Seridó UNESCO Global Geopark


Seridó UNESCO Global Geopark is located in north-eastern Brazil, where the state of Rio Grande do Norte borders its neighbour Paraíba. This region is known as Caatinga (white forest, Tupi language) is an exclusively Brazilian semi-arid biome characterised by small, thorny trees. There is also a UNESCO Caatinga Biosphere Reserve, the two overlap. It has a long dry and a short wet season. The rocks are mostly ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks, which caused the formation inselbergs and other landforms characteristic for differential erosion. The oldest rocks are than 2 billion years old.

Among the geotopes there are numerous rock formations and archaeological sites. The only cave which is listed as geotope is Gruta da Caridade, unfortunately a river cave which is suitable only for cavers. But there is actually a show mine, which is still operating. The mining company created a sort of theme park in an abandoned part of the mine with a museum and a guided underground tour.