Geological heritage and Lower Cretaceous sedimentary record of the Angolan coast: Insights from Binga Waterfalls to the lower Catumbela River

Large portions of the Angolan western margin remain poorly accessible and insufficiently studied, resulting in limited geological knowledge despite their high scientific potential. This study focuses on the Lower Cretaceous coastal sector between Binga Waterfalls and the lower Catumbela River (Benguela Sub-basin), where exceptionally well-exposed outcrops record key stages in the stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental evolution of the South Atlantic margin. Based on detailed fieldwork integrating stratigraphic, sedimentological, and palaeontological analyses, this work presents the first inventory and characterisation of twelve geosites identified for their geological heritage value. The studied outcrops display remarkable stratigraphic continuity, facies diversity, fossil content, and geomorphological expression. Several previously undocumented sections are here proposed as reference outcrops for the Lower Cretaceous of the Benguela Sub-basin, contributing to regional stratigraphic correlations within the South Atlantic domain. The geoheritage assessment follows internationally recognised frameworks and considers scientific value, representativeness, integrity, and rarity, together with educational relevance and geotourism potential. The sites also exhibit high landscape value, expressed by extensive coastal cliffs, well-preserved stratigraphic architectures, and fossil-rich carbonate deposits. The results highlight the dual significance of these outcrops as key geological archives and geoheritage assets. This inventory provides a baseline for future geological research along the Angolan margin and supports the integration of geoheritage into geoconservation, land-use planning, and sustainable geotourism strategies.