Caves, Cliffs and Coastal Erosion: Geoeducation Through Geotourism in Island Environments
Sotiriou P, Nunes P (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Book Volume: 18
Article Number: 29
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.1007/s12371-025-01253-8
Abstract
Geoeducation is considered to be critical for geoheritage conservation in tourism destinations. In this contribution, we describe Madeira’s caves, cliffs and coastal erosion and evaluate the existing geotourism and geoeducation on the island, and subsequently utilise this information to constrain how tourists and locals in island environments can increase their geoeducation through geotourism. Spectacular caves and cliffs are exposed along the coastline of the island of Madeira in the NE Atlantic Ocean. These caves and cliffs are typified by the areas in and around Cabo Girão and Madeira Airport. The Holocene-Pleistocene (0.007-1.8 Ma) Upper and Pleistocene-Miocene (1.8–5.6 Ma) Intermediate Volcanic complexes exposed on Madeira contain lava flows and columns that make up these caves and cliffs. There are also well exposed caves and cliffs in and around the Porto Moniz, D’Abra Bay, Ponta do Rosto, Ponta de São Lourenço, Estrada da Queimada, Praia do Garajau, São Vicente Valley, Pico do Facho/Machico, and Porto da Cruz areas. There is prevalent coastal erosion of the caves and cliffs on Madeira. Many recent studies have discussed the potential for geotourism to facilitate the enhancement of geoeducation for tourists and locals alike. The exploration and increased knowledge of caves, cliffs and coastal erosion by tourists on island environments, such as Madeira, Cape Verde, Iceland, Greece, Sicily (Italy), Indonesia and Hawaii (United States of America), can lead to the furtherment of geoeducation. The establishment of the Madeira Georoute and the creation of a UNESCO Global Geopark on Madeira as proposed by Sotiriou and Nunes (2024) and elaborated upon by Sotiriou and Nunes (2025) could make hiking tours an important part of geotourism of the island’s coastal caves and cliffs. The Madeira Georoute could incorporate existing hiking trails and link up the island’s geoheritage sites. The proposed UNESCO Global Geopark on Madeira could implement measures employed in the Azores UNESCO Global Geopark to better promote geotourism, geoeducation, and geoconservation. The establishment of the Madeira Georoute and the creation of a UNESCO Global Geopark (e.g., Azores) on Madeira would greatly increase the geoeducation potential of the island. The success of geoeducation would be measured by the degree of implementation of geological interpretation materials, communication of geological values in society, and the utilisation of resources and institutions.
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Portugal (PT)How to cite
APA:
Sotiriou, P., & Nunes, P. (2026). Caves, Cliffs and Coastal Erosion: Geoeducation Through Geotourism in Island Environments. Geoheritage, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-025-01253-8
MLA:
Sotiriou, Paul, and Pedro Nunes. "Caves, Cliffs and Coastal Erosion: Geoeducation Through Geotourism in Island Environments." Geoheritage 18.1 (2026).
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