the same time they had the opportunity to get to know the natural phenomena of volcanism and especially the phenomenon of earthquakes and the active seismic activity of the Greek area.
This was followed by a tour of the Sigri Petrified Forest Park, a unique place where they had the opportunity to get to know the impressive root systems of the forest's petrified trunks.
Special educational activities were then held by the students of
China University of Geosciences Beijing at the Petrified Forest Island Marine Park.
The students with the special glass-bottom boat of the Museum of Natural History of the Lesvos Petrified Forest, making the sea route from Sigri to Nisiopi, first visited the marine part of the Park and then carried out research in its land part. The students searched for evidence of the large landmass of Aegis but also of the large geological faults that created the islet of Nisiopi, they learned about the phenomenon of volcanism and its contribution to the creation of the Petrified Forest of Lesvos. At the same time, they visited the excavation sites and were informed about the methods of mapping, excavation and preservation of plant fossils.