Geomusic as a new pedagogical and outreach resource interpreting geoheritage with all the senses

Abstract

The scientific, rational approach to the knowledge of Earth can be complemented and enhanced with an emotional approach by means of arts. Sonification of sedimentary series, by converting distinct lithology, facies or geochemical parameters into notes, and bed thickness into duration of sounds, provides a new viewpoint on both their sequential features and the cultural meaning of geoheritage. A total of 14 musical compositions have been achieved according to that procedure, based on successions of diverse ages and sedimentary environments within the Iberian Peninsula. Some of these successions exhibit cyclic features that have been analyzed by a number of authors. Cyclostratigraphy shows how certain sedimentary patterns can reveal climatic oscillations related to periodic variations of Earth orbital cycles. Geomusic elaborated from sonification of such sedimentary cycles could be therefore linked with Music of the Spheres postulated by Pythagoras in ancient Greece. Its hidden message deals with asking for a New Culture of Earth, for a renewed, friendly relationship with our planet. Its applied development could extend to soundtracks of scientific documentaries, background music at museums or geoparks, or performances at outreach events, or as a motivating factor in Earth Sciences learning.