Geosites and geomorphosites in Uşak province and main problems with them

The aim of this study is to identify the geosites and geomorphosites, which are important in terms of visual, scientific, educational, cultural and tourism values, located in Uşak province whose approximate area is 5341 km2. As a result of the identification of the geosites and geomorphosites which constitute a richness in terms of different values, and consequently the promotion of them, the interest of local and foreign tourists in this region will be increased. In order to create the alternative tourism sector in this region, it is necessary to identify the natural, cultural and historical heritage of great beauty in Uşak province through scientific studies. The alternative tourism opportunities of Uşak province revealed through geosites and geomorphosites which were identified in the area constitutes the importance of the study. A literature review on the research area and the research subject were made and studies were examined. While performing the area study, firstly the outcropping lithologic units were identified, and tectonic structures were defined. Faults, step faults, burning zone and fossil-containing areas which may possibly be geosites, rock graves, mounds, tumuli and rock (cave) dwellings which are geoarchaeological sites, and ancient quarries and ancient mercury mines which are cultural geosites were identified in the area. In addition, the landforms in the study area were studied. Travertines, travertine cones, hoodoos, canyons, abandoned meander beds, bed holes in the valley, badlands topography, limestone pavements, dolines, sink-holes and caves which were identified in the area were classified as geomorphosites and the characteristics of these areas were explained. Geological, topographic, geosite and geomorphosite maps were drawn, and georoute maps were prepared in order to transform the characteristics of the research area into visual materials. The current problems for the identified geosite and geomorphosites were specified and explained. According to the ProGEO's classification of geosites, in the area there are; Group a- 2 sites of Stratigraphic type consisting of Kemiklitepe Vertebrate Fossil Bed and Akçaköy Vertebrate Fossil Bed, Group b- 1 site of Ambient type consisting of Yukarı Karacahisar (Banaz) Tree Fossils, Group c- 2 sites of Volcanic, Metamorphic and Sedimentary Petrology, Textures, and Structures, Events and Provinces type consisting of Üç Kuyular Burning Zone and Aşağı Karacahisar Trachyte Columns, Group d- 4 sites of Mineralogical, Economical type consisting of Aksaz Travertines, Örencik Travertines, Hamamboğazı Travertines, and Sürmecik Travertine Cones, Group e- 2 sites of Structural type consisting of Hasköy Faults, İlyaslı Step Faults, Group f- 19 sites of Geomorphological Structures, Erosional and Accretional Processes, Landforms and Land Views type consisting of Ulubey Canyon, Avgan Canyon, Yayalar Canyon, Clandras Canyon, Çubukdağ Canyon, Taşyaran Valley, Taşyaran Valley Bed Holes, Çataltepe Defile, Delihıdırlı- Çoğuplu- Çokaklı Hollow Limestone Pavements, Misçukuru Doline, Çanaktarla Doline, Zordaş Doline, Deveyatağı Doline, Deveçukuru Sink-Hole, Çokrağan Cave, Sırçalık Cave, Kayaağıl Hoodoos, Düzköy Hoodoos and Ortabağ- Çatalbayır Village Badlands Topography, Group g- 13 sites of Historical and Cultural type consisting of Ayrancı (Comburt) - the Ancient Mercury Mines of Baltalı, Ancient Quarry of Altıntaş, Ancient City of Blaundos, Ancient City of Sebaste, Düzköy Tumulus, Kale Tepe Mound and Rock Graves (Mesotimolos), Bekişli Rock (Cave) Dwellings, Kapıkaya (Aydınlı) Rock Graves, Sürmecik Paleolithic Site, Ancient City of Acmonia, Ancient City of Pepouza, Güre Tumulus and Tepedelen Çamı Monumental Tree, for a total of 43 geosites and geomorphosites. In Uşak Province, there are areas of natural and cultural heritage which have aesthetic, visual, scientific, educational, cultural and tourism values. Of these, the number of areas with aesthetic and visual value is 25, the number of areas with scientific value is 32, the number of areas with educational value is 32, the number of areas with cultural value is 13, and the number of areas with tourism value is 23. While a geosite or geomorphosite can have a single value, there are also geosites and geomorphosites of multiple values. The geosites and geomorphosites that was identified in the Sürmecik Paleolithic Site area are the only geosites which has all five values specified. The geosites and geomorphosites in Uşak Province have local, national and international rarity statuses. Total of 6 areas consisting of Ulubey Canyon, Çubukdağ Canyon, Avgan Canyon, Yayalar Canyon, Clandras Canyon, and Sürmecik Paleolithic Site have international rarity statuses and are rare geographical heritage elements.Total of 12 areas consisting of Kemiklitepe Vertebrate Fossil Bed, Akçaköy Vertebrate Fossil Bed, Taşyaran Valley, Taşyaran Valley Bed Holes, Yukarı Karacahisar Tree Fossils, Sürmecik Travertine Cones, Üç Kuyular Burning Zone, Ancient City of Blaundus, Ancient City and Church of Pepuoza, Ancient City of Sebaste ve Güre Tumuli have national rarity statuses. The geosite and geomorphosites in Uşak Province spread over a wide area at various distances from each other. For this reason, georoutes have been formed in order to make it easier for the tourists to see the geosites and geomorphosites located at long distances from each other. In Uşak province, 7 georoutes consisting of 44 stops, which includes 43 geosites and geomorphosites, were found. The main problems related to geosites and geomorphosites in the research area are; vandalization of geosite and geomorphosites; transportation problems; lack of publicity and different organizations conducting independent studies about the protected areas. Kemiklitepe vertebrate fossil bed, Akçaköy Vertebrate Fossil Bed, Yukarı Karacahisar tree fossil bed, Sürmecik Travertine Cones, Delihıdırlı Çokaklı Çoğuplu hollow limestone pavements, Turkish hazel trees in Mount Bulkaz, French maple trees in Mount Bey and geoarchaeological protected sites are the areas that were vandalized and are still being vandalized. Misçukuru Doline, Zordaş Doline, Sırçalık Cave, Tepedelen Çamı Monumental Tree, Ayrancı (Comburt) - Ancient Mercury Mines of Baltalı and Church of Pepouza are the geosites and geomorphosites with unfavorable transportation conditions. 44 stops were found for a total of 43 geosites and geomorphosites. 6 of these have transportation problems. In addition, 19 of the geosites and geomorphosites can only be reached by walking after a certain point. The areas lack publicity. For some of the geoarchaeological sites (Ancient City of Blaundos, Ancient City of Acmonia, Mesotimolos, Ancient City of Sebaste) in Uşak province, Ulubey Canyon, Clandras Canyon, and Taşyaran Valley, brown signs were put beside the roads and promotions are made through mass media. However, there are no marks or signs for the remaining 37 stops. In addition, they are not promoted through mass media. This study showed that the potential for alternative tourism in the area is high. If the present problems are solved, the importance of the area in the context of alternative and sustainable tourism will increase. Keywords: Uşak, Geosite, Geomorphosite, Canyon, Geoarchaeological Site, Geomorphotourism.