The Terra dos Gigantes geopark, located in Uberaba, in the Triângulo Mineiro region of Minas Gerais state, has been designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). This vast area is a true treasure for paleontological and geological research. With this new recognition, Brazil now has six geoparks recognized internationally.
Geoparks are defined as geographical areas with geological heritage of international significance. The management of these territories focuses on preserving their natural, historical, and cultural heritage while promoting education, tourism, and sustainable development.
On March 27 of this year, UNESCO added 18 new parks to its list, bringing the total to 213 in 48 countries. The recognition of the Brazilian geopark by UNESCO was based on studies conducted by the Geological Service of Brazil (SGB), which began in 2012.
Dinosaurs
The Uberaba Geopark covers 4,523.957 square kilometers, encompassing the entire municipality of Uberaba, Minas Gerais. Fossils, teeth, eggs, and nests of dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous period, estimated to be 80 to 66 million years old, have been discovered in the region.
A notable discovery is the bones of Uberabatitan ribeiroi, the largest dinosaur ever found in Brazil — one of the last titanosaurs (from Latin ‘titan lizard’) on the planet, measuring 27 meters in length and 14 meters in height.
The SGB recorded the discovery of fossils of large carnivorous theropods in the area, including Abelissaurus (Abelisaurus comahuensis), which measured about eight meters in height. Additionally, crocodyliforms, such as Uberabasuchus terrificus, have been found and are on display at the Peirópolis Dinosaur Museum, located within the Uberaba Geopark.
Geologist Carlos Schobbenhaus, one of the creators of the SGB Geoparks Project and co-author of the study supporting the geopark’s candidacy, explains the importance of this geopark and its geoscientific relevance. The area is famous for its dinosaur fossils and other significant species. It hosts geosites of paleontological interest open to visitors and requiring geoconservation, as they have been sites of fossil discoveries and have potential for new finds.
“A good part of Earth’s history is represented in Brazil,” he added.
The Terra dos Gigantes geopark comprises six geosites (Ponte Alta, Caieira, Univerdecidade, Serra da Galga, Santa Rita, and Vale Encantado), in addition to two non-geological sites (the Dinosaur Museum and the Cal Museum).
Candidacy
The paleontological sites of Uberaba have attracted research since the 1940s. In 2012, the SGB presented a study that served as the basis for the region’s candidacy for global recognition by UNESCO.
In 2022, researchers visited the area to enhance the geological inventory. The Geological Heritage Map of the Uberaba Geopark was published in 2023.
Geologist Luiz Carlos Borges Ribeiro from the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM) is another co-author of the survey.
According to the Secretary of Culture and Tourism of Minas Gerais, this recognition “places Uberaba and the state on a new tourist route, providing greater economic development, jobs, and income for the region.”
Another point highlighted by the secretary is that the UNESCO seal enhances the promotion of scientific research on geological heritage and stimulates the appreciation of the cultural and historical relevance of the area.
Other Geoparks
The other Brazilian geoparks include Seridó in Rio Grande do Norte, Araripe in Ceará, and Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul, Quarta Colônia, and Caçapava do Sul, all in Rio Grande do Sul.
The designation of a global geopark is valid for four years. After this period, the regions undergo a revalidation process, during which the functioning and quality of each unit are reassessed.
Source: Agência Brasil