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Site - Foz do Douro Geological Trail, Porto

The rocks which comprise the Porto city Sea Coast are some of the oldest outcroppings in Portugal and represent Geological Heritage of great scientific and educational interest. The Foz do Douro Metamorphic Compound is classified as Municipal Natural Heritage. A thematic trail was created in 2005 to promote this heritage. It is known as "Foz do Douro Geological Trail", and is marked with nine information panel displays aimed at the general public.

REPRESENTATIVE

Entity: Câmara Municipal do Porto
Telephone: 222097000
Email: luisaborges@cm-porto.pt
Address: Praça General Humberto Delgado, Porto
Fax: 222097100
Website: http://www.cm-porto.pt/


Points of Interest to visit at this Location

A leap through time
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Granite rock intrudes schist from the Metamorphic Complex of Foz do Douro, in the north. To the south are leucrocratic augen gneisses. Explanatory display panel.

Gneiss was borne of granite
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Observation of augen gneiss and granite intruded schist or metasediments. Explanatory display panel.

I was once the bottom of the sea
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Amphibolites which resulted from the metamorphous of basalt close to one billion years ago can be observed. Explanatory display panel.

Igneous Breccia
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Observation of igneous breccia outcroppings generated during the intrusion of a granite vein in the older rocks. Explanatory display panel.

Interpretive Centre
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The Foz do Douro Geological Trail Interpretive Centre opened on November 27, 2008 and provides a space for the realisation of activities to supplement field trips to the outdoor trail.

Rock "mixture"
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Outcroppings of biotite gneiss and leucocratic gneiss "mixed" with metasediments. Explanatory display panel.

Rock erosion
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Observation of erosive characteristics. Explanatory display panel.