Volcanic Landforms and Landscapes of the East Carpathians (Romania) and Their Geoheritage Values

The Neogene–Quaternary volcanic range running along the East Carpathians in Romania, extends from Oaș Mountains, north-west, to South Harghita Mountains and Perșani south-east, as part of broader province Carpathian–Pannonian Region. It resulted intense activity during 15–0.1 Ma time interval, generating huge volumes effusive explosive products a variety edifices primary landforms large composite volcanoes small-sized domes/dome-coulées/lava flows volcaniclastic plateaus around them. present-day were shaped by various syn-volcanic deformation processes (such volcano spreading), post-volcanic erosion degrees types (including glacial on highest-elevation parts relief inversion peripheral areas) modern anthropic intervention. Developed this diverse substrate, landscape shows aspects due further factors (original topography, elevation, vegetation cover, distance settlements, activities, degradation processes). This hosts many geoheritage-relevant sites spatial extent (from hundreds km2 limited areas few 10 m2) protection status national parks, natural or scientific reserves, monuments, protected with no at all). Despite its high geoheritage potential, geoparks are still absent, geotrails sparse, geotourism is infancy Carpathian range.