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The Urban Geoheritage of Clermont-Ferrand: From Inventory to Management

Viktor Vereb

Viktor Vereb

  • Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans, Observatoire du Physique du Globe de Clermont, Université Clermont AuvergneFrance
  • Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Sciences, Eötvös Loránd UniversityBudapest, Hungary
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Vereb, Viktor
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Benjamin van Wyk de Vries

Benjamin van Wyk de Vries

Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans, Observatoire du Physique du Globe de Clermont, Université Clermont AuvergneFrance
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van Wyk de Vries, Benjamin
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Marie-Noëlle Guilbaud

Marie-Noëlle Guilbaud

Departamento de Vulcanología, Instituto de Geofísica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoMexico City, Mexico
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Guilbaud, Marie-Noëlle
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Dávid Karátson

Dávid Karátson

Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Sciences, Eötvös Loránd UniversityBudapest, Hungary
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Karátson, Dávid
  
May 14, 2020
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Published Online: May 14, 2020
Page range: 5 - 31
Received: Feb 01, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/quageo-2020-0020
Keywords
© 2020 Viktor Vereb et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Public License.

Fig. 1

The location of Clermont-Ferrand in France and in Auvergne.
The location of Clermont-Ferrand in France and in Auvergne.

Fig. 2

The main geological – geomorphological features of Clermont-Ferrand.A – A DEM (CRAIG 2013) view from southeast, indicating the extension of built-up areas as well (OSM 2020).B – the view of the city from its highest point, the Plateau of Côtes du Clermont. The Plateau of Gergovie in the background is an inverted relief feature as well, but outside the city limits.
The main geological – geomorphological features of Clermont-Ferrand.A – A DEM (CRAIG 2013) view from southeast, indicating the extension of built-up areas as well (OSM 2020).B – the view of the city from its highest point, the Plateau of Côtes du Clermont. The Plateau of Gergovie in the background is an inverted relief feature as well, but outside the city limits.

Fig. 3

The simplified geomorphological map of Clermont-Ferrand.
The simplified geomorphological map of Clermont-Ferrand.

Fig. 4

Geographical distribution of geosites and geodiversity sites in Clermont-Ferrand according to the local inventory.
Geographical distribution of geosites and geodiversity sites in Clermont-Ferrand according to the local inventory.

Fig. 5

Quantitative assessment of geoheritage interest of the local geosites and geodiversity sites of Clermont-Ferrand with INPG.
Quantitative assessment of geoheritage interest of the local geosites and geodiversity sites of Clermont-Ferrand with INPG.

Fig. 6

Quantitative assessment of vulnerability and protection of the local geosites and geodiversity sites of Clermont-Ferrand with INPG.
Quantitative assessment of vulnerability and protection of the local geosites and geodiversity sites of Clermont-Ferrand with INPG.

Fig. 7

Common conditions of an exposure of Oligocene sedimentary outcrops; example of CF1515 geosite at Rue de Trémonteix. Soil and colluvium top the small exposure, with a grassy talus.
Common conditions of an exposure of Oligocene sedimentary outcrops; example of CF1515 geosite at Rue de Trémonteix. Soil and colluvium top the small exposure, with a grassy talus.

Fig. 8

Three examples of slope stabilization of outcrops of Grave Noire lava flow.A – a still unconsolidated site at Rue Henry Arnaud 21 – CF1207. The temporary fence suggests an acknowledgement of some hazard, the danger is that poorly thought out remediation may destroy the sites values.B – a gentle and intelligent solution of stabilization that preserves geoheritage value at Résidence Cheops 2 – CF1206, and adds some architectural value.C – a brutal solution that mostly destroyed geoheritage value at Rue Pont de Naud 21 – CF1201. Note the older more harmonious stone wall on the left side is a more reasonable way to stabilise the rock.
Three examples of slope stabilization of outcrops of Grave Noire lava flow.A – a still unconsolidated site at Rue Henry Arnaud 21 – CF1207. The temporary fence suggests an acknowledgement of some hazard, the danger is that poorly thought out remediation may destroy the sites values.B – a gentle and intelligent solution of stabilization that preserves geoheritage value at Résidence Cheops 2 – CF1206, and adds some architectural value.C – a brutal solution that mostly destroyed geoheritage value at Rue Pont de Naud 21 – CF1201. Note the older more harmonious stone wall on the left side is a more reasonable way to stabilise the rock.

Fig. 9

The outcrop of Grave Noire lava flow at Impasse Dr. Cohendy (CF1212).A – before the stabilization.B – after the stabilization with bolting and mesh. While we still think that the meshing is an overreaction, it is a compromise between total destruction and the perceived hazard.
The outcrop of Grave Noire lava flow at Impasse Dr. Cohendy (CF1212).A – before the stabilization.B – after the stabilization with bolting and mesh. While we still think that the meshing is an overreaction, it is a compromise between total destruction and the perceived hazard.

Fig. 10

The proposed geotouristic routes in Clermont-Ferrand with the names of the most important geosites along the tracks.
The proposed geotouristic routes in Clermont-Ferrand with the names of the most important geosites along the tracks.

The list of current geosites in the geoheritage inventory of Clermont-Ferrand_ GS/GDS means a site that was classified as geosite (GS) or geodiversity site (GDS) on the basis of expert decision (final decision in parenthesis)_

Geosite ID Name of geo(diversity) site Geoheritage Interest score Number of geoheritage interest stars Vulnerability and need for protection Status by geoheritage stars Primary Geological interest
CF–1001 Puy de la Poix – bitumen spring 37 3 8 geosite hydrogeology
CF–1002 R. Cheval – Oligocene sediments 20 1 8 geodiversity site sedimentology
CF–1003 Puy de Var – inverted relief 37 3 8 geosite volcanism
CF–1101 Puy de Crouël – peperitic volcanic neck 46 3 6 geosite volcanism
CF–1102 Quarry of Gandaillat – Oligocene sediments 40 3 8 geosite sedimentology
CF–1103 Puy Longue – Anthropogenic garbage deposit 23 2 10 GS / GDS (GDS) sedimentology
CF–1104 R. Oradou 62 – Oligocene sediments 18 1 7 geodiversity site sedimentology
CF–1105 R. Oradou 98 – Oligocene sediments 14 1 7 geodiversity site sedimentology
CF–1106 R. Oradou 98 – Grave Noire lava flow 14 1 7 geodiversity site volcanism
CF–1107 R. Oradou 118 – Grave Noire lava flow 21 2 11 GS / GDS (GDS) volcanism
CF–1108 R. Oradou 128 – Grave Noire lava flow 26 2 9 GS / GDS (GS) volcanism
CF–1109 Montferrand – marls mount 17 1 8 geodiversity site geomorphology
CF–1201 R. Pont–de–Naud 21 – Grave Noire lava flow 14 1 5 geodiversity site volcanism
CF–1202 R. Marivaux 9 – Grave Noire lava flow 20 1 6 geodiversity site volcanism
CF–1203 R. Docteur Chibret 2 – Grave Noire lava flow 16 1 6 geodiversity site volcanism
CF–1204 Av. Léon Blum 65– Grave Noire lava flow 11 1 6 geodiversity site volcanism
CF–1205 R. Neuf Soleils 38– Grave Noire lava flow 18 1 6 geodiversity site volcanism
CF–1206 Résidence Cheops 2 – Grave Noire lava flow 23 2 8 GS / GDS (GDS) volcanism
CF–1207 R. Henry Andraud 21 – Grave Noire lava flow 30 2 9 GS / GDS (GS) volcanism
CF–1208 Pilon of the viaduct of Saint–Jacques – Grave Noire lava flow 11 1 6 geodiversity site volcanism
CF–1209 R. Pont Saint Jacques 62 – Grave Noire lava flow 11 1 4 geodiversity site volcanism
CF–1210 R. Desdevises du Dèzert 20 – Grave Noire lava flow + spring 34 3 10 geosite volcanism
CF–1211 Cité Universitaire Dolet – Grave Noire lava flow 28 2 9 GS / GDS (GS) volcanism
CF–1212 Imp. Dr. Cohendy – Grave Noire lava flow 25 2 10 GS / GDS (GS) volcanism
CF–1213 R. Étienne Dolet 60 – Grave Noire lava flow 14 1 8 geodiversity site volcanism
CF–1214 R. Roty 35 – Grave Noire lava flow 14 1 8 geodiversity site volcanism
CF–1215 Al. Rocailles 2 – Grave Noire lava flow 26 2 8 GS / GDS (GDS) volcanism
CF–1216 Av. Landais 8 – Grave Noire lava flow 20 1 8 geodiversity site volcanism
CF–1217 Creux de l’enfer – Grave Noire lava flow 41 3 8 geosite volcanism
CF–1218 R. Louis Dabert 20–24 – Grave Noire lava flow 14 1 8 geodiversity site volcanism
CF–1219 Saint–Astrimoine – Grave Noire lava flow 33 3 12 geosite volcanism
CF–1220 Margeride tram stop – Grave Noire lava flow 31 2 9 GS / GDS (GS) volcanism
CF–1221 R. Étienne et George Sauvestre – Alluvial infill of Maar de Gantière 16 1 8 geodiversity site sedimentology
CF–1222 Av. Léon Blum 76 – Grave Noire lava flow 14 1 7 geodiversity site volcanism
CF–1401 Saint–Alyre – travertine spring 44 3 7 geosite hydrogeology
CF–1402 R. Durtol 85 – Oligocene sediments 16 1 7 geodiversity site sedimentology
CF–1403 R. Farnettes 31 – Oligocene sediments 16 1 8 geodiversity site sedimentology
CF–1404 Montjuzet – Oligocene sedimentary residual 27 2 8 GS / GDS (GS) geomorphology
CF–1501 Plateau of Côtes de Clermont inverted relief 37 3 8 geosite geomorphology
CF–1502 Ch. Mouchette 40 – Oligocene sediments 20 1 8 geodiversity site sedimentology
CF–1503 Al. Écureuils 1 – Oligocene sediments 16 1 9 geodiversity site sedimentology
CF–1504 R. Blanzat 245 – tephra and paleosol 40 3 10 geosite stratigraphy
CF–1505 R. Blanzat 237 – Oligocene sediments 20 1 9 geodiversity site sedimentology
CF–1506 Puy de Chanturgue – Miocene lava flow quarry 24 2 8 GS / GDS (GDS) geomorphology
CF–1507 Puy de Chanturgue – landslides 32 3 8 geosite geomorphology
CF–1508 Puy de Chanturgue – gullies with sedimentary flank outcrops 16 1 6 geodiversity site geomorphology
CF–1509 R. Puyou 7 – Oligocene sediments 16 1 8 geodiversity site sedimentology
CF–1510 R. Bouys 43 – Oligocene sediments 14 1 7 geodiversity site sedimentology
CF–1511 R. Nohanent 184 – stromatolithes 35 3 10 geosite paleontology
CF–1512 R. Victor Charreton 18 – Oligocene sediments 16 1 9 geodiversity site stratigraphy
CF–1513 Rue V. Charreton x – Oligocene sediments 20 1 8 geodiversity site sedimentology
CF–1514 Rue V. Charreton y – Oligocene sediments 23 2 9 GS / GDS (GDS) stratigraphy
CF–1515 R. de Trémonteix – Oligocene sediments 27 2 8 GS / GDS (GDS) stratigraphy
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