Geothermal Exploration, Geoheritage and Potential Geoturism Around Thermal Springs on Puruándiro, Michoacán, México

Abstract

In Mexico there are multiple regions with thermal springs that have hosted civilizations since pre-Hispanic times and to these days. The thermal springs have become places of high cultural importance and most of the times have been used for balneology or as baths of local people. Unfortunately, there is often a lack of knowledge about the possible direct uses of these resources, the importance of their conservation and their historical trajectory as elements of local heritage. The objective of this work is to visualize the thermal springs of the Puruándiro area as main part of the local geoheritage. This work presents: i) a first classification of geosites with educational, touristic and cultural values, ii) proposal of georoutes where the information of geodiversity and biodiversity is well exposed “in situ” and iii) preliminary didactic and multidisciplinary material for use "in situ" where the importance of geoconservation is highlighted.