This book presents the first integrated account of Georgia’s geological heritage at the scale of the whole country. Situated in the heart of the Arabia–Eurasia collision zone, Georgia compresses high peaks, active volcanoes, karst plateaus, deep river gorges, semi-deserts and Black Sea coasts into a remarkably small territory. Geoheritage of Georgia - The Caucasus shows how that collision-born complexity underpins exceptional geosites and landscapes, from the tower villages of Svaneti and the rock-cut city of Vardzia to dinosaur trackways, cave systems, natural freezers, placer goldfields and volcanic plateaus, while also shaping biodiversity, agriculture, sacred waters and cultural identity.

Combining contributions from leading Georgian and international scientists, the book frames these sites within modern conservation tools, especially IUCN’s emerging Key Geoheritage Areas (KGAs) and the UNESCO Global Geoparks and World Heritage frameworks. It outlines a national KGA map, assesses candidate territories for future geoparks, and proposes practical pathways for geoheritage-based geotourism, education and community development. Designed for geoscientists, conservation professionals, planners and advanced students, as well as interested visitors, Geoheritage of Georgia offers both a scientific foundation and a roadmap for celebrating and protecting Georgia’s geoheritage for future generations.

Avtandil Okrostsvaridze is a Professor at Ilia State University (Tbilisi, Georgia) and a leading Georgian geoscientist whose work integrates magmatism, geochronology, metallogeny, and geoheritage. He graduated from Tbilisi State University and obtained his Doctor of Geological Sciences degree from the Geological Institute of the Georgian Academy of Sciences.His research focuses on collision-zone magmatism and volcanism, regional geological evolution, and the identification, assessment, and conservation of key geoheritage sites that underpin sustainable geotourism and emerging geopark initiatives in Georgia. Dr. Okrostsvaridze has led and contributed to numerous national and international research projects. He has authored more than sixty peer-reviewed publications and several books, and has presented widely at international scientific congresses. His work has significantly advanced understanding of the geology of Georgia and the Caucasus, particularly in relation to geoheritage and geoconservation.

Daniel Tormey is Technical Director at Catalyst Environmental Solutions Corporation, a U.S.-based environmental consulting firm specializing in protected areas, water resources, energy, and infrastructure. He is a member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas and has extensive experience in environmental assessment and management of protected and conserved areas. He has undertaken numerous World Heritage-related evaluations and contributions, including field missions and co-authoring IUCN guidance on World Heritage volcanoes and geoconservation in protected and conserved areas. Since 2019, he has served as a lead reviewer for multiple UNESCO Global Geopark applications, supporting both the development and evaluation of geopark proposals. Dr. Tormey has conducted fieldwork in Georgia since 2010, focusing on volcanology, tectonics, and related geoheritage themes. He holds a PhD in Geology and Geochemistry from MIT, and Bachelor’s degrees in Civil Engineering and Geology from Stanford University