justificação do valor científico
Rocky cliffs expose the more complete stratigraphic sequence of the Middle Cretaceous- Aptian between Praia da Luz de Lagos and Porto de Mós intruded by volcanic rocks of Late Cretaceous in Ponta das Ferrarias. Claystones and sandstones deposited in a lagoonal environment are interbedded with limestones from marine environment, testifying the frequent eustatic fluctuations along the Cretaceous in the Algarve Basin. The lowermost part of the sequence is composed by a reddish beachrock displaying cross stratification and dense accumulations of well-preserved Nerinea algarbiensis fossils. Overlying that beach sandstones is the Luz Formation composed by wonderful coloured layers formed by reddish and greenish claystones and marls and sandstones, some of them enclosing macro debris of charcoalised wood. The uppermost part of the cliffs exposes the Porto de Mós Formation composed by detrital limestones which palynological association is compatible with the Albian.
The Ponta da Piedade coastal sector is a paradigmatic site of coastal landscapes in the Southern Algarve coast. Rocky cliffs expose the Lagos-Portimão carbonate formation from Miocene. Horizontal layers, sedimentological facies variation and the high fractures density, conjugate to produce a remarkable set of karstic features typical of carbonate shores, among them, caves and stacks. However, human impact is highly increasing and, in a very short time the sustainability of this coastal sector will be no more viable. Therefore, is urgent to improve a coastal management program.
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