Canada is home to a fantastic variety of cultural and natural heritage sites that cannot be found elsewhere. It includes ones that document the earliest times of Earth’s formation and the evolution of their species.
On October 28, Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Minister of Parks Canada, congratulated the six Canadian sites selected to be included on an international listing of the world’s first 100 sites of geological heritage.
The designation is a new international recognition of landmark locations worldwide and is recognized for their importance in studying the Earth and its history.
Six Canadian sites in the top 100 sites of geological significance include five World Heritage sites, two of which are managed through Parks Canada.
The locations on the list are Mistaken Point in Newfoundland and Labrador. The world’s most impressive fossils collection demonstrates an important period in the history of mankind that saw the time when the world “first got big,” the first time that large biologically complex organisms. The site was declared a World Heritage site in 2016.
Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador is also included in the list. It is among the most spectacular views of Moho, the border between mantle and crust rock that are preserved on the surface of the Earth in a stunning glacial landscape. The Moho was first declared a World Heritage site in 1987.
The list contains Joggins Fossil Cliffs in Nova Scotia. The most complete fossil record of the coal age tropical forests and the first reptiles to be discovered on Earth. It was designated a World Heritage site in 2008.
The Eo-Archean Nuvvuagittuk Greenstone Belt, located in Quebec, adds to the list. The site is located on the eastern side of Hudson Bay. This site has several of the oldest rock formations on Earth and could contain evidence of the early days of existence.
Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta is also on the list. The most extensive collection of Late Cretaceous dinosaur fossils yet discovered on Earth contains fossils from 44 dinosaur species and numerous other species. It was first designated as a World Heritage site in 1979.
The list also contains Burgess Shale in British Columbia. One of the most important fossil regions worldwide, it is home to an abundant, diverse marine ecosystem dominated by soft-bodied creatures.
It is part of Yoho National Park. The Burgess Shale was initially designated as a World Heritage site in 1980. It was added to the greater Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage site in 1984.
The sites that are part of the geological heritage are the work of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
It was announced that the initial 100 IUGS geophysical heritage sites were made at the IUGS 60th anniversary celebrations recently held at Zumaia, Basque Coast UNESCO Global Geopark (Spain).
Isn’t it remarkable that Canada’s geological heritage is so abundant? These sites offer a firsthand look at Earth’s history.
Did you know that Canada has recognized six top-notch geological heritage sites? It’s super cool because these places give us a peek into Earth’s history and are crucial for understanding our planet’s evolution. By exploring them, we can appreciate and safeguard these natural wonders for the future!
Canada has identified six remarkable geological heritage sites! It’s amazing to see these locations getting the recognition they deserve on a global scale. Exploring these sites is like uncovering hidden chapters of Earth’s story. you feel like a real-life explorer discovering ancient secrets. It’s truly a thrilling experience to witness the wonders of our planet’s history up close!