Evaluation of geomorphosites in Vistea Valley (Fagaras Mountains-Carpathians, Romania)

This paper aims at evaluation of geomorphosites on the Vistea Valley (the Fagaras Mountains). The Fagaras Mountains are emblematic for the Romanian Carpathians as they have the highest altitudes (2544 m), the biggest massiveness and a large range of geomorphosites which were formed by the action of the glaciers. The Vistea Valley is a typical glacial valley, being part of the glaciers complex with the same name. The inventory was made for the entire area. In Fagaras Mountain, there are many different types of geomorphosites. The scientific value (as a central value) and additional values were evaluated for each of the selected geomorphosites. The total value ranges from a low 0.187 (Zănoaga Col Ridge) to scores as high as 0.375 (Viștișoara Glacial Cirque) or 0.40 (Viștea Glacial Valley). This low amplitude indicates a similar genesis and low economic and cultural value. The assessment of geomorphosites may be a premise for achieving a geotourist products and geotourism map. In Romanian literature, this is the first work in which the evaluation of geomorphosites is presented. Key words: Geomorphosite, inventory, evaluation, Vistea, Fagaraș, Romania.