First Spanish contribution to the Geosites Project: list of the geologicalframeworks established by consensus

The Geosites Project, initiated by the IUGS Global Geosites Working Group a nd supported by UNESCO, aims to produce a global inventory of the Earth's g eological heritage. This global inventory requires a systematic methodology , based on the selection of geological frameworks of international signific ance in each country These frameworks are topic events, temporal or regiona l geotectonic elements, etc. The second step of this methodology is the sel ection of the most valuable and representative sites of these geological fr ameworks (geosites). Fortunately: the geological diversity of Spain provide s a great number of frameworks of global significance. In addition, the hig h quality of the outcrops (for topographic and climatic reasons) will allow for the selection of illustrative geosites. This paper presents a list of Spanish geological framework drawn up by consensus. It was prepared in acco rdance with the Geosites Project methodology without taking into account th e National Inventory of Geosites, which is in progress and covers 40% of Sp anish territory. The IGME (Geological Survey, of Spain) drew up a prelimina ry list, which was sent to all the university departments of geology, minin g schools and research centres, for analysis, discussion and improvement. T he result of this request was the selection of 20 frameworks, forming the f irst Spanish contribution to the Geosites Project.