UK's 'Greatest Geosites' Announced

© Peter Bailey

The Geological Society of London has released a list of the UK and Ireland's top 100 geological sites, as part of Earth Science Week (13-19 October). Among the rankings are 10 sites voted for by members of the public.

Suilven & Cul Mor seen from the Stac Polly path.  © Peter Bailey
Suilven & Cul Mor seen from the Stac Polly path.
© Peter Bailey, May 2013

These 100 'geosites' cover 'anything which highlights the importance of geology to our lives', they say, ranging from mountains to mines, sea cliffs to museums.

'The list highlights the huge range of incredible geology the UK and Ireland have to offer' explained Professor Rob Butler, who chairs the society's Geoconservation Committee.

'From the Outer Hebrides to Cornwall, from rocks showing how the crust formed billions of years ago to young sediments pushed around by ice sheets a few thousand years ago, we are unique in having such a diverse geological heritage over a relatively small area.'

The list, which can be seen as an online map, naturally includes some fantastic hills. The mountains of Assynt understandably take first place, and it's nice to see Pen y Fan, Trotternish, the Cuillin, Snowdon, Glen Coe,  Crinkle Crags, Malham Cove and the Cliffs of Moher make the running too. Even the lowly Wrekin is recognised.


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