The Monviso Massif and the Cottian Alps as Symbols of the Alpine Chain and Geological Heritage in Piemonte, Italy

Abstract

In order to promote geosite conservation in the project entitled 'PROactive management of GEOlogical heritage in the PIEMONTE Region', we propose a comprehensive study involving the Monviso Massif (MM) geothematic area, one of the most outstanding symbols of the Alps and particularly of the Cottian Alps. Specifically, at the MM, the inventory of a number of different geosites whose conservation and development require different geologic and some additional non-geological expertise is considered: (1) some of the best preserved ophiolites in the Alps and the associated Cu-Fe mineralizations; (2) the lithostructural units in the Germanasca Valley; (3) the first primary source of jade in the Alps at the MM and its importance in terms of Neolithic to Bronze Age-polished stone implements; (4) the world-famous minerals such as coesite and giant pyrope, as well as type localities for new minerals (including carlosturanite); (5) the area, now buried under a debris flow, where Hannibal is thought to have regrouped his army while crossing the Alps; and (6) the biodiversity of lichens, microfungi and cyanobacteria colonizing the ophiolites, which can give additional value for the environmental assessment and evaluation of the MM outcrops. Following geodiversity identification, further stages will be devoted to develop appropriate plans for geodiversity conservation in this area.

The Quaternary succession of the Bulè and Alpetto valleys (Monviso Massif, Piedmont) as a possible supply for prehistoric jade axes raw material

“…6 ) and the ocean-derived Piemonte Zone metasedimentary units (Piedmont Calcshist in Fig. 6) (Rolfo et al 2015). As one of the biggest preserved relics of oceanic crust in the Western Alps, it formed during the Mesozoic opening of the Western Alpine Tethys and subsequently underwent high-pressure (eclogitic) metamorphism during the Alpine subduction (e.g.…”

Metasediments Covering Ophiolites in the HP Internal Belt of the Western Alps: Review of Tectono-Stratigraphic Successions and Constraints for the Alpine Evolution

“…The Monviso Massif is a well-preserved composite ophiolite nappe (i.e., the Monviso Complex), N-S trending, located in the southwestern part of the Alpine belt (Figures 1 and 3) and crosscut by the Varaita, Po and Pellice valleys from south to north, respectively [134]. The metaophiolite sequence was metamorphosed under eclogite facies conditions; it consists of serpentinite, metagabbro, talc schist, metabasalt, and metasedimentary rocks.…”

3D Geological visualizations of geoheritage information in the Monviso Massif (Western Alps)

“…Within the project, nine geothematic areas have been chosen, each one being characterized by high potential for scientific studies and enhancement of public understanding of science. One of the PROGEO geothematic area is the Monviso Massif (Rolfo et al, 2014a), which corresponds to one of the most outstanding symbol of the Alps lately recognized as a Biosphere Reserve (MAB Programme of UNESCO).…”