Estudio del patrimonio geológico y paleontológico en cañadon escondido, cretácico superior de la cuenca neuquina: aportes para el geoturismo.

Abstract

Geotourism presents itself as a tourist modality with vast prospects and offers significant opportunities for substantial growth worldwide in the coming years. This activity, requires a deeper scientific understanding of natural systems contributing to the appreciation of natural heritage, its preservation, and the enhancement of natural identity. Moreover, it aims to enrich the experience of visitors and to achieve this, it is essential to implement detailed environmental planning that mitigates its impact on the area. In 2000, the Villa El Chocón city administration introduced an ordinance to safeguard the geological and paleontological heritage the Escondido canyon and its surroundings, in response to growing tourist interest. This regulation, prohibits various activities such as climbing and vehicular traffic, allowing only pedestrian access and transit. Based on the aforementioned, this work presents a contribution to the knowledge and conservation of geological and paleontological heritage within the context of geotourism. Furthermore, the results obtained contribute knowledge from the Geosciences, enriching the recreational tourist experience for visitors. The on-site survey of points of interest was conducted using specific forms, supplemented by quantitative data analysis provided by the Municipal Tourism Directory and the Ernesto Bachmann Municipal Paleontological, Archaeological and Historical Museum, data pertaining to visitor influx over the years. As a result, a georoute of approximately 2.5 km in length is proposed, featuring seven interpretive stops that allow enjoyment of geological, geomorphological, paleontological, and ichnological elements exposed in the Candeleros Formation (Upper Cretaceous). This experience takes place in the setting of Escondido canyon, located about 6 km southwest of Villa El Chocón, in the province of Neuquén, Argentina.