Canadian Sites Named To New Global List Of Geological Heritage Sites

By NPT Staff - October 29th, 2022

In Yoho National Park, the Burgess Shale fossils are perhaps the best-known early example of complex life on Earth/Shannon Martin for Parks Canada

Two sites administered by Parks Canada have been named to an international list of the first 100 geological heritage sites. This new international designation acknowledges iconic locations around the world, recognized for their relevance and impact in understanding the Earth and its history.

Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador earned a spot for being one of the world’s best exposures of the Moho — the boundary between crust and mantle rocks, preserved at the Earth's surface in a dramatic glacial landscape. It was first inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1987.

Part of Yoho National Park in British Columbia, Burgess Shale made the list for being one of the most significant fossil areas in the world featuring a diverse, abundant marine community dominated by soft-bodied organisms. It was originally inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1980 and became part of the larger Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage site in 1984.

“These incredible places are sources of ongoing scientific research and discovery, and also serve as important contributors to local economies as unique, unparalleled tourism destinations,” Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, said in a news release. “Internationally, these places represent the geo‑heritage of all humanity and the planet we call home.”

The Burgess Shale site in Yoho National Park/Shannon Martin for Parks Canada

The list of geological heritage sites is the initiative of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The announcement was made during the IUGS 60th anniversary celebration recently held in Zumaia, Basque Coast UNESCO Global Geopark (Spain).

The first 100 IUGS geological heritage sites were selected from 181 applications from 56 countries and include different types of sites and geological interest. The list includes 34 locations in the Americas, 28 in Europe, 15 in Africa and 23 in Asia-Pacific/Middle East. More sites are expected in the future.

Four other Canadian sites were named to the list but aren't administered by Parks Canada. They include Mistaken Point (Newfoundland and Labrador), Joggins Fossil Cliffs (Nova Scotia), Eo-Archean Nuvvuagittuk Greenstone Belt (Quebec) and Dinosaur Provincial Park (Alberta).

Parks Canada is the Canadian government’s representative for the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Twelve of Canada’s 20 World Heritage sites include areas administered by Parks Canada.

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