Burren on World ‘Geo’ List

The Burren and Cliffs of Moher have joined Vesuvius volcano, Yosemite Valley and The Dead Sea in being designated a Geological Heritage Site in a programme managed by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).

The “Carboniferous evolution of The Burren and Cliffs of Moher” was named in the list of the Second 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites at the 37th International Geological Congress in Busan, Republic of Korea.

More than 700 experts from 80 nations and 16 international organisations contributed to the selection process which has given official recognition to the world’s best demonstrations of geologic features.

The County Clare geological site’s inclusion on the list follows its nomination by Dr. Eamon Doyle, geologist with the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark.

Dr. Doyle explained that the Burren and Cliffs of Moher’s inclusion in the “Second 100” was based on the site being “one of the most complete sections with Mississippian limestones in exceptional karst landscapes and Pennsylvanian deltaics in spectacular sea cliffs”.

Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim was named in the First 100 in 2022.

The announcement of the Second 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites was made by IUGS President John Ludden, IUGS Secretary General Stanley Finney, and Asier Hilario, chair of the International Commission on Geoheritage, during a special event of the 37th International Geological Congress.