This study emphasizes the untapped geotourism and geoeducation potential in the Mesa de Los Santos region, situated within the Chicamocha Canyon in Colombia, renowned for its abundant geoheritage. Despite the region's geological richness, geotourism development opportunities have been overlooked, leaving its geoheritage largely unexplored for tourism. Focused on the georoute Refugio La Roca—Los Santos, the study identifies key geosites with significant potential for future geotourism endeavors. The Mesa de Los Santos region boasts a complex geological history and diverse geodiversity shaped by various natural phenomena. However, its full geotourism potential remains undiscovered. The georoute, incorporating natural and cultural heritage, is strategically designed for geotourism and geoeducation, aiming at fostering geoconservation in rural areas. Educational and interpretive panels are employed as didactic resources to enlighten tourists about the natural phenomena shaping the landscape, enhancing their overall experience and understanding. By integrating geoethical considerations into geosite management, the study proposes achieving sustainable geoconservation in the Chicamocha Canyon territory. This approach not only contributes to preserving the region's geological uniqueness but also provides a platform for socio-economic development in rural areas. The study envisions creating meaningful experiences that attract tourists while benefiting local communities, thereby promoting holistic and sustainable rural development.

Microstructural characterization of pore types in unconventional gas reservoirs utilizing FEG-SEM: An example from the Galembo Member of the Cretaceous La Luna Formation, Middle Magdalena Valley Basin (Colombia)

This study reports for the first time the geologic occurrence of natural zeolite A and associated minerals in mudstones from the Cretaceous Paja Formation in the urban area of the municipality of Vélez (Santander), Colombia. These rocks are mainly composed of quartz, muscovite, pyrophyllite, kaolinite and chlorite group minerals, framboidal and cubic pyrite, as well as marcasite, with minor feldspar, sulphates, and phosphates. Total organic carbon (TOC), total sulfur (TS), and millimeter fragments of algae are high, whereas few centimeters and not biodiverse small ammonite fossils, and other allochemical components are subordinated. Na–A zeolite and associated mineral phases as sodalite occur just beside the interparticle micropores (honeycomb from framboidal, cube molds, and amorphous cavities). It is facilitated by petrophysical properties alterations, due to processes of high diagenesis, temperatures up to 80–100 °C, with weathering contributions, which increase the porosity and permeability, as well as the transmissivity (fluid flow), allowing the geochemistry remobilization and/or recrystallization of pre-existing silica, muscovite, kaolinite minerals group, salts, carbonates, oxides and peroxides. X-ray diffraction analyses reveal the mineral composition of the mudstones and scanning electron micrographs show the typical cubic morphology of Na–A zeolite of approximately 0.45 mμ in particle size. Our data show that the sequence of the transformation of phases is: Poorly crystalline aluminosilicate → sodalite → Na–A zeolite. A literature review shows that this is an unusual example of the occurrence of natural zeolites in sedimentary marine rocks recognized around the world.

This research article refers to the coastal region around Santa Marta (Colombia), showing a valuable geodiversity from a coastal geomorphology point of view, with great scientific importance for the study of coastal landscapes and attractive for the development of geotourism. The landscape value of the coastal regions of the Colombian Caribbean, in particular of the coastal region around Santa Marta, should be globally recognized to improve and protect its aesthetic and environmental value through geoeducation and geotourism activities that contribute to its geoconservation, motivating efficient management that outlines guidelines that promote the development of appropriate tourist infrastructure, centers of scientific interpretation, dissemination and educational materials, active exchange with geoparks, continuous improvement, and participation of local communities.