Granite Landscapes of Sardinia: Long-Term Evolution of Scenic Landforms

Sardinia is characterized by spectacular granite landscapes with superimposed scenic landforms. In the eastern part of the island, the granite reliefs consist of mountain massifs and plateaux separated by metamorphic reliefs and limestone plateaux. Granite landscapes show peculiar landforms such as inselbergs, tors and tafoni and diverse erosion microforms. In the extraordinary landscape of Gallura region, wide flat areas with outcropping rocks, vast extensions of isolated rock blocks and inselberg-type dome-shaped reliefs show evidence of a long period of intense weathering. Scenic landforms characterize the spectacular landscape of Sarrabus region, where differential erosion processes have selected the numerous dikes which have conditioned the orientation of the reliefs and coastal landforms. Many archaeological remnants can be found in most granite regions of Sardinia emphasizing the deep bond between man and the physical environment.