Reykjanes listed on IUGS top 100 geological sites

At the International Geological Conference held in Busan, South Korea between August 25 – 31, a new list of one hundred geological sites on the planet was presented, including two sites in Iceland, Reykjanes and Vatnajökull.

Reykjanes features on the IUGS list of geological monuments as an internationally important geological site due to its connection to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. There you can see the sliding of strata, faults and volcanic fissures. In addition to this, the volcanic history, rock formation and geothermal areas of ​​Reykjanes are very interesting.

The goal of the International Geological Union (IUGS) with the publication of a list of geological monuments is to draw attention to the importance of geological monuments for education and knowledge, to publicize international recognition of their importance, but primarily to promote the preservation of significant geological sites.

This is the second time that IUGS has compiled a list of significant geological heritage sites and it is called ” The Second 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites “. The first list was published at the union’s 60th anniversary celebration in 2022 under the title ” The First 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites”. The archaeological sites are published electronically and also in book form. It is planned that there will be three IUGS lists and the third will be published in 2026.

To be on the IUGS list of geological monuments, geological sites must have a high international scientific value, as well as, they are the world’s best examples of certain formation and shaping processes. These are places where significant geological discoveries have been made, for example about the history of the Earth, or places where research has contributed to development of geology as a scientific discipline. You can see a discussion of earth monuments on the IUGS website