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Geological W
orld Heritage A revised global framew
ork for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
IUCN
INTERNATIONAL UNIONFOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE
WORLD HEADQUARTERSRue Mauverney 281196 Gland SwitzerlandTel +41 22 999 0000Fax +41 22 999 0002wwwiucnorg
Geological World Heritage A revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage ConventionPatrick J Mc Keever and Guy M NarbonneWith contributions by Ulrika Aringberg Loviacutesa Aacutesbjoumlrnsdoacutettir Joseacute Brilha Tom Casadevall Tove Damholt Piotr Migoń S Felix Toteu Paul Williams and Kyung Sik Woo
INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE
About IUCNIUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations It provides public private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress economic development and nature conservation to take place together
Created in 1948 IUCN is now the worldrsquos largest and most diverse environmental network harnessing the knowledge resources and reach of more than 1400 Member organisations and some 18000 experts It is a leading provider of conservation data assessments and analysis Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices tools and international standards
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments NGOs scientists businesses local communities indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development
Working with many partners and supporters IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities these projects work to reverse habitat loss restore ecosystems and improve peoplersquos well-being
wwwiucnorghttpstwittercomIUCN
Geological World Heritage A revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage ConventionPatrick J Mc Keever and Guy M Narbonne
With contributions by Ulrika Aringberg Loviacutesa Aacutesbjoumlrnsdoacutettir Joseacute Brilha Tom Casadevall Tove Damholt Piotr Migoń S Felix Toteu Paul Williams and Kyung Sik Woo
The designation of geographical entities in this book and the presentation of the material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN or other participating organisations concerning the legal status of any country territory or area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries
The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN or other participating organisations
IUCN is pleased to acknowledge the support of its Framework Partners who provide core funding Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland Government of France and the French Development Agency (AFD) the Ministry of Environment Republic of Korea the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the United States Department of State
This publication has been made possible in part by funding from the Cultural Heritage Administration Republic of Korea
Published by IUCN Gland Switzerland
Produced by IUCN World Heritage Programme
Copyright copy 2021 IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorised without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged
Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder
Recommended citation Mc Keever PJ and Narbonne GM (2021) Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Gland Switzerland IUCN
ISBN 978-2-8317-2141-5 (PDF)
DOI httpsdoiorg102305IUCNCH202112en
Cover photo Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina) copy Philipp Schinz
Layout by Guilder Design Dublin Ireland (wwwguilderdesigncom)
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | iii
Contents
Executive summary iv
List of acronyms v
Acknowledgements vi
Introduction 1
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life 6
Theme 2 Tectonic systems 11
Theme 3 Erosional systems 16
Theme 4 Volcanic systems 20
Theme 5 River lake and delta systems 24
Theme 6 Cave and karst systems 28
Theme 7 Coastal systems 32
Theme 8 Marine systems 36
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems 38
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systems 42
Theme 11 Meteorite impacts 45
Comparative analysis 49
Integrity 50
Protection and management 50
Boundaries 50
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks51
Conclusions 58
References 60
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties 62
Annex 2 Contextual framework for World Heritage fossil properties 112
Annex 3 IUCN fossil site evaluation checklist 113
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world 114
iv | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Executive summary
In 2005 IUCN published a report entitled Geological World Heritage A Global Framework (Dingwall et al 2005) httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode12797 The aim of that report was to discuss and advise on the role of the World Heritage Convention in recognising and protecting geological and geomorphological heritage By using a thematic approach the 2005 report aimed to assist States Parties in undertaking global comparative analyses of properties prior to and as part of new nominations under
criterion (viii) assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors to identify possible gaps in coverage of the World Heritage List assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors in their evaluation of new nominations of properties under criterion (viii)
(to be outstanding examples representing major stages of Earthrsquos history including the record of life significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphic or physiographic feature)
The report identified 13 themes and since its publication an additional 22 geological and geomorphological properties have been inscribed on the World Heritage List under criterion (viii)
Furthermore in 2015 UNESCO adopted the new International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) which recognises a new site-level designation the UNESCO Global Geopark which are territories of internationally significant geological heritage As of June 2021 there are 169 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 44 countries
Since 2005 several of the themes identified in Geological World Heritage A Global Framework have been subject to substantial individual studies The UNESCO World Heritage Committee in both 2013 and 2014 requested IUCN to revise its thematic study on geological sites to refine the proposed 13 themes articulate the threshold of Outstanding Universal Value and clarify the difference between the criterion (viii) of the World Heritage selection criteria and Geoparks status (noting that at that time Geoparks were not a UNESCO designation)
Accordingly the aim of the present study is to fully revise and update the 2005 report and to look at the potential impact of the new UNESCO Global Geopark designation on future inscriptions to the World Heritage List under criterion (viii) Central to this task is a discussion on the concept of Outstanding Universal Value and reiteration that not all sites of significance can be included on the World Heritage List This aim of the report has been achieved through a thorough review of the 2005 report and in particular the thematic approach to geology that the report used This review has led to the proposal of a rationalised set of 11 themes to guide the application of criterion (viii) For each of the 11 themes this report analyses what each theme covers what was listed as World Heritage by 2005 and since 2005 whether the advice available at the present is sufficient for each theme how well each theme is now represented on the World Heritage list including geographical representation and finally tries to identify if there are any key issues that this study has uncovered This report also examines the processes of comparative analysis and questions of site integrity in relation to properties listed for geological and geomorphological values
Finally this report looks in detail at the differences and similarities between geological World Heritage Properties recognised under criterion (viii) and UNESCO Global Geoparks It examines each designation and presents a pathway to help States Parties Member States to determine whether one of these two UNESCO designations might be appropriate for any possible new territories and in particular to distinguish sites with the potential for inscription on the World Heritage List
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | v
List of acronyms
GGN Global Geoparks Network
IGCP International Geoscience Programme
IGGP International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
OUV Outstanding Universal Value
UGGp UNESCO Global Geopark
UNESCO United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization
vi | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Tim Badman Peter Shadie Kristof Vandenberghe Guy Martini and Marie-Luise Frey for their valuable comments and advice The inputs from the independent peer reviewers of the whole text Jonathan Larwood and Gabi Schneider are much appreciated Thanks are also due to Niall OrsquoLaoghaire of Guilder Design for design and layout and to Ulrika Aringberg Sarina van der Ploeg Ceacutelia Zwahlen and staff of the IUCN World Heritage Programme for their support in the production process This publication could not have been possible without the generous financial support of the Cultural Heritage Administration of the Republic of Korea Guy Narbonne is grateful for support through a Queenrsquos University Research Chair IUCN thanks the study authors as well as all the chapter authors and reviewers named above for their extensive work to contribute to producing this study The contributions of the photographers and illustrators is also acknowledged with thanks
KeywordsWorld Heritage UNESCO Global Geoparks Criterion (viii) Outstanding Universal Value Global comparative analysis History of planet Earth and the evolution of life Tectonic systems Erosional systems Volcanic systems River lake and delta systems Cave and karst systems Coastal systems Marine systems Glacial and periglacial systems Desert and semi-desert systems Meteorite impacts
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 1
In 2005 IUCN published a report entitled Geological World Heritage A Global Framework (Dingwall et al 2005) and hereinafter referred to as lsquothe 2005 reportrsquo The aim of that report was to discuss and advise on the role of the World Heritage Convention (hereinafter referred to as lsquothe Conventionrsquo) in recognising and protecting geological and geomorphological heritage By using a thematic approach the 2005 report aimed to assist States Parties in undertaking global comparative
analyses of properties prior to and as part of new nominations under criterion (viii)
assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors to identify possible gaps in coverage of the World Heritage List
assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors in their evaluation of new nominations of properties under criterion (viii) (to be outstanding examples representing major stages of Earthrsquos history including the record of life significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphic or physiographic feature)
Since the publication of the 2005 report an additional 22 properties have been inscribed on the World Heritage List using criterion (viii) which is used to recognise geological and geomorphological properties under the Convention This brings the total number of geological World Heritage Properties (December 2020) to 93 Furthermore in 2015 UNESCO adopted the new International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) which recognises a new site-level designation the UNESCO Global Geopark which are territories of internationally significant geological heritage As of June 2021 there are 169 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 44 countries Additionally since 2005 several of the themes identified in the 2005 report have been subject to substantial individual studies
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee in both 2013 and 2014 requested IUCN to revise its 2005 thematic study on geological sites the Geological World Heritage A Global Framework to refine the proposed 13 themes articulate the threshold of Outstanding Universal Value and clarify the
Introduction
Figure 1 The Giantrsquos Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Property (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) The Giantrsquos Causeway lies at the foot of basalt cliffs along the sea coast on the edge of the Antrim plateau in Northern Ireland It is made up of some 40000 massive black basalt columns sticking out of the sea The dramatic sight has inspired legends of giants striding over the sea to Scotland Geological studies of these formations over the last 300 years have greatly contributed to the development of the Earth sciences and show that this striking landscape was caused by volcanic activity during the Palaeogene some 50ndash60 million years ago copy Tourism Northern Ireland
2 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
difference between the criterion (viii) of the World Heritage and Geoparks However at that time Geoparks were not designated by UNESCO That changed in 2015 when UNESCO adopted the new designation of UNESCO Global Geopark and all pre-existing Global Geoparks became UNESCO Global Geoparks
Accordingly the aim of the present study is to fully revise and update the 2005 report and to look at the potential impact of the new UNESCO Global Geopark designation on future inscriptions to the World Heritage List under criterion (viii) Central to this is a discussion on the concept of Outstanding Universal Value and a reiteration that not all sites of significance can make it onto the World Heritage List This has been followed by a thorough review of the 2005 report in particular the thematic approach to geology that the report used The report identified 13 themes The review has reduced this number to 11 themes some of them are the same as in the 2005 reports there is one new theme and some of the 2005 themes have been re-named andor combined
Finally with the approval of the UNESCO Global Geopark designation this study provides a framework for assessing which designation World Heritage or UNESCO Global Geopark might be appropriate when considering geological and geomorphological sites for international recognition
However as stated before outlining the revised thematic study it is essential to examine closely the idea of Outstanding Universal Value which is the core concept behind any inscription to the World Heritage List
Outstanding Universal ValueAccording to the latest version of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention published by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in 2019
ldquoThe cultural and natural heritage is among the priceless and irreplaceable assets not only of each nation but of humanity as a whole The loss through deterioration or disappearance of any of these most prized assets constitutes an impoverishment of the heritage of all the peoples of the world Parts of this heritage because of their exceptional qualities can be considered to be of lsquoOutstanding Universal Valuersquo and as such worthy of special protection against the dangers which increasingly threaten themrdquo
But what exactly is lsquoOutstanding Universal Valuersquo or OUV and how can it be defined in the context of geological heritage A series of criteria and conditions have been developed to evaluate OUV Six criteria (i ndash vi) cover cultural properties while criteria (vii) ndash (x) cover natural properties (see below) Of course a nomination can include both cultural and natural criteria The guidelines also state that for a property to be deemed of OUV it must also meet the conditions of integrity andor authenticity and must have an adequate protection and management
system to ensure its safeguarding It is therefore clear from the Operational Guidelines (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019) that OUV is a three-pronged statement where a World Heritage Property must fulfil one or more criteria (criterion (viii) for geological properties) it must fulfil the conditions of integrity and it must be adequately protected and managed The full ten criteria areCriterion (i) - to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius
Criterion (ii) - to exhibit an important interchange of human values over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world on developments in architecture or technology monumental arts town-planning or landscape design
Criterion (iii) - to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared
Criterion (iv) - to be an outstanding example of a type of building architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history
Criterion (v) - to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement land-use or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures) or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change
Criterion (vi) - to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions with ideas or with beliefs with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance (The World Heritage Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria)
Criterion (vii) - to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance
Criterion (viii) - to be outstanding examples representing major stages of Earthrsquos history including the record of life significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphic or physiographic features
Criterion (ix) - to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial fresh water coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals
Criterion (x) - to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation
Fulfilling Criterion (viii) a revised thematic approachA key phrase from the Operational Guidelines (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019) states that ldquo[t]he Convention is not intended to ensure the protection of all properties of great interest importance or value but only for a select list of the most outstanding of these from an international viewpointrdquo Furthermore ldquo[i]t is not to be assumed that a property of national andor regional importance will automatically be
Introduction
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 3
inscribed on the World Heritage Listrdquo This is the first key point to bear in mind Just because a site may be of regional or national significance it does not mean that it is of OUV The site must be absolutely exceptional at the global level in what it contains or displays and among the priceless and irreplaceable assets of humanity as a whole
The most fundamental part of the nomination process is clarifying if a property could be considered to have OUV Until potential OUV and the attributes conveying this value has been defined it is not possible to develop other essential aspects of the nomination including the comparative analysis the definition of boundaries and the protection and management which should reflect the extent and character of the attributes that convey the value
The 2005 report identified 13 themes to assist in determining whether a World Heritage Property fulfils the terms of criterion (viii) Based on consideration of the effectiveness of the implementation of these themes and based on review by the study and chapter authors this report has reorganised the approach to geological World Heritage in relation to a reorganised list of 11 themes The study has also reviewed and classified all existing geological World Heritage Properties considering their OUV in relation to these 11 themes (Annex 1) Many properties contain features relevant to more than one theme but for brevity the list of lsquoancillary themesrsquo in Annex 1 only includes significant contributions that warranted mention in the Statement of OUV published on the World Heritage website Furthermore it was apparent that the OUV of five properties cover two primary themes Therefore the 93 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) are listed 98 times under the 11 primary themes In all of these themes States Parties must ask themselves if their proposed site really does display or contain something so internationally exceptional that is of true global significance
The 11 themes identified in this report are
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of lifeTheme 1 documents major events in Earth history and the fossil record of life It combines two related themes from the 2005 report Theme 4 lsquoStratigraphic Properties ‒ Rock sequences that provide a record of key Earth history eventsrsquo and Theme 5 lsquoFossil Properties ‒ The record of life on Earth represented in the fossil recordrsquo
Theme 2 Tectonic systemsThe Tectonic systems theme includes the lsquoTectonic and structural featuresrsquo and the lsquoMountain systemsrsquo themes as defined in the 2005 report This merger was justified by the fact that tectonics is the process that governs the movement of Earthrsquos tectonic plates at their boundaries as well as heat energy and material transfer from the Earthrsquos interior towards the surface and vice-versa seafloor spreading coupled with subduction rifting mountain building volcanoes faults earthquakes erosion etc are direct or indirect expressions of tectonic processes However with a view of providing a meaningful representation to the general public we have restricted the scope of the lsquoTectonic systemsrsquo theme to mountain ranges convergent plate boundaries (subduction
zones) divergent plate boundaries (ocean ridges) sliding plate boundaries (transform zones) continental rifting valleys and cratonic shields while keeping lsquoVolcanic systemsrsquo and lsquoErosional systemsrsquo as separate themes
Theme 3 Erosional systemsThe theme lsquoErosional systemsrsquo was not explicitly present in the 2005 report One might argue that it is the equivalent of the lsquoMountain systemsrsquo with partial overlap with the lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo but there were already a number of World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) which were neither mountains nor located in drylands but were erosional in nature Additionally a significant number of properties were inscribed in recognition of their scenic beauty (criterion (vii)) although their justifications clearly highlighted geomorphological features and processes more in line with criterion (viii) The relevance of lsquoErosional systemsrsquo for criterion (viii) is twofold First erosional systems show ldquosignificant on-going geological [in fact geomorphological] processes in the development of landformsrdquo and secondly these processes may produce ldquosignificant geomorphological or physiographical featuresrdquo
Theme 4 Volcanic systemsVolcanoes are true wonders of the planet they are central to the formation evolution and sustenance of biological systems they form some of our deepest and most significant cultural attachments to the land and they attract large numbers of visitors for their aesthetic appeal The theme Volcanic systems was originally included in the 2005 report as Theme 2 Furthermore volcanic systems were the subject of the 2009 volcano thematic study by Wood (2009) In 2019 IUCN published an updated report on World Heritage Volcanoes (Casadevall et al 2019) which we draw on here for this discussion
Theme 5 River lake and delta systemsThe theme covers fluvial lacustrine and deltaic landscapes and their associated features These are systems resulting from large-scale fluvial processes which have formed and influenced the development of valleys flood plains river corridors wetlands lakes and deltas along with instream features and morphology (Ferrier amp Jenkins 2010) Spectacular features such as waterfalls are also included under this theme The theme includes foremost alluvial landscapes and depositional features while erosional features such as river canyons are covered primarily by Theme 3 In terms of deltas this theme only covers the special cases of inland and inverted deltas while coastal deltas are covered within Theme 7 There is also some overlap with Theme 9 as many important fluvial lacustrine and deltaic processes and landforms occur in glacial landscapes The River lake and delta systems theme is equivalent to the lsquoFluvial lacustrine and deltaic systemsrsquo theme from the 2005 report The main driving process for the formation of all inland waters is the hydrological cycle Water evaporates from the oceans and precipitates over the continents where it flows back to the sea along rivers and streams reworking large amounts of sediments and forming some of our most familiar fluvial landforms Some of the water resides in wetlands or lakes for many years or in ice caps for
Introduction
4 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
thousands or millions of years (Moss 2010)
Theme 6 Cave and karst systemsThe theme covers systems developed predominantly by the process of dissolution of soluble rocks This mainly involves carbonate rocks (limestone dolomite marble) and evaporite rocks (gypsum salt) In these terrains drainage disappears in enclosed depressions rivers sink underground and caves are signature landforms Some sandstone landscapes are also included because these rocks can become relatively soluble under subtropical and tropical conditions Natural processes involved in the development of Caves and karst systems are explained by Ford amp Williams (2007 2011) and Palmer (2007)
Theme 7 Coastal systemsCoastal systems refer to physical processes and physiographical features present in the coastal zone The coastal zone is the boundary between land and sea a highly dynamic interface between geological and oceanographical features and including atmospheric (weather and climate) processes and how these are affected by land and sea (Abdulla et al 2013) But the interface - the shoreline - is mobile because land can be uplifted or subside and sea level can rise or fall Hence coastal landscapes landforms and sediments develop along a moving interface between land and sea as well as over long periods of time The zone over which this interaction plays out can be kilometres wide and so landforms produced by coastal processes can be found well inland well above sea level kilometres offshore and well below present sea level In many places coastal landforms are also influenced by ancient antecedent topography
Theme 8 Marine systemsMarine systems includes seafloor and submarine features coral islands reefs and oceanic islands The theme encompasses ldquosignificant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphological featuresrdquo found in the shallow and deep marine areas This theme comprises the former Theme 9 of the 2005 report lsquoReefs atolls and oceanic islandsrsquo but additionally includes the wide range of ongoing processes and geological features of marine areas including physical chemical and biological processes tectonic settings and sedimentary environments including continental shelf and slope basin floors abyssal plains oceanic trenches submarine ridges
Marine areas cover 70 of the Earth surface most of which is in deep marine areas In recent years there have been a number of advances in the study of the submarine environment including extensive mapping of the seafloor which has
produced a plethora of new information on the marine systems in the deep marine areas
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems This theme includes geological processes landscape and geomorphological features developed by past or present glacial and periglacial systems Theme 9 is equivalent to the former two themes 10 lsquoGlaciers and ice capsrsquo and 11 lsquoIce Agesrsquo described in the 2005 report The new theme Theme 9 includes 17 of the World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) for their OUV (primary elements)
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systemsThe theme lsquoDesert and semi-desert systemsrsquo present in the 2005 report as lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo emphasises specific environments rather than a particular surface process or group of processes However in order to minimise overlaps within the present framework and to make it as clear as possible this category is understood as primarily designed to cover aeolian processes and landforms as well as features produced by intermittent runoff and evaporation Thus it includes landscape features such as dunes and dune fields of various types and sizes yardangs deflation hollows wadis and playas
Theme 11 Meteorite impactsThe theme of Meteorite impacts includes features produced by the impacts of meteors comets asteroids and other extra-terrestrial objects with the Earth including both physical structures formed by extra-terrestrial impacts such as impact craters as well as major effects caused by them such as mass extinction Impacts by and accretion of extra-terrestrial bodies was the fundamental process by which the Earth grew to its current size It was also a dominant geological process throughout the early history of the Solar System and a variety of possible effects have been ascribed to impacts on Earth including the origin of the Earthrsquos moon the contribution to the Earthrsquos quantity of volatile gases and effects on the evolution of early life In more recent geological time at least one mass extinction event is linked to global effects caused by a major impact event (eg Osinski amp Pierazzo 2012)
Identifying potential Outstanding Universal ValueConsidering that uniqueness does not automatically equate with OUV the essential first step is thus to identify any value(s) of a site fulfilling criterion (viii) and thus with the potential to justify OUV of the proposed property For this process it is important to set out all geological values of the site
Map out all geological values of the proposed propery
Organise values according to the 11 themes of criterion viii
Identify overlap between values of the proposed property and gaps of the WHL
Write a brief synthesis defining value(s) and attributes filling gaps of the WHL
Perform comparative analysis based on value attributes and integrity
Figure 2 Flow chart summarising the process that should be undertaken when assessing if a site or place demonstrates OUV
Introduction
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 5
and evaluate these based on the 11 themes presented in this report in order to clarify if and how these values could potentially address one or more gaps on the World Heritage List Subsequently a definition of the values proposed to fulfil the criterion and a description of the attributes that convey this value should be set out in a relatively short text This will then form the basis for undertaking a rigorous global comparative analysis and in the event that this demonstrates a strong case for OUV will be the basis for a proposed Statement of OUV to be included in the nomination of the property (Figure 2)
To nominate a site to the World Heritage List it must first have been included on a State Partyrsquos Tentative List Tentative List are lists of sites that the States Parties consider to be of OUV and that they therefore consider suitable for inscription on the World Heritage List
Thematic studyBefore continuing with a discussion of the comparative analysis process the following section will look closely at the 11 themes identified for this report As in the 2005 report the 11 themes provide a basis upon which nominated candidate World Heritage Properties (using criterion (viii)) can be assessed regarding their OUV from the viewpoint of science and conservation It is also intended that the 11 themes will guide national and regional advisors to assess the relative importance of sites and for IUCN to assess nominations and offer advice to interested parties
In particular in revising the themes specific questions were askedWhat does the theme cover
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this theme
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distribution
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)
Introduction
6 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverTheme 1 documents major events in Earth history and the fossil record of life It combines two related themes from the 2005 report Theme 4 lsquoStratigraphic Properties ‒ Rock sequences that provide a record of key Earth history eventslsquo and Theme 5 lsquoFossil Properties ‒ The record of life on Earth represented in the fossil recordrsquo
Theme 1 is the sole theme for 18 World Heritage Properties and is an important ancillary element of the OUV for six additional properties (Table 1 Annex 1) Fossils are abundant and important in several other World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) such as Gros Morne National Park (Canada) and Yellowstone National Park (United States of America) but are less significant than other features that define the OUV in these properties
The over-riding message from the combined properties representing Theme 1 is the co-evolution of the Earth and life ‒ the recognition that the major tectonic oceanographic atmospheric cryogenic and astronomical events and processes that have affected our planet over geological timescales have also profoundly influenced the evolution
and ecology of life on Earth and that some major events in biological evolution have profoundly changed the Earthrsquos surface and atmosphere Theme 1 World Heritage Properties include the conditions for early life on the primitive Earth more than three billion years ago (Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa)) the oldest large and complex multicellular life (Mistaken Point (Canada)) the development of marine animal life in the Cambrian explosion (Burgess Shale in Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (Canada) Chengjiang Fossil Site (China)) the Devonian and Carboniferous lsquoterrestrial revolutionrsquo of land plants that dramatically increased atmospheric oxygen and led to the proliferation of life on land and in freshwater rivers and lakes (Miguasha National Park Joggins Fossil Cliffs both in Canada) and abundant evidence of climatic control on the Cenozoic evolution of mammals (Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte) (Australia)) and early hominids (Lake Turkana National Parks (Kenya))
Properties in Theme 1 contain an outstanding record of the diversity of fossil life In addition to the shells and bones that characterise Phanerozoic fossil assemblages worldwide several properties (Burgess Shale in Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Chengjiang Fossil Site Messel Pit Fossil Site Mistaken
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of lifeGuy M Narbonne and Patrick J Mc Keever
Figure 3 Monte San Giorgio (Italy amp Switzerland) is regarded as the best fossil record of marine life from the Triassic Period (245ndash230 million years ago) Source Woudloper Wikimedia Commons
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 7
Point) are famous as Fossil Lagerstaumltten in which soft tissues were exquisitely preserved Fossil plants and terrestrial arthropods such as insects are abundant in most properties at least partly deposited in freshwater or terrestrial settings (Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte) Dinosaur Provincial Park Dorset and East Devon Coast Ischigualasto Talampaya Natural Parks Joggins Fossil Cliffs Messel Pit Fossil Site Miguasha National Park) and even in some properties originating in marginal or fully marine settings (Monte San Giorgio Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley)) Trace fossils the fossilised tracks trails and burrows of mobile animals are present in most Theme 1 properties and provide evidence of animal behaviour thousands to hundreds of millions of years ago Microfossils are preserved in nearly all Theme 1 fossil sites including Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains which dates back 36 to 325 billion years ago shortly after the origin of microscopic life on our planet
Most of the properties that achieved World Heritage recognition prior to 1995 were inscribed in combination with other natural or cultural OUV criteria commonly (iii) (vii) (ix) or (x) Since 1995 most properties in Theme 1 have been inscribed solely under criterion (viii)
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005At the time of the publication of the 2005 report 14 properties had been inscribed onto the World Heritage List under criterion (viii) and under the former Themes 4 (Stratigraphic Properties) and 5 (Fossil Properties) They included for example Dinosaur Provincial Park (Canada) Shark Bay Western Australia (Australia) Messel Pit Fossil Site (Germany) and the Dorset and East Devon Coast (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) (Table 1 Annex 1)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since 2005 an additional four properties have been inscribed onto the World Heritage List which either totally or partially fall under this new Theme 1 and the former Themes 4 and 5 The new properties are Joggins Fossil Cliffs (Canada) Chengjiang Fossil Site (China) Mistaken Point (Canada) and Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa)
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themePublication of an IUCN-commissioned report Earthrsquos geological history A contextual framework for assessment of World
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 1
Date Inscribed(extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 1 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Dinosaur Provincial Park Canada 1979 Grand Canyon National Park United States of America
1979
Great Smoky Mountains National Park United States of America
1983 Ngorongoro Conservation Area United Re-public of Tanzania
1979 (2010)
Valleacutee de Mai Nature Reserve Seychelles 1983 Willandra Lakes Region Australia 1981
Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Canada 1984 (1990) Tasmanian Wilderness Australia 1982 (1989)
Wet Tropics of Queensland Australia 1988 Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Australia 1986 (1994)
Shark Bay Western Australia Australia 1991 Te Wahipounamu ndash South West New Zealand New Zealand
1990
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte) Australia
1994 The Dolomites Italy 2009
Messel Pit Fossil Site Germany 1995 Stevns Klint Denmark 2014
Lake Turkana National Parks Kenya 1997 (2001)
Miguasha National Park Canada 1999
Ischigualasto Talampaya Natural Parks Argen-tina
2000
Dorset and East Devon Coast United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2001
Monte San Giorgio Italy and Switzerland 2003 (2010)
Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) Egypt 2005
Joggins Fossil Cliffs Canada 2008
Chengjiang Fossil Site China 2012
Mistaken Point Canada 2016
Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains South Africa 2018
Table 1 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 1 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life
8 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Heritage fossil site nominations (Wells 1996) provided a key framework for this analysis Wellsrsquo recommendations slightly modified and printed in UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2011 p 42 and Annex 3 of this report) shaped all subsequent nominations and decisions in Theme 1 and have been emulated by other themes Wellsrsquo proposed separation between pre-Cambrian and Phanerozoic properties (Recommendation 4) has become somewhat blurred since 2005 with most recently inscribed Theme 1 properties emphasising OUV as both a landmark in biological evolution and as an important step in the evolution of the Earth system and his recommendations 5 and 9 about the need to constitute expert panels ldquoto select properties worthy of evaluation for Heritage listingrdquo were not implemented All recent nominations in Theme 1 have used a similar lsquobest practicersquo method for the comparative analysis of fossil properties (IUCN 2016 p 56-57 Thomas and Narbonne 2015 p 59-69) In summary the thematic guidance for this theme is good but requires regular attention to ensure it remains relevant and effective
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionWorld Heritage Properties representing Theme 1 are present on every inhabited continent There is excellent temporal coverage of the Phanerozoic the eon of Earth history characterised by abundant visible fossils with seventeen World Heritage fossil properties (Table 1 Figure 5 Annex 1) Many geological periods host a site the Cambrian and Triassic each contain multiple properties that reflect different biotopes (eg terrestrial versus marine) and preservational modes (eg Lagerstaumltten versus
mainly skeletal remains) during that time The most significant remaining gaps are at the interface between palaeontology and global change over geological timescales especially the mass extinction events that were a primary control on global diversity throughout the Phanerozoic (Raup amp Sepkoski 1982 Fan et al 2020) The terminal Cretaceous extinction that exterminated 50 of animal species including dinosaurs is superbly reflected in the fossil record at Stevns Klint (Denmark) but the equally profound Palaeozoic extinctions at the end of the Ordovician Devonian and Permian are not yet represented in any World Heritage Property Other Phanerozoic intervals of extreme global change and extinction (eg Mesozoic Ocean Anoxic Events Palaeocene ndash Eocene Thermal Maximum event) could also be considered Cenozoic (mainly Pleistocene and modern) glaciation processes and products are well covered in Theme 9 but ancient glacial events in deep time (eg the Carboniferous-Permian Gondwana glaciations and the Neoproterozoic and Paleoproterozoic lsquoSnowballrsquo glaciations) profoundly affected the evolution of life and could usefully be described in Theme 1 Ichnology where animal track properties can yield behavioural information that cannot be preserved in shells and bones is represented for example in the hominid tracksite at Laetoli in Ngorongoro Conservation Area (United Republic of Tanzania) A number of previous World Heritage nominations based solely on dinosaur footprints have been deemed inadequate to show OUV However a coherent transnational nomination of exceptional sites demonstrating a compelling reason for global significance and OUV might be considered
Figure 4 Messel Pit Fossil Site (Germany) is the richest site in the world for understanding the living environment of the Eocene between 57 million and 36 million years ago copy LimesMedia Tim Schnarr Source UNESCO
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 9
In contrast with the abundance of World Heritage fossil properties in Phanerozoic strata the Hadean Archean and Proterozoic eons that collectively comprise the first four billion years of Earth evolution (85 of Earth history) contain only two recently inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Properties located at nearly opposite ends of the pre-Cambrian timescale (Figure 5 left hand column Annex 1) Additional major events in pre-Cambrian evolution not included in any World Heritage fossil property include the earliest diverse signs of life 35 billion years ago the Great Oxidation Event (24 to 18 billion years ago) that transformed the chemistry of the Earthrsquos surface and made eukaryotes possible rsquoSnowball Earthrsquo the nearly total freezing of the entire Earth surface 720-635 million years ago that ultimately led to the appearance of animals and
the diverse Ediacara biota that postdated Mistaken Point life and immediately preceded the Cambrian explosion of shelly animals
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)Several Theme 1 properties inscribed between 1983‒1991 used criteria that differ from modern usage Four properties inscribed under criterion (viii) - Great Smoky Mountains National
1 httpsstratigraphyorgICSchartChronostratChart2021-05pdf
PHAN
ERO
ZOIC
PRO
TERO
ZOIC
ARC
HEA
NH
ADEA
N
Present
0541
25
40
46
Billi
ons
of y
ears
bef
ore
the
pres
ent
Eon
Mistaken Point
Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains
Geological timethrough Earth history
CEN
OZO
ICM
ESO
ZOIC
PALE
OZO
IC
EraNeogene
Paleogene
Cretaceous
Jurassic
Triassic
Permian
Carboniferous
Devonian
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian
Period
Phanerozoic Geological Time
World HeritageFossil Sites
Mill
ions
of y
ears
bef
ore
the
pres
ent
0
66
251
541Chengjiang Fossil Site
Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (incl Burgess Shale)
Miguasha National Park
Joggins Fossil Cliffs
Monte San Giorgio
IschigualastoTalampaya National Parks
Dorset and East Devon Coast
Dinosaur Provincial Park Messel Pit Fossil Site
Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley)
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte)
Lake Turkana National Parks
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte)
Figure 5 Temporal distribution of UNESCO Fossil Properties (Theme 1) Modified from Thomas and Narbonne 2015 Fig 34 Formal stratigraphic names and dates are from the International Chronostratigraphic Chart (May 2021)1
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life
10 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Park (United States of America) Wet Tropics of Queensland (Australia) Valleacutee de Mai Nature Reserve (Seychelles) and Shark Bay Western Australia (Australia) ndash do not contain fossil assemblages of OUV but are regarded as providing modern living analogues for ancient biotopes and biological constructions thousands to billions of years old This view is not presently followed and since 1991 all criterion (viii) properties in Theme 1 have been inscribed on the basis of outstanding fossil assemblages and events in the deep-time record of life and environments Modern sedimentary environments exemplified in properties such as the Wadden Sea (intertidal sand and mud flats) Great Barrier Reef (shallow-marine carbonate sediments including reefs) Namib Sand Sea (aeolian dunes) Nahanni National Park and Riacuteo Plaacutetano Biosphere Reserve (rivers) form the key to interpreting process sedimentology in deep time but are not in and of themselves major events in Earth history and the fossil record of life
There is some overlap with criterion (iii) to ldquobear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilisation which is living or which has disappearedrdquo for properties containing early hominid fossils The hominid fossil properties Archaeological Site of Atapuerca (Spain) Sangiran Early Man Site (Indonesia) and Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa (South Africa) are inscribed under criterion (iii) whereas hominid fossils in Ngorongoro Conservation Area (United Republic of Tanzania) and Lake Turkana National Parks (Kenya) are inscribed under criterion (viii) The hominid record at Willandra Lakes Region (Australia) is inscribed under criterion (iii) but its geology including giant marsupial fossils is inscribed under criterion (viii) This overlap between criterion (iii) and criterion (viii) in properties preserving the record of fossil hominids partly reflects the background of the nomination of these properties and also partly reflects the timescale of hominid evolution over the past seven million years
Finally palaeontology has a huge appeal throughout society worldwide Fossil properties (Theme 1) provide an opportunity for the public to see outstanding fossil assemblages in the context of the inter-relationship between global change and the evolution of life over geologic timescales Evidence of past global change can help to inform the public about potential processes effects and magnitudes of present and future global change This will be enhanced as States Parties nominate new sites that fill the identified gaps in global extinction events and major environmental and climatic events in the deep-time record of life on Earth
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 11
What does the theme coverThe Tectonic systems theme includes the lsquoTectonic and structural featuresrsquo and the lsquoMountain systemsrsquo themes as defined in the 2005 report This merger was justified by the fact that tectonics is the process that governs the movement of Earthrsquos tectonic plates at their boundaries as well as heat energy and material transfer from the Earthrsquos interior towards the surface and vice-versa seafloor spreading coupled with subduction rifting mountain building volcanoes faults earthquakes erosion etc are direct or indirect expressions of tectonic processes However with a view of providing a meaningful representation to the general public we have restricted the scope of the lsquoTectonic systemsrsquo theme to mountain ranges convergent plate boundaries (subduction zones) divergent plate boundaries (ocean ridges) sliding plate boundaries (transform zones) continental rifting valleys and cratonic shields while keeping lsquoVolcanic systemsrsquo and lsquoErosional systemsrsquo as separate themes
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005Utilising the current Themes eight properties of the 71 properties inscribed on the World Heritage List by 2005 had
gained their recognition mainly or solely under Theme 2 (Table 2 Annex 1) Several other mountain systems such as the Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) were recognised under criterion (vii)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Based on the new theme proposed here two properties were inscribed since 2005 mainly because of tectonic features while three additional properties utilise Theme 2 as an important ancillary theme in their inscription (Table 2 Annex 1)
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThere is no separate thematic study on this theme and the scope of inscriptions shows both limited geographical balance and that there is considerable confusion in the potential application of this theme and confusion with other manifestations of tectonism (such as volcanoes) The two newly inscribed properties since 2005 are both associated tectonically with the Alpine orogeny in western Europe which does not fulfil the geographical diversification requested in
Theme 2 Tectonic systemsTom Casadevall and S Felix Toteu
Figure 6 Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) (Tajikistan) offers a unique opportunity for the study of plate tectonics and continental subduction phenomena thereby contributing to our fundamental understanding of Earth building processes copy Kasirov K Source UNESCO
12 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
2005 However the three recent properties for which Theme 2 is an ancillary theme are regionally diverse Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains in Africa Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) in Central Asia and Papahānaumokuākea in the central Pacific Ocean
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionIn total the geographical distribution is as follow Europe amp North America 4 Asia amp Pacific 5 Latin America amp Caribbean 1 Generally there is a weak representation worldwide and especially in Africa and the Arab States of the tectonic theme considering the many past and modern tectonic processes that have shaped the landscape around the world
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)Like most aspects of the geological sciences no theme is truly separate from other themes The 11 themes in this report are not silos Perhaps the greatest demonstration of this is the link between tectonic systems and volcanic systems Volcanic systems mostly appear at the boundaries of tectonic plates where tectonic systems are also actively being formed Of the 12 World Heritage Properties identified in Annex 1 has having been inscribed primarily for volcanic systems all but four are intimately associated with active tectonic boundaries Two other properties are associated with volcanic hotspots one with recent though no longer active volcanism Only one
property is associated with volcanism in deeper geological time (Giantrsquos Causeway and Causeway Coast United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Figure 1)) For the sake of this report Theme 4 refers specifically to features associated with the extrusion of magma and the features created while Theme 2 refers to non-volcanic features associated with the interaction of tectonic plates both in the present and in the geological past
The Plate Tectonic Map of the world (Figure 7) combined with the World Physical Map (Figure 8) reveals the potential for a more balanced distribution of tectonic features worldwide States Parties in various regions where these prominent tectonic features appear should be encouraged to review their Tentative List to include new properties In this regard many countries in all regions of the world have potential for World Heritage Properties ranging from mountain range to rift valley systems properties Countries in Asia amp Pacific can enrich their inscribed properties or Tentative List with outstanding sites witnessing tectonics features at subduction zones as well as at oceanic trenches and collision zones For example Kermadec Islands and Marine Reserve which is currently on the Tentative List of New Zealand under criterion (viii) was shaped by the subduction of the Pacific Plate under the Indo-Australian Plate with the Kermadec Trench being one of Earthrsquos deepest oceanic trenches reaching a depth of 10047 m The Andean mountain chain of South America the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and the Cascade volcanic range of North America are notable examples of subduction zone tectonics and yet have no volcanic or tectonic features listed under criterion (viii) (Casadevall et al 2019) This represents an important gap for World Heritage Properties in the Americas Outstanding examples of ocean floor spreading are the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 2
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 2 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Australia 1986 (1994) Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Canada 1984 (1990)
Galaacutepagos Islands Ecuador 1978 (2001) Te Wahipounamu ndash South West New Zealand New Zealand
1990
Gros Morne National Park Canada 1987 Canaima National Park Venezuela 1994
Lake Baikal Russian Federation 1996 Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch Switzerland 2001 (2007)
Heard and McDonald Islands Australia 1997 Papahānaumokuākea United States of Amer-ica
2010
Macquarie Island Australia 1997 Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) Tajikistan
2013
Lorentz National Park Indonesia 1999 Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains South Africa 2018
Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas China
2003
Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona Switzerland 2008
Chaicircne des Puys - Limagne fault tectonic arena France
2018
Table 2 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 2 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 2 Tectonic systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 13
Figure 7 Plate tectonic map of the World copy United States National Park Service
Figure 8 World Physical Map copy National Centers for Environmental Information National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Theme 2 Tectonic systems
14 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
and East Pacific Rise that have produced extensive valley systems Portugal has already considered a portion of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that includes the Azores in its Tentative List in 2017 Indeed there are very few countries that can add more about tectonic features telling the history of ocean floor spreading the exceptions being Iceland which lies on the mid-Atlantic Ridge and the countries around the Red Sea
On the continents the East African Rift Valley and the Baikal Rift Zone are Earthrsquos two prominent continental rift valley systems The two branches of the East African Rift are relayed to the north through the Afar Triangle to the Red Sea Rift and the Gulf of Aden Each of these rift systems is unique each telling in its own way the story of the early stage of continental break and drift However none of them host World Heritage inscribed under criterion (viii) for tectonic features although they host other properties inscribed under other criteria Examples are Lake Baikal (Russian Federation) inscribed in 1996 under criteria (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x) Kilimanjaro National Park (United Republic of Tanzania) Mount Kenya National Park Natural Forest (Kenya) and Lake Malawi National Park (Malawi) inscribed under criteria (vii) (ix) andor (x) or Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) Lake Turkana National Parks (Kenya) both inscribed under criteria (vii) (viii) (ix) andor (x)
The Cameroon Line running from Atlantic Ocean to Lake Chad through the Gulf of Guinea is another unique tectonic feature of the African region and is the only example on Earth of an
active intraplate alignment of tectonic-related volcanoes and intrusive massifs synchronously developed on both the oceanic and the continental crusts and linked to a common mantle source The scientific debates around its origin can ultimately reveal how the interaction and energy transfer between the asthenosphere and lithosphere contribute to shaping our planet The Cameroon Line is a unifying geological and biological gift linking many nations in Central Africa and telling an important part of the autobiography of the continent (from about 70 million years) from geological biological and socio-cultural perspectives (Anderson amp de Wit 2008 Henriques amp Neto 2015 Toteu et al 2010) The IUCN World Heritage Volcanoes report of 2019 sees the Cameroon Line as worthy of consideration in the Tentative List of States Parties (Casadevall et al 2019)
Despite the fact that tectonic processes cause major changes on the Earthrsquos surface they are poorly represented in the list of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List or even on the Tentative Lists The cause of this might be the poor capacity of States Parties or the fact that some expressions of tectonic processes such as volcanoes or erosion surfaces already constitute individual geological themes However the huge scale of some of the features (eg rift valleys alpine ranges oceanic trenches) also makes them politically and financially difficult to promote It is also important to stress that the geological community have not done enough to demonstrate the prominent role geological processes have
Figure 9 Lorentz National Park (Indonesia) The geology and landforms of Lorentz National Park display graphic evidence of Earthsrsquo history Located at the meeting point of two colliding continental plates the area has a complex geology with ongoing mountain formation as well as major sculpting by glaciation and shoreline accretion The dominating mountain range is a direct product of the collision between the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates copy Raiyani Muharramah Source Shutterstockcom
Theme 2 Tectonic systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 15
played in shaping the landscape of the Earth in impacting the development of biodiversity and the culture of people This transpires well in the case of Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) mentioned previously which was inscribed on the World Heritage List under criterion (vii) despite the fact that the site description clearly recognises the importance of mountain building (ie lsquotectonicrsquo process) Clearly States Parties must be encouraged to focus on and expose the geological processes that generated the appropriate environment for development of so many biological and cultural properties today inscribed on the World Heritage List In this regard all mountain ranges around the world especially the Alpine Himalayan and Andean collisional belts and rift valleys have produced a variety of ecosystems that have favoured the development of rich biological and cultural diversities There is today a need to see beyond these end-products and make the tectonic processes themselves more visible
Considering that most tectonic features on the Earthrsquos surface appear as linear and transnational features (eg major faults ocean ridges mountain belts rift and associated volcanoes) it might be necessary and more efficient for States Parties individually or as group to look into serial nominations as a mechanism that can associate different properties generated from the same tectonic process However one challenge may be the disparities (infrastructure human resource and policies) that may exist between States Parties with as a consequence difficulty of preparing and implementing coherent and robust management plan for the inscribed property At the opposite it might be easier for one country having a specific tectonic feature that has generated several other outstanding geological biological andor cultural features to manage a property inscribed under serial nomination
Theme 2 Tectonic systems
16 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThe theme lsquoErosional systemsrsquo was not explicitly present in the 2005 report One might argue that it is the equivalent of the lsquoMountain systemsrsquo with partial overlap with the lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo but there were already a number of World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) which were neither mountains nor located in drylands but were erosional in nature Additionally a significant number of properties were inscribed in recognition of their scenic beauty (criterion (vii)) although their justifications clearly highlighted geomorphological features and processes more in line with criterion (viii) The relevance of lsquoErosional systemsrsquo for criterion (viii) is twofold First erosional systems show ldquosignificant on-going geological (in fact geomorphological) processes in the development of landformsrdquo and secondly these processes may produce ldquosignificant geomorphological or physiographical featuresrdquo
Erosional systems are understood as including landscapes and landforms produced by the combined action of various surface processes that are not covered by the specialised Themes 6 lsquoCave and karst systemsrsquo 7 lsquoCoastal systemsrsquo 9 lsquoGlacial and periglacial systemsrsquo and 10 lsquoDesert and semi-
desert systemsrsquo elsewhere in this report Volcanic systems (Theme 4) in turn are predominantly constructional Thus from the process-based perspective erosional systems are shaped by (a) weathering (b) mass movements of various kind (c) slope runoff (d) fluvial erosion and e) non-karstic subsurface processes such as piping Among them weathering mass movements and fluvial erosion are the most important agents of shaping the land surface All these processes lead to deposition of material eroded from elsewhere allowing depositional forms such as talus and alluvial fans to locally dominate the landscape (eg in the valley floors) Nevertheless erosion in the broad sense is the primary factor behind the scenery In parallel to the above the meaning of erosional systems may be also explained by products ie landscapes and landforms produced by the processes listed above At the regional scale these systems include non-glaciated mountains plateaus and escarpments strongly dissected uplands including badlands inselberg landscapes peneplains and solitary elevations isolated by erosional lowering of the surrounding terrains Characteristic medium-size landforms within erosional systems include rock cities and ruiniform relief tors (crags) rock cliffs gully networks canyons and landform assemblages produced by landslides and piping
Theme 3 Erosional systemsPiotr Migoń
Figure 10 Canaima National Park (Venezuela) The tabular hills and high escarpments of Canaima display significant karstic erosion of quartzites copy Natalino Russo La Venta
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 17
Erosional systems are not limited to any specific bedrock type although by virtue of strength some rock types tend to support distinctive often spectacular erosional systems more often than others do Moreover these systems appear and develop in different ways depending on rock type Therefore to account for the diversity of landforms and controls and to facilitate comparative analyses it is useful to consider several distinctive rock-controlled erosional systems such as granite landscapes sandstone and conglomerate landscapes mudstone and tuff badlands as well as ancient volcanic terrains which may be plateaus or pointed elevations (necks)
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005At the time of the 2005 report though not identified as such at the time six World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) fit the descriptive definition of Erosional systems adopted in the new thematic approach of this study and a further five properties relate to Erosional systems as an ancillary theme (Table 3 Annex 1)
In addition the effects of long-term erosion are evident in several other properties inscribed under criterion (viii) although these may be also be represented under other themes1 Tasmanian Wilderness Australia (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x)
ndash mountainous landscapes with dissected terrains and plateaus (classified as lsquoGlacial and periglacial systemsrsquo Theme 9)
2 Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Australia (viii) (ix) and (x) ndash part of Great Escarpment
3 Dinosaur Provincial Park Canada (vii) (viii) ndash chiefly paleontological site (Theme 1) but also an excellent example of badland topography
4 Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Canada (vii) (viii) ndash fossil site (Theme 1) with diverse mountainous topography including widespread glacial features
5 Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas China (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x) ndash deeply carved valleys of major rivers within mountainous setting
6 Great Smoky Mountains National Park United States of America (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x) ndash dissected mountainous terrain non-glacial
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since the 2005 report an additional three properties have been inscribed under criterion (viii) because of their erosional features1 China Danxia China (vii) and (viii)ndash diverse erosional
topographies on continental red beds predominantly sandstone and conglomerate
2 The Dolomites Italy (vii) and (viii) ndash rock-controlled cliffs and plateaus with additional role of glaciation
3 Lena Pillars Nature Park Russian Federation (viii) ndash rock formations due to differential erosion along riverside margins
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThere has been no supplementary advice to date on this newly proposed theme Reasons for not inscribing the localities listed above are probably complex but it certainly has to be observed that many of these inscriptions predate the year 2000 reflecting contemporaneous focus on scenic values rather than geodiversity and geoheritage In some instances at least insufficient scientific understanding may have been an additional factor for not considering criterion
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 3
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 3 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Grand Canyon National Park United States of America
1979 Nahanni National Park Canada 1978
Durmitor National Park Montenegro 1980 (2005) Great Smoky Mountains National Park United States of America
1983
Tassili nrsquoAjjer Algeria 1982 Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Australia 1986 (1994)
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park Australia 1987 (1994) Mosi-oa-Tunya Victoria Falls Zambia Zimba-bwe
1989
Canaima National Park Venezuela 1994 Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas China
2003
Purnululu National Park Australia 2003
The Dolomites Italy 2009
China Danxia China 2010
Lena Pillars Nature Park Russian Federation 2012
Table 3 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 3 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 3 Erosional systems
18 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
(viii) In this context it is worth mentioning that post-2005 scholarly monographs on granite landscapes and sandstone landscapes published by leading academic publishing houses may now provide much better scientific background for nominations under criterion (viii)
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionErosional systems are currently represented by about 35 properties with 29 of them inscribed under criteria (vii) andor (viii) Among them distinctive sandstone and conglomerate erosional landscapes from plateaus to inselbergs are fairly well represented ndash 12 properties including six under criterion (viii) However the majority of them occurs in drylands (eight cases including three in north Africa and three in Australia) and only two were established in humid terrains Three properties represent granite landscapes all in China and representing similar topography none inscribed explicitly under criterion (viii) Three properties cover ancient volcanic terrains mostly plateaus Great Escarpments and badlands are represented by two examples each Finally five properties may be classified as mountainous landscapes with no specific connection to any particular rock type Overlap with glacial and periglacial systems is evident in some of these properties The Dolomites (Italy) and Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation) are distinctive individual cases Thus whereas overall representation of erosional systems may seem adequate there are significant gaps both thematic and geographical
Considering the diversity of erosional systems the following missing themes may be identified erosional landscapes developed on clastic rocks mainly
sandstone and conglomerates in semi-humid and humid areas to counterbalance an over-representation of those in arid and semi-arid terrains They are likely to develop by a different suite of dominant processes than their arid counterparts
granite topographies are evidently under-represented especially if criterion (viii) alone is considered Existing properties are all mountainous and all from one region (east China) whereas inselberg landscapes domed mountains uplands (plateaus) with tors spectacular boulder fields are missing
badlands are another under-represented type of erosional system especially given lithological diversity of badlands Mudrocks and cemented gravel deposits are known to host spectacular badland landscapes
entirely non-glacial mountain systems are poorly represented and there is a room for nominations which would emphasise complexity and integrity of mountain systems preferably on lithologically diverse bedrock
In terms of geographical coverage properties inscribed principally under Theme 3 occur in Europe and North America (4) Asia and the Pacific (3) and one each in Arab States and Latin America and the Caribbean Sub-Saharan Africa is represented by only one property but which is not inscribed explicitly under criterion (viii) High latitudes are another
Figure 11 Tassili nrsquoAjjer (Algeria) The sandstone plateaux and escarpments of Tassili nrsquoAjjer are highly dissected with a range of erosional features copy Mohammed Beddiaf Source UNESCO
Theme 3 Erosional systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 19
geographical gap (two properties only one under criterion (vii)) where it may be assumed that cold-climate processes will produce erosional systems different from those in low latitudes whether humid or arid Some of these gaps may be filled by re-nominating some of existing World Heritage Properties adding criterion (viii) to the cultural criteria used before
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)Impressive erosional landscapes may be found within World Heritage Properties inscribed under criteria (ix) and (x) (eg Greater Blue Mountains Area (Australia) and Western Ghats (India)) or solely under criteria pertinent to cultural heritage (eg tall granite domes which form the stage for Rio de Janeiro Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea (Brazil) as well as the Serra da Capivara National Park (Brazil) the Matobo Hills (Zimbabwe) Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Libya) or Group of Monuments at Hampi (India)) An emerging point here is that the coverage of erosional systems by existing World Heritage Properties is much larger than the examination under criterion (viii) alone would suggest Consequently gap analyses should consider these properties as well
Additionally in a few examples criterion (viii) was proposed to justify inscription but was not accepted (eg Mount Sanqingshan National Park (China) (vii) and Wadi Rum Protected Area (Jordan) (iii) (v) and (vii)) In other cases criterion (viii) could have been used but was not proposed possibly because the nominated property did not readily fit any of the 13 Earth science themes proposed by the 2005 report In fact an equally large number of properties representing excellent examples of erosional systems have been inscribed under criterion (vii) not (viii) even if the OUV statements relate directly to the effects of on-going erosion and significant landforms produced by it These properties include1 Kakadu National Park Australia (i) (vi) (vii) (ix) and (x) ndash
dissected sandstone plateau and escarpments2 Ennedi Massif Natural and Cultural Landscape Chad
(iii) (vii) and (ix) ndash sandstone plateaus canyons and rock arches
3 Mount Taishan China (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) and (vii) ndash granite mountainous terrain
4 Mount Huangshan China (ii) (vii) and (ix) ndash granite mountainous terrain
5 Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area China (vii) ndash intricately dissected sandstone and limestone upland with multitude of tall rock towers and spires
6 Mount Sanqingshan National Park China (vii) ndash granite mountainous terrain
7 Simien National Park Ethiopia (vii) and (x) ndash dissected lava plateau
8 Meteora Greece (i) (ii) (iv) (v) and (vii) ndash isolated residual hills carved out of conglomerate
9 Wadi Rum Protected Area Jordan (iii) (v) and (vii) ndash sandstone massifs and rock arches
10 Maloti-Drakensberg Park Lesotho and South Africa (i) (iii) (vii) and (ix) ndash Great Escarpment capped by basaltic lavas
11 Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) Mali (v) and (vii) ndash plateau cliffs and plains in sandstone rocks
12 Air and Teacuteneacutereacute Natural Reserves Niger (vii) (ix) and (x) ndash residual volcanic massifs
13 Putorana Plateau Russian Federation (vii) and ix) ndash ancient lava plateau
14 Goumlreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia Turkey (i) (iii) (v) and (vii) ndash strongly eroded tuffs and lacustrine deposits multiple hoodoos and badland landscape
Theme 3 Erosional systems
20 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverVolcanoes are widely understood by the public as wonders of the planet they are central to the formation evolution and sustenance of biological systems they form some of our deepest and most significant cultural attachments to the land and they attract large numbers of visitors for their aesthetic appeal The theme Volcanic systems was recognised in the 2005 report (numbered as Theme 2) Furthermore volcanic systems were the subject of the 2009 volcano thematic study by Wood (2009) In 2019 IUCN published an updated report on World Heritage Volcanoes (Casadevall et al 2019) which we draw on here for this discussion
This study continues to consider Volcanic systems as a distinct theme Most geological themes encompass millions or billions of years of Earth history The Volcanic systems theme includes volcanoes and volcanic features found on Earth in both the marine and terrestrial environments While these features can be from any period of Earth history from the oldest volcanic rocks (42 billion years old) to the youngest eruptions the majority of volcanic properties by their nature typically only
preserve the most recent geological time frames Active volcanoes encompass those active in the Holocene Epoch (the last 11700 years) The distinctive attributes of volcanic properties are of geoheritage value but significantly they also frequently demonstrate associated aspects of cultural spiritual biological aesthetic and educational value Thus in a number of cases volcanic areas may be protected as World Heritage solely for these other attributes without direct recognition of the volcanic geoheritage as being the basis of OUV (Casadevall et al 2019)
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005Volcanic landscapes are among the most recognisable properties on the World Heritage List Of 1211 World Heritage Properties in 2019 83 (74) have significant volcanic features (Casadevall et al 2019) However of these only 26 properties have been inscribed under criterion (viii) Utilising the current themes 14 properties inscribed on the List by 2005 had gained their recognition mainly or solely under the present Theme 4 (Table 4 Annex 1)
Theme 4 Volcanic systemsTom Casadevall
Figure 12 Volcanoes of Kamchatka (Russian Federation) Kamchatka is one of the most outstanding volcanic regions in the world with a high density of active volcanoes a variety of types and a wide range of related features The six sites included in the serial designation group together the majority of volcanic features of the Kamchatka peninsula The interplay of active volcanoes and glaciers forms a dynamic landscape of great beauty copy UNESCO
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 21
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since the 2005 report an additional five volcanic properties have been inscribed under criterion (viii) primarily utilising Theme 4 (Table 4 Annex 1) Three of these inscriptions were added following the volcano thematic study of 2009 (Wood 2009) Furthermore since 2005 (and 2009) two nominations of volcanic properties were advanced but were not recommended for inscription as volcano-related World Heritage (Wudalianchi Scenic Spots (China) and Chaicircne des Puys ndash Limagne fault tectonic arena (France) the latter was ultimately inscribed in 2018 for its tectonic features)
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThe World Heritage Volcanoes report Casadevall et al (2019) provides revised comprehensive and up to date advice to States Parties on the application of criterion (viii) to volcanic properties and replaces the 2005 study as the definitive thematic guidance going forward The advice includes the use
of the classification system and feature identification presented in this study to the nomination of volcanic properties under criterion (viii) including a checklist that can also be used by the reviewers of the nomination The advice also describes a method for developing a comprehensive global comparative analysis to support the application for Listing in relation to volcanic systems this being a point that has been problematic in a number of nominations and is central to the application and review process in establishing the potential for OUV
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionAs noted above there are now 83 properties on the World Heritage List with significant volcanic values Of these 19 are volcanic properties where Theme 4 provides the primary rationale under criterion (viii) and two additional properties have used it as an ancillary rationale Within these 21 properties there are many important gaps in geographical distribution as well as gaps in their distribution by geo-tectonic setting The
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Princi-pally Under Theme 4
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 4 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Yellowstone National Park United States of America
1978 El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Bio-sphere Reserve Mexico
2013
Galaacutepagos Islands Ecuador 1978 (2001) Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains South Africa 2018
Ngorongoro Conservation Area United Repub-lic of Tanzania
1979 (2010)
Virunga National Park Democratic Republic of the Congo
1979
Sangay National Park Ecuador 1983
Giantrsquos Causeway and Causeway Coast United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
1986
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park United States of America
1987
Tongariro National Park New Zealand 1990 (1993)
Volcanoes of Kamchatka Russian Federation 1996 (2001)
Heard and McDonald Islands Australia 1997
Macquarie Island Australia 1997
Morne Trois Pitons National Park Dominica 1997
Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) Italy 2000
Pitons Management Area Saint Lucia 2004
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes Republic of Korea
2007
Teide National Park Spain 2007
Papahānaumokuākea United States of America 2010
Mount Etna Italy 2013
Vatnajoumlkull National Park - dynamic nature of fire and ice Iceland
2019
Table 4 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 4 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 4 Volcanic systems
22 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
regional distribution of volcanic properties is Europe and North America (8) Asia and Pacific (4) Africa (2) and Latin America and the Caribbean (5)
The 2019 volcano theme study outlines a series of recommendations to fill the thematic and geographical gaps on the World Heritage List The southwestern Pacific island arcs are noted as unrepresented on the List The Andes of western South America is the most prominent example of continental arc volcanism and yet is poorly represented For divergent margin properties the Great Rift Valley of Africa and its northern continuation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are poorly or not represented Submarine volcanic systems are dominantly rift systems and are not represented Volcanism in back arc basins is unrepresented although there are outstanding examples in Argentina and the southwest Pacific Collision zones are not represented The two ancient volcanic terrains on the current List contain no continental flood basalts ring dykes or subvolcanic feeder and storage systems despite the importance of these terrains in creating and remaking the early continents and as components of most of the planetrsquos major mass extinctions Previously identified gaps in Archean granite-greenstone belts and komatiites and in modern mid-Atlantic Ridge volcanism have been addressed by Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa inscribed in 2018) and Vatnajoumlkull National Park - dynamic nature of fire and ice (Iceland inscribed in 2019)
Other under-represented aspects of Theme 4 include large caldera forming volcanic systems stratovolcanoes found in
several critical subduction zone environments (eg Andean and Cascadian zones Indonesia-Philippine-Japanese subduction zones) and submarine volcanic features and volcanic rift systems Conversely monogenetic volcanic fields and basaltic volcanism should now be considered as well or fully represented on the List
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)No discussion of the global volcanic estate would be complete without mention of volcanism in the marine environment Purely submarine volcanic features are not included on the World Heritage List primarily because many of these features occur under what is known as the lsquoHigh Seasrsquo where no State Party has legal jurisdiction However 70 of the Earthrsquos surface is covered by water and is effectively a submarine environment and much of the Earthrsquos active tectonism including spreading centres ridges transform faults and subduction-related trenches are submarine Bathymetric studies of the sea floor have revealed that this vast area is dotted with volcanoes which recent studies (Hillier amp Watts 2007 Wessel et al 2010 Kim amp Wessel 2011) estimate could number over three million 39000 of which rise to more than 1000 m above the ocean
Figure 13 Ngorongoro Conservation Area (United Republic of Tanzania) The Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans vast expanses of highland plains savannah savannah woodlands and forests centred on the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater Africarsquos largest caldera copy Patrick Mc Keever
Theme 4 Volcanic systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 23
floor With the increase in seafloor mining and other potentially destructive practices some of these volcanic terrains are at risk
Several marine reserves include areas of submarine volcanism and hydrothermal vent activity but by and large the volcanic features in these submarine environments are not adequately represented on the World Heritage List The World Heritage Convention does not currently address areas beyond national jurisdiction (Abdulla et al 2013 Freestone et al 2016)
One impediment to managing and protecting properties in the submarine environments is that often there are no States Parties to claim jurisdiction and management responsibility over most of them Thus such properties fall more appropriately under lsquoLaw of the Searsquo jurisprudence However several submarine volcanoes representing submarine extensions of terrestrial volcanic systems (Loihi USA and Oshima Japan) do fall within territorial jurisdictions The UNESCOIUCN publication World Heritage on the High Seas An Idea Whose Time Has Come (Freestone et al 2016) discusses this topic primarily from the perspective of biological World Heritage but many of the concepts therein also apply to geological World Heritage
Casadevall et al (2019) considers the absence of submarine volcanism from the World Heritage List to be a substantial gap in representation of the Earthrsquos volcanic systems However they also recognise that filling this gap will depend upon additional international agreement and governance frameworks and this represents a further reason to explore the extension of the application of the World Heritage Convention to the High Seas
World Heritage Volcanoes (Casadevall et al 2019) found that a significant number of volcanic properties on the World Heritage List are listed under other criteria than criterion (viii) In part this reflects the important cultural and historical values often assigned to volcanic features and eruptions by communities which may have witnessed eruptions or live in or on volcanic edifices which have attained a notable role in these cultures In addition a number of volcanic areas have important endemic plant communities with high degrees of biodiversity Thus many volcanic landscapes have been inscribed for their biodiversity under criteria (ix) and (x)
Theme 4 Volcanic systems
24 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThe theme covers fluvial lacustrine and deltaic landscapes and their associated features These are systems resulting from large-scale fluvial processes which have formed and influenced the development of valleys flood plains river corridors wetlands lakes and deltas along with instream features and morphology (Ferrier amp Jenkins 2010) The theme includes foremost alluvial landscapes and depositional features while erosional features such as river canyons are covered primarily by Theme 3 However spectacular features such as waterfalls are included under this theme In terms of deltas this theme only covers the special cases of inland and inverted deltas while coastal deltas are covered within Theme 7 There is also some overlap with Theme 9 as many important fluvial lacustrine and deltaic processes and landforms occur in glacial landscapes The River lake and delta systems theme is equivalent to the lsquoFluvial lacustrine and deltaic systemsrsquo theme from the 2005 report
The main driving process for the formation of all inland waters is the hydrological cycle Water evaporates from the oceans
and precipitates over the continents where it flows back to the sea along rivers and streams reworking large amounts of sediments and forming some of our most familiar fluvial landforms Some of the water resides in wetlands or lakes for many years or in ice caps for thousands or millions of years (Moss 2010)
River processes shape the Earthrsquos surface while responding to sudden events (earthquakes volcanic eruptions mega floods) and or progressive change (continental uplift change in climate and precipitation) Climate and precipitation are the main factors influencing the dynamics and evolution of river systems with this history embedded into relict forms and features The fluvial geomorphology of rivers adjusts both to varying flow patterns and vegetation cover During drier geological periods vegetation cover and sediment transport decreases and rivers transform into new types Examples of this are underfit streams which have channels set in valleys formed by much larger river systems during wetter periods (Fryirs amp Brierley 2012) Apart from recording past climate events rivers also demonstrate a huge diversity of types
Theme 5 River lake and delta systemsUlrika Aringberg
Figure 14 Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia) The waters flowing over the limestone and dolomites have over thousands of years deposited travertine barriers creating natural dams which in turn have created a series of beautiful lakes caves and waterfalls These geological processes continue today copy Ko Hon Chiu Vincent Source UNESCO
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 25
processes and physiographic features For example natural floodplains contain a high complexity of various physical features such as meander bends levees cutbanks pointbars relict channels oxbow lakes ponds islands channel braiding alluvial fans inland deltas swamps and marshes
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005In the 2005 report it was noted that there were 71 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) Using the present themes the principal attributes of the OUV of six properties are assigned to the lsquoFluvial lacustrine and deltaic systemsrsquo theme One of these Everglades National Park (United States of America) share its main theme with Theme 7 (Coastal systems) Up to 2005 another three properties had ancillary attributes of OUV assigned to Theme 5 (Table 5 Annex 1)
Evidently many properties on the World Heritage List demonstrate significant values related to the River lake and delta systems theme but are inscribed under criteria other than criterion (viii) In this updated review about 30 properties inscribed under criteria other than (viii) prior to 2005 were found to demonstrate values of Theme 5 The statements of OUV for some of these properties (for example Pantanal Conservation Area (Brazil) and Mana Pools National Park Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas (Zimbabwe)) are directly linked to significant fluvial lacustrine and deltaic forms and processes and contain examples of some of the worldrsquos most prominent systems relating to this theme
Several World Heritage Properties contain the full length of rivers or the majority of their lengths and catchments for example Kakadu National Park (Australia) but only the Riacuteo Plaacutetano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras) is inscribed under criterion (viii)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since 2005 no properties have been inscribed on the World Heritage List with their principal attributes of OUV assigned to the River lake and delta systems theme and only one property
(Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) (Tajikistan)) utilises Theme 5 as an ancillary theme in its statement of OUV Among properties inscribed after 2005 under criteria other than criterion (viii) ten are identified to demonstrate significant values directly related to Theme 5 Among these are one of the worldrsquos most important inland deltas the Okavango Delta (Botswana) and the saline hyper-saline and freshwater Lakes of Ounianga (Chad) It is clear that many more properties on the World Heritage List other than those inscribed under criterion (viii) demonstrate significant and even outstanding river lake and delta systems values
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThere is one early study (Thorsell et al 1997) on wetland and marine areas on the World Heritage List which also provides a list of 41 prospective sites with potential OUV Some of these have now been inscribed (for example Pantanal Conservation Area (Brazil) Landscapes of Dauria (Mongolia and Russian Federation) and Okavango Delta (Botswana)) however only a few such as Wadden Sea (Denmark Germany and Netherlands) (see Theme 7) under criterion (viii) World Heritage Properties with OUV under Theme 5 are still poorly represented on the World Heritage List Conversely although some of the worldrsquos most prominent properties under this theme are inscribed their attributes and values have not been recognised as OUV under criterion (viii) Some reasons might be previously vague descriptions of the theme unawareness that the OUV of river lake and delta systems are recognised under criterion (viii) and inadequate scientific understanding or recognition of these systems This lack of recognition requires attention As no properties have been inscribed under Theme 5 since 2005 this clearly shows that additional upstream support and a gap analysis on the theme are needed to address this discrepancy
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionThe theme is clearly under-represented among properties inscribed under criterion (viii) Presently only six properties have been recognised for their OUV as river lake and delta systems
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 5
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 5 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Nahanni National Park Canada 1978 Canaima National Park Venezuela 1994
Everglades National Park United States of America
1979 Lake Baikal Russian Federation 1996
Plitvice Lakes National Park Croatia 1979 (2000) Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas China
2003
Willandra Lakes Region Australia 1981 Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) Tajikistan
2013
Riacuteo Plaacutetano Biosphere Reserve Honduras 1982
Mosi-oa-Tunya Victoria Falls Zambia Zimba-bwe
1989
Table 5 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 5 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 5 River lake and delta systems
26 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Despite having three of the largest and most important inland deltas already inscribed on the World Heritage List (Wood Buffalo National Park (Canada) the Okavango Delta (Botswana) and The Ahwar of Southern Iraq Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities (Iraq)) none of these properties were inscribed under criterion (viii) or recognised for their extremely important and valuable deltaic processes Likewise although the World Heritage Properties of Iguazu National Park (Argentina) and Iguaccedilu National Park (Brazil) conserve the largest and one of the most spectacular waterfall systems in the world this has not been recognised as a value under criterion (viii)
Terrestrial fossil properties inscribed under Theme 1 notably Miguasha National Park (Devonian) Joggins Fossil Cliffs (Carboniferous) and Dinosaur Provincial Park (Cretaceous) all in Canada occur in well studied fluvial lacustrine and deltaic deposits but this is not included as part of their OUV
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any lsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)Freshwater is fundamental to life on Earth and hydromorphological processes have shaped much of the
Earthrsquos surface as we see it today The importance of river (and other freshwater) systems for the evolution of life on land and human societal development is unparalleled The characteristics of freshwater bodies are highly determined by the climate and their relict forms and sediment archives are therefore also of immense importance for understanding past climatic events and changes Until now only Willandra Lakes Region (Australia) has been inscribed for its OUV of showing past major changes in Earthrsquos climate history and evolution
Large rivers cover long distances and vast areas and it is often not feasible to include the whole catchment within a World Heritage nomination Designation of OUV attributes such as the worldrsquos longest river or highest discharge river is difficult to achieve but could be done through serial properties and or transboundary nominations To cover the lsquobig storiesrsquo we should focus on the few natural rivers left and the textbook examples of alluvial and depositional features as well as past climatic records that these systems demonstrate Large relatively intact meandering systems can still be found in the Amazon and Congo basins as well as in northern Siberia and China while extensive braided river systems are found in North America New Zealandrsquos South Island and the Himalayas The flow of many rives has been impeded by human activity and natural free-flowing rivers2 are now confined to the Arctic (Canada and Russian Federation) and the Amazon and Congo basins as well as
Figure 15 Nahanni National Park (Canada) Located along the South Nahanni River this property is one of the most spectacular wild rivers in North America The park contains deep canyons and huge waterfalls The geomorphology of the property is outstanding in its wealth of form and complexity of evolution The park hosts the Worldrsquos foremost example of karst development in cold climate conditions but fluvial processes and features predominate Within the property are examples of almost every known characteristic of rivers Geological and geomorphological features include the abandoned meanders of ancient rivers now raised high above present river levels copy Ko Hon Chiu Vincent Source UNESCO
Theme 5 River lake and delta systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 27
a few examples in for example Australia and Papua New Guinea (Grill et al 2019 WWF 2019)
Theme 5 is highly relevant for other criteria and as discussed earlier some of the worldrsquos most outstanding river lake and delta systems are inscribed under criteria other than criterion (viii) Of greatest importance is undeniably that these properties and their physical biological and evolutionary processes are now protected for future generations however it would be an advantage if they were also recognised for their OUV under criterion (viii) Freshwater systems contain some of the most threatened habitats on the planet and are losing biodiversity twice as fast as any terrestrial or marine systems Despite only covering about 1 of the terrestrial surface these systems support about one-third of all known vertebrate species (Dye et al 2019) River lake and delta systems often present exceptional natural beauty significant on-going ecological and biological processes and contain significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity and threatened species and are therefore highly relevant for all the other natural (including some of the cultural) criteria
Lastly it should be noted that there are particularly important links to be made in application of this theme through connections to the implementation of the 1971 Ramsar Convention which allows for the recognition of wetlands of international importance IUCN and the Ramsar Convention Secretariat have frequently collaborated on implementation including the joint work on the only thematic study on this theme (from 1997) However the clear need for further thematic advice could be advanced by IUCN in conjunction with Ramsar
2 Free Flowing Rivers 2019 - httpfreeflowingriverorg
Theme 5 River lake and delta systems
28 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThe theme covers systems developed predominantly by the process of dissolution of soluble rocks This mainly involves carbonate rocks (limestone dolomite marble) and evaporite rocks (gypsum salt) In these terrains drainage disappears in enclosed depressions rivers sink underground and caves are signature landforms Some sandstone landscapes are also included because these rocks can become relatively soluble under subtropical and tropical conditions Natural processes involved in the development of caves and karst systems are explained by Ford amp Williams (2007 2011) and Palmer (2007)
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005At the time of the 2005 report 45 properties with internationally significant cave and karst features had been inscribed on the World Heritage List Amongst these were 25 considered to have outstanding karst features yet only eight were recognised as having OUV primarily under Theme 6 with an additional seven properties using it as an ancillary theme (Table 6 Annex 1) One additional property with OUV was lava pseudokarst recognised under criterion (viii) and having karst-like cave
decorations developed within lava tubes formed through volcanic processes
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005By 2019 the number of properties with internationally significant cave and karst features on the World Heritage List had increased by two properties that adopt karst as their main theme and a further two that utilise it as an ancillary theme (Table 6 Annex 1) It is evident that the outstanding cave and karst qualities of several properties were not appreciated either by some parties responsible for considering these nominations This points to the need for more upstream advice to assist in the recognition of significant karst values before nominations are made Sometimes the most appropriate nomination configuration (single areaserial nominationtransnational nomination) was not identified at the time of inscription and so adjustments have needed to be made to boundaries some years later
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThe 2005 report contained excellent and focused advice and enabled States Parties to achieve a global overview regarding
Theme 6 Cave and karst systemsPaul Williams and Kyung Sik Woo
Figure 16 Škocjan Caves (Slovenia) Located in the lsquoclassicalrsquo karst of Europe the property comprises a sinking river at the end of blind valley the exposed course of the underground river flowing across the base of deep collapse depressions and a large river cave with a high canyon passage It is representative of the input of an allogenic river into a karst system copy LimesMedia Tim Schnarr Source UNESCO
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 29
the protection of geological World Heritage and the contribution that they might make In addition to the 2005 report in 2008 IUCN published a separate report on World Heritage Caves and Karst a Thematic Study which was a global review of karst World Heritage Properties (Williams 2008) That thematic review of Caves and Karst was noted by several States Parties and encouraged a cautious consideration of the appropriateness or otherwise of possible nominations (Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation) in 2012 and the Trang An Landscape Complex (Viet Nam) in 2014) and stimulated a new entry on the Tentative List (Salt Domes of Iran 2017) The net effect of both reports was probably to encourage a total of about ten new inscriptions in this theme However there has been no progress regarding nominations in relation to gypsum karst The 2008 study remains current and appropriate in guiding towards the completion of the World Heritage List under this theme of criterion (viii)
The 2008 thematic review pointed out that the World Heritage Committee had noted in 2007 [Decision 31 COM 8B13]
ldquohellip that karst systems (including caves) are relatively well represented on the World Heritage List Worldwide there are a large number of protected karst landscapes with caves and at a detailed level every one of these can assert that it is in some way unique Therefore in the interests of maintaining the credibility of the World Heritage List IUCN considers that there is increasingly limited scope for recommending further karst nominations for inclusion on the World Heritage List In particular IUCN recommends that the World Heritage Committee should consider indicating clearly to States Parties that further karst nominations should only be promoted where
There is a very clear basis for identifying major and distinctive features of outstanding universal value that has been verified by a thorough global comparative analysis
The basis for claiming outstanding universal value is a significant and distinctive feature of demonstrable and widespread significance and not one of many narrow and specialized features that are exhibited within karst terrains IUCN recommends that States Parties considering karst nominations carry out an initial global comparative analysis prior to proceeding with the development of a full nomination in order to minimize the possibilities of promoting a nomination that will not meet the requirements of the World Heritage Convention including those concerning the conditions of integrityrdquo
This advice was taken seriously by States Parties and is undoubtedly responsible for a reduction in the rate of nomination of cave and karst properties Furthermore this theme illustrates in the nomination of the South China Karst (China) a particularly important example of the recognition of OUV through a serial approach by assembling in a thoroughly planned process the most outstanding examples of karst sites that illustrate one of the two great karst regions of Earth This is a model that has also been recommended in the thematic study in the Dinaric Karst the other of those two great regions
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionThe theme is well represented on the World Heritage List (Annex 1) and has a wide but unevenly distributed geographical distribution Two points are significant here
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 6
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 6 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Mammoth Cave National Park United States of America
1981 Nahanni National Park Canada 1978
Škocjan Caves Slovenia 1986 Plitvice Lakes National Park Croatia 1979 (2000)
Ha Long Bay Viet Nam 1994 (2000) Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Canada 1984 (1990)
Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst Hungary Slovakia
1995 (2000) Canaima National Park Venezuela 1994
Carlsbad Caverns National Park United States of America
1995 Pyreacuteneacutees - Mont Perdu France Spain 1997 (1999)
Desembarco del Granma National Park Cuba 1999 Lorentz National Park Indonesia 1999
Gunung Mulu National Park Malaysia 2000 Purnululu National Park Australia 2003
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Viet Nam 2003 (2015) Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes Republic of Korea
2007
South China Karst China 2007 (2014) Lena Pillars Nature Park Russian Federation 2012
Trang An Landscape Complex Viet Nam 2014
Table 6 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 6 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 6 Cave and karst systems
30 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Firstly the global distribution of karst rocks is the first determinant of where cave and karst World Heritage Properties can be located hence the properties shown on Figure 18 are mapped against a background of outcrops of carbonate and evaporite rocks (Goldscheider et al 2020) These rocks are distributed unevenly and the world distribution of evaporites is also uneven Thus we cannot expect an even global distribution of karst properties
Secondly cave and karst development depend on the operation of chemical processes driven by water and its temperature Rainfall is the primary driver but the rate of dissolution is enhanced if it is also warm Hence limestone locations that are wet warm and forested have excellent caves and karst which accounts for where most caves and karst World Heritage Properties are found However global climates change over time so important palaeokarst is sometimes found in places that were once wet but under modern conditions are inimical to karst and cave evolution This is the case in many temperate to subtropical arid lands where caves acting as Naturersquos vaults contain rich histories of more benign environments and climates in the past Some cold properties of the subarctic were also once warmer and have palaeokarst features developed during past milder humid conditions
The 2008 thematic review of caves and karst identified significant gaps in the geographical distribution of karst World
Heritage Properties and pointed to a gap in semi-arid and periglacial environments Only one inscription Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation) has since contributed to filling that gap Central Asia the Middle East Africa and South America remain seriously under-represented It was also pointed out that an important gap exists in the representation of evaporite terrains (salt and gypsum) This remains the case Also despite Shibing Karst in China being a dolomite terrain a gap remains regarding well-developed caves in dolomite
One lsquobig storyrsquo that is unrepresented but to which caves and karst can contribute is that of climates of the past Palaeokarst properties that contain important stories about past conditions on Earth are not explicitly represented on the World Heritage List although several World Heritage karst properties contain caves with excellent palaeoclimate archives Global climate is never static and while ice caps and seafloor sediments contain major climate archives the continents are under-represented Between the poles the best source of terrestrial palaeoclimate records is caves (they are also one of the best sources of hominid remains) Further cave records are also very much easier to date than other archives For example caves in the arid Nullarbor Plains of Australia have yielded mid-Pliocene speleothems containing pollen indicative of a past forested environment in association with rare mega-faunal remains The arid cave and karst properties of Central Asia and Africa could hold evidence of similar stories A cave in the island of
Figure 17 South China Karst (China) Seven sites of a serial nomination that represent karst evolution in southern China includes Shilin (stone forests on a rolling plateau in Yunnan) Jinfoshan (an isolated high plateau with huge horizontal caves suspended above deep surrounding valleys) Wulong (plateau karst with spectacular tiankeng natural bridges deep caves and gorges) Shibing (unusual cone karst development in dolomite bedrock) Libo (extensive forested cone karst (fengcong and fenglin) poljes gorges and caves with Huanjiang being an extension of the protected area) Guilin (the culmination of subtropical karst development with spectacular cones and towers beside the River Li) These areas provide type-sites for their principal karst features copy IUCN Jim Thorsell
Theme 6 Cave and karst systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 31
Mallorca Spain has yielded a precisely dated history of sea level change in the mid-Pliocene at a time when the Earthrsquos temperatures were two or three degrees higher than present Thick guano deposits in caves have never been investigated in detail for their palaeoecological record although they have long been recognised as sources of minerals
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)The key issue to emerge from this review is that many properties nominated for other reasons contain excellent caves and karst (Annex 1) Consequently important karst areas are being conserved on the coat-tails of other criteria This is an advantage for conservation but it would still be worth formally recognising the OUV of karst when it exists To amend a nomination by adding a new criterion after inscription would require the State Party to expend more resources that might be better used elsewhere but IUCN could better address this issue by helping to identify possibly unrecognised OUV at the pre-nomination stage
Figure 18 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world (with permission from Goldscheider et al 2020) with red triangles depicting the locations of World Heritage Properties with karst OUV their numbers referring to the list of World Heritage karst sites (see Annex 4) copy Goldscheider et al (2020)
Theme 6 Cave and karst systems
32 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverCoastal systems refer to physical processes and physiographical features present in the coastal zone The coastal zone is the boundary between land and sea a highly dynamic interface between geological and oceanographical features and including atmospheric (weather and climate) processes and how these are affected by land and sea (Abdulla et al 2013) But the interface - the shoreline - is mobile because land can be uplifted or subside and sea level can rise or fall Hence coastal landscapes landforms and sediments develop along a moving interface between land and sea as well as over long periods of time The zone over which this interaction plays out can be kilometres wide and so landforms produced by coastal processes can be found well inland well above sea level kilometres offshore and well below present sea level In many places coastal landforms are also influenced by ancient antecedent topography The operation of physical processes in coastal environments is explained by Woodroffe et al (2011) and Bird (2004) provides a geomorphological classification of coastal landscapes
Coastal processes were classified into 13 categories in the 2005 report It stated that coastal processes can display
ldquosignificant on-going geological processes in the development of landformsrdquo and ldquosignificant geomorphological or physiographical featuresrdquo for criterion (viii) Coastal processes have also been classified worldwide into 62 coastal provinces (from the coastline to 200 m depth) (Spalding 2012 UNESCO 2016)
Waves tides and wind dominate coastal processes and rivers deliver sediment to the coast These activities lead to the development of coastal landforms that vary according to whether processes play out on hard rocky coasts or on relatively soft mobile sand and gravel coasts So on the one hand we find cliffs headlands reefs coral lagoons and blue-holes rias and fjords while on the other we see beaches dunes sand spits and barriers dune lakes tidal-flats deltas and estuaries Marine canyons may also extend offshore sometimes for hundreds of kilometres The coast also supports rich ecosystems including salt marshes mangroves seagrass coral reefs and salt-tolerant coastal forests and shrub fields
Due to rapid sea-level rise since the last glaciation drowned coasts (characterised by rias fjords and estuaries) are very
Theme 7 Coastal systemsKyung Sik Woo
Figure 19 Fraser Island (Australia) Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world The combination of shifting sand-dunes tropical rainforests and lakes makes it an exceptional property copy IUCN Ceacutelia Zwahlen
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 33
common around the world Post-glacial sea level stabilised close to its present position about 6000 years ago Since that time sea level has varied by less than two metres depending on location but sometimes the migration of shoreline position is also driven by on-going tectonics Thus in some places sea level has the illusion of falling because the land is rising This can result in a staircase of marine terraces as in the Desembarco del Granma National Park (Cuba) In other places such as glaciated parts of northern continents shoreline regression (retreat) is driven by recovery of the land after being depressed under the weight of enormously thick ice sheets Elsewhere huge amounts of sediment deposition by large rivers may cause the land to subside and the sea to transgress thus giving the impression that sea level is rising
Carbonate coasts and sediments tend to increase towards the tropics but can be constrained by large inputs of muddy sediment In carbonate-dominated coasts a clear distinction can be made between tropical to subtropical coral reef-dominated systems and temperate carbonate shell-sand systems Carbonate beaches and tidal flats are especially found in low latitude regions where they tend to be controlled by carbonate production rates of shallow marine organisms as well as by physical hydraulic energy Broad tidal flats composed of carbonates (called sabkha) are present in arid coastal areas Stromatolites (calcareous microbial growths) are another significant feature of low latitude carbonate coasts (Shark Bay Western Australia (Australia))
Where clastic sediments are dominant different types of coastal landforms can develop according to the balance between tidal and wave energy Wave-dominated coasts are represented by beach barrier island and lagoon systems Tidal flats develop along more sheltered low energy coasts with abundant terrestrial sediment supply Coastal deltas and deltaic plains also form where rivers discharge abundant sediment
Many coastal features may be assessed as having OUV due to the great variety of interacting processes involved in their formation and the wide array of hard and soft coast landforms that result The coastal zone is also affected by the discharge of rivers and thereby may be influenced by phenomena that
may occur thousands of kilometres inland away from the coastal zone itself (eg Everglades National Park (United States of America)) Finally by virtue of the concentration of human populations in the coastal zone as well as in the basins of many rivers coastal zones are among the most threatened globally human impact affecting the integrity of many coastal features although in some places there may be sustainable relationships between geodiversity biodiversity and associated cultural activities
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005Using the themes recognised in this report three properties with coastal zone OUV were inscribed on the World Heritage List by 2005 with another six properties that exhibit coastal processes as an ancillary theme (Table 7 Annex 1)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005The only property listed under this theme since 2005 is the Wadden Sea (Denmark Germany and Netherlands) which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2009 and extended in 2014 This property demonstrates geological and geomorphological components of barrier islands beaches tidal flats and ongoing coastal processes which are strongly associated with the paths of migratory birds between Eurasia and Africa
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeConsidering that only one property has been inscribed under this theme since 2005 it can be concluded that the 2005 report was not very effective in stimulating the World Heritage nomination of coastal systems which as a result remain poorly represented on the World Heritage List in terms of recognition under criterion (viii)
Abdulla et al (2013) provided a global analysis of marine World Heritage Properties for all natural criteria They identified and mapped 27 coastal and 24 pelagic provinces representing over 50 of all provinces Around 44 (27) of all 62 coastal provinces and 65 (24) of all 37 pelagic provinces are completely unrepresented (0 properties) on the World Heritage List For another 31 (19) of coastal provinces and 30
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 7
Date Inscribed(extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 7 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Everglades National Park United States of America
1979 Galaacutepagos Islands Ecuador 1978 (2001)
Gulf of Porto Calanche of Piana Gulf of Girola-ta Scandola Reserve France
1983 Great Barrier Reef Australia 1981
Fraser Island Australia 1992 Shark Bay Western Australia Australia 1991
Wadden Sea Denmark Germany Netherlands 2009 (2014) Ha Long Bay Viet Nam 1994 (2000)
Desembarco del Granma National Park Cuba 1999
Dorset and East Devon Coast United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2001
Table 7 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 7 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 7 Coastal systems
34 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
(11) of pelagic provinces it is likely that the small area (lt1) covered by existing World Heritage Properties is not adequate to include all features of potential OUV in the province They suggested that the properties and dynamics of seawater and the ocean itself can represent the OUV Apart from ecosystem processes specific to coastal and marine systems in criterion (ix) and references to coastal and marine geological processes and themes in criterion (viii) the physical and chemical nature of seawater and ocean water bodies have not been considered and these are fundamental to the biological processes and species that are the subject of criteria (ix) and (x) (Abdulla et al 2013)
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionThe geographical distribution of existing coastal system World Heritage Properties inadequately reflects the widespread occurrence of coastal properties of global importance There is no case of a lsquocoastal systemrsquo that is fully or over-represented Evidently as with some other themes (such as Theme 6) there are many properties located in coastal areas that are included on the World Heritage List under criteria other than criterion (viii) It has been beyond the scope of the present study to undertake an analysis of that coverage (and the extent to which outstanding coastal geoheritage is covered in such properties) The need to provide updated thematic advice in this area should also consider this aspect of the recognition of coastal systems of OUV under criterion (viii)
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)The prevailing lsquobig storyrsquo to be addressed is sea level rise associated with climatic change Sea level change is a natural process that has been going on for billions of years but the current particularly rapid rate of rise is exacerbated by human activity via the warming effect of greenhouse gases So there is scope for selecting some further World Heritage Properties that contain clear evidence for sea level change and demonstrate the consequences of such changes whether natural or human-induced One of the clearest and scientifically most well-known sites from which the history of Quaternary sea level change has been revealed is found in a series of uplifted coral reefs in Papua New Guinea a Tentative List property referred to as lsquoHuon Terraces ndash Stairway to the Pastrsquo Climate change is also associated with a greater incidence of extreme storm events and these are often particularly manifest along the coast where geological evidence may be left that shows the nature and magnitude of the event (eg cyclones) which may be disastrous from a human perspective Strong physical sedimentary records of both sediments and rocks can be displayed as tempestites tsunamiites and rhodoid deposits in coast zones These records help in understanding the geological history (magnitude and frequency) of natural disasters
Figure 20 Wadden Sea (Denmark Germany and Netherlands) The largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world copy IUCN Wendy Strahm
Theme 7 Coastal systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 35
Unlike most other geological properties under different themes coastal (also marine) systems cannot be physically separated from adjacent areas because strong process connections are present due to the combined effects of climate waves tide and fluvial discharge Also human activities (coastal protection aquaculture and fisheries) are heavily involved in most areas and traditional fisheries have sometimes become part of geological and ecological systems in coastal regions This kind of human involvement in the coastal zone has already been recognised by Abdulla et al (2013) In many coastal zones there are areas where geodiversity underpins biodiversity because organisms living or visiting the coastal zone are dependent upon the food resources in the substrates that are directly associated with geological and oceanographical processes
Coastal System
Dynamic ongoingprocess associated
with surroundingcoastal landform
Coastal landform sedimentary
deposit with surroundingantecedent landform
Special deposit
bull Wave-dominatedbull Tide-dominatedbull Wave- and tide- combined processed
bull Siliciclastic landform barrier island beach amp dune delta (fan delta) tidal environmentbull Carbonate landform beach amp dune tidal environment (eg sabhka) frining reef and lagoon stromatolite rhodolite etcbull Others marine terrace mangrove swamp
bull Event deposits tempestite seismite tsunamitebull Placer depositsbull Special relationship between geodiversity and biodiversity
Figure 21 Coastal Classification copy Kyung Sik Woo
Theme 7 Coastal systems
36 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverMarine systems includes seafloor and submarine features coral islands reefs and oceanic islands The theme encompasses ldquosignificant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphological featuresrdquo found in the shallow and deep marine areas
This theme comprises the former Theme 9 of the 2005 report lsquoReefs atolls and oceanic islandsrsquo but additionally includes the wide range of ongoing processes and geological features of marine areas including physical chemical and biological processes tectonic settings and sedimentary environments including continental shelf and slope basin floors abyssal plains oceanic trenches submarine ridges
Marine areas cover 70 of the Earth surface most of which is in deep marine areas In recent years there have been a number of advances in the study of the submarine environment including extensive mapping of the seafloor which has produced a plethora of new information on the marine systems in the deep marine areas
The theme of Marine systems will have some overlap with other themes such as lsquoTectonic systemsrsquo eg oceanic ridges andor the theme of lsquoVolcanic systemsrsquo eg volcanic islands as well as the theme of lsquoRiver lake and delta systemsrsquo andor lsquoCoastal systemsrsquo
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005Marine systems were not defined in the 2005 report and only the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) and the Galaacutepagos Islands (Ecuador) were listed with primary features under the then theme of lsquoReefs atolls and oceanic islandsrsquo Shark Bay Western Australia (Australia) was inscribed in 1991 and recognised especially for its stromatolites under criterion (viii)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005No properties that use Theme 8 as a primary theme have been inscribed since 2005 Papahānaumokuākea in the mid-Pacific Ocean addresses Theme 8 as an ancillary theme (Table 8 Annex 1) and the fossil Triassic reefs and atolls of The Dolomites (Italy) are listed as ancillary values under Theme 1
Theme 8 Marine systemsTom Casadevall Tove Damholt and Kyung Sik Woo
Figure 22 Great Barrier Reef (Australia) The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) forms the worldrsquos largest coral reef ecosystem ranging from inshore fringing reefs to mid-shelf reefs and exposed outer reefs including examples of all stages of reef development The processes of geological and geomorphological evolution are well represented linking continental islands coral cays and reefs The varied seascapes and landscapes that occur today have been moulded by changing climates and sea levels and the erosive power of wind and water over long time periods One-third of the GBR lies beyond the seaward edge of the shallower reefs this area comprises continental slope and deep oceanic waters and abyssal plains copy Wise Hok Wai Lum Source Wikimedia Commons
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 37
Evidently a number of atolls and reefs are inscribed under other natural criteria than criterion (viii) and a full evaluation of the representation of these features on the World Heritage List would have to take this into consideration important amongst these is the Ningaloo Coast (Australia) inscribed under criteria (vii) and (x) but having one of the worldrsquos longest near-shore coral reefs All other marine features than oceanic islands atolls and reefs are apparently very poorly represented or missing indicating a substantial gap in the representation of marine features on the World Heritage List
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeWhile this is a newly defined theme given that only one inscription was made since 2005 that falls under the former theme of lsquoReefs atolls and oceanic islandsrsquo it is clear that the 2005 report did not provide the stimulus to States Parties in relation to the application of criterion (viiI)
As noted in the previous Theme (Coastal systems) Abdulla et al (2013) remains an important broader thematic reference for the listing of marine World Heritage There appears to be a need to provide further specific guidance on the positioning of criterion (viii) in relation to the current and future recognition of marine World Heritage
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionGiven the small number of criterion (viii) World Heritage Properties currently listed in relation to the Marine systems theme it is difficult to assess the question of equitable geographical distribution Some notable marine environments such as the Indian Ocean the Polar Regions and most of the Atlantic Ocean currently lack any properties inscribed under criterion (viii) on the World Heritage List however the extent of coverage by properties listed under other themes needs to be considered in assessing representation
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)As this is a newly defined theme and as most of the deep marine environments have not been included previously on the World Heritage List it is reasonable to say that many of the lsquobig storiesrsquo of the geoheritage of Marine systems remain to be revealed within the World Heritage List
There are likely to be number of missing elements under criterion (viii) related to most of the overall features included in the theme Features recommended by Abdulla et al (2013) complemented by biogenic features to include the atolls and reefs are as follows plates and tectonic features hotspot seamounts vents seeps and other hydrogeological features sedimentary processes (clastic processes and products) biogenic features (atolls reefs etc)
As the scope of the present report does not allow for a thorough study on the means to respond to the lsquobig storiesrsquo it is recommended that a thematic study and gap analysis for the theme of Marine systems under criterion (viii) be undertaken to identify the missing elements for future listings In considering such a study including the recommendations of Abdulla et al (2013) it is important to note that some of these aspects can also be taken forward in relation to the application of other themes (for instance see the discussion of marine volcanism in Theme 4)
One example of a lsquobig storyrsquo that is at present only touched on in a limited and incomplete fashion is the submarine expression of plate tectonic boundaries ndash spreading centres subduction zones and expressions of hot spots One could envision for example a serial property nomination to encompass key elements of the Mid-Atlantic Rift system which collectively would tell the story of this major Earth tectonic feature (but noting the link to implementation of Themes 2 and 4) Another topic missing on the World Heritage List is the marine sedimentary systems of canyons channels and submarine fans telling the story of on-going processes acting at giant scale in the deep marine
The importance of including marine natural heritage on the World Heritage List has been recognised in a number of recent reports from IUCN (Abdulla et al 2013 Freestone et al 2016 Casadevall et al 2019) As noted in these reports a key issue relates to who has jurisdiction to propose manage and protect areas of the deep marine environment These environments cover half of the Earthrsquos surface most of which lies beyond the jurisdiction of nations However and as mentioned under the lsquoVolcanic systemsrsquo theme the plethora of recent deep sea floor mapping and exploration has revealed a variety of seafloor features and environments which may merit protection from threats due to mineral resource exploitation disposal of wastes from human activity such as mining dredging for seafoods etc This represents a further reason to explore the extension of the application of the World Heritage Convention to the High Seas
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 8
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 8 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Great Barrier Reef Australia 1981 Galaacutepagos Islands Ecuador 1978 (2001)
Papahānaumokuākea United States of America 2010
Table 8 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 8 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 8 Marine systems
38 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThis theme includes geological processes landscape and geomorphological features developed by past or present glacial and periglacial systems Theme 9 is equivalent to the former two themes 10 lsquoGlaciers and ice capsrsquo and 11 lsquoIce Agesrsquo described in the 2005 report The new theme Theme 9 includes 17 of the World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) for their OUV (primary elements)
Glacier and glacial landscapes are often described as being of the most outstanding and spectacular natural beauty and several World Heritage Properties have been inscribed under criterion (vii) for example Mount Kenya National ParkNatural Forest (Kenya) Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) and Waterton Glacier International Peace Park (Canada and United States of America) The glacial landscape represents diverse glacial landforms and geomorphic or physiographic features both at a large and small scale created by glacial processes such as erosion and deposition Present day glaciers and ice caps are mainly found in high northern and southern latitudes and in high mountain ranges Their existence is dependent
upon a cold climate and precipitation The glaciers mass balance being the difference between accumulation of snow in the winter and ablation of ice during summer are recorded globally and used as an indication of climate change
Glaciers are in broad sense classified into two main types warm-based or temperate glaciers and cold-based or polar glaciers but in between are variations of intermediate thermal glaciers for example sub-polar glaciers The thermal condition of the glaciers together with ice thickness and gravity due to sub-glacial topography and type of bedrock are one of the factors that affects their dynamics and simultaneously the magnitude of erosion and carving There are several different types of glaciers Large continental masses of glacial ice are called ice sheets such as those covering Antarctica and Greenland Ice caps are smaller usually less than 50000 square kilometres and are mainly found in polar and sub-polar regions eg Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice (Iceland) Mountain glaciers develop in high mountains regions and include smaller cirque glaciers in bowl-shaped eroded landforms Valley glaciers and outlet glaciers are the
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systemsLoviacutesa Aacutesbjoumlrnsdoacutettir
Figure 23 Ilulissat Icefjord (Denmark) The Ilulissat Icefjord is an outstanding example of a stage in the Earthrsquos history the last ice age of the Quaternary Period The ice-stream is one of the fastest (40 m per day) and most active in the world Its annual calving of over 46 km3 of ice accounts for 10 of the production of all Greenland calf ice more than any other glacier outside Antarctica The property has significantly added to the understanding of ice-cap glaciology climate change and related geomorphic processes copy Ko Hon Chiu Vincent Source UNESCO
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 39
flowing or streaming part of mountain glaciers or ice caps They become piedmont glaciers when they spread out entering flat land but are called tidewater glaciers when reaching out into the sea Rock glaciers are slow moving glaciers with variable amounts of ice involved which are covered with rock and debris preventing the ice from melting
Diverse glacial landforms and glacial landscapes are created by erosional and depositional processes in different glacial environments The main environments are glacial glacio-fluvial glacio-lacustrine and glacio-marine In glacial environments older glacial landforms and features are often eroded or covered by younger glacial erosion and deposits
Periglacial systems are found in cold climate regions where permafrost and freeze-thaw processes are the dominant factors effecting the environment These processes develop characteristic and diverse landform in periglacial environments for example patterned ground palsas and pingos Permafrost is defined as a ground material (soil rock ice or organic material) that remains at or below 0degC for at least two consecutive years Its main characteristic is the permanently frozen conditions of ground water and vapour within the
sediments and bedrocks affected by the cold climate At the surface is the active layer often about one metre thick that seasonally and repeatedly freezes and thaws Permafrost exists in large areas of non-glacial environments in the polar regions but it also occurs (to a lesser extent) as mountain permafrost in many of the higher mountain areas in the world and as subsea permafrost in the continental shelves of the Arctic Ocean Global warming in the past decades has caused changes in the glacial and periglacial environments and is an on-going condition which may have unforeseen consequences in the future
The description for the theme lsquoIce Agesrsquo in the 2005 report is good and valid It includes global patterns of continental icesheet expansion and recession isostasy sea-level changes and associated biogeographic records
The major Ice Ages in the Earthrsquos history are The Huronian (24-21 billion years ago) The Cryogenian (720-635 million years ago) The Early Palaeozoic (460-420 million years ago) the
Andean-Saharan Ice Age
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 9
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 9 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Kluane Wrangell-St Elias Glacier Bay Tatshenshini-Alsek Canada and United States of America
1979 (1992 1994)
Gros Morne National Park Canada 1987
Los Glaciares National Park Argentina 1981 Heard and McDonald Islands Australia 1997
Tasmanian Wilderness Australia 1982 (1989)
Pirin National Park Bulgaria 1983 (2010)
Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves La Amistad National Park Costa Rica Panama
1983 (1990)
Yosemite National Park United States of America
1984
Huascaraacuten National Park Peru 1985
Te Wahipounamu ndash South West New Zealand New Zealand
1990
Laponian Area Sweden 1996
Pyreacuteneacutees - Mont Perdu France Spain 1997 (1999)
High Coast Kvarken Archipelago Finland Sweden
2000 (2006)
Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch Switzerland 2001 (2007)
Ilulissat Icefjord Denmark 2004
West Norwegian Fjords ndash Geirangerfjord and Naeligroslashyfjord Norway
2005
Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) Tajikistan
2013
Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice Iceland
2019
Table 9 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 9 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems
40 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
The Late Palaeozoic (360-260 million years ago) the Karoo Ice Age
The Cenozoic (28 million-10000 years ago) the Quaternary Ice Age
The Quaternary Ice Age is a rather well-documented event in the Earthrsquos history especially in the Northern Hemisphere but that is not the case with the older Ice Ages However geological records of glacial deposits and erosion relative sea level changes fossil records and chemical elements are evidence of colder climate condition effecting the palaeoenvironment long before the last Ice Age
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005By 2005 14 properties had been inscribed on the World Heritage List under Theme 9 and two additional properties inscribed with ancillary elements under this theme (Table 9 Annex 1) The 14 properties are divided between sites with present glaciers and active glacial processes and sites without glaciers but including glacial landscapes and features from the Pleistocene Epoch Only one property under Theme 9 Laponian Area (Sweden) mention the periglacial processes of freeze-thaw
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since 2005 two properties have been inscribed solely or jointly with other themes 1) Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) (Tajikistan) which is at the centre of glaciation on the
Eurasian continent and 2) Vatnajoumlkull National Park (Iceland) for the lsquodynamic nature of fire and icersquo with OUV for two Themes 9 and 4
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeIn the 2005 report the thematic advice provides clarity on the elements of criterion (viii) were divided into four parts and defined with a list of processes landforms and features recognised within each part The two themes at the time (lsquoGlaciers and ice capsrsquo and lsquoIce Agesrsquo) was clearly described The reason that only two inscriptions have been assigned for Theme 9 since 2005 can partly be explained by the relatively high number of inscriptions related to this theme before 2005 A number of potentially relevant properties were also inscribed under criterion (vii) A recent inventory of glaciers inside World Heritage Properties independent of criteria inscriptions gave the result of 46 properties with notable glaciers within their boundaries (Bosson et al 2019) In 2020 at least seven sites on the Tentative Lists of States Parties are described as being glacial and periglacial systems
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionTheme 9 is relatively well represented but with an uneven geographical distribution Europe and North America (11 properties) Asia and Pacific (four properties) and Latin America and the Caribbean (three properties) The theme has not yet
Figure 24 Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina) Significant process of glaciation as well as of geological geomorphological and physiographical phenomena caused by the ongoing advance and retreat of the glaciations that took place during the Pleistocene epoch in the Quaternary period and the neoglaciations corresponding to the current epoch or Holocene copy Philipp Schinz Source UNESCO
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 41
been used for inscription of properties in the Arab States and Africa but this reflects the geography of the planet
Periglacial systems are under-represented on the World Heritage List even though permafrost regions extend over 25 of the Earthrsquos terrestrial areas Large permafrost areas exist in northern Canada Alaska (USA) Russian Federation and China Periglacial system are in properties inscribed under others themes for example Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation) and are also found in World Heritage Properties inscribed for criterion (vii) and biodiversity eg Putorana Plateau (Russian Federation)
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)The key issue for Theme 9 is the changing climate globally In the past decade we have witnessed that glaciers are retreating fast and periglacial areas are thawing Bosson et al (2019) provides an inventory based on the newest available data on glaciers in 2017 and glacier evolution modelling for 46 World Heritage glaciers sites The results predict that by the year 2100 more than 80 of the ice volume of glaciers in 2017 is expected to have melted in 20 or 41 sites according to the models low or high emission scenario Glacier lsquoextinctionrsquo or disappearance is forecasted in eight to 21 World Heritage Properties In the research it is also pointed out that this decline in World Heritage glaciers will strongly affect the integrity and value of many of these sites and can even be a threat to their OUV
The lsquobig storiesrsquo of the major Ice Ages in Earthrsquos history are their causes and effects Does the rock record hold any evidence of the likely causes of these Ice Ages How are these Ice Ages represented in geological formations and erosions How do they represent changes in palaeoclimates palaeoenvironments atmospheric composition changes in tectonic or changes in the fossil record It is clear that inscription of older Ice Ages can be complex and it will have a strong interplay with other themes To cover some of these topics inscription as a serial or transboundary properties could be considered
Theme 9 has the characteristic of interacting with many other themes under criterion (viii) and with other criteria as well Glacial and periglacial systems are common under criterion (vii) but are also found under criteria (ix) and (x) as the theme creates a foundation for a specific ecological environment biological diversity and habitats
Multibeam surveys of the sea floor have revealed glacial landforms that provide additional information on terrestrial glaciation It is not unlikely that in the near future a new technology will reveal geological properties of OUV for Theme 9 and other themes of criterion (viii)
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems
42 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThe theme Desert and semi-desert systems is presented in the 2005 report as lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo and emphasises specific environments rather than a particular surface process or group of processes However in order to minimise overlaps within the present framework and to make it as clear as possible this category is understood as primarily designed to cover aeolian processes and landforms as well as features produced by intermittent runoff and evaporation Thus it includes landscape features such as dunes and dune fields of various types and sizes yardangs deflation hollows wadis and playas
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005The 2005 report mentioned that four properties had OUV under this lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo theme (Willandra Lakes Region (Australia) Tassili nrsquoAjjer (Algeria) Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park (Australia) and Purnululu National Park (Australia) but none had actually been inscribed under that theme (Table 10 Annex 1)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005The current representation of desert and semi-desert systems among World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion
(viii) is very limited There are only three such properties all inscribed after the 2005 report El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve
(Mexico) ndash includes part of the Sonoran Desert with star dunes and linear dunes of considerable height This property also includes significant volcanic features
Namib Sand Sea (Namibia) ndash hosts diverse dune landscapes representing an almost complete catalogue of dune types (star linear transverse barchans) as well as other desert surface features such as interdune corridors gravel plains ephemeral channels and playas
Lut Desert (Iran) ndash includes classic locality of yardangs developed on a massive scale as well as gravel plains and dune fields
There are several additional World Heritage Properties relevant to the theme but inscribed under criteria other than criterion (viii) However justifications of inscription show that landscape features produced by desert environmental processes were considered crucial for the OUV of these properties These are1 Air and Teacuteneacutereacute Natural Reserves (Niger) (vii) (ix) and (x) ndash
include dune fields surrounding residual volcanic massifs in the hyper-arid environment
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systemsPiotr Migoń
Figure 25 Lut Desert (Iran) The Lut Desert is a classic locality of yardangs developed on a massive scale as well as gravel plains and dune fields copy Paul Williams
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 43
2 Lakes of Ounianga (Chad) (vii) ndash a group of lakes within an otherwise hyper-arid environment fed by groundwater and surrounded by dunes and desert pavements filling surface depressions formed by aeolian erosion (deflation)
3 Okavango Delta (Botswana) (vii) (ix) and (x) ndash overlapping with Theme 5 (River lake and delta systems) it also represents geomorphic features resulting from specific hydrological functioning of drylands with considerable seasonal variations in runoff
Furthermore as with other themes there are many more properties included on the World Heritage List within arid and semi-arid environments but listed for values not related to desert geomorphology (such as Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) (Egypt) which is listed for its spectacular fossils but in a diverse natural desert landscape
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeDesert and semi-desert systems have been the subject of a thematic study commissioned by IUCN (Goudie amp Seely 2011) This study comprehensively covered desert environments identifying various geomorphological features present in the worldrsquos deserts whether directly formed by dry climate processes or not but also indicating three unique subjects for drylands (a) wind processes and landforms (b) weathering processes forms and surface materials specifically different types of near-surface crusts and (c) fossil lakes and other pluvial evidence The latter is particularly important in the context of climate change over geological timescales providing evidence of drastic shifts in climate especially during the Quaternary It needs to be noted that five out of the six World Heritage Properties listed above were inscribed after the thematic study was published although work towards their nominations may have started earlier
Goudie amp Seely (2011) also noted several World Heritage Properties located in deserts which contain representative desert surface features although not of OUV and inscribed under different natural and cultural criteria Among them properties inscribed in recognition of rock art are particularly relevant as this rock art often provides evidence of drastic climate change experienced in recent Earth history They also found several properties on the Tentative List which illustrate desert processes with a few having been inscribed in the following years
This 2011 thematic advice remains relevant and effective as a basis for guiding future application of criterion (viii) under this theme
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionThe current representation of desert and semi-desert systems is relatively modest although the actual number of properties located in arid and semi-arid areas is much higher Many however were inscribed as outstanding examples of erosional systems and palaeontological properties as well as for rock art (as Cultural World Heritage) rather than for aeolian or other specifically dry climate processes Among the six properties listed above four are located in Africa whereas Asia and North America are represented by one property each This low number stands in stark contrast to the area covered by worldrsquos deserts and semi-deserts estimated by Goudie amp Seely (2011) for one third of the total continental area Evident geographical gaps are deserts of Middle East Central and East Asia Australia as well as the semi-desert areas of South America The vastness of the Sahara and the diversity of the North American drylands also offers potential for identification of further features of OUV
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any lsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)In terms of diversity of desert processes and landforms the majority of properties illustrate depositional effects of aeolian processes being focused on dune landscapes Star and linear dunes are highlighted whereas other dunes types such as transverse dune fields and barchans are less exposed Effects of aeolian erosion (deflation) are emphasised in one case only (Lut Desert (Iran)) and there is the scope for further investigation and nominations Desert lakes and playas (former lake basins including seasonal lakes) whether in inland or coastal locations (sabkhas) are clearly under-represented Another gap is complex desert geomorphological systems which would explicitly integrate erosional transitional and depositional features into one system addressing the condition of integrity Two variants may be distinguished here (a) aeolian systems from deflation surfaces (playas stony deserts wind-moulded bedrock outcrops) to dune fields (b) runoff-evaporation systems from channel networks in the higher ground to seasonal lakes and playas The theme of desert landscapes as evidence of climate change is definitely worth exploration both for existing properties (including those inscribed under cultural criteria) and potential properties It may be linked with cultural World Heritage
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 10
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 10 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Bio-sphere Reserve Mexico
2013
Namib Sand Sea Namibia 2013
Lut Desert Iran 2016
Table 10 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 10 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systems
44 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
as the sensitivity of dry environments to climate change often contributed to rises and falls of ancient civilisations which have left tangible evidence (abandoned settlements relict cultural landscapes) Rapidly increasing literature on this subject will provide solid scientific background for further action
In the dual context of desert and semi-desert systems and climate change a theme of loess deposits (wind-blown silt) is identified as completely missing from the World Heritage List Loess with associated palaeosols (buried soils) is an important carrier of palaeoenvironmental information which in suitable settings covers the entire Quaternary Period providing a unique terrestrial record of climate change The thickness of continuous loess may exceed 100 m and is often well exposed In certain localities loess is linked with distinctive features of surface erosion (gully networks escarpments) illustrating on-going geological (geomorphological) processes and significant geomorphic formations Supporting fertile soils loess areas have been inhabited and turned into agricultural land early in the human history As a consequence they are rich in archaeological evidence often of unique value The potential of loess deposits and landscapes may be explored in East and Central Asia Central and Eastern Europe in particular but loess deposits occur on all continents
Thus whilst the specific guidance for the application of criterion (viii) remains relevant it may be that deserts would benefit from a greater connection of the recognition of geoheritage to the wider recognition of cultural and natural World Heritage
Figure 26 Namib Sand Sea (Namibia) This property hosts diverse dune landscapes representing an almost complete catalogue of dune types (star linear transverse barchans) as well as other desert surface features such as interdune corridors gravel plains ephemeral channels and playas copy Ko Hon Chiu Vincent Source UNESCO
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 45
What does the theme coverThe theme of Meteorite impacts includes features produced by the impacts of meteors comets asteroids and other extra-terrestrial objects with the Earth including both physical structures formed by extra-terrestrial impacts such as impact craters as well as major effects caused by them such as mass extinction Impacts by and accretion of extra-terrestrial bodies was the fundamental process by which the Earth grew to its current size It was also a dominant geological process throughout the early history of the Solar System and a variety of possible effects have been ascribed to impacts on Earth including the origin of the Earthrsquos moon the contribution to the Earthrsquos quantity of volatile gases and effects on the evolution of early life In more recent geological time at least one mass extinction event is linked to global effects caused by a major impact event (eg Osinski amp Pierazzo 2012)
Most of the physical structures formed by impacts of extra-terrestrial bodies on Earth have been obliterated by later geological processes and only a few of the more than 190 impact craters3 that have been identified still display the characteristic crater morphology with an annular depression surrounded by an elevated crater rim
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005At the time of the publication of the 2005 report only one property had been inscribed on the World Heritage List under this theme Vredefort Dome (South Africa) which is the oldest largest and most deeply eroded complex meteorite impact structure in the world (Table 11 Annex 1) It is the site of the worldrsquos greatest single known energy release event and contains high quality and accessible geological (outcrop) properties which demonstrate a range of geological evidences of a complex meteorite impact structure
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005In 2014 Stevns Klint (Denmark) was inscribed under this theme The property bears evidence of the asteroid impact believed to have caused the mass extinction that led to the end of the Age of the Dinosaurs and has iconic scientific importance due to its association with the radical theory for asteroid driven extinction In 2014 decision 38 COM 8B10 of the World Heritage Committee followed the recommendation of IUCN and considered ldquothat this nomination can be regarded as completing the recognition of the phenomenon of asteroid impact and its impact on the history of life on Earth on the
Theme 11 Meteorite impactsTove Damholt
Figure 27 Vredefort Dome (South Africa) The Vredefort Dome is the oldest largest and most deeply eroded complex meteorite impact structure in the world and the site of the worldrsquos greatest single known energy release event copy OUR PLACE The World Source UNESCO
3 Earth Impact Database 2019 - httpwwwpasscnetEarthImpactDatabaseNew20website_05-2018Indexhtml
46 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
World Heritage Listrdquo The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa) an Archean property inscribed under several themes (Theme 1 2 4 and 11) contains several thin beds interpreted as meteorite fall-back breccia reflecting the massive bombardments of the early Earth
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeIn the 2005 report the lsquoMeteorite impactrsquo theme is described as ldquophysical evidence of meteorite impacts (astroblemes) and major changes that have resulted from them such as extinctionsrdquo This led to the nomination and inscription of Stevns Klint (Denmark) in 2014 This theme has not been seen as requiring a separate thematic study
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionAs mentioned there are only two properties on the World Heritage List that represent meteorite impacts one in Africa and one in Europe plus one property in Africa that contains meteorite fall-back spherules Further it should be noted again that following the nomination of the Stevns Klint (Denmark) in 2014 it can be considered that this theme is now fully represented on the World Heritage List regardless of geographical distribution
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any lsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)The theme is well represented considering the more limited scope compared to the other themes recognised within criterion (viii) This is particularly the case with regards to the very old and very large physical features related to impacts by extra-terrestrial bodies by the eroded crater of Vredefort Dome supplemented by the fall back breccia of the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (both in South Africa) Stevns Klint (Denmark) forms an equally strong representation of the effect of an extra-terrestrial impact on the record of life on Earth It is remarkable however that the list does not include the feature that is most spectacular and easily understandable to everyone a well-preserved impact crater with a clearly visible annular depression surrounded by an elevated crater rim The lsquobig storiesrsquo of the theme are thus regarded as fully covered except for the representation of a crater structure clearly visible to the untrained eye and recognised as such to a wide public
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 11
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 11 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Vredefort Dome South Africa 2005 Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains South Africa 2018
Stevns Klint Demark 2014
Table 11 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 11 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Figure 28 Stevns Klint (Denmark) The Stevns Klint bears evidence of the asteroid impact believed to have caused the mass extinction that led to the end of the Age of the Dinosaurs It is of iconic scientific importance due to its association with the radical theory for asteroid driven extinction copy Jacob Lautrup Source UNESCO
Theme 11 Meteorite impacts
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 47
As mentioned previously apart from justifying OUV any World Heritage nomination must also include a full and detailed comparative analysis the definition of boundaries meet the conditions of integrity and demonstrate adequate long-term protection and management which should reflect the extent and character of the attributes that convey the OUV To assist in the assessment of OUV it is necessary to perform a global comparative analysis with other sites and areas (including those already inscribed on the World Heritage List) across the world that contain or display similar elements The following three cases are examples of how the building of a comparative analysis was done for recently designated World Heritage Properties nominated under criterion (viii) Collectively these three examples show some commonalities that extend across all 11 themes in geological World Heritage (Figure 2) including the overarching need to identify a gap in attributes of OUV among all existing World Heritage Properties before beginning the nomination the utility of creating a formal list of required and desired criteria to permit equal comparisons among all relevant sites worldwide and the value of a rigorous scoring system to rank individual sites
relative to these previously defined criteria At the same time these examples also show that some aspects of each theme are unique to that theme and thus require some individuality in the criteria for comparisons It is recommended to consider these but also to contact IUCN beforehand in order to establish an effective comparative analysis methodology
Theme 1 Mistaken Point CanadaFor the past two decades all nominations under Theme 1 have used a similar lsquobest practicersquo method for the comparative analysis of fossil sites as illustrated by the analysis of Mistaken Point (IUCN 2016 p 56-57 Thomas and Narbonne 2015 p 59-69) The evaluation started with a comparison of Mistaken Point with all World Heritage fossil sites none of which contained any part of the OUV proposed for Mistaken Point
Evaluation of all Ediacaran fossil sites worldwide was aided by comparative work undertaken by two international Ediacaran fossil experts who analysed all 109 sites worldwide where Ediacaran fossils had been reported identifying 84 sites they regarded as valid and then further distilling this list to 13 sites
Figure 29 Mistaken Point (Canada) These rugged coastal cliffs of deep marine origin date to the middle of the Ediacaran Period 580-560 million years ago They record lsquowhen life got bigrsquo the first abundant appearance of large biologically complex organisms after three billion years of mainly microbial evolution copy Mistaken Point Ambassadors Inc Barrett amp MacKay Photography Source UNESCO
Comparative analysis
48 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
on five continents with sufficient age certainty and fossil diversity to potentially justify OUV These 13 sites were then assessed on the basis of 12 criteria reflecting the ten questions on the lsquoIUCN fossil site evaluation checklistrsquo (Annex 2) that critically assessed the record of fossil diversity at the site the nature and quality of the fossil archive at the site and the permanence (integrity) and scientific impact of the site (Figure 30) The 13 short-listed Ediacaran sites were then assessed as objectively as possible under these 12 criteria typically using numerical subcategories such as stratigraphic thickness number of fossils described number of fossil species recognised and number of scientific papers documenting the site for ranking within each criterion The short-listed sites were then ranked numerically from 1 to 13 within each criterion and the results were summed to produce a matrix for global comparative analysis A final test of the comparative matrix was to critically compare the ranking (both overall and in each specific criterion) of all 13 sites with the Statement of OUV of the nominated site as representing the ldquooutstanding record of a critical milestone in the history of life on Earth lsquowhen life got bigrsquo after almost three billion years of microbe-dominated evolutionrdquo (Thomas and Narbonne 2015 Fig 36)
Theme 4 Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice IcelandVolcanic systems have recently received a high degree of attention with comprehensive global reviews of all inscribed World Heritage Properties that display volcanic features as part of their OUV (Wood 2009 Casadevall et al 2019) These reviews have provided excellent summations of the breadth of volcanic features preserved in World Heritage Properties worldwide but also reveal some significant volcanic features and processes not represented in any World Heritage Property
The inscription of Icelandrsquos Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice (VPN) property on the World Heritage List in 2019 filled a major gap in the coverage of volcanic systems ndash the volcanic systems that produce a mid-ocean ridge Iceland
is the only part of the actively spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge that is above sea level The comparative analysis for the VPN nomi-nation was with 13 sites six of them World Heritage Properties plus seven other prominent sites which have similar tectonic glacio-volcanic volcanic andor glaciological processes From this comparative analysis it was clear that VPN stood out as being by far the most diverse site in terms of the types of landforms related to volcanism and glacio-volcanism No pro-perty inscribed on the World Heritage List presented active ice dominant glacio-volcanism or glacio-volcanic landforms such as Tuya and Tindar ridges Moacuteberg (hyaloclastite) formations joumlkulhlaup and Sandur or glacial outwash plains In the compa-rative analysis the volcanic fields of Antarctica came close to the VPN in diversity but they had lower levels of Holocene vol-canic activity and many are in areas that are difficult to access (Baldursson et al 2018)
The IUCN evaluation report for VPN (IUCN 2019) concluded
ldquoThe property comprises an entire system where magma and the lithosphere are incessantly interacting with the cryosphere hydrosphere and atmosphere to create extremely dynamic and diverse geological processes and landforms that are currently underrepresented or not found on the World Heritage Listrdquo
Theme 11 Stevns Klint DenmarkThe mass extinction at the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary represents the latest and by far best understood and most publicised of the five major faunal turnovers (mass extinction events) that punctuated the Phanerozoic history of life on Earth (Raup amp Sepkoski 1982 Fan et al 2020) It was also the first mass extinction event that was demonstrably related to an extra-terrestrial impact (Alvarez et al 1980) Recognising that this event was not already represented on the World Heritage List Stevns Klint was proposed for adoption as representing a lsquomajor stage in Earthrsquos history including the record of lifersquo thus fulfilling criterion (viii)
CATEGORY 1Fossil record of Ediacara-typesoft-bodied macrofossil deiversity
CATEGORY 2Nature and quality of the fossil archive
CATEGORY 3Permanence (integrity) and scientific impact of the site
1 Number of Ediacara-type macrofossil genera (sensu lato) known from the site
2 Higher level diversity3 Number of Ediacaran macrofossil specimens of lsquoanimal-like characterrsquo estimated to be visible and in situ at the site4 Wider evolutionary signifiance
5 Quality of preserved Ediacara-type preservation
6 Exposed stratigraphic thickness
7 Geochronological constraints
8 Age of the fossil assemblages
9 Range of major depositional environments represented at the site
10 Degree of site investigation
11 Ease of access to the site
12 Permanence of the site
Figure 30 Summary of the criteria assessed in the Global Comparative Analysis of Ediacaran fossil properties Modified from Thomas and Narbonne 2015 Table 32
Comparative analysis
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 49
The comparative analysis used an existing database (KTbase) of more than 500 sites marking the CretaceousminusPalaeogene boundary (Damholt amp Surlyk 2012) and was performed in two stages
First three prerequisites were defined to ensure that all sites examined in further detail comprised the key attributes telling the complete story of the biotic turnover across the CretaceousminusPalaeogene boundary layer and included traces of the extra-terrestrial impact
Completeness across the boundary including the latest Cretaceous and the earliest Palaeogene strata in order to represent the entire event the nature of the mass extinction and the subsequent recovery of life after the extinction
Well studied and described allowing comparison
Boundary layer lithologically different from the underly-ing Cretaceous sediments and the overlying Palaeogene sediments and including the characteristic enrichment in iridium and other rare elements
These three criteria reduced the number of relevant sites to 17 (Damholt amp Surlyk 2012)
In order to compare the 17 sites fulfilling the prerequisites with respect to their potential as a World Heritage Property an additional number of issues were subsequently studied in detail under a second set of criteria (Soslashrensen 2010)
The nature and quality of the rock section itself The site should be of high quali-ty and permanency and contain a clearly defined stratigraphic section
bull Visibility of the boundary layer
bull Lateral extent of exposure
bull Quality of exposure
Fossil record of biodiversityThe site should contain high fossil diversity representing the broadest possible range of major taxonomic groups
bull Fossil diversity
Scientific impact of siteThe site should have high quality for scientific studies
bull Scientific impactbull Accessibility of the
site
The 17 short-listed Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary sites were assessed as objectively as possible under the defined criteria using numerical subcategories such as visibility of boundary layer lateral extent quality of exposure presence of major biotic groups and number of scientific papers documenting the site for ranking within each criterion The results were summed to produce a matrix for global comparative analysis
Finally the ranking found in the numerical comparative analysis was critically compared with the Statement of OUV of the nominated property as an outstanding example of the most spectacular global mass extinction event in the history of Earth (Damholt amp Surlyk 2012)
Figure 31 Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice (Iceland) This is an iconic volcanic region that also features the continental drifting currently active in this part of Atlantic Ocean with ten central volcanoes eight of which are subglacial Two of these are among the most active in Iceland The interaction between volcanoes and the rifts that underlie the Vatnajoumlkull ice cap takes many forms the most spectacular of which is the joumlkulhlaup ndash a sudden flood caused by the breach of the margin of a glacier copy THORNorvarethur Aacuternason Source UNESCO
Comparative analysis
50 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
IntegrityWhile the principles of authenticity apply only to properties being nominated under criteria (i) ndash (vi) the concept of integrity applies to all nominations including those under criterion (viii) Integrity is a measure of the wholeness or intactness of the heritage of the proposed property Specifically it must include all elements needed to express its OUV it must be of adequate size to ensure the complete representation of the features and processes that convey the propertyrsquos significance and it should not be suffering from any adverse effects of development andor neglect For all properties nominated under criteria (vii) ndash (x) bio-physical processes and landform features should be relatively intact However it is recognised that no area is totally pristine and that all natural areas are in a dynamic state and to some extent involve contact with people For criterion (viii) the Operational Guidelines (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019) state that proposed properties
ldquohellipshould contain all or most of the key inter-related and interdependent elements in their natural relationships For example an rsquoice agersquo area would meet the conditions of integrity if it includes the snow field the glacier itself and samples of cutting patterns deposition and colonization (eg striations moraines pioneer stages of plant succession etc) in the case of volcanoes the magmatic series should be complete and all or most of the varieties of effusive rocks and types of eruptions be representedrdquo
Within this general context other aspects of integrity are most-ly specific to the theme and property under consideration For example a fossil property under Theme 1 should contain a high abundance and diversity of well-preserved fossils that remain in situ in the rock for observation and future study and fossils that have been removed for scientific purposes should be reposited in a curated museum collection The permanence of the fossil record at the property is also an important feature of its integrity
Protection and management Once a property is inscribed onto the World Heritage List it is necessary that the State Party ensures the conditions and integrity of the property are sustained or even enhanced To achieve this all properties must have adequate long-term legislative regulatory institutional and or traditional protection and management to ensure their safeguarding The property should be protected from social economic and other pressures that might negatively impact the propertyrsquos OUV
BoundariesThe delineation of boundaries is an essential requirement in the establishment of the effective protection of a property For properties nominated under criteria (vii) ndash (x) boundaries should reflect the spatial requirements of habitats species processes or phenomena that provide the basis for their inscription on the World Heritage List The boundaries should include sufficient areas immediately adjacent to the area of OUV in order to protect the propertyrsquos heritage values from direct effects of human encroachments and impacts of resource use outside of the nominated area (a buffer zone) More information on protection and management and boundaries can be found in the Operational Guidelines (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019)
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 51
The following section addresses the explicit request from the World Heritage Committee for guidance on the relationship between geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
The lsquoConvention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritagersquo was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 17th session in November 1972 It was done in response to the observation that cultural and natural heritage were becoming increasingly threatened with destruction not only by traditional causes of decay but also by changing social and economic conditions It also considered that parts of the cultural and natural heritage are of outstanding interest and therefore need to be preserved as part of the World Heritage of humankind as a whole At the time of adoption the Convention stated that natural heritage included ldquogeological and physiographical formationsrdquo Subsequently the concept of OUV was defined and ten criteria were established to help States Parties decide whether proposed World Heritage Properties could fulfil the concept of OUV Before 2004 natural criterion (i) stated ldquobe outstanding examples representing major stages of Earthrsquos history including the record of life significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphic or physiographic featuresrdquo With the re-organising of the criteria in 2004 natural criterion (i) became criterion (viii) although the definition remained unchanged Presently (June 2021) 93 properties are inscribed on the World Heritage List either under criterion (viii) alone or in combination with one or more other criteria representing approximately 8 of all properties on the list
The latest version of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention published in 2019 mentions that since the adoption of the Convention in 1972 the international community has embraced the concept of lsquosustainable developmentrsquo and notes that the protection and conservation of the natural and cultural heritage constitute a significant contribution to sustainable development It also encourages States Parties to mainstream into their programmes and activities related to the Convention the principles of the relevant policies adopted by the World Heritage Committee the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention and the UNESCO Governing Bodies These include the document Policy for the Integration of a Sustainable Development Perspective into the Processes of the World Heritage Convention and the UNESCO policy on engaging with indigenous peoples as well as other related policies and documents including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and international human rights standards However the definitions of World Heritage and OUV and the ten criteria that support these definitions still make no reference to sustainable development Furthermore some properties
are so fragile remote scientifically specific or they simply have no host human communities that they cannot contribute to sustainable development The important thing is of course that they fulfil one or more of the ten criteria to demonstrate that they have OUV
Starting in the late 1980rsquos and 1990rsquos various areas in Europe were developing programmes of sustainable development based on geological heritage In 1994 Reacuteserve Geacuteologique de Haute Provence (France) Vulkaneifel (the Gerolstein area of the Eifel district in Germany) and the Museum of the Petrified Forest on Lesvos Island Greece joined together to apply for funding under the European Unionrsquos community-led LEADER programme to further develop this concept of using an arearsquos geological heritage to promote the sustainable development of the communities who live there They were joined by the Maestrazgo Cultural Park in Spain and together in 2000 they jointly launched the fledging European Geoparks Network with each area branding itself as a European Geopark As originally defined a European Geopark is a territory which includes a particular geological heritage and a sustainable territorial development strategy supported by a European program to promote development It must have clearly defined boundaries and sufficient surface area for true territorial economic development A European Geopark should have an active role in the economic development of its territory through enhancement of a general image linked to the geological heritage and the development of geotourism It should also have direct impact on the territory by influencing its inhabitants living conditions and environment The objective is to enable the inhabitants to re-appropriate the values of the territoryrsquos heritage and actively participate in the territoryrsquos cultural revitalisation as a whole Also significantly all European Geoparks were obliged to be part of a network of cooperation the European Geoparks Network By early 2004 the European Geoparks Network had expanded to include 17 European Geoparks
At the same time Geoparks also began to be created in China However here the early focus was to define sites and areas important from a geological science perspective only rather than using that heritage for promoting sustainable development On February 13 2004 alongside the annual meeting in UNESCO of the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) eight Chinese Geoparks and the 17 European Geoparks were brought together to create the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and the 25 European and Chinese Geoparks were rebranded as Global Geoparks under the auspices of UNESCO and using the approach of using geological heritage for promoting sustainable development The Global Geoparks and the GGN were then formally launched in June 2004 in Beijing China at the inaugural International
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
52 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Conference on Geoparks The 2005 report noted that ldquohellipthe World Heritage List is never likely to include more than 150 properties of primary geological or geomorphological interestrdquo and that the ldquonecessarily selective nature of World Heritage cannot therefore be regarded as adequate for recognising the full range of globally selective geological propertiesrdquo By the time the 2005 report was published there were 32 Global Geoparks and it was noted that the UNESCO Geoparks Program could be a viable alternative model to World Heritage for recognising protecting other geological sites However there was no UNESCO Geoparks Program at that time and there was no formal legal link to UNESCO
Nevertheless Global Geoparks increasingly spread to other areas of the world Starting in 2013 at the request of its Member States UNESCO through the establishment of a working group began to explore ways of formalising the link between Global Geoparks and the Organisation This resulted in the adoption in November 2015 by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 38th session of a new programme the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) which allowed for the creation of a new UNESCO site designation the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) Following approval from 33 individual Member States which hosted the then existing 120 Global Geoparks these areas were automatically re-designated as UGGprsquos Presently (June 2021) there are 169 UGGprsquos in 44 Member States all linked together through the GGN4
With the drafting and adoption of a set of Statutes and Operational Guidelines for the new IGGP (UNESCO 2015) a UNESCO Global Geopark was officially defined as a
ldquohellipsingle unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection education and sustainable development The international geological significance of a UNESCO Global Geopark is determined by scientific professionals as part of a lsquoUNESCO Global Geopark Evaluation Teamrsquo who make a globally comparative assessment based on the peer-reviewed published research conducted on geological sites within the area UNESCO Global Geoparks use geological heritage in connection with all other aspects of that arearsquos natural and cultural heritage to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society in the context of the dynamic planet we all live onrdquo
To support this definition a set of seven criteria were also adopted(i) UNESCO Global Geoparks must be single unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection education research and sustainable development A UNESCO Global Geopark must have a clearly defined border be of adequate size to fulfil its functions and contain geological
heritage of international significance as independently verified by scientific professionals
(ii) UNESCO Global Geoparks should use that heritage in connection with all other aspects of that arearsquos natural and cultural heritage to promote awareness of key issues facing society in the context of the dynamic planet we all live on including but not limited to increasing knowledge and understanding of geoprocesses geohazards climate change the need for the sustainable use of Earthrsquos natural resources the evolution of life and the empowerment of indigenous peoples
(iii) UNESCO Global Geoparks should be areas with a management body having legal existence recognized under national legislation The management bodies should be appropriately equipped to adequately address the area of the UNESCO Global Geopark in its entirety
(iv) In the case where an applying area overlaps with another UNESCO designated site such as a World Heritage Site or Biosphere Reserve the request must be clearly justified and evidence must be provided for how UNESCO Global Geopark status will add value by being both independently branded and in synergy with the other designations
(v) UNESCO Global Geoparks should actively involve local communities and indigenous peoples as key stakeholders in the Geopark In partnership with local communities a co-management plan needs to be drafted and implemented that provides for the social and economic needs of local populations protects the landscape in which they live and conserves their cultural identity It is recommended that all relevant local and regional actors and authorities be represented in the management of a UNESCO Global Geopark Local and indigenous knowledge practice and management systems should be included alongside science in the planning and management of the area
(vi) UNESCO Global Geoparks are encouraged to share their experience and advice and to undertake joint projects within the GGN Membership of GGN is obligatory
(vii) A UNESCO Global Geopark must respect local and national laws relating to the protection of geological heritage The defining geological heritage sites within a UNESCO Global Geopark must be legally protected in advance of any application At the same time a UNESCO Global Geopark should be used as leverage for promoting the protection of geological heritage locally and nationally The management body must not participate directly in the sale of geological objects such as fossils minerals polished rocks and ornamental rocks of the type normally found in so-called lsquorockshopsrsquo within the UNESCO Global Geopark (regardless of their origin) and should actively discourage unsustainable trade in geological materials as a whole Where clearly justified as a responsible activity and as part of delivering the most effective and sustainable means of site management it may permit sustainable collecting of geological materials for scientific and educational purposes from naturally renewable sites within
4 List of UNESCO Global Geoparks - httpwwwunescoorgnewennatural-sciencesenvironmentearth-sciencesunesco-global-geoparkslist-of-unesco-global-geoparks
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 53
the UNESCO Global Geopark Trade of geological materials based on such a system may be tolerated in exceptional circumstances provided it is clearly and publicly explained justified and monitored as the best option for the Global Geopark in relation to local circumstances Such circumstances will be subject to approval by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council on a case by case basis
As can be seen the main and important differences between geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks include that the former are defined by the concept of OUV while the latter are defined by having lsquosites and landscapes of international geological significancersquo While OUV is defined as a combination of fulfilling one or more of the World Heritage criteria site integrity and having a management plan for UGGprsquos international geological significance is independently assessed by the International Union for Geological Sciences (IUGS) Through their global network IUGS ask independent geological researchers on whether the areasrsquo geological values have attracted international scientific researchers whose results have been published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals If the application is deemed by IUGS as not having international value then the application is stopped
Additionally the concept of sustainable development is an integral part of the definition of a UGGp and the involvement of local communities is one of the criteria that helps support
the definition Furthermore while UGGprsquos can just like World Heritage Properties be transnational they cannot be serial in nature as a UGGp is defined as a single unified geographical area Finally a UGGp must include people within its boundaries as per criterion (v) of the definition and there is no zonation such as can exist for World Heritage Properties (eg buffer zones)
Legally the two designations also differ The Statutes and Operational Guidelines of the IGGP do not constitute an intergovernmental convention such as the lsquoWorld Heritage Conventionrsquo and decisions involving new designations and revalidation (the 4-yearly periodic review all UGGprsquos are subject to) are taken by a body of individuals the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council which is appointed by the Director General of UNESCO on the basis of their expertise in Geoparks but who are not representatives of their respective States or any other affiliated entity This is in contrast to the equivalent body for World Heritage the World Heritage Committee which consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties that are signatories to the Convention The aforementioned system of periodic review for UGGprsquos revalidation also differs to that operated through the World Heritage Convention the periodic review During revalidation progress reports submitted by the UGGp are analysed and this is followed by a site visit that thoroughly investigates not only whether the area is still functioning as a UGGp but significantly what improvements have been made particularly in regard to sustainable
Figure 32 Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geoparks (Greece) One of the remits of UNESCO Global Geoparks is to promote awareness of geohazards On Lesvos Island the Geopark authorities teach school children how to act in the event of an earthquake When this earthquake hit the village of Vrisa in 2017 pupils in the local school were in class While the school was destroyed all children escaped unharmed copy Patrick Mc Keever
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
54 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
development community involvement and networking activities through the GGN The result of this process can be that the area has made sufficient progress meaning it can maintain its designation as a UGGp for an additional four years after which this process is repeated (the so-called green card) If however it is deemed that not enough progress has been made or one or more other issues have been identified (perhaps for example problems in management or visibility) then a two year warning is issued (the so-called yellow card) A list of recommendations are given to the UGGp and a two year period is allowed for their implantation after which another full revalidation exercise is undertake At this stage if it is considered that not enough progress has been made then the area loses its designation as a UGGp (the so-called red card) A red card is not necessarily the end of the story however as the area when its management body feels it is ready can re-apply following the normal procedure Several Geoparks that previously were given red card have re-applied and have been re-designated as UGGprsquos
While the two UNESCO designations have different remits and foci the two are not mutually exclusive There are several UGGprsquos that include within their boundaries one or more World Heritage Properties (cultural natural and mixed) there are some UGGprsquos that have subsequently either partially or wholly been inscribed onto the World Heritage List There are also some geological World Heritage Properties that have
subsequently been incorporated into a UGGp (eg Messel Pit Fossil Site World Heritage Property in Germany is now a site within the much larger Bergstraszlige-Odenwald UGGp)
When a Member State of UNESCO or a State Party to the World Heritage Convention is pondering whether to apply for an area within its territory to be designated as a geological World Heritage Property or as a UGGp the key questions they should ask is why do they want that designation and what is it they hope to achieve by obtaining it The following figures (34 and 35) are aimed at helping countries decide
Figure 33 Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark (Northern Ireland amp Republic of Ireland) Protection of internationally important geological environments is also part of the remit of UNESCO Global Geoparks Cuilcagh Mountain holds one of the largest expanses of blanket bog in Europe Erosion of the bog for example by increased numbers of walkers leads to increased rain runoff into the Marble Arch Caves To assist in the protection of both the bog and the caves the Geopark authorities built a walkway for ramblers The wooden walkway has become a huge success and has attracted tens of thousands more walkers to the area but still ensuring protection of the environment while economically benefitting the sustainable tourism industry of the Geopark copy Tourism Ireland
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 55
World Heritage Property Unesco Global Geopark
Who Can Apply Any country that has signed the World Heritage Convention Such countries are known as States Parties
Any country that is a member of UNESCO
Geological Values Must fulfil criterion (viii) and demonstrate OUV
Must have sites and landscapes of international geological significance
Who Decides On Geological Value Recommendation made by IUCN Decision made by World Heritage Committee
International Union of Geological Sciences make decision If they say lsquonorsquo the application is halted
Role Of National Government The nomination of a property for inscription on the World Heritage List is prepared by a State Party to the World Heritage Convention
Notice of intent to apply and the application sent by the national organisation that has official relations with UNESCO eg national commission
Tentative List Obligatory Recommended
National Committees Not required Recommended
Submission Only a property already on the World Heritage Tentative List may be submitted by the State Party to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre as a new World Heritage nomination
Through the national organisation that has official relations with UNESCO eg national commission
Serial Properties Sites Yes No Must be a single unified area
Other Values Can be submitted under any other natural or cultural criteria so long as it can demonstrate OUV under each criterion
Obligatory to link the geological values with other natural cultural and intangible values
Maximum Size None While there is no maximum size it needs to be manageable by a single management authority
Minimum Size Must be of adequate size to ensure the complete representation of the features and processes which convey the propertyrsquos significance and OUV
Cannot be a single site and must be of sufficient size to realise sustainable economic development
Management Body Obligatory Obligatory
Overlap With Other Unesco Designations
Yes Yes but the reasons must be detailed in the application and the management body of any other designation must support the UGGp application
Local Community Involvement Recommended where appropriate Obligatory
Areas With No Human Population Yes No
Selling Of Geological Material In So-Called rsquoRock Shopsrsquo
Yes Not permitted by any organisation selling such material that is linked to the management body
Networking With Other Sites In The Same Designation
No Obligatory All UGGprsquos must be members of the Global Geoparks Network
Cost Of Application Process World Heritage Properties need an established protection and management regime that meets the World Heritage standard but the cost of running such very much depends on site-specific characteristics
Costs associated with the nomination varies
Area must demonstrate it is acting as a de-facto UGGp at the time of application including employing staff operational activities visibility etc Costs associated with this varies Costs associated with creation of application dossier also vary but normally less that WHS applications
Figure 34 A compilation of common questions comparing geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
56 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
World Heritage Property Unesco Global Geopark
Cost Of Site Assessment Costs borne by the nominating State Party
Costs borne by the applying area
Annual Fee None A fee of 1500euro is payable annually to the GGN of which 1000USD is donated to UNESCO
Application Timeline Sites need to have been inscribed on the Tentative List for at least 12 months before being nominated
Nomination process from voluntary draft deadline takes a minimumn of 22 months
Minimum of approximately 18 months At the time of application the candidate area must be acting as a de-facto Geopark for at least one year
Decision Making Process By the intergovernmental World Heritage Committee
By the international UNESCO Global Geopark Council Final endorsement is by the Executive Board of UNESCO
Review Process Every six years States Parties submit periodic reports for examination by the World Heritage Committee
The state of conservation of specific World Heritage Properties that are under threat is reported by the State Party and analysed by the Advisory Bodies
Four year revalidation process using a traffic light system of green (four year renewal) yellow (two year renewal) and red (delisting)
Expectation For Results Regarding Sustainable Development
States Parties to the World Heritage Convention have the responsibility to contribute to and comply with the sustainable development objectives including gender equality in the World Heritage processes and in their heritage conservation and management systems
Obligatory and assessed during the revalidation process
Figure 34 A compilation of common questions comparing geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 57
Figure 35 A Decision Tree aimed at further assisting countries decide whether to seek designation for an area as a geological World Heritage Property or a UNESCO Global Geoparks
ValuesDoes the site have OUV
Is the site of international geological significance
Scoping study on the potential for demonstrating OUV and or initialcomparative analysis of the site in
its wider global context
UGGp NONE Independentassessment
needed
IntegrityDoes the site satisfy the conditions for integrity
Is it a serial site Does the site include people within its boundaries and
is of sufficient area for territorial economic development
Assessment of conditions for integrity as outlined in sect88 and
sect93 of the World Heritage Operational Guidelines
Lead and managementIs the lead and management at state level
Are local communities indigenous peoples actively involved
Timeline for application processTime available
Sites need to be inscribed on the Tentative List
min 12 months before nominatedNomination process from voluntary
deadline for draft nominations takes min 22 months
Min 18 months
WH or UGGp
Yes No Donrsquot know
Yes No Donrsquot know
Yes No Donrsquot know
Yes No
WH or UGGpWH
Yes No
NONEUGGp
Yes No
WH
Yes No
NONEUGGp
Long Less
UGGp
WH
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
58 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
As was stated at the outset of this report the 2005 report entitled Geological World Heritage A Global Framework aimed to discuss and advise on the role of the World Heritage Convention in recognising and protecting geological and geomorphological heritage By using a thematic approach the 2005 report aimed to assist States Parties in undertaking global comparative
analyses of properties prior to and as part of new nominations under criterion (viii)
assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors to identify possible gaps in coverage of the World Heritage List
assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors in their evaluation of new nominations of properties under criterion (viii)
The remit of the present report is to fully revise and update the 2005 report and to look at the potential impact of the new UNESCO Global Geopark designation on future inscriptions to the World Heritage List under criterion (viii)
As with the 2005 report this report also emphasises the fundamental nature of demonstrating OUV before any nomination to the World Heritage List should be made It must be further emphasised that the World Heritage List is very selective and just because a site may be the best of its type nationally or even on a continental scale it does not automatically follow that it has the necessary OUV to be inscribed onto the World Heritage List Only the best sites on a global scale should be inscribed
Before starting the process of considering a possible nomination (and preferably before addition of a possible site to the national Tentative List that guides possible World Heritage nominations) consideration should be given to the reason for seeking a nomination What is it the State Party wants to achieve by a nomination At this stage consideration should be given to assessing whether the UNESCO Global Geopark designation may be a more appropriate option to consider The decision tree in the previous section (Figure 35) can help with this assessment
Whether the decision is to press ahead with a World Heritage nomination or an application to become a UNESCO
Conclusions
Figure 36 Grand Canyon National Park (United States of America) Carved out by the Colorado River the Grand Canyon (nearly 1500 m deep) is the most spectacular gorge in the world Located in the state of Arizona it cuts across the Grand Canyon National Park and its horizontal strata retrace the geological history of the past two billion years copy US National Park Service
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 59
Global Geopark all the geological values of the site under consideration must be analysed For a World Heritage nomination the site must demonstrate OUV For a UNESCO Global Geopark application the proposed site or landscape must demonstrate geological heritage of international value
To assist with the analysis in relation to possible World Heritage nominations the 11 themes described in this report should be used to organise the information needed to consider the geological values of the proposed site Overlaps between the geological values of the proposed site and gaps in the World Heritage List should be identified to ensure that these values are not already well represented If the values overlap with identified gaps in the List a brief synthesis defining these values and the attributes should be compiled as the basis for further analysis
Finally to ensure the proposed site really can demonstrate OUV a thorough and detailed comparative analysis should be undertaken based on its geological values attributes and integrity to demonstrate that the site has the exceptional level of global significance that could justify its inclusion on the World Heritage List and fully meet the requirements set out in the World Heritage Conventionrsquos Operational Guidelines
Only once this has been done and the State Party can fully demonstrate that the site has the necessary potential to demonstrate OUV should the preparation of a full nomination to the World Heritage List be considered Throughout this process IUCN is available to respond to questions and advice of States Parties considering World Heritage nominations and welcomes further questions on the recommendations put forward in the present study
Conclusions
60 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Abdulla A Obura D Bertzky B and Shi Y (2013) Marine Natural Heritage and the World Heritage List Interpretation of World Heritage criteria in marine systems analysis of biogeographic representation of sites and a roadmap for addressing gaps Gland Switzerland IUCN httpswwwiucnorgnode21147
Alvarez LW Alvarez W Asaro F and Michel HV (1980) Extraterrestrial cause for the CretaceousndashTertiary Extinction Science 208(4448) pp1095ndash1108 httpsdoiorg101126science20844481095
Anderson JM and de Wit M (2008) Africa Alive Corridors A continental network of earth life and cultural heritage Geobulletin of the Geological Society of South Africa December 2008 pp 11ndash25
Baldursson S Guethnason J Hannesdoacutettir H and Thoacuteretharson T (2018) Nomination of Vatnajoumlkull National Park for inclusion in the World Heritage List Reykjaviacutek Vatnajoumlkull National Park httpswhcunescoorgdocument166300
Bird EC (2004) lsquoCoastal Classificationrsquo In AS Goudie (ed) Encyclopaedia of Geomorphology Routledge London vol 1 p 165-168
Bosson J‐B Huss M and Osipova E (2019) Disappearing World Heritage glaciers as a keystone of nature conservation in a changing climate Earthrsquos Future 7 469ndash479 httpsdoi org1010292018EF001139
Casadevall T Tormey D and Roberts J (2019) World Heritage Volcanoes Classification gap analysis and recommendations for future listings Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsdoiorg102305IUCNCH201907en
Damholt T and Surlyk F (2012) Nomination of Stevns Klint for inclusion in the World Heritage List St Heddinge Denmark Oslashstsjaeligllands Museum
Dingwall P Weighell T and Badman T (2005) Geological World Heritage A Global Framework Gland Switzerland IUCN httpswwwiucnorgcontentgeological-world-heritage-a-global-framework
Dye BJ et al (2019) Heritage Dammed Water Infrastructure Impacts on World Heritage Properties and Free Flowing Rivers Civil Society Report to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and Parties of the World Heritage Convention Moscow Rivers without Boundaries and World Heritage Watch httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode48506
Fan J-X et al (2020) A high-resolution summary of Cambrian to Early Triassic marine invertebrate biodiversity Science 367(6475) pp272ndash277 httpsdoiorg101126scienceaax4953
Ferrier RC and Jenkins A (eds) (2010) Handbook of catchment management Chichester Wiley-Blackwell httpsdoiorg1010029781444307672
Ford DC and Williams PW (2007) Karst Hydrogeology and Geomorphology Chichester Wiley
Ford DC and Williams PW (2011) lsquoGeomorphology underground the study of karst and karst processesrsquo In KJ Gregory and AS Goudie (eds) The SAGE Handbook of Geomorphology London SAGE Publications
Freestone D Laffoley D Douvere F and Badman T (2016) World Heritage in the High Seas An Idea Whose Time Has Come World Heritage Report 44 UNESCO and IUCN
Fryirs KA and Brierley GJ (2012) Geomorphic analysis of river systems an approach to reading the landscape John Wiley amp Sons
Goldscheider N et al (2020) Global distribution of carbonate rocks and karst water resources Hydrogeology Journal 28 1661-1677 httpsdoiorg101007s10040-020-02139-5
Goudie A and Seely M (2011) World Heritage Desert Landscapes Potential Priorities for the Recognition of Desert Landscapes and Geomorphological Sites on the World Heritage List Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode9818
Grill G et al (2019) Mapping the worldrsquos free-flowing rivers Nature 569(7755) p215 httpsdoiorg101038s41586-019-1111-9
Henriques MH and Neto K (2015) Geoheritage at the Equator Selected Geoproperties of Sao Tome Island (Cameron Line Central Africa) Sustainability v 7 pp 648-667 httpsdoiorg103390su7010648
Hillier JK and Watts AB (2007) Global distribution of seamounts from ship-track bathymetry data Geophys Res Lett 34 L13304 httpsdoiorg1010292007GL029874
References
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 61
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (2016) lsquoWorld Heritage Nomination ndash IUCN Technical Evaluation Mistaken Point (Canada)rsquo In IUCN World Heritage Evaluations 2016 IUCN Evaluations of nominations of natural and mixed properties to the WHL WHC1640COMINF8B2 Gland Switzerland IUCN pp53-62 httpswhcunescoorgdocument152802
IUCN (2019) lsquoWorld Heritage Nomination ndash IUCN Technical Evaluation Vatnajoumlkull National Park (Iceland)rsquo In IUCN World Heritage Evaluations 2019 IUCN Evaluations of nominations of natural and mixed properties to the World Heritage List WHC1943COMINF8B2 Gland Switzerland IUCN pp42-51 httpswhcunescoorgdocument176191
Kim S and Wessel P (2011) New global seamount census from altimetry-derived gravity data Geophysical Journal International 186 615-631 httpsdoiorg101111j1365-246X201105076x
Moss B (2010) Ecology of fresh waters a view for the twenty-first century John Wiley amp Sons
Osinski GR and Pierazzo E (2012) Impact Cratering Processes and Products John Wiley amp Sons
Palmer AN (2007) Cave Geology Dayton Ohio Cave Books
Raup DM and Sepkoski JJ (1982) Mass extinctions in the marine fossil record Science 215(4539) pp1501-1503 httpsdoiorg101126science21545391501
Soslashrensen AM (2010) Comparative analysis of KT boundary sites for inclusion in the World Heritage List Report Oslashstsjaeligllands Museum
Spalding MD (2012) Marine World Heritage Towards a representative balanced and credible World Heritage List UNESCO World Heritage Centre Paris Online whcunescoorguploadsactivitiesdocumentsactivity-13-24pdf
Thomas R and Narbonne GM (2015) Mistaken Point Nomination for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List Newfoundland and Labrador Canada Parks and Natural Areas Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation and Mistaken Point Ambassadors Inc httpswhcunescoorguploadsnominations1497pdf
Thorsell JW Levy RF and Sigaty T (1997) A global overview of wetland and marine protected areas on the World Heritage list Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode7359
Toteu SF Anderson JM and De Wit M (2010) lsquoAfrica Alive Corridorsrsquo Forging a new future for the people of Africa Journal of African Earth Sciences 58 pp692ndash715 httpsdoiorg101016jjafrearsci201008011
United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2015) The Statutes and Operational Guidelines of the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme IGGP2015ST
UNESCO (2016) The future of the World Heritage convention for marine conservation UNESCO World Heritage paper 45
UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2011) Preparing World Heritage Nominations 2nd ed A World Heritage Resource Manual Paris France
UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2019) Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention WHC1901 10 July 2019 Paris France
Wessel P Sandwell DT and Kim S (2010) The Global Seamount Census Oceanography 23 24-33
Wells RT (1996) Earthrsquos Geological History A Contextual Framework for Assessment of World Heritage Fossil Site Nominations IUCN Natural Heritage Programme Working Paper 1 Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode7357
Williams P (2008) World Heritage Caves and Karst A Thematic Study Gland Switzerland IUCN httpswwwiucnorgcontentworld-heritage-caves-and-karst-a-thematic-study
Wood C (2009) World Heritage Volcanoes Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode9486
Woodroffe CD Cowell PJ and Dickson ME (2011) lsquoCoastal Environmentsrsquo In KJ Gregory and AS Goudie (eds) The SAGE Handbook of Geomorphology London SAGE Publications
World Heritage Committee (2014) Decision 38 COM 8B10 Stevns Klint (Denmark) In Report of decisions of the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee (Doha 2014) Paris France UNESCO World Heritage Centre httpswhcunescoorgendecisions6095
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) (2019) New study in Nature Just one-third of the worldrsquos longest rivers remain free-flowing 8 May 2019 Gland Switzerland WWF httpswwfpandaorgwwf_newspress_releases346815New-Study-in-Nature-Just-One-Third-of-the-Worlds-Longest-Rivers-Remain-Free-Flowing
References
62 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 63
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Aust
ralia
n Fo
ssil
Mam
mal
Site
s (R
iver
slei
gh
Nara
coor
te)
1Ri
vers
leig
h pr
ovid
es e
xcep
tiona
l an
d in
man
y ca
ses
uniq
ue m
amm
al a
ssem
blag
es fr
om th
e Ol
igoc
ene
to M
ioce
ne s
pann
ing
from
10-
30 m
illion
ye
ars
ago
The
se a
ssem
blag
es d
ocum
ent c
hang
es
in h
abita
t fro
m h
umid
low
land
rain
fore
st to
dry
eu
calyp
t for
ests
and
woo
dlan
ds a
nd p
rovid
e th
e fir
st fo
ssil
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rd fo
r man
y di
stin
ctive
gro
ups
of
livin
g m
amm
als
such
as
the
mar
supi
al m
oles
and
fe
athe
r-ta
iled
poss
ums
The
ass
embl
ages
reco
vere
d fro
m th
e ca
ves
at N
arac
oorte
Vic
toria
Fos
sil C
ave
pres
erve
an
outs
tand
ing
reco
rd o
f mor
e re
cent
te
rrest
rial v
erte
brat
e lif
e T
hese
ope
n a
win
dow
into
a
sign
ifica
nt p
erio
d of
Ear
thrsquos
his
tory
from
the
mid
-Pl
eist
ocen
e to
pre
sent
(530
000
yea
rs a
go to
toda
y)
a pe
riod
char
acte
rised
by
grea
t clim
atic
cha
nges
Them
e 1
Rive
rsle
igh
and
Nara
coor
te
are
a su
perb
illu
stra
tion
of k
ey s
tage
s in
the
Ceno
zoic
evo
lutio
n of
Aus
tralia
rsquos
uniq
ue fa
una
1994
(viii)
(ix)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Barb
erto
n M
akho
njw
a M
ount
ains
12
4 1
1De
cisi
on 4
2 CO
M 8
B5
stat
es T
he p
rope
rty
cont
ains
the
best
mos
t dive
rse
and
outs
tand
ing
exam
ples
of r
ock
outc
rops
from
the
Arch
aean
sta
ge
of E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry I
ts ro
cks
have
reve
aled
the
earli
est
reco
rd o
f sin
gle-
celle
d lif
e fo
rms
as w
ell a
s th
e ea
rlies
t and
mos
t sig
nific
ant g
eom
orph
ic fe
atur
es
incl
udin
g de
taile
d ev
iden
ce o
f the
pro
cess
es
invo
lved
in th
e ev
olut
ion
of th
e or
igin
ally
oxyg
en-f
ree
ocea
ns a
nd a
tmos
pher
e a
nd c
reat
ion
of th
e fir
st
cont
inen
tal l
andf
orm
sTh
e pr
oper
ty is
a tr
uly
uniq
ue re
mna
nt o
f the
an
cien
t Ear
thrsquos
cru
st c
onta
inin
g am
ong
the
olde
st
and
undo
ubte
dly
the
best
-pre
serv
ed s
eque
nce
of
volc
anic
and
sed
imen
tary
rock
s on
Ear
th T
hese
hi
ghly
acce
ssib
le a
ncie
nt e
xpos
ures
pre
sent
a
cont
inuo
us 3
40 m
illion
yea
r seq
uenc
e of
rock
s
star
ting
3600
milli
on y
ears
ago
The
ir ph
ysic
al a
nd
chem
ical
cha
ract
eris
tics
prov
ide
an u
npar
alle
led
sour
ce o
f sci
entifi
c in
form
atio
n ab
out t
he e
arly
Earth
The
out
stan
ding
val
ue o
f the
se ro
cks
lies
in
the
larg
e nu
mbe
r of s
ites
and
feat
ures
that
whe
n co
mbi
ned
pro
vide
a un
ique
and
as
yet o
nly
parti
ally
expl
ored
sci
entifi
c re
sour
ce
Them
e 1
One
of t
he w
orld
rsquos
olde
st g
eolo
gica
l stru
ctur
es d
atin
g ba
ck 3
6 to
32
5 bi
llion
year
s ag
o
pres
ervin
g th
e en
viron
men
t for
the
early
evo
lutio
n of
life
The
me
2 A
n Ar
chea
n gr
anite
-gre
enst
one
belt
that
re
cord
s co
ntin
ent-
build
ing
on th
e ea
rly E
arth
The
me
4 K
omat
iites
the
ho
ttest
lava
s th
at h
ave
ever
flow
ed
on o
ur p
lane
t w
ere
first
reco
gnize
d in
th
is s
ite T
hem
e 11
Sph
erul
e be
ds
of m
olte
n ro
ck d
ropl
ets
from
a p
erio
d of
inte
nse
met
eorit
e bo
mba
rdm
ent
whi
ch p
rovid
e ev
iden
ce o
f som
e of
the
earli
est l
arge
met
eorit
e im
pact
eve
nts
2018
(viii)
Natu
ral
Sout
h Af
rica
Afric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties Guy M Narbonne and Joseacute Brilha
62 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 63
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Cana
dian
Roc
ky
Mou
ntai
n Pa
rks
12
6Th
e Bu
rges
s Sh
ale
is o
ne o
f the
mos
t sig
nific
ant
foss
il ar
eas
in th
e w
orld
Exq
uisi
tely
pres
erve
d fo
ssils
reco
rd a
dive
rse
abu
ndan
t mar
ine
com
mun
ity d
omin
ated
by
soft-
bodi
ed o
rgan
ism
s
Orig
inat
ing
soon
afte
r the
rapi
d un
fold
ing
of a
nim
al
life
abou
t 540
milli
on y
ears
ago
the
Bur
gess
Sha
le
foss
ils p
rovid
e ke
y ev
iden
ce o
f the
his
tory
and
ear
ly ev
olut
ion
of m
ost a
nim
al g
roup
s kn
own
toda
y an
d yie
ld a
mor
e co
mpl
ete
view
of l
ife in
the
sea
than
an
y ot
her s
ite fo
r tha
t tim
e pe
riod
The
sev
en p
arks
of
the
Cana
dian
Roc
kies
are
a c
lass
ic re
pres
enta
tion
of s
igni
fican
t and
on-
goin
g gl
acia
l pro
cess
es a
long
th
e co
ntin
enta
l divi
de o
n hi
ghly
faul
ted
fold
ed a
nd
uplif
ted
sedi
men
tary
rock
s
Them
e 1
The
Bur
gess
Sha
le
insc
ribed
as
a UN
ESCO
Wor
ld H
erita
ge
Prop
erty
in 1
980
for i
ts w
orld
-ren
own
foss
ils o
f Cam
bria
n so
ft-bo
died
m
arin
e an
imal
s is
now
incl
uded
in
this
pro
perty
The
me
2 T
he
cont
iguo
us n
atio
nal p
arks
of B
anff
Ja
sper
Koo
tena
y an
d Yo
ho a
s w
ell a
s th
e M
ount
Rob
son
Mou
nt A
ssin
iboi
ne
and
Ham
ber p
rovin
cial
par
k fo
rms
a st
rikin
g m
ount
ain
land
scap
e T
hem
e 6
Incl
udes
larg
e ar
eas
of li
mes
tone
s an
d do
lom
ites
Out
stan
ding
exa
mpl
e of
gla
ciok
arst
terra
in M
any
karre
n
subt
erra
nean
stre
ams
spr
ings
and
ca
ves
Col
umbi
a Ic
efiel
d pa
rtly
over
lies
and
intru
des
Cast
legu
ard
Cave
1984
(199
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)Na
tura
lCa
nada
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Cana
ima
Natio
nal
Park
32
5 6
No a
ppro
ved
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV
but t
he in
scrip
tion
refe
renc
es th
e fo
llow
ing
Earth
sc
ienc
e va
lues
Thr
ee d
iffer
ent e
rosi
on s
urfa
ces
are
to b
e fo
und
with
in th
e pa
rk T
he o
ldes
t roc
ks
are
Prec
ambr
ian
and
aro
und
170
0 m
illion
yea
rs
old
are
som
e of
the
olde
st o
n th
e pl
anet
Abo
ve
thes
e ar
e yo
unge
r for
mat
ions
whi
ch h
ave
been
w
eath
ered
into
mou
ntai
ns b
y 50
0 m
illion
yea
rs o
f er
osio
n T
he g
eolo
gy p
rovid
es e
viden
ce th
at S
outh
Am
eric
a an
d Af
rica
once
form
ed p
art o
f a s
ingl
e co
ntin
ent
The
prop
erty
dis
play
s a
dist
inct
ive a
nd
outs
tand
ing
tepu
i lan
dsca
pe w
hich
is s
till e
volvi
ng
in re
spon
se to
nat
ural
pro
cess
es a
t lar
ge s
cale
Th
e la
ndsc
ape
also
dem
onst
rate
s th
e in
tera
ctio
n of
th
e in
dige
nous
Pem
oacuten w
ith th
e en
viron
men
t bot
h be
caus
e of
the
grea
t use
the
Pem
oacuten m
ake
of th
e pa
rkrsquos
nat
ural
reso
urce
s an
d be
caus
e of
the
way
the
park
rsquos la
ndsc
ape
and
vege
tatio
n ha
s be
en s
hape
d by
the
Pem
oacuten
Them
e 3
Tab
ular
hills
and
hig
h es
carp
men
ts w
ith s
igni
fican
t kar
stic
er
osio
n of
qua
rtzite
s T
hem
e 2
Ro
ughl
y 65
o
f the
par
k is
cov
ered
by
tabl
e m
ount
ain
(tepu
i) fo
rmat
ions
Th
eme
5 A
ngel
Fal
ls in
Can
aim
a Na
tinal
Par
k is
the
high
est w
ater
falls
in
the
wor
ld T
hem
e 6
The
mos
t ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e in
the
wor
ld
of c
ave
deve
lopm
ent i
n qu
artz
ite
(Pre
cam
bria
n ag
e) C
aves
occ
ur
to 1
08
km lo
ng a
nd 3
83 m
dee
p
Encl
osed
dep
ress
ions
and
stre
am-
sink
s on
pla
teau
(tep
uy) s
urfa
ce
arou
nd 2
650
m S
prin
gs e
mer
ge in
te
puy
wal
ls A
fluv
ioka
rst l
ands
cape
1994
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lVe
nezu
-el
aLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
64 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 65
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Carls
bad
Cave
rns
Natio
nal P
ark
6Ca
rlsba
d Ca
vern
s Na
tiona
l Par
k is
one
of th
e fe
w p
lace
s in
the
wor
ld w
here
on-
goin
g ge
olog
ic
proc
esse
s ar
e m
ost a
ppar
ent a
nd ra
re s
pele
othe
ms
cont
inue
to fo
rm e
nabl
ing
scie
ntist
s to
stu
dy
geol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
in a
virt
ually
und
istur
bed
envir
onm
ent
Thes
e sp
eleo
them
s in
clud
e he
lictit
es
form
ing
unde
rwat
er c
alci
te a
nd g
ypsu
m s
pele
othe
ms
an
d an
ast
onish
ing
colle
ctio
n of
lsquobio
them
srsquo c
ave
form
atio
ns a
ssist
ed in
thei
r for
mat
ion
by b
acte
ria
Rese
arch
ers
can
stud
y bo
th th
e Ca
pita
n re
efrsquos
insid
e th
roug
h ca
ve p
assa
ges
that
pen
etra
te in
and
thro
ugh
it as
wel
l as
erod
ed c
anyo
n-ex
pose
d cr
oss
sect
ions
ou
tsid
e
Them
e 6
Hug
e ca
vern
s ex
tens
ively
deco
rate
d w
ith s
pele
othe
ms
are
a m
ajor
fe
atur
e of
the
park
The
81
know
n ca
ves
mai
nly
occu
r in
uplift
ed P
erm
ian
reef
lim
esto
nes
Outs
tand
ing
kars
t ext
ends
in
to n
eigh
bour
ing
Guad
alup
e Na
tiona
l Pa
rk T
he re
gion
rsquos ca
ves
prov
ide
the
wor
ldrsquos
fore
mos
t exa
mpl
e of
evo
lutio
n by
sul
phur
ic ac
id d
issol
utio
n w
hich
oc
curre
d pr
ogre
ssive
ly be
twee
n 12
and
4
milli
on y
ears
ago
Sur
face
topo
grap
hy
on b
ackr
eef d
olom
ites
and
limes
tone
s is
dom
inat
ed b
y dr
y va
lleys
Hig
h bi
odive
rsity
inc
ludi
ng a
bout
1 m
illion
bat
po
pula
tion
1995
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Cave
s of
Agg
tele
k Ka
rst a
nd S
lova
k Ka
rst
6Th
e pr
oper
ty C
aves
of A
ggte
lek
Kars
t and
Slo
vak
Kars
t w
hile
typi
cal o
f man
y ka
rst l
ocal
ities
in
Euro
pe i
s di
stin
ctive
in it
s gr
eat n
umbe
r (w
ith 7
12
reco
rded
at t
ime
of in
scrip
tion)
of d
iffer
ent t
ypes
of
cav
es fo
und
in a
con
cent
rate
d ar
ea G
eolo
gica
l pr
oces
ses
caus
ing
kars
t fea
ture
s to
be
burie
d by
se
dim
ent a
nd th
en la
ter r
eact
ivate
d or
exh
umed
pr
ovid
e ev
iden
ce p
erta
inin
g to
the
geol
ogic
his
tory
of
the
last
tens
of m
illion
s of
yea
rs R
elic
ts o
f pr
e-Pl
eist
ocen
e ka
rst (
ie m
ore
than
abo
ut 2
m
illion
yea
rs o
ld) a
re v
ery
dist
inct
in th
e ar
ea a
nd
man
y of
them
sho
w e
viden
ce fo
r sub
-tro
pica
l and
tro
pica
l clim
ate
form
s T
hese
incl
ude
roun
ded
hills
th
at a
re re
licts
of t
ropi
cal k
arst
late
r mod
ified
by
Plei
stoc
ene
perig
laci
al w
eath
erin
g T
his
suite
of
pale
okar
st fe
atur
es s
how
ing
a co
mbi
natio
n of
bot
h tro
pica
l and
gla
cial
clim
ates
is
very
unu
sual
and
is
prob
ably
bette
r doc
umen
ted
in th
e Sl
ovak
Kar
st th
an
anyw
here
els
e in
the
wor
ld
Them
e 6
Are
a co
ntai
ns 7
12 c
aves
Va
riety
of c
ave
type
s in
clud
ing
Dobš
insk
aacute Ic
e Ca
ve a
nd s
pele
othe
m
form
s w
ith s
tala
gmite
s to
32
7 m
hig
h S
urfa
ce la
ndsc
ape
is a
te
mpe
rate
dol
ine
kars
t with
som
e ev
iden
ce o
f a p
rior h
umid
trop
ical
or
sub
tropi
cal i
nflue
nce
whi
ch h
as
evol
ved
inte
rmitt
ently
sin
ce th
e Cr
etac
eous
1995
(200
0)(v
iii)Na
tura
lHu
ngar
y Sl
ovak
iaEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
64 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 65
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Chaicirc
ne d
es P
uys
- Li
mag
ne fa
ult
tect
onic
are
na
2Co
ntin
enta
l drif
t m
anife
sted
thro
ugh
plat
e te
cton
ics
is
an
esse
ntia
l par
adig
m fo
r the
his
tory
of t
he E
arth
as
it e
xpla
ins
the
curre
nt m
ake-
up o
f oce
ans
and
cont
inen
ts a
nd th
eir p
ast a
nd fu
ture
mov
emen
ts
The
prop
erty
is a
n ex
cept
iona
l illu
stra
tion
of th
e ph
enom
enon
of c
ontin
enta
l bre
ak-u
p o
r rift
ing
w
hich
is o
ne o
f the
five
maj
or s
tage
s of
pla
te
tect
onic
s T
he C
haicircn
e de
s Pu
ys -
Lim
agne
faul
t te
cton
ic a
rena
pre
sent
s a
coin
cide
nt v
iew
of a
ll th
e re
pres
enta
tive
proc
esse
s of
con
tinen
tal b
reak
-up
and
reve
als
thei
r int
rinsi
c lin
ks T
he g
eolo
gica
l fo
rmat
ions
of t
he p
rope
rty a
nd th
eir s
peci
fic la
yout
illu
stra
te w
ith c
larit
y th
is p
lane
t-w
ide
proc
ess
and
its
effe
cts
on a
larg
e an
d sm
all s
cale
on
the
land
scap
e
This
con
cent
ratio
n ha
s a
dem
onst
rate
d gl
obal
si
gnifi
canc
e in
term
s of
its
com
plet
enes
s d
ensi
ty
and
expr
essi
on a
nd h
as c
ontri
bute
d to
the
site
rsquos
prom
inen
ce s
ince
the
18th
cen
tury
for t
he s
tudy
of
clas
sica
l geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
Them
e 2
Situ
ated
in th
e ce
ntre
of
Fran
ce t
he p
rope
rty c
ompr
ises
the
long
Lim
agne
faul
t th
e al
ignm
ents
of
the
Chaicirc
ne d
es P
uys
volc
anoe
s an
d th
e in
verte
d re
lief o
f the
Mon
tagn
e de
la
Ser
re I
t is
an e
mbl
emat
ic s
egm
ent
of th
e W
est E
urop
ean
Rift
cre
ated
in
the
afte
rmat
h of
the
form
atio
n of
th
e Al
ps 3
5 m
illion
yea
rs a
go T
he
geol
ogic
al fe
atur
es o
f the
pro
perty
de
mon
stra
te h
ow th
e co
ntin
enta
l cru
st
crac
ks t
hen
colla
pses
allo
win
g de
ep
mag
ma
to ri
se a
nd c
ause
upl
iftin
g at
the
surfa
ce T
he p
rope
rty is
an
exce
ptio
nal i
llust
ratio
n of
con
tinen
tal
brea
k-up
ndash o
r rift
ing
ndash w
hich
is o
ne
of th
e fiv
e m
ajor
sta
ges
of p
late
te
cton
ics
2018
(viii)
Natu
ral
Fran
ceEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
66 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 67
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Chen
gjia
ng F
ossi
l Si
te1
The
Chen
gjia
ng F
ossil
Site
pre
sent
s an
exc
eptio
nal
reco
rd o
f the
rapi
d di
vers
ifica
tion
of lif
e on
Ear
th d
urin
g th
e ea
rly C
ambr
ian
Perio
d 5
30 m
illion
yea
rs b
efor
e pr
esen
t In
this
geol
ogica
lly s
hort
inte
rval
alm
ost a
ll m
ajor
gro
ups
of a
nim
als
had
thei
r orig
ins
The
prop
erty
is
a gl
obal
ly ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
a m
ajor
sta
ge
in th
e hi
stor
y of
life
repr
esen
ting
a pa
laeo
biol
ogica
l w
indo
w o
f gre
at s
igni
fican
ce
The
exce
ptio
nal p
alae
onto
logi
cal e
viden
ce o
f the
Ch
engj
iang
Fos
sil S
ite is
unr
ivalle
d fo
r its
rich
spe
cies
dive
rsity
To
date
at l
east
16
phyla
plu
s a
varie
ty o
f en
igm
atic
grou
ps a
nd a
bout
196
spe
cies
have
bee
n do
cum
ente
d Ta
xa re
cove
red
rang
e fro
m a
lgae
thr
ough
sp
onge
s an
d cn
idar
ians
to n
umer
ous
bila
teria
n ph
yla
inclu
ding
the
earli
est k
now
n ch
orda
tes
The
earli
est
know
n sp
ecim
ens
of s
ever
al p
hyla
suc
h as
cni
daria
ns
cten
opho
res
pria
pulid
s an
d ve
rtebr
ates
occ
ur h
ere
M
any
of th
e ta
xa re
pres
ent t
he s
tem
gro
ups
to e
xtan
t ph
yla a
nd th
row
light
on
char
acte
ristic
s th
at d
istin
guish
m
ajor
taxo
nom
ic gr
oups
Th
e pr
oper
ty d
ispla
ys e
xcel
lent
qua
lity o
f fos
sil
pres
erva
tion
inclu
ding
the
soft
and
hard
tiss
ues
of
anim
als
with
har
d sk
elet
ons
alon
g w
ith a
wid
e ar
ray
of
orga
nism
s th
at w
ere
entir
ely
soft-
bodi
ed a
nd th
eref
ore
rela
tivel
y un
repr
esen
ted
in th
e fo
ssil r
ecor
d A
lmos
t all
of th
e so
ft-bo
died
spe
cies
are
unkn
own
else
whe
re
Fine
-sca
le d
etai
led
pres
erva
tion
inclu
des
feat
ures
as
the
alim
enta
ry s
yste
ms
of a
nim
als
for e
xam
ple
of th
e ar
thro
pod
Nara
oia
and
the
delic
ate
gills
of t
he
enig
mat
ic Yu
nnan
ozoo
n T
he s
edim
ents
of C
heng
jiang
pr
ovid
e w
hat a
re c
urre
ntly
the
olde
st k
now
n fo
ssil
chor
date
s th
e ph
ylum
to w
hich
all v
erte
brat
es b
elon
g
The
foss
ils a
nd ro
cks
of th
e Ch
engj
iang
Fos
sil S
ite
toge
ther
pre
sent
a c
ompl
ete
reco
rd o
f an
early
Ca
mbr
ian
mar
ine
com
mun
ity I
t is
one
of th
e ea
rlies
t re
cord
s of
a c
ompl
ex m
arin
e ec
osys
tem
with
food
w
ebs
capp
ed b
y so
phist
icate
d pr
edat
ors
Mor
eove
r it
dem
onst
rate
s th
at c
ompl
ex c
omm
unity
stru
ctur
es h
ad
deve
lope
d ve
ry e
arly
in th
e Ca
mbr
ian
dive
rsifi
catio
n of
an
imal
life
and
pro
vides
evid
ence
of a
wid
e ra
nge
of
ecol
ogica
l nich
es T
he p
rope
rty th
us p
rovid
es a
uni
que
win
dow
of u
nder
stan
ding
into
the
stru
ctur
e of
ear
ly Ca
mbr
ian
com
mun
ities
Them
e 1
Che
ngjia
ngrsquos
foss
ils p
rese
nt
the
mos
t com
plet
e re
cord
of a
n ea
rly
Cam
bria
n m
arin
e co
mm
unity
with
ex
cept
iona
lly p
rese
rved
sof
t-bo
died
an
d sh
elly
foss
ils c
ompr
isin
g m
ore
than
200
spe
cies
repr
esen
ting
at le
ast
sixt
een
phyla
of e
arly
anim
als
2012
(viii)
Natu
ral
Chin
aAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
66 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 67
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Chin
a Da
nxia
3Ch
ina
Danx
ia c
onta
ins
a w
ide
varie
ty o
f wel
l-de
velo
ped
red-
beds
land
form
s su
ch a
s pe
aks
to
wer
s m
esas
cue
stas
clif
fs v
alle
ys c
aves
and
ar
ches
Bei
ng s
hape
d by
bot
h en
doge
nous
forc
es
(incl
udin
g up
lift)
and
exog
enou
s fo
rces
(inc
ludi
ng
wea
ther
ing
and
eros
ion)
Chi
na D
anxia
pro
vides
a
rang
e of
diff
eren
t asp
ects
of t
he p
heno
men
on
of p
hysi
cal l
ands
cape
dev
elop
ed fr
om c
ontin
enta
l (te
rrest
rial)
redd
ish
cong
lom
erat
e an
d sa
ndst
one
in
a w
arm
hum
id m
onso
on c
limat
e il
lust
ratin
g bo
th
the
rang
e of
land
form
s in
rela
tion
to th
e fo
rces
and
pr
oces
ses
that
form
ed th
em T
he c
ompo
nent
par
ts
repr
esen
t the
bes
t exa
mpl
es o
f lsquole
ast e
rode
drsquo to
lsquom
ost e
rode
drsquo D
anxia
land
form
s d
ispl
ayin
g a
clea
r la
ndfo
rm s
eque
nce
from
lsquoyou
ngrsquo t
hrou
gh lsquom
atur
ersquo to
lsquoo
ld a
gersquo
and
with
eac
h co
mpo
nent
par
t dis
play
ing
char
acte
ristic
geo
mor
phol
ogic
feat
ures
of a
give
n st
age
Them
e 3
Dive
rse
eros
iona
l to
pogr
aphi
es o
n co
ntin
enta
l red
be
ds p
redo
min
antly
san
dsto
ne a
nd
cong
lom
erat
e
2010
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Chin
aAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Dese
mba
rco
del
Gran
ma
Natio
nal
Park
67
The
uplif
ted
mar
ine
terra
ces
of D
esem
barc
o de
l Gr
anm
a Na
tiona
l Par
k (D
GNP)
and
the
cont
inui
ng
deve
lopm
ent o
f kar
st to
pogr
aphy
and
feat
ures
are
a
glob
ally
sign
ifica
nt il
lust
ratio
n of
geo
mor
phol
ogic
an
d ph
ysio
grap
hic
feat
ures
and
ong
oing
geo
logi
cal
proc
esse
s D
GNP
disp
lays
a ra
re re
lief f
orm
ed b
y th
e co
mbi
natio
n of
tect
onic
mov
emen
ts in
the
still
activ
e co
ntac
t zon
e be
twee
n tw
o te
cton
ic p
late
s an
d th
e ef
fect
s of
pas
t sea
leve
l cha
nge
in re
spon
se
to c
limat
e flu
ctua
tions
The
kar
st fo
rms
incl
ude
esca
rpm
ents
clif
fs c
ave
syst
ems
rive
r can
yons
and
la
rge
sink
hole
s kn
own
as d
olin
es in
mos
t dive
rse
size
s an
d sh
apes
Them
e 6
7 S
pect
acul
ar s
tairc
ase
of u
plift
ed c
oral
terra
ces
arou
nd
Cabo
Cru
z th
at s
uppo
rt on
goin
g de
velo
pmen
t of k
arst
land
form
s
Terra
ces
exte
nd fr
om -
180
m
offs
hore
to 4
60 m
inla
nd a
nd re
flect
a
com
bina
tion
of te
cton
ic a
nd
glac
io-e
usta
tic p
roce
sses
Exc
elle
nt
exam
ples
of l
ittor
al k
arst
Rel
ative
ly re
cent
upl
ift h
as p
erm
itted
the
com
men
cem
ent o
f kar
stifi
catio
n
1999
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cuba
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
68 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 69
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Dino
saur
Pr
ovin
cial
Par
k1
The
prop
erty
is o
utst
andi
ng in
the
num
ber a
nd
varie
ty o
f hig
h qu
ality
spe
cim
ens
repr
esen
ting
ever
y kn
own
grou
p of
Cre
tace
ous
dino
saur
s T
he d
ivers
ity
affo
rds
exce
llent
opp
ortu
nitie
s fo
r pal
eont
olog
y th
at is
bot
h co
mpa
rativ
e an
d ch
rono
logi
cal
Over
35
0 ar
ticul
ated
spe
cim
ens
from
the
Oldm
an a
nd
Dino
saur
Par
k fo
rmat
ions
incl
udin
g m
ore
than
15
0 co
mpl
ete
skel
eton
s no
w re
side
in m
ore
than
30
maj
or m
useu
ms
In a
dditi
on to
the
sign
ifica
nt
num
ber o
f hig
h qu
ality
spe
cim
ens
the
prop
erty
co
ntai
ns a
com
plet
e as
sem
blag
e of
non
-din
osau
rian
foss
il m
ater
ial o
fferin
g an
unp
aral
lele
d op
portu
nity
fo
r the
stu
dy o
f the
Lat
e Cr
etac
eous
pal
eo-
ecos
yste
m
Them
e 1
Din
osau
r Pro
vinci
al P
ark
cont
ains
som
e of
the
mos
t im
porta
nt
foss
il di
scov
erie
s ev
er m
ade
from
th
e Cr
etac
eous
in
parti
cula
r abo
ut
35 s
peci
es o
f din
osau
rs d
atin
g ba
ck
som
e 75
milli
on y
ears
1979
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Dors
et a
nd E
ast
Devo
n Co
ast
17
The
coas
tal e
xpos
ures
alo
ng th
e Do
rset
and
Ea
st D
evon
coa
st p
rovid
e an
alm
ost c
ontin
uous
se
quen
ce o
f Tria
ssic
Jur
assi
c an
d Cr
etac
eous
ro
ck fo
rmat
ions
spa
nnin
g th
e M
esoz
oic
Era
and
docu
men
t app
roxim
atel
y 18
5 m
illion
yea
rs o
f Ear
thrsquos
hi
stor
y Th
e pr
oper
ty in
clud
es a
rang
e of
glo
bally
si
gnifi
cant
foss
il lo
calit
ies
- bo
th v
erte
brat
e an
d in
verte
brat
e m
arin
e an
d te
rrest
rial -
whi
ch h
ave
prod
uced
wel
l pre
serv
ed a
nd d
ivers
e ev
iden
ce
of li
fe d
urin
g M
esoz
oic
times
It a
lso
cont
ains
te
xtbo
ok e
xem
plar
s of
coa
stal
geo
mor
phol
ogic
al
feat
ures
lan
dfor
ms
and
proc
esse
s R
enow
ned
for i
ts
cont
ribut
ion
to E
arth
sci
ence
inve
stig
atio
ns fo
r ove
r 30
0 ye
ars
the
Dors
et a
nd E
ast D
evon
coa
st h
as
help
ed fo
ster
maj
or c
ontri
butio
ns to
man
y as
pect
s of
geo
logy
pal
aeon
tolo
gy a
nd g
eom
orph
olog
y an
d ha
s co
ntin
uing
sig
nific
ance
as
a hi
gh q
ualit
y te
achi
ng t
rain
ing
and
rese
arch
reso
urce
for t
he
Earth
sci
ence
s
Them
e 1
Sup
erb
coas
tal e
xpos
ures
pr
ovid
e an
alm
ost c
ontin
uous
se
quen
ce o
f Tria
ssic
Jur
assi
c an
d Cr
etac
eous
rock
form
atio
ns s
pann
ing
the
Mes
ozoi
c Er
a an
d do
cum
ent
appr
oxim
atel
y 18
5 m
illion
yea
rs
of E
arth
his
tory
The
me
7 It
als
o co
ntai
ns te
xtbo
ok e
xem
plar
s of
co
asta
l geo
mor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
land
form
s an
d pr
oces
ses
2001
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d Ki
ngdo
m
of G
reat
Br
itain
an
d No
rther
n Ire
land
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
68 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 69
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Durm
itor N
atio
nal
Park
3Du
rmito
r Nat
iona
l Par
k ha
rbou
rs a
wea
lth o
f ge
olog
ical
and
geo
mor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es o
f maj
or
scie
ntifi
c in
tere
st w
hich
hav
e be
en s
hapi
ng th
e la
ndsc
ape
suc
h as
the
man
y re
mar
kabl
e Ka
rst
phen
omen
a T
he d
omin
ant g
eolo
gica
l fea
ture
s ar
e ve
ry th
ick
ofte
n sa
vage
ly co
ntor
ted
limes
tone
fo
rmat
ions
of t
he M
iddl
e an
d Up
per T
riass
ic U
pper
Ju
rass
ic a
nd U
pper
Cre
tace
ous
thou
gh m
ore
rece
nt ro
cks
are
also
pre
sent
One
par
ticul
arity
is
the
so-c
alle
d Du
rmito
r Flys
ch a
term
use
d fo
r te
cton
ic la
yers
incl
ined
at a
n an
gle
of 9
0 de
gree
s in
the
Durm
itor M
assi
f Th
e sh
eer w
alls
of t
he m
any
cany
ons
and
in p
artic
ular
tho
se o
f the
spe
ctac
ular
Ta
ra R
iver G
orge
of m
ore
than
60
km a
re n
ot o
nly
fund
amen
tal l
ands
cape
feat
ures
of t
he p
ark
but a
lso
expo
se m
agni
ficen
t roc
k fo
rmat
ions
Les
s kn
own
but n
o le
ss fa
scin
atin
g is
the
unde
rgro
und
wor
ld
of th
e pr
oper
ty It
incl
udes
Mon
tene
grorsquo
s de
epes
t ca
ve a
nd s
ubte
rrane
an ri
vers
dra
inin
g so
me
of th
e gl
acia
l lak
es I
n pa
rticu
lar
the
lsquoIce
Cave
rsquo is
a vis
ually
st
unni
ng a
nd a
rare
relic
t of p
ast g
laci
atio
n
Them
e 3
Thi
s br
eath
taki
ng n
atio
nal
park
was
form
ed b
y gl
acie
rs a
nd is
tra
vers
ed b
y riv
ers
and
unde
rgro
und
stre
ams
The
Tar
a Ri
ver c
anyo
n w
hich
ha
s th
e de
epes
t gor
ges
in E
urop
e
1980
(200
5)(v
ii)(v
iii)(x
)Na
tura
lM
onte
ne-
gro
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
El P
inac
ate
and
Gran
Des
iert
o de
Al
tar B
iosp
here
Re
serv
e
104
The
prop
erty
rsquos d
eser
t and
vol
cani
c la
ndfo
rms
prov
ide
an e
xcep
tiona
l com
bina
tion
of fe
atur
es o
f gr
eat s
cien
tific
inte
rest
The
vas
t sea
of s
and
dune
s th
at s
urro
unds
the
volc
anic
shi
eld
is c
onsi
dere
d th
e la
rges
t and
mos
t act
ive d
une
syst
em in
Nor
th
Amer
ica
It in
clud
es a
dive
rse
rang
e of
dun
es th
at
are
near
ly un
dist
urbe
d a
nd in
clud
e sp
ecta
cula
r an
d ve
ry la
rge
star
-sha
ped
dune
s th
at o
ccur
bo
th s
ingl
y an
d in
long
ridg
es u
p to
48k
m in
le
ngth
The
vol
cani
c ex
posu
res
prov
ide
impo
rtant
co
mpl
emen
tary
geo
logi
cal v
alue
s a
nd th
e de
sert
envir
onm
ent a
ssur
es a
dra
mat
ic d
ispl
ay o
f a s
erie
s of
impr
essi
ve la
rge
crat
ers
and
mor
e th
an 4
00
cind
er c
ones
lav
a flo
ws
and
lava
tube
s T
aken
to
geth
er th
e co
mbi
natio
n of
Ear
th s
cien
ce fe
atur
es
is a
n im
pres
sive
labo
rato
ry fo
r geo
logi
cal a
nd
geom
orph
olog
ical
stu
dies
Them
e 10
The
pro
perty
incl
udes
par
t of
the
Sono
ran
Dese
rt w
ith s
tar d
unes
an
d lin
ear d
unes
of c
onsi
dera
ble
heig
ht T
hem
e 4
The
714
566
ha
prop
erty
com
pris
es tw
o di
stin
ct p
arts
th
e do
rman
t vol
cani
c Pi
naca
te S
hiel
d of
bla
ck a
nd re
d la
va fl
ows
and
mor
e th
an 4
00 m
onog
enet
ic c
inde
r con
es
and
maa
rs o
f Hol
ocen
e ag
e
2013
(vii)
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Mex
ico
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Ever
glad
es
Natio
nal P
ark
5 7
The
Ever
glad
es is
a v
ast
near
ly fla
t se
abed
that
was
su
bmer
ged
at th
e en
d of
the
last
Ice
Age
Its
limes
tone
su
bstra
te is
one
of t
he m
ost a
ctive
are
as o
f mod
ern
carb
onat
e se
dim
enta
tion
Them
e 5
7 A
rive
r of g
rass
flow
ing
impe
rcep
tibly
from
the
hint
erla
nd in
to
the
sea
1979
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
70 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 71
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Fras
er Is
land
7Th
e pr
oper
ty re
pres
ents
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of
signi
fican
t ong
oing
geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
incl
udin
g lo
ngsh
ore
drift
The
imm
ense
san
d du
nes
are
part
of th
e lo
nges
t and
mos
t com
plet
e ag
e se
quen
ce
of c
oast
al d
une
syst
ems
in th
e w
orld
and
are
stil
l ev
olvin
g T
he s
uper
impo
sitio
n of
act
ive p
arab
olic
du
nes
on re
mna
nts
of o
lder
dun
es d
epos
ited
durin
g pe
riods
of l
ow s
ea le
vel
whi
ch a
re s
tabi
lised
by
tow
erin
g ra
info
rest
s at
ele
vatio
ns o
f up
to 2
40 m
is
cons
ider
ed u
niqu
e F
rase
r Isla
nd a
lso h
as a
var
iety
of
fres
hwat
er d
une
lake
s w
hich
are
exc
eptio
nal i
n te
rms
of n
umbe
r di
vers
ity a
nd a
ge T
he d
ynam
ic
inte
rrela
tions
hip
betw
een
the
coas
tal d
une
sand
m
ass
aqu
ifer h
ydro
logy
and
the
fresh
wat
er d
une
lake
s pr
ovid
es a
seq
uenc
e of
lake
form
atio
n bo
th
spat
ially
and
tem
pora
lly
The
proc
ess
of s
oil f
orm
atio
n on
the
islan
d is
also
un
ique
sin
ce a
s a
resu
lt of
the
succ
essiv
e ov
erla
ying
of d
une
syst
ems
a c
hron
oseq
uenc
e of
pod
zol
deve
lopm
ent f
rom
the
youn
ger d
une
syst
ems
on th
e ea
st to
the
olde
st s
yste
ms
on th
e w
est c
hang
e fro
m
rudi
men
tary
pro
files
less
than
05
m th
ick
to g
iant
fo
rms
mor
e th
an 2
5 m
thic
k T
he la
tter f
ar e
xcee
ds
know
n de
pths
of p
odzo
ls an
ywhe
re e
lse in
the
wor
ld
and
has
a di
rect
influ
ence
on
plan
t suc
cess
ion
w
ith th
e ol
der d
une
syst
ems
caus
ing
retro
gres
sive
succ
essio
n w
hen
the
soil
horiz
on b
ecom
es to
o de
ep
to p
rovid
e nu
tritio
n fo
r tal
l for
est s
peci
es
Them
e 7
Fra
ser I
slan
d is
the
larg
est s
and
isla
nd in
the
wor
ld T
he
com
bina
tion
of s
hifti
ng s
and-
dune
s
tropi
cal r
ainf
ores
ts a
nd la
kes
mak
es it
an
exc
eptio
nal s
ite
1992
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
70 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 71
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Galaacute
pago
s Is
land
s2
47
8Th
e ar
chip
elag
oacutes
geol
ogy
begi
ns a
t the
sea
floo
r and
em
erge
s ab
ove
sea
leve
l whe
re b
iolo
gica
l pro
cess
es
cont
inue
Thr
ee m
ajor
tect
onic
plat
esmdash
Nazc
a C
ocos
an
d Pa
cificmdash
mee
t at t
he b
asis
of th
e oc
ean
whi
ch
is of
sig
nific
ant g
eolo
gica
l inte
rest
In
com
paris
on
with
mos
t oce
anic
arch
ipel
agos
the
Gal
aacutepag
os a
re
very
you
ng w
ith th
e la
rges
t and
you
nges
t isla
nds
Isa
bela
and
Fer
nand
ina
with
less
than
one
milli
on
year
s of
exis
tenc
e a
nd th
e ol
dest
isla
nds
Espa
ntildeola
an
d Sa
n Cr
istoacuteb
al s
omew
here
bet
wee
n th
ree
to fi
ve
milli
on y
ears
The
pro
perty
dem
onst
rate
s th
e ev
olut
ion
of th
e yo
unge
r vol
cani
c ar
eas
in th
e w
est a
nd th
e ol
der i
sland
s in
the
east
On-
goin
g ge
olog
ical a
nd
geom
orph
olog
ical p
roce
sses
inc
ludi
ng re
cent
vol
cani
c er
uptio
ns s
mal
l sei
smic
mov
emen
ts a
nd e
rosio
n pr
ovid
e ke
y in
sight
s to
the
puzz
le o
f the
orig
in o
f the
Ga
laacutepa
gos
Islan
ds A
lmos
t no
othe
r site
in th
e w
orld
of
fers
pro
tect
ion
of s
uch
a co
mpl
ete
cont
inuu
m o
f ge
olog
ical a
nd g
eom
orph
olog
ical f
eatu
res
Them
e 2
4 S
ituat
ed in
the
Paci
fic
Ocea
n so
me
100
0 km
from
the
Sout
h Am
eric
an c
ontin
ent
thes
e 19
is
land
s an
d th
e su
rroun
ding
mar
ine
rese
rve
have
bee
n ca
lled
a un
ique
lsquoli
ving
mus
eum
and
sho
wca
se o
f ev
olut
ionrsquo
Ong
oing
sei
smic
and
vo
lcan
ic a
ctivi
ty re
flect
s th
e pr
oces
ses
that
form
ed th
e is
land
s T
hem
e 7
8
The
arc
hipe
lago
acutes g
eolo
gy b
egin
s at
the
sea
floor
and
em
erge
s ab
ove
sea
leve
l
1978
(200
1)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Ecua
dor
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Gian
trsquos C
ause
way
an
d Ca
usew
ay
Coas
t
4Th
e ge
olog
ical
act
ivity
of t
he C
enoz
oic
Era
is c
lear
ly illu
stra
ted
by th
e su
cces
sion
of t
he la
va fl
ows
and
inte
rbas
altic
bed
s w
hich
are
in e
viden
ce o
n th
e Ca
usew
ay C
oast
Int
erpr
etat
ion
of th
e su
cces
sion
ha
s al
low
ed a
det
aile
d an
alys
is o
f Ter
tiary
eve
nts
in
the
North
Atla
ntic
The
ext
rem
ely
regu
lar c
olum
nar
join
ting
of th
e Th
olei
itic
basa
lts is
a s
pect
acul
ar
feat
ure
whi
ch is
dis
play
ed in
exe
mpl
ary
fash
ion
at th
e Gi
antrsquos
Cau
sew
ay T
he C
ause
way
itse
lf is
a
uniq
ue fo
rmat
ion
and
a su
perla
tive
horiz
onta
l se
ctio
n th
roug
h co
lum
nar b
asal
t lav
as
Them
e 4
The
Gia
ntrsquos
Cau
sew
ay li
es
at th
e fo
ot o
f the
bas
alt c
liffs
alo
ng th
e se
a co
ast o
n th
e ed
ge o
f the
Ant
rim
plat
eau
in N
orth
ern
Irela
nd I
t is
mad
e up
of s
ome
400
00 m
assi
ve b
lack
ba
salt
colu
mns
stic
king
out
of t
he
sea
The
dra
mat
ic s
ight
has
insp
ired
lege
nds
of g
iant
s st
ridin
g ov
er th
e se
a to
Sco
tland
Geo
logi
cal s
tudi
es
of th
ese
form
atio
ns o
ver t
he la
st 3
00
year
s ha
ve g
reat
ly co
ntrib
uted
to th
e de
velo
pmen
t of t
he E
arth
sci
ence
s
and
show
that
this
stri
king
land
scap
e w
as c
ause
d by
vol
cani
c ac
tivity
dur
ing
the
Pale
ogen
e s
ome
50ndash6
0 m
illion
ye
ars
ago
1986
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d Ki
ngdo
m
of G
reat
Br
itain
an
d No
rther
n Ire
land
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
72 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 73
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Gond
wan
a Ra
info
rest
s of
Au
stra
lia
21
3Th
e Go
ndw
ana
Rain
fore
sts
prov
ides
out
stan
ding
ex
ampl
es o
f sig
nific
ant o
ngoi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es
Whe
n Au
stra
lia s
epar
ated
from
Ant
arct
ica fo
llow
ing
the
brea
kup
of G
ondw
ana
new
con
tinen
tal m
argi
ns
deve
lope
d T
he m
argi
n w
hich
form
ed a
long
Aus
tralia
rsquos ea
ster
n ed
ge is
cha
ract
erise
d by
an
asym
met
rical
m
argi
nal s
wel
l tha
t run
s pa
ralle
l to
the
coas
tline
the
eros
ion
of w
hich
has
resu
lted
in th
e Gr
eat D
ivide
and
th
e Gr
eat E
scar
pmen
t Th
is ea
ster
n co
ntin
enta
l mar
gin
expe
rienc
ed v
olca
nicit
y du
ring
the
Ceno
zoic
Era
as
the
Aust
ralia
n co
ntin
enta
l pla
te m
oved
ove
r one
of t
he
plan
etrsquos
hot s
pots
Vol
cano
es e
rupt
ed in
seq
uenc
e al
ong
the
east
coa
st re
sultin
g in
the
Twee
d F
ocal
Pea
k
Ebor
and
Bar
ringt
on v
olca
nic
shie
lds
This
sequ
ence
of
volca
nos
is sig
nific
ant a
s it
enab
les
the
datin
g of
the
geom
orph
ic ev
olut
ion
of e
aste
rn A
ustra
lia th
roug
h th
e st
udy
of th
e in
tera
ctio
n of
thes
e vo
lcani
c re
mna
nts
with
th
e ea
ster
n hi
ghla
nds
Them
e 2
1 3
The
Gon
dwan
a Ra
info
rest
s pr
ovid
es o
utst
andi
ng
exam
ples
of s
igni
fican
t ong
oing
ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
es W
hen
Aust
ralia
se
para
ted
from
Ant
arct
ica
follo
win
g th
e br
eaku
p of
Gon
dwan
a n
ew
cont
inen
tal m
argi
ns d
evel
oped
The
m
argi
n w
hich
form
ed a
long
Aus
tralia
rsquos
east
ern
edge
is c
hara
cter
ised
by
an
asym
met
rical
mar
gina
l sw
ell t
hat r
uns
para
llel t
o th
e co
astli
ne t
he e
rosi
on o
f w
hich
has
resu
lted
in th
e Gr
eat D
ivide
an
d th
e Gr
eat E
scar
pmen
t
1986
(199
4)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Gran
d Ca
nyon
Na
tiona
l Par
k3
1W
ithin
par
k bo
unda
ries
the
geol
ogic
reco
rd s
pans
al
l fou
r era
s of
the
Earth
rsquos e
volu
tiona
ry h
isto
ry f
rom
th
e Pr
ecam
bria
n to
the
Ceno
zoic
The
Pre
cam
bria
n an
d Pa
leoz
oic
porti
ons
of th
is re
cord
are
par
ticul
arly
wel
l exp
osed
in c
anyo
n w
alls
and
incl
ude
a ric
h fo
ssil
asse
mbl
age
Num
erou
s ca
ves
shel
ter f
ossi
ls
and
anim
al re
mai
ns th
at e
xten
d th
e pa
leon
tolo
gica
l re
cord
into
the
Plei
stoc
ene
Them
e 3
Car
ved
out b
y th
e Co
lora
do
Rive
r th
e Gr
and
Cany
on (n
early
15
00
m d
eep)
was
form
ed d
urin
g 6
milli
on
year
s of
geo
logi
c ac
tivity
and
ero
sion
by
the
Colo
rado
Rive
r on
the
upra
ised
Ea
rthrsquos
cru
st T
hem
e 1
Its
horiz
onta
l st
rata
retra
ce th
e ge
olog
ical
his
tory
of
the
past
2 b
illion
yea
rs
1979
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
72 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 73
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Grea
t Bar
rier R
eef
87
The
GBR
ext
endi
ng 2
000
km
alo
ng Q
ueen
slan
drsquos
coas
t is
a g
loba
lly o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of a
n ec
osys
tem
that
has
evo
lved
over
mille
nnia
The
ar
ea h
as b
een
expo
sed
and
flood
ed b
y at
leas
t fou
r gl
acia
l and
inte
rgla
cial
cyc
les
and
ove
r the
pas
t 15
000
yea
rs re
efs
have
gro
wn
on th
e co
ntin
enta
l sh
elf
Durin
g gl
acia
l per
iods
sea
leve
ls d
ropp
ed e
xpos
ing
the
reef
s as
flat
-top
ped
hills
of e
rode
d lim
esto
ne
Larg
e riv
ers
mea
nder
ed b
etw
een
thes
e hi
lls a
nd th
e co
astli
ne e
xten
ded
furth
er e
ast
Durin
g in
terg
laci
al
perio
ds r
isin
g se
a le
vels
cau
sed
the
form
atio
n of
co
ntin
enta
l isl
ands
cor
al c
ays
and
new
pha
ses
of
cora
l gro
wth
Thi
s en
viron
men
tal h
isto
ry c
an b
e se
en
in c
ores
of o
ld m
assi
ve c
oral
s
Toda
y th
e GB
R fo
rms
the
wor
ldrsquos
larg
est c
oral
reef
ec
osys
tem
ran
ging
from
insh
ore
fring
ing
reef
s to
m
id-s
helf
reef
s a
nd e
xpos
ed o
uter
reef
s in
clud
ing
exam
ples
of a
ll st
ages
of r
eef d
evel
opm
ent
The
proc
esse
s of
geo
logi
cal a
nd g
eom
orph
olog
ical
ev
olut
ion
are
wel
l rep
rese
nted
lin
king
con
tinen
tal
isla
nds
cor
al c
ays
and
reef
s T
he v
arie
d se
asca
pes
and
land
scap
es th
at o
ccur
toda
y ha
ve b
een
mou
lded
by
chan
ging
clim
ates
and
sea
leve
ls a
nd
the
eros
ive p
ower
of w
ind
and
wat
er o
ver l
ong
time
perio
ds
One-
third
of t
he G
BR li
es b
eyon
d th
e se
awar
d ed
ge o
f the
sha
llow
er re
efs
this
are
a co
mpr
ises
co
ntin
enta
l slo
pe a
nd d
eep
ocea
nic
wat
ers
and
abys
sal p
lain
s
Them
e 8
7 T
he G
BR fo
rms
the
wor
ldrsquos
larg
est c
oral
reef
eco
syst
em
rang
ing
from
insh
ore
fring
ing
reef
s to
m
id-s
helf
reef
s a
nd e
xpos
ed o
uter
re
efs
incl
udin
g ex
ampl
es o
f all
stag
es
of re
ef d
evel
opm
ent
The
proc
esse
s of
geo
logi
cal a
nd g
eom
orph
olog
ical
ev
olut
ion
are
wel
l rep
rese
nted
lin
king
co
ntin
enta
l isl
ands
cor
al c
ays
and
reef
s T
he v
arie
d se
asca
pes
and
land
scap
es th
at o
ccur
toda
y ha
ve
been
mou
lded
by
chan
ging
clim
ates
an
d se
a le
vels
and
the
eros
ive
pow
er o
f win
d an
d w
ater
ove
r lon
g tim
e pe
riods
One
-thi
rd o
f the
GBR
lie
s be
yond
the
seaw
ard
edge
of t
he
shal
low
er re
efs
this
are
a co
mpr
ises
co
ntin
enta
l slo
pe a
nd d
eep
ocea
nic
wat
ers
and
abys
sal p
lain
s
1981
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Grea
t Sm
oky
Mou
ntai
ns
Natio
nal P
ark
13
Grea
t Sm
oky
Mou
ntai
ns N
atio
nal P
ark
is o
f wor
ld
impo
rtanc
e as
the
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of th
e di
vers
e Ar
cto-
Terti
ary
geofl
ora
era
pro
vidin
g an
in
dica
tion
of w
hat t
he la
te P
leis
toce
ne fl
ora
look
ed
like
befo
re re
cent
hum
an im
pact
s
Them
e 1
Sta
ted
to b
e an
out
stan
ding
ex
ampl
e of
the
dive
rse
Arct
o-Te
rtiar
y ge
oflor
a er
a p
rovid
ing
an in
dica
tion
of
wha
t the
late
Ple
isto
cene
flor
a lo
oked
lik
e be
fore
Rec
ent h
uman
impa
cts
Th
eme
3 N
on-g
laci
al d
isse
cted
m
ount
aino
us te
rrain
1983
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
74 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 75
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Gros
Mor
ne
Natio
nal P
ark
29
The
rock
s of
Gro
s M
orne
Nat
iona
l Par
k co
llect
ively
pres
ent a
n in
tern
atio
nally
sig
nific
ant i
llust
ratio
n of
th
e pr
oces
s of
con
tinen
tal d
rift a
long
the
east
ern
coas
t of N
orth
Am
eric
a an
d co
ntrib
ute
grea
tly to
th
e bo
dy o
f kno
wle
dge
and
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
pla
te
tect
onic
s an
d th
e ge
olog
ical
evo
lutio
n of
anc
ient
m
ount
ain
belts
In
glac
ier-
scou
red
high
land
s an
d sp
ecta
cula
r fjo
rds
gla
ciat
ion
has
mad
e vis
ible
the
park
rsquos m
any
geol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
Them
e 2
Thi
s pa
rk s
ituat
ed o
n th
e w
est c
oast
of t
he is
land
of
New
foun
dlan
d pr
ovid
es a
rare
ex
ampl
e of
the
proc
ess
of c
ontin
enta
l dr
ift w
here
dee
p oc
ean
crus
t and
th
e ro
cks
of th
e Ea
rthrsquos
man
tle li
e ex
pose
d T
hem
e 9
Ple
isto
cene
gl
acia
l act
ion
has
resu
lted
in s
ome
spec
tacu
lar s
cene
ry w
ith c
oast
al
low
land
alp
ine
plat
eau
fjor
ds g
laci
al
valle
ys s
heer
clif
fs w
ater
falls
and
m
any
pris
tine
lake
s
1987
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Gulf
of P
orto
Ca
lanc
he o
f Pi
ana
Gul
f of
Giro
lata
Sc
ando
la R
eser
ve
7No
cur
rent
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV b
ut th
e in
scrip
tion
in 1
983
is b
ased
on
lsquodra
mat
ic g
eolo
gica
l la
ndfo
rmsrsquo
and
refe
rs to
Cyc
les
of e
rosi
on a
nd
reju
vena
tion
have
cre
ated
hig
h cl
iffs
of re
d po
rphy
ry
rhyo
liths
and
bas
altic
pilla
rs c
onsi
dera
bly
erod
ed b
y w
ave
actio
n T
hus
the
area
has
a v
arie
d an
d ru
gged
re
lief o
n m
arin
e an
d sh
ore
habi
tats
The
jagg
ed a
nd
shee
r clif
fs c
onta
in m
any
grot
tos
and
are
flank
ed b
y nu
mer
ous
stac
ks a
nd a
lmos
t ina
cces
sibl
e is
lets
and
co
ves
such
as
Tuar
a T
he c
ombi
natio
n of
the
red
cliff
s s
ome
900
m h
igh
san
d be
ache
s h
eadl
ands
su
ch a
s Ca
pe O
sani
and
the
Peni
nsul
a of
Elb
o a
nd
the
trans
pare
nt s
ea m
ake
the
area
exc
eptio
nally
be
autif
ul
Them
e 7
The
mar
ine
area
of t
he
prop
erty
par
ticul
arly
in th
e Sc
ando
la
natu
re re
serv
e is
rem
arka
ble
for i
ts
wea
lth o
f alg
ae T
he te
rraci
ng o
f livi
ng
form
s is
ver
y re
pres
enta
tive
of th
e M
edite
rrane
an c
oast
al e
nviro
nmen
t th
e lsquop
avem
entrsquo
of L
ithop
hyllu
m (a
lga)
le
ads
to a
bed
of P
osid
onia
whi
ch
can
be u
p to
35
m d
eep
Rem
arka
ble
cora
lligen
ous
stru
ctur
es fo
rm u
p to
th
e ed
ge o
f the
con
tinen
tal s
helf
1983
(vii)
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Fran
ceEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
74 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 75
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Gunu
ng M
ulu
Natio
nal P
ark
6Th
e pa
rk is
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of m
ajor
ch
ange
s in
the
Earth
rsquos h
isto
ry T
hree
maj
or ro
ck
form
atio
ns a
re e
viden
t th
e M
ulu
Form
atio
n of
Pa
leoc
ene
and
Eoce
ne s
hale
rsquos a
nd s
ands
tone
ris
ing
to 2
376
m a
t the
sum
mit
of G
unun
g M
ulu
th
e 1
5 km
thic
k M
elin
au L
imes
tone
form
atio
n of
Up
per E
ocen
e O
ligoc
ene
and
Low
er M
ioce
ne r
isin
g to
16
82 m
at G
unun
g Ap
i an
d th
e M
ioce
ne S
etap
Sh
ale
form
atio
n ou
tcro
ppin
g as
a g
entle
line
of h
ills
to th
e w
est
Maj
or u
plift
that
occ
urre
d du
ring
the
late
Pl
ioce
ne to
Ple
isto
cene
is w
ell r
epre
sent
ed in
the
295
km o
f exp
lore
d ca
ves
as a
ser
ies
of m
ajor
cav
e le
vels
The
sur
face
and
und
ergr
ound
geo
mor
phol
ogy
and
hydr
olog
y re
veal
sig
nific
ant i
nfor
mat
ion
on
the
tect
onic
and
clim
atic
evo
lutio
n of
Bor
neo
The
se
quen
ce o
f ter
rest
rial a
lluvia
l dep
osits
pro
vides
an
impo
rtant
reco
rd o
f gla
cial
ndash in
terg
laci
al c
ycle
s w
ith th
e se
ries
of u
plift
ed c
aves
rang
ing
from
28
m
to o
ver 3
00 m
abo
ve s
ea le
vel a
re a
t lea
st 2
to 3
m
illion
yea
rs o
ld i
ndic
atin
g up
lift r
ates
of a
bout
19
cm p
er 1
000
yea
rs
Them
e 6
The
par
k ha
s a
sign
ifica
nt
area
of k
arst
in M
ioce
ne li
mes
tone
th
at c
onta
ins
larg
e un
derg
roun
d riv
ers
and
gt29
0 km
of e
xplo
red
cave
s
incl
udin
g Sa
raw
ak C
ham
ber (
700
m lo
ng 3
00-4
00 m
wid
e an
d up
to
100
m h
igh)
ndash th
e w
orld
rsquos la
rges
t un
derg
roun
d ro
om C
aves
con
tain
m
ajor
spe
leot
hem
dep
osits
and
15
m
illion
yea
r sed
imen
t seq
uenc
es
Rich
cav
e bi
ota
esp
ecia
lly n
otab
le fo
r ba
ts a
nd s
wift
lets
Su
rface
feat
ures
in
clud
e gi
ant c
olla
pse
dolin
es a
nd
spec
tacu
lar r
azor
-sha
rp p
inna
cle
kars
t (c
a 50
m h
igh)
2000
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lM
alay
sia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Ha L
ong
Bay
67
As th
e m
ost e
xten
sive
and
best
kno
wn
exam
ple
of
mar
ine-
inva
ded
tow
er k
arst
in th
e w
orld
Ha
Long
Ba
y is
one
of th
e w
orld
rsquos m
ost i
mpo
rtant
are
as o
f Fe
ngco
ng (c
lust
ers
of c
onic
al p
eaks
) and
Fen
glin
(is
olat
ed to
wer
feat
ures
) kar
st A
bund
ant l
akes
oc
cupy
ing
drow
ned
dolin
es a
re o
ne o
f the
dist
inct
ive
feat
ures
of t
he F
enco
ng k
arst
with
som
e ap
pear
ing
to b
e tid
al P
osse
ssin
g a
trem
endo
us d
ivers
ity o
f ca
ves
and
othe
r lan
dfor
ms
deriv
ed fr
om th
e un
usua
l ge
omor
phol
ogic
al p
roce
ss o
f mar
ine
inva
ded
tow
er
kars
t the
cav
es a
re o
f thr
ee m
ain
type
s re
mna
nts
of p
hrea
tic c
aves
old
kar
stic
foot
cav
es a
nd m
arin
e no
tch
cave
s T
he p
rope
rty a
lso d
ispla
ys th
e fu
ll ra
nge
of k
arst
form
atio
n pr
oces
ses
on a
ver
y la
rge
scal
e an
d ov
er a
ver
y lo
ng p
erio
d of
geo
logi
cal t
ime
pos
sess
ing
the
mos
t com
plet
e an
d ex
tens
ive e
xzam
ple
of it
s ty
pe
in th
e w
orld
and
pro
vidin
g a
uniq
ue a
nd e
xten
sive
rese
rvoi
r of d
ata
for t
he fu
ture
und
erst
andi
ng o
f ge
oclim
atic
hist
ory
and
the
natu
re o
f kar
st p
roce
sses
in
a c
ompl
ex e
nviro
nmen
t
Them
e 6
7 T
he w
orld
rsquos m
ost
exte
nsive
and
bes
t- k
now
n ex
ampl
e of
trop
ical
tow
er k
arst
inva
ded
by th
e se
a In
corp
orat
es a
reas
of f
engc
ong
and
feng
lin k
arst
1994
(200
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)Na
tura
lVi
et N
amAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
76 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 77
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Haw
aii V
olca
noes
Na
tiona
l Par
k4
This
pro
perty
is a
uni
que
exam
ple
of s
igni
fican
t is
land
bui
ldin
g th
roug
h on
goin
g vo
lcan
ic p
roce
sses
It
repr
esen
ts th
e m
ost r
ecen
t act
ivity
in th
e co
ntin
uing
pro
cess
of t
he g
eolo
gic
orig
in a
nd
chan
ge o
f the
Haw
aiia
n Ar
chip
elag
o T
he p
ark
cont
ains
sig
nific
ant p
arts
of t
wo
of th
e w
orld
rsquos m
ost
activ
e an
d be
st u
nder
stoo
d vo
lcan
oes
Kila
uea
and
Mau
na L
oa T
he v
olca
no M
auna
Loa
mea
sure
d fro
m th
e oc
ean
floor
is
the
grea
test
vol
cani
c m
ass
on E
arth
Them
e 4
Thi
s pr
oper
ty c
onta
ins
two
of th
e m
ost a
ctive
vol
cano
es in
the
wor
ld M
auna
Loa
(41
70 m
hig
h) a
nd
Kila
uea
(12
50 m
hig
h) b
oth
of w
hich
to
wer
ove
r the
Pac
ific
Ocea
n V
olca
nic
erup
tions
hav
e cr
eate
d a
cons
tant
ly ch
angi
ng la
ndsc
ape
and
the
lava
flo
ws
reve
al s
urpr
isin
g ge
olog
ical
fo
rmat
ions
1987
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Hear
d an
d M
cDon
ald
Isla
nds
2 4
9Th
e is
land
s co
ntai
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
es o
f si
gnifi
cant
on-
goin
g ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
es o
ccur
ring
in a
n es
sent
ially
und
istu
rbed
env
ironm
ent
parti
cula
rly p
hysi
cal p
roce
sses
whi
ch p
rovid
e an
un
ders
tand
ing
of th
e ro
le o
f cru
stal
pla
tes
in th
e fo
rmat
ion
of o
cean
bas
ins
and
cont
inen
ts a
nd o
f at
mos
pher
ic a
nd o
cean
ic w
arm
ing
The
isla
nds
are
dist
inct
ive a
mon
g oc
eani
c is
land
s in
bei
ng fo
unde
d up
on a
maj
or s
ubm
arin
e pl
atea
u w
hich
in th
is c
ase
defle
cts
Anta
rctic
circ
umpo
lar w
ater
s no
rthw
ards
w
ith s
triki
ng c
onse
quen
ces
for g
eom
orph
olog
ical
pr
oces
ses
The
y al
so o
ffer a
n ac
tive
exam
ple
of p
lum
e vo
lcan
ism
pro
vidin
g di
rect
geo
logi
cal
evid
ence
of t
he a
ctio
n of
the
long
est o
pera
tiona
l pl
ume
syst
em k
now
n in
the
wor
ld T
his
incl
udes
in
form
atio
n ab
out p
lum
e in
tera
ctio
n w
ith o
verly
ing
crus
tal p
late
s a
s w
ell a
s in
sigh
ts in
to m
antle
plu
me
com
posi
tion
due
to th
e w
ides
t ran
ge o
f iso
topi
c co
mpo
sitio
ns o
f stro
ntiu
m n
eody
miu
m l
ead
and
heliu
m k
now
n fro
m a
ny o
cean
ic is
land
vol
cano
sy
stem
Big
Ben
on
Hear
d Is
land
is th
e on
ly kn
own
cont
inuo
usly
activ
e vo
lcan
o on
a s
ub-A
ntar
ctic
is
land
whe
reas
the
volc
ano
on M
acDo
nald
Isla
nd
rece
ntly
beca
me
activ
e ag
ain
afte
r a 7
500
0 ye
ar
perio
d of
dor
man
cy i
ncre
asin
g si
gnifi
cant
ly in
size
si
nce
insc
riptio
n
Hear
d Is
land
rsquos re
lativ
ely
shal
low
and
fast
-flow
ing
glac
iers
resp
ond
quic
kly
to c
limat
e ch
ange
fa
ster
than
any
gla
cier
s el
sew
here
mak
ing
them
pa
rticu
larly
impo
rtant
in m
onito
ring
clim
ate
chan
ge
They
hav
e flu
ctua
ted
dram
atic
ally
in re
cent
dec
ades
an
d ha
ve re
treat
ed s
igni
fican
tly
Them
e 2
4 H
eard
Isla
nd a
nd
McD
onal
d Is
land
s ar
e th
e on
ly vo
lcan
ical
ly ac
tive
suba
ntar
ctic
is
land
s T
he is
land
s ar
e di
stin
ctive
am
ong
ocea
nic
isla
nds
in b
eing
fo
unde
d up
on a
maj
or s
ubm
arin
e pl
atea
u w
hich
in th
is c
ase
defle
cts
Anta
rctic
circ
umpo
lar w
ater
s no
rthw
ards
The
y al
so o
ffer a
n ac
tive
exam
ple
of p
lum
e vo
lcan
ism
pr
ovid
ing
dire
ct g
eolo
gica
l evid
ence
of
the
actio
n of
the
long
est o
pera
tiona
l pl
ume
syst
em k
now
n in
the
wor
ld
Them
e 9
Hea
rd Is
land
rsquos re
lativ
ely
shal
low
and
fast
-flow
ing
glac
iers
re
spon
d qu
ickl
y to
clim
ate
chan
ge
fast
er th
an a
ny g
laci
ers
else
whe
re
mak
ing
them
par
ticul
arly
impo
rtant
in
mon
itorin
g cl
imat
e ch
ange
The
y ha
ve fl
uctu
ated
dra
mat
ical
ly in
re
cent
dec
ades
and
hav
e re
treat
ed
sign
ifica
ntly
1997
(viii)
(ix)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
76 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 77
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
High
Coa
st
Kva
rken
Ar
chip
elag
o
9Th
e Hi
gh C
oast
Kva
rken
Arc
hipe
lago
is o
f ex
cept
iona
l geo
logi
cal v
alue
for t
wo
mai
n re
ason
s
Firs
t bo
th a
reas
hav
e so
me
of th
e hi
ghes
t rat
es
of is
osta
tic u
plift
in th
e w
orld
mea
ning
that
the
land
stil
l con
tinue
s to
rise
in e
leva
tion
follo
win
g th
e re
treat
of t
he la
st in
land
ice
shee
t w
ith a
roun
d 29
0 m
of l
and
uplif
t rec
orde
d ov
er th
e pa
st 1
050
0 ye
ars
The
upl
ift is
ong
oing
and
is a
ssoc
iate
d w
ith
maj
or c
hang
es in
the
wat
er b
odie
s in
pos
t-gl
acia
l tim
es T
his
phen
omen
on w
as fi
rst r
ecog
nize
d an
d st
udie
d he
re m
akin
g th
e pr
oper
ty a
key
are
a fo
r un
ders
tand
ing
the
proc
esse
s of
cru
stal
resp
onse
to
the
mel
ting
of th
e co
ntin
enta
l ice
she
et S
econ
d
the
Kvar
ken
Arch
ipel
ago
with
its
560
0 is
land
s an
d su
rroun
ding
sea
pos
sess
es a
dis
tinct
ive a
rray
of
glac
ial d
epos
ition
al fo
rmat
ions
suc
h as
De
Geer
m
orai
nes
whi
ch a
dd to
the
varie
ty o
f gla
cial
land
- an
d se
asca
pe fe
atur
es in
the
regi
on I
t is
a gl
obal
ex
cept
iona
l and
dive
rse
area
for s
tudy
ing
mor
aine
ar
chip
elag
os T
he H
igh
Coas
t and
the
Kvar
ken
Arch
ipel
ago
repr
esen
t com
plem
enta
ry e
xam
ples
of
post
-gla
cial
upl
iftin
g la
ndsc
apes
Them
e 9
Bot
h ar
eas
have
som
e of
th
e hi
ghes
t rat
es o
f iso
stat
ic u
plift
in
the
wor
ld m
eani
ng th
at th
e la
nd
still
cont
inue
s to
rise
in e
leva
tion
follo
win
g th
e re
treat
of t
he la
st in
land
ic
e sh
eet
with
aro
und
290
m o
f lan
d up
lift r
ecor
ded
over
the
past
10
500
year
s T
he u
plift
is o
ngoi
ng a
nd is
as
soci
ated
with
maj
or c
hang
es in
the
wat
er b
odie
s in
pos
t-gl
acia
l tim
es
[] a
key
are
a fo
r und
erst
andi
ng th
e pr
oces
ses
of c
rust
al re
spon
se to
the
mel
ting
of th
e co
ntin
enta
l ice
she
et
[] t
he K
vark
en A
rchi
pela
go w
ith
its 5
600
isla
nds
and
surro
undi
ng
sea
pos
sess
es a
dis
tinct
ive a
rray
of g
laci
al d
epos
ition
al fo
rmat
ions
su
ch a
s De
Gee
r mor
aine
s w
hich
ad
d to
the
varie
ty o
f gla
cial
land
- an
d se
asca
pe fe
atur
es in
the
regi
on I
t is
a gl
obal
exc
eptio
nal a
nd d
ivers
e ar
ea
for s
tudy
ing
mor
aine
arc
hipe
lago
s
The
High
Coa
st a
nd th
e Kv
arke
n Ar
chip
elag
o re
pres
ent c
ompl
emen
tary
ex
ampl
es o
f pos
t-gl
acia
l upl
iftin
g la
ndsc
apes
2000
(200
6)(v
iii)Na
tura
lFi
nlan
d
Swed
enEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
78 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 79
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Huas
caraacute
n Na
tiona
l Par
k9
Huas
caraacute
n is
loca
ted
in th
e Hi
gh A
ndes
and
incl
udes
hi
gh p
late
aus
of P
una
gras
slan
ds w
here
60
00
m p
eaks
and
gla
cier
s fo
rm a
glo
bally
not
able
m
ount
aino
us re
gion
inc
ludi
ng o
ver 6
00 g
laci
ers
al
mos
t 300
lake
s an
d 41
trib
utar
ies
of th
ree
impo
rtant
rive
rs t
he S
anta
Pat
ivilc
a an
d M
aran
on
Unde
rlyin
g th
e ex
cept
iona
l lan
dsca
pe o
f Hua
scar
an
Natio
nal P
ark
is a
bro
ad s
pect
rum
of r
emar
kabl
e on
goin
g ge
olog
ical
feat
ures
and
pro
cess
es
shap
ing
the
impr
essi
ve g
eom
orph
olog
y Th
e ar
earsquos
ge
olog
ical
his
tory
and
stru
ctur
es a
re v
ery
com
plex
w
ith s
erra
ted
peak
s an
d th
e ru
gged
topo
grap
hy
orig
inat
e fro
m th
e up
liftin
g of
Mes
ozoi
c se
dim
ents
w
hich
wer
e se
vere
ly fo
lded
and
faul
ted
by c
ompl
ex
tect
onic
act
ivity
at t
he e
nd o
f the
Cre
tace
ous
Perio
d an
d su
bjec
t to
volc
anis
m in
the
Plio
cene
an
d Pl
eist
ocen
e ep
ochs
To
this
day
ther
e is
stro
ng
seis
mic
act
ivity
in th
e ar
ea m
ajor
ear
thqu
akes
su
ch a
s in
194
5 1
962
and
1970
ser
ving
as c
ruel
re
min
ders
Gla
ciat
ion
is a
maj
or e
lem
ent i
n th
e ge
omor
phol
ogy
and
hydr
olog
y of
the
prop
erty
It is
es
timat
ed th
at a
s m
uch
a qu
arte
r of t
he v
olum
e of
gl
acia
l ice
in th
e Co
rdille
ra m
ay h
ave
disa
ppea
red
sinc
e th
e la
te 1
960s
a p
roce
ss w
hich
is li
kely
to
furth
er c
hang
e th
e vis
ual f
ace
of H
uasc
araacuten
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk
Them
e 9
Loc
ated
in th
e Hi
gh A
ndes
an
d in
clud
es h
igh
plat
eaus
of P
una
gras
slan
ds w
here
60
00 m
pea
ks
and
glac
iers
form
a g
loba
lly n
otab
le
mou
ntai
nous
regi
on i
nclu
ding
ove
r 60
0 gl
acie
rs a
lmos
t 300
lake
s an
d 41
trib
utar
ies
of th
ree
impo
rtant
rive
rs
the
Sant
a P
ativi
lca
and
Mar
anon
1985
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Peru
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Ilulis
sat I
cefjo
rd9
The
Ilulis
sat I
cefjo
rd is
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of
a st
age
in th
e Ea
rthrsquos
his
tory
the
last
ice
age
of
the
Quat
erna
ry P
erio
d T
he ic
e-st
ream
is o
ne o
f the
fa
stes
t (40
m p
er d
ay) a
nd m
ost a
ctive
in th
e w
orld
Its
ann
ual c
alvin
g of
ove
r 46
km3
of ic
e ac
coun
ts
for 1
0 o
f the
pro
duct
ion
of a
ll Gr
eenl
and
calf
ice
m
ore
than
any
oth
er g
laci
er o
utsi
de A
ntar
ctic
a T
he
glac
ier h
as b
een
the
obje
ct o
f sci
entifi
c at
tent
ion
for 2
50 y
ears
and
alo
ng w
ith it
s re
lativ
e ea
se
of a
cces
sibi
lity
has
sign
ifica
ntly
adde
d to
the
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
ice-
cap
glac
iolo
gy c
limat
e ch
ange
an
d re
late
d ge
omor
phic
pro
cess
es
Them
e 9
The
Ilul
issa
t Ice
fjord
is
an o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of a
sta
ge
in th
e Ea
rthrsquos
his
tory
the
last
ice
age
of th
e Qu
ater
nary
Per
iod
The
ic
e-st
ream
is o
ne o
f the
fast
est (
40
m p
er d
ay) a
nd m
ost a
ctive
in th
e w
orld
Its
ann
ual c
alvin
g of
ove
r 46
km3
of ic
e ac
coun
ts fo
r 10
of t
he
prod
uctio
n of
all
Gree
nlan
d ca
lf ic
e
mor
e th
an a
ny o
ther
gla
cier
out
side
An
tarc
tica
[]
has
sig
nific
antly
add
ed
to th
e un
ders
tand
ing
of ic
e-ca
p gl
acio
logy
clim
ate
chan
ge a
nd re
late
d ge
omor
phic
pro
cess
es
2004
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Denm
ark
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
78 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 79
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Isch
igua
last
o T
alam
paya
Na
tura
l Par
ks
1Th
e pr
oper
ty o
f Isc
higu
alas
to-T
alam
paya
Nat
ural
Pa
rks
is o
f ext
raor
dina
ry s
cien
tific
impo
rtanc
e
prov
idin
g a
com
plet
e se
quen
ce o
f fos
silif
erou
s co
ntin
enta
l sed
imen
ts re
pres
entin
g th
e Tr
iass
ic
Perio
d of
geo
logi
cal h
isto
ry (c
250
-200
milli
on
year
s be
fore
pre
sent
) an
d re
veal
ing
the
evol
utio
n of
ve
rtebr
ate
life
and
the
natu
re o
f pal
aeoe
nviro
nmen
ts
in th
e Tr
iass
ic th
at u
sher
ed in
the
lsquoAge
of t
he
Dino
saur
srsquo
Exte
ndin
g ov
er th
e Is
chig
uala
sto-
Villa
Uni
oacuten
sedi
men
tary
bas
in t
he d
ram
atic
nat
ural
land
scap
e of
the
prop
erty
exp
oses
six
geol
ogic
al fo
rmat
ions
th
at c
lear
ly an
d ex
cept
iona
lly d
ocum
ent t
he m
ajor
st
age
of E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry fr
om th
e ev
olut
ion
from
the
mam
mal
anc
esto
rs in
the
Early
Tria
ssic
to th
e ris
e of
din
osau
r dom
inan
ce d
urin
g th
e Tr
iass
ic T
he ri
ch
dive
rsity
of f
ossi
ls in
clud
es s
ome
56 k
now
n ge
nera
an
d m
any
mor
e sp
ecie
s of
ver
tebr
ates
inc
ludi
ng
but n
ot li
mite
d to
fish
am
phib
ians
and
a g
reat
va
riety
of r
eptil
es a
nd d
irect
mam
mal
ian
ance
stor
s
incl
udin
g th
e ea
rly d
inos
aur
Eora
ptor
and
at l
east
10
0 sp
ecie
s of
pla
nts
toge
ther
with
abu
ndan
t em
phas
is o
f the
env
ironm
ents
of t
he ti
me
Tog
ethe
r th
ese
rem
ains
pro
vide
a un
ique
win
dow
on
life
in
the
Tria
ssic
Per
iod
with
man
y ne
w d
isco
verie
s st
ill to
be
mad
e
Them
e 1
Isch
igua
last
o T
alam
paya
Na
tura
l Par
ks c
onta
in th
e m
ost
com
plet
e co
ntin
enta
l fos
sil r
ecor
d kn
own
from
the
Tria
ssic
Per
iod
(c 2
50-2
00 m
illion
yea
rs a
go)
Six
geol
ogic
al fo
rmat
ions
con
tain
fo
ssils
of a
wid
e ra
nge
of a
nces
tors
of
mam
mal
s d
inos
aurs
and
pla
nts
reve
alin
g th
e ev
olut
ion
of v
erte
brat
es
and
the
natu
re o
f pal
aeoe
nviro
nmen
ts
in th
e Tr
iass
ic P
erio
d
2000
(viii)
Natu
ral
Arge
ntin
aLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Isol
e Eo
lie
(Aeo
lian
Isla
nds)
4Th
e is
land
srsquo v
olca
nic
land
form
s re
pres
ent c
lass
ic
feat
ures
in th
e co
ntin
uing
stu
dy o
f vol
cano
logy
w
orld
-wid
e W
ith th
eir s
cien
tific
stud
y fro
m a
t lea
st
the
18th
Cen
tury
the
isla
nds
have
pro
vided
two
of
the
type
s of
eru
ptio
ns (V
ulca
nian
and
Stro
mbo
lian)
to
vul
cano
logy
and
geo
logy
text
book
s an
d so
ha
ve fe
atur
ed p
rom
inen
tly in
the
educ
atio
n of
all
geos
cien
tists
for o
ver 2
00 y
ears
The
y co
ntin
ue
to p
rovid
e a
rich
field
for v
olca
nolo
gica
l stu
dies
of
on-g
oing
geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
in th
e de
velo
pmen
t of
land
form
s
Them
e 4
The
Aeo
lian
Isla
nds
prov
ide
an o
utst
andi
ng re
cord
of v
olca
nic
isla
nd-b
uild
ing
and
dest
ruct
ion
and
on
goin
g vo
lcan
ic p
heno
men
a S
tudi
ed
sinc
e at
leas
t the
18t
h ce
ntur
y th
e is
land
s ha
ve p
rovid
ed th
e sc
ienc
e of
vul
cano
logy
with
exa
mpl
es o
f tw
o ty
pes
of e
rupt
ion
(Vul
cani
an a
nd
Stro
mbo
lian)
2000
(viii)
Natu
ral
Italy
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
80 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 81
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Jeju
Vol
cani
c Is
land
and
Lav
a Tu
bes
46
Jeju
has
a d
istin
ctive
val
ue a
s on
e of
the
few
la
rge
shie
ld v
olca
noes
in th
e w
orld
bui
lt ov
er a
ho
t spo
t on
a st
atio
nary
con
tinen
tal c
rust
pla
te I
t is
dis
tingu
ishe
d by
the
Geom
unor
eum
lava
tube
sy
stem
whi
ch is
the
mos
t im
pres
sive
and
sig
nific
ant
serie
s of
pro
tect
ed la
va tu
be c
aves
in th
e w
orld
and
in
clud
es a
spe
ctac
ular
arra
y of
sec
onda
ry c
arbo
nate
sp
eleo
them
s (s
tala
ctite
s an
d ot
her d
ecor
atio
ns)
with
an
abu
ndan
ce a
nd d
ivers
ity u
nkno
wn
else
whe
re
with
in a
lava
cav
e T
he S
eong
san
Ilchu
lbon
g tu
ff co
ne h
as e
xcep
tiona
l exp
osur
es o
f its
stru
ctur
al a
nd
sedi
men
tolo
gica
l cha
ract
eris
tics
mak
ing
it a
wor
ld-
clas
s lo
catio
n fo
r und
erst
andi
ng S
urts
eyan
-typ
e vo
lcan
ic e
rupt
ions
Them
e 4
Jej
u Vo
lcan
ic Is
land
and
La
va T
ubes
incl
udes
Geo
mun
oreu
m
rega
rded
as
the
fines
t lav
a tu
be
syst
em o
f cav
es a
nyw
here
with
its
mul
ticol
oure
d ca
rbon
ate
roof
s an
d flo
ors
and
dar
k-co
lour
ed la
va
wal
ls t
he fo
rtres
s-lik
e Se
ongs
an
Ilchu
lbon
g tu
ff co
ne r
isin
g ou
t of t
he
ocea
n a
dra
mat
ic la
ndsc
ape
and
M
ount
Hal
la t
he h
ighe
st in
Kor
ea
with
its
wat
erfa
lls m
ulti-
shap
ed
rock
form
atio
ns a
nd la
ke-fi
lled
crat
er T
hem
e 6
Out
stan
ding
ex
ampl
e of
vul
cano
kars
t a
spec
ial
style
of p
seud
okar
st T
his
incl
udes
Ge
omun
oreu
m la
va tu
bes
whi
ch a
re
nota
ble
for s
pect
acul
ar d
ecor
atio
n w
ith c
arbo
nate
spe
leot
hem
s th
e ca
rbon
ate
bein
g de
rived
from
ov
erlyi
ng c
alca
reou
s du
ne s
ands
bl
own
in fr
om th
e co
ast
2007
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Repu
blic
of
Kor
eaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Jogg
ins
Foss
il Cl
iffs
1Ea
rthrsquos
his
tory
geo
logi
cal a
nd g
eom
orph
ic fe
atur
es
and
proc
esse
s T
he lsquog
rand
exp
osur
ersquo o
f roc
ks a
t Jo
ggin
s Fo
ssil
Cliff
s co
ntai
ns th
e be
st a
nd m
ost
com
plet
e kn
own
foss
il re
cord
of t
erre
stria
l life
in
the
icon
ic lsquoC
oal A
gersquo
the
Penn
sylva
nian
Sub
perio
d of
the
Carb
onife
rous
Per
iod
in E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry T
he
prop
erty
bea
rs w
itnes
s to
the
first
rept
iles
in E
arth
hi
stor
y w
hich
are
the
earli
est r
epre
sent
ative
s of
th
e am
niot
es a
gro
up o
f ani
mal
s th
at in
clud
es
rept
iles
din
osau
rs b
irds
and
mam
mal
s U
prig
ht
foss
il tre
es a
re p
rese
rved
at a
ser
ies
of le
vels
in th
e cl
iffs
toge
ther
with
ani
mal
pla
nt a
nd tr
ace
foss
ils
that
pro
vide
envir
onm
enta
l con
text
and
ena
ble
a co
mpl
ete
reco
nstru
ctio
n to
be
mad
e of
the
exte
nsive
fo
ssil
fore
sts
that
dom
inat
ed la
nd a
t thi
s tim
e a
nd
are
now
the
sour
ce o
f mos
t of t
he w
orld
rsquos c
oal
depo
sits
The
pro
perty
has
pla
yed
a vit
al ro
le in
the
deve
lopm
ent o
f sem
inal
geo
logi
cal a
nd e
volu
tiona
ry
prin
cipl
es i
nclu
ding
thro
ugh
the
wor
k of
Sir
Char
les
Lyel
l and
Cha
rles
Darw
in f
or w
hich
the
site
has
be
en re
ferre
d to
as
the
lsquocoa
l age
Gal
aacutepag
osrsquo
Them
e 1
The
Jog
gins
Fos
sil C
liffs
ha
ve b
een
desc
ribed
as
the
lsquocoa
l age
Ga
laacutepa
gosrsquo
due
to th
eir w
ealth
of
foss
ils fr
om th
e Ca
rbon
ifero
us P
erio
d (c
360
to 3
00 m
illion
yea
rs a
go) a
nd
repr
esen
t the
mos
t com
plet
e kn
own
foss
il re
cord
of t
erre
stria
l life
from
th
at ti
me
2008
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
80 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 81
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Klua
ne
Wra
ngel
l-St
Elia
s G
laci
er B
ay
Tats
hens
hini
-Al
sek
9Th
ese
tect
onic
ally
activ
e jo
int s
ites
feat
ure
cont
inuo
us m
ount
ain
build
ing
and
cont
ain
outs
tand
ing
exam
ples
of m
ajor
ong
oing
geo
logi
c an
d gl
acia
l pro
cess
es O
ver 2
00 g
laci
ers
in th
e ic
e-co
vere
d ce
ntra
l pla
teau
com
bine
to fo
rm s
ome
of th
e w
orld
rsquos la
rges
t and
long
est g
laci
ers
sev
eral
of
whi
ch s
tretc
h to
the
sea
The
pro
perty
dis
play
s a
broa
d ra
nge
of g
laci
al p
roce
sses
inc
ludi
ng
wor
ld-c
lass
dep
ositi
onal
feat
ures
and
cla
ssic
ex
ampl
es o
f mor
aine
s h
angi
ng v
alle
ys a
nd o
ther
ge
omor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
Them
e 9
Ove
r 200
gla
cier
s in
the
ice-
cove
red
cent
ral p
late
au c
ombi
ne
to fo
rm s
ome
of th
e w
orld
rsquos la
rges
t an
d lo
nges
t gla
cier
s s
ever
al o
f whi
ch
stre
tch
to th
e se
a T
he p
rope
rty
disp
lays
a b
road
rang
e of
gla
cial
pr
oces
ses
incl
udin
g w
orld
-cla
ss
depo
sitio
nal f
eatu
res
and
clas
sic
exam
ples
of m
orai
nes
han
ging
va
lleys
and
oth
er g
eom
orph
olog
ical
fe
atur
es
1979
(199
2
1994
)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Cana
da
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Lake
Bai
kal
25
No a
ppro
ved
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV B
asis
of
insc
riptio
n is
The
geo
logi
cal r
ift s
yste
m w
hich
ga
ve ri
se to
Lak
e Ba
ikal
was
form
ed in
the
Mes
ozoi
c Er
a L
ake
Baik
al is
thus
the
olde
st la
ke in
the
wor
ld
as w
ell a
s th
e de
epes
t Va
rious
tect
onic
forc
es a
re
still
on-g
oing
as
evid
ence
d in
rece
nt th
erm
al v
ents
in
the
dept
hs o
f the
lake
Them
e 2
The
geo
logi
cal r
ift s
yste
m
whi
ch g
ave
rise
to L
ake
Baik
al w
as
form
ed in
the
Mes
ozoi
c Er
a V
ario
us
tect
onic
forc
es a
re s
till o
n-go
ing
as
evid
ence
d in
rece
nt th
erm
al v
ents
in
the
dept
hs o
f the
lake
The
me
5 T
he
prop
erty
incl
udes
Lak
e Ba
ikal
itse
lf
the
deep
est i
n w
orld
and
con
tain
ing
20
of a
ll fre
sh ru
nnin
g w
ater
on
the
plan
et
1996
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lRu
ssia
n Fe
dera
-tio
n
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Lake
Tur
kana
Na
tiona
l Par
ks1
The
geol
ogy
and
foss
il re
cord
repr
esen
ts m
ajor
st
ages
of t
he E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry i
nclu
ding
reco
rds
of
life
repr
esen
ted
by h
omin
id d
isco
verie
s p
rese
nce
of re
cent
geo
logi
cal p
roce
ss re
pres
ente
d by
vo
lcan
ic e
rosi
onal
and
sed
imen
tary
land
form
s
This
pro
perty
rsquos m
ain
geol
ogic
al fe
atur
es s
tem
from
th
e Pl
ioce
ne to
Hol
ocen
e ep
ochs
(c 4
milli
on to
10
000
yea
rs o
ld)
It ha
s be
en v
ery
valu
able
in th
e re
cons
truct
ion
of th
e pa
leo-
envir
onm
ent o
f the
en
tire
Lake
Tur
kana
Bas
in T
he K
obi F
ora
depo
sits
co
ntai
n pr
e-hu
man
mam
mal
ian
mol
lusc
an a
nd
othe
r fos
sil r
emai
ns a
nd h
ave
cont
ribut
ed m
ore
to
the
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
hum
an a
nces
try a
nd p
aleo
-en
viron
men
t tha
n an
y ot
her s
ite in
the
wor
ld
Them
e 1
The
Koo
bi F
ora
depo
sits
ric
h in
mam
mal
ian
mol
lusc
an a
nd
othe
r fos
sil r
emai
ns h
ave
cont
ribut
ed
mor
e to
the
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
pal
eo-
envir
onm
ents
than
any
oth
er s
ite o
n th
e co
ntin
ent
1997
(200
1)(v
iii)(x
)Na
tura
lKe
nya
Afric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
82 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 83
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Lapo
nian
Are
a9
The
Lapo
nian
Are
a co
ntai
ns a
ll th
e pr
oces
ses
asso
ciat
ed w
ith g
laci
al a
ctivi
ty s
uch
as U
-sha
ped
valle
ys m
orai
nes
talu
s sl
opes
dru
mlin
s p
rese
nce
of la
rge
erra
tics
and
rapi
dly
flow
ing
glac
ial s
tream
s
It ha
s ex
celle
nt e
xam
ples
of i
ce a
nd fr
ost a
ctio
n in
a
tund
ra s
ettin
g in
clud
ing
form
atio
n of
pol
ygon
s an
d an
are
a of
spe
ctac
ular
ly co
llaps
ing
and
grow
ing
pals
a m
ound
s G
laci
al ri
vers
orig
inat
ing
in th
e sn
owfie
lds
cont
inue
to c
ut th
roug
h be
droc
k L
arge
un
vege
tate
d ar
eas
illust
rate
the
phen
omen
on o
f w
eath
erin
g T
he p
rope
rty a
lso
cont
ains
a re
cord
of
hum
ans
bein
g pa
rt of
thes
e ec
osys
tem
s fo
r sev
en
thou
sand
yea
rs
Them
e 9
Con
tain
s al
l the
pro
cess
es
asso
ciat
ed w
ith g
laci
al a
ctivi
ty s
uch
as U
-sha
ped
valle
ys m
orai
nes
talu
s sl
opes
dru
mlin
s p
rese
nce
of la
rge
erra
tics
and
rapi
dly
flow
ing
glac
ial
stre
ams
It h
as e
xcel
lent
exa
mpl
es o
f ic
e an
d fro
st a
ctio
n in
a tu
ndra
set
ting
incl
udin
g fo
rmat
ion
of p
olyg
ons
and
an a
rea
of s
pect
acul
arly
colla
psin
g an
d gr
owin
g pa
lsa
mou
nds
Gla
cial
riv
ers
orig
inat
ing
in th
e sn
owfie
lds
cont
inue
to c
ut th
roug
h be
droc
k
1996
(iii)(
v)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)M
ixed
Swed
enEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Lena
Pill
ars
Natu
re P
ark
36
The
Lena
Pilla
rs N
atur
e Pa
rk d
ispl
ays
two
feat
ures
of
sig
nific
ant i
nter
natio
nal i
nter
est i
n re
latio
n to
the
Earth
sci
ence
s T
he la
rge
cryo
geni
cally
m
odifi
ed p
illars
in th
e re
gion
are
the
mos
t not
able
pi
llar l
ands
cape
of t
heir
kind
kno
wn
whi
lst t
he
inte
rnat
iona
lly re
now
ned
and
impo
rtant
exp
osur
es
of C
ambr
ian
rock
s pr
ovid
e a
seco
nd a
nd im
porta
nt
supp
ortin
g se
t of v
alue
s
Them
e 3
Len
a Pi
llars
Nat
ure
Park
is
mar
ked
by s
pect
acul
ar ro
ck p
illars
up
to 1
00 m
hig
h th
at fo
rmed
due
to
diffe
rent
ial e
rosio
n al
ong
the
bank
s of
th
e Le
na R
iver
Them
e 6
Pilla
rs w
ere
isola
ted
by p
aleo
-diss
olut
ion
alon
g jo
ints
ben
eath
thick
gra
vel c
over
and
ar
e re
veal
ed a
long
val
ley
sides
by
frost
pr
oces
ses
and
fluvia
l und
ercu
tting
Kar
st
feat
ures
inclu
de g
roun
dwat
er c
ircul
atio
n an
d sm
all fl
utes
2012
(viii)
Natu
ral
Russ
ian
Fede
ra-
tion
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
82 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 83
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Lore
ntz
Natio
nal
Park
26
The
geol
ogy
and
land
form
s of
Lor
entz
Nat
iona
l Par
k di
spla
y gr
aphi
c ev
iden
ce o
f Ear
thrsquos
his
tory
Loc
ated
at
the
mee
ting
poin
t of t
wo
collid
ing
cont
inen
tal
plat
es t
he a
rea
has
a co
mpl
ex g
eolo
gy w
ith o
ngoi
ng
mou
ntai
n fo
rmat
ion
as w
ell a
s m
ajor
scu
lptin
g by
gl
acia
tion
and
shor
elin
e ac
cret
ion
The
dom
inat
ing
mou
ntai
n ra
nge
is a
dire
ct p
rodu
ct o
f the
col
lisio
n be
twee
n th
e Au
stra
lian
and
Paci
fic te
cton
ic p
late
s an
d th
e pr
oper
ty c
onta
ins
the
high
est p
oint
s of
th
e m
ount
ains
of P
apua
New
Gui
nea
and
the
only
rem
aini
ng g
laci
ers
on th
e is
land
The
re is
als
o cl
ear
evid
ence
of p
ost g
laci
al s
hore
lines
Gr
aphi
cally
illu
stra
ting
the
geom
orph
olog
ical
effe
ct
of th
e la
st g
laci
al a
nd p
ost-
glac
ial p
erio
ds t
he
mou
ntai
ns s
how
all
the
clas
sica
l gla
cial
land
form
s in
clud
ing
lake
s an
d m
orai
nes
Fur
ther
mor
e th
ere
are
five
smal
l rem
nant
gla
cier
s W
hile
all
five
glac
iers
are
retre
atin
g ra
pidl
y un
der p
rese
nt c
limat
ic
cond
ition
s n
o ot
her t
ropi
cal g
laci
er fi
elds
in th
e w
orld
exh
ibit
glac
ial e
volu
tion
as w
ell a
s th
ose
in L
oren
tz N
atio
nal P
ark
The
re is
als
o no
bet
ter
exam
ple
in th
e w
orld
of t
he c
ombi
ned
effe
ct o
f co
llisio
n of
tect
onic
pla
tes
and
the
seco
ndar
y m
ajor
sc
ulpt
ing
by g
laci
al a
nd p
ost-
glac
ial e
vent
s
Them
e 2
The
geo
logy
and
land
form
s of
Lor
entz
Nat
iona
l Par
k di
spla
y gr
aphi
c ev
iden
ce o
f Ear
thsrsquo
his
tory
Lo
cate
d at
the
mee
ting
poin
t of
two
collid
ing
cont
inen
tal p
late
s th
e ar
ea h
as a
com
plex
geo
logy
with
on
goin
g m
ount
ain
form
atio
n as
wel
l as
maj
or s
culp
ting
by g
laci
atio
n an
d sh
orel
ine
accr
etio
n T
he d
omin
atin
g m
ount
ain
rang
e is
a d
irect
pro
duct
of
the
collis
ion
betw
een
the
Aust
ralia
n an
d Pa
cific
tect
onic
pla
tes
Them
e 6
Wor
ldrsquos
bes
t exa
mpl
e of
trop
ical
al
pine
gla
ciat
ed k
arst
Ext
ensi
ve
hum
id tr
opic
al k
arst
occ
urs
at lo
wer
el
evat
ions
Hug
e si
nkin
g riv
ers
and
sprin
gs
1999
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lIn
done
sia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Los
Glac
iare
s Na
tiona
l Par
k9
Los
Glac
iare
s Na
tiona
l Par
k is
an e
xcel
lent
exa
mpl
e of
the
signi
fican
t pro
cess
of g
laci
atio
n a
s w
ell
as o
f geo
logi
cal
geom
orph
ic a
nd p
hysio
grap
hic
phen
omen
a ca
used
by
the
ongo
ing
adva
nce
and
retre
at o
f the
gla
ciat
ions
that
took
pla
ce d
urin
g th
e Pl
eist
ocen
e Ep
och
of th
e Qu
ater
nary
Per
iod
and
the
neog
laci
atio
ns c
orre
spon
ding
to th
e cu
rrent
epo
ch
or H
oloc
ene
The
se e
vent
s ha
ve m
odel
led
ndash an
d co
ntin
ue to
mod
el th
e la
ndsc
ape
of th
e ar
ea a
nd
may
be
reco
gnise
d by
the
lacu
strin
e ba
sins
of
glac
ial o
rigin
the
mor
aine
sys
tem
s de
posit
ed o
n th
e pl
atea
ux o
r by
mor
e re
cent
sys
tem
s pe
rtain
ing
to th
e cu
rrent
val
leys
and
the
man
y la
rge
glac
ier t
ongu
es
fed
by th
e Ic
e Fi
elds
of t
he A
ndes
The
pro
perty
also
pr
ovid
es fe
rtile
gro
und
for s
cien
tific
rese
arch
on
clim
ate
chan
ge
Them
e 9
Sig
nific
ant p
roce
ss o
f gl
acia
tion
as
wel
l as
of g
eolo
gica
l ge
omor
phic
and
phy
siog
raph
ic
phen
omen
a ca
used
by
the
ongo
ing
adva
nce
and
retre
at o
f the
gla
ciat
ions
th
at to
ok p
lace
dur
ing
the
Plei
stoc
ene
Epoc
h of
the
Quat
erna
ry P
erio
d a
nd
the
neog
laci
atio
ns c
orre
spon
ding
to
the
curre
nt e
poch
or H
oloc
ene
La
cust
rine
basi
ns o
f gla
cial
orig
in t
he
mor
aine
sys
tem
s de
posi
ted
on th
e pl
atea
ux o
r by
mor
e re
cent
sys
tem
s pe
rtain
ing
to th
e cu
rrent
val
leys
and
th
e m
any
larg
e gl
acie
r ton
gues
fed
by
the
Ice
Fiel
ds o
f the
And
es
1981
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Arge
ntin
aLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Lut D
eser
t10
The
prop
erty
repr
esen
ts a
n ex
cept
iona
l exa
mpl
e of
on
goin
g ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
es re
late
d to
ero
sion
al
and
depo
sitio
nal f
eatu
res
in a
hot
des
ert
The
yard
ang
kal
ut la
ndfo
rms
are
wid
ely
cons
ider
ed
the
best
-exp
ress
ed in
the
wor
ld in
term
s of
ext
ent
unbr
oken
con
tinui
ty a
nd h
eigh
t Th
e Lu
t san
d-se
as
are
amon
gst t
he b
est d
evel
oped
act
ive d
une
field
s in
the
wor
ld d
ispl
ayin
g a
wid
e va
riety
of d
une
type
s (c
resc
entic
ridg
es s
tar d
unes
com
plex
line
ar
dune
s fu
nnel
-sha
ped
dune
s) w
ith d
unes
am
ongs
t th
e hi
ghes
t obs
erve
d an
ywhe
re o
n ou
r pla
net
Nebk
ha d
une
field
s (d
unes
form
ed a
roun
d pl
ants
) ar
e w
ides
prea
d w
ith th
ose
at L
ut a
s hi
gh a
s an
y m
easu
red
else
whe
re E
vapo
rite
(sal
t) la
ndfo
rms
are
disp
laye
d in
wid
e va
riety
incl
udin
g w
hite
sa
lt-cr
uste
d cr
ysta
lline
river
beds
sal
t pan
s (p
laya
) w
ith p
olyg
onal
ly fra
ctur
ed c
rust
s p
ress
ure-
indu
ced
tepe
e-fra
ctur
ed s
alt c
rust
s g
ypsu
m d
omes
sm
all
salt
ping
os (o
r blis
ters
) an
d sa
lt ka
rren
Oth
er
dry-
land
land
form
s in
clud
e ex
tens
ive h
amad
a (s
tony
des
ert p
avem
ents
or r
eg) u
sual
ly lo
cate
d on
ped
imen
t sur
face
s w
ith w
ind
face
ted
ston
es
(ven
tifac
ts)
gullie
d ba
dlan
ds a
nd a
lluvia
l fan
s (b
ajad
a)
Them
e 10
Cla
ssic
loca
lity
of
yard
angs
dev
elop
ed o
n a
mas
sive
sc
ale
as
wel
l as
grav
el p
lain
s an
d du
ne fi
elds
2016
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Iran
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mac
quar
ie Is
land
2 4
Mac
quar
ie Is
land
and
its
outly
ing
islet
s ar
e ge
olog
ical
ly un
ique
in b
eing
the
only
plac
e on
Ear
th
whe
re ro
cks
from
the
Earth
rsquos m
antle
are
bei
ng
activ
ely
expo
sed
abov
e se
a le
vel T
he is
land
is th
e ex
pose
d cr
est o
f the
und
erse
a M
acqu
arie
Rid
ge
raise
d to
its
pres
ent p
ositi
on w
here
the
Indo
-Au
stra
lian
tect
onic
pla
te m
eets
the
Paci
fic p
late
Th
ese
uniq
ue e
xpos
ures
pro
vide
an e
xcep
tiona
lly
com
plet
e se
ctio
n of
the
stru
ctur
e an
d co
mpo
sitio
n of
bot
h th
e oc
eani
c cr
ust a
nd th
e up
per m
antle
and
pr
ovid
e ev
iden
ce o
f lsquose
a-flo
or s
prea
ding
rsquo and
tect
onic
pr
oces
ses
that
hav
e op
erat
ed fo
r hun
dred
s of
milli
ons
of y
ears
The
geo
logi
cal e
volu
tion
of M
acqu
arie
Isla
nd
bega
n 10
milli
on y
ears
ago
and
con
tinue
s to
day
with
th
e isl
and
expe
rienc
ing
earth
quak
es a
nd a
rapi
d ra
te
of u
plift
all
of w
hich
are
rela
ted
to a
ctive
geo
logi
cal
proc
esse
s al
ong
the
boun
dary
bet
wee
n th
e tw
o pl
ates
Se
quen
ces
from
all
crus
tal l
evel
s d
own
to 6
km
be
low
the
ocea
n flo
or a
re e
xpos
ed a
s a
resu
lt of
til
ting
and
diffe
rent
ial u
plift
on
Mac
quar
ie Is
land
Th
is pr
ovid
es ra
re e
viden
ce fo
r seq
uenc
es th
at a
re
com
mon
from
the
botto
m o
f the
oce
ans
to th
e up
per
man
tle b
ut n
ot s
een
else
whe
re in
sur
face
out
crop
s
The
lack
of d
efor
mat
ion
of th
is ex
pose
d cr
ust i
s hi
ghly
signi
fican
t as
it ex
hibi
ts k
ey in
terre
late
d an
d in
terd
epen
dent
oce
anic
cru
stal
ele
men
ts in
thei
r na
tura
l rel
atio
nshi
p
Mac
quar
ie Is
land
is th
e on
ly op
hiol
ite (a
wel
l-de
velo
ped
and
stud
ied
geol
ogic
al c
ompl
ex)
reco
gnise
d to
hav
e be
en fo
rmed
with
in a
maj
or
ocea
n ba
sin T
he g
eolo
gy o
f the
isla
nd is
ther
efor
e co
nsid
ered
to b
e th
e co
nnec
ting
link
betw
een
the
ophi
olite
s of
con
tinen
tal e
nviro
nmen
ts a
nd th
ose
loca
ted
with
in th
e oc
eani
c cr
ust
Them
e 2
The
pro
perty
is a
n ex
posu
re o
f the
oce
anic
pla
te
boun
dary
bet
wee
n th
e Pa
cific
and
Au
stra
lian
Ind
ian
plat
es e
xpos
ed
with
act
ive fa
ults
and
ong
oing
tect
onic
m
ovem
ents
The
me
4 M
acqu
arie
Is
land
pro
vides
a u
niqu
e ex
ampl
e of
exp
osur
e of
the
ocea
n cr
ust o
f vo
lcan
ic o
rigin
abo
ve th
e se
a le
vel a
nd
of g
eolo
gica
l evid
ence
for s
ea-fl
oor
spre
adin
g
1997
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mam
mot
h Ca
ve
Natio
nal P
ark
6M
amm
oth
Cave
pre
sent
s ne
arly
ever
y ty
pe o
f cav
e fo
rmat
ion
know
n G
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es in
volve
d in
thei
r for
mat
ion
cont
inue
Tod
ay t
his
huge
and
co
mpl
ex n
etw
ork
of c
ave
pass
ages
pro
vides
a
clea
r co
mpl
ete
and
acce
ssib
le re
cord
of t
he w
orld
rsquos
geom
orph
ic a
nd c
limat
ic c
hang
es O
utsi
de th
e ca
ve
the
kars
t top
ogra
phy
is s
uper
b w
ith fa
scin
atin
g la
ndsc
apes
and
all
of th
e cl
assi
c fe
atur
es o
f a k
arst
dr
aina
ge s
yste
m v
ast r
echa
rge
area
com
plex
ne
twor
k of
und
ergr
ound
con
duits
sin
k ho
les
cra
cks
fis
sure
s a
nd u
nder
grou
nd ri
vers
and
spr
ings
Them
e 6
The
long
est c
ave
in th
e w
orld
with
590
km
of s
urve
yed
river
pa
ssag
es o
ften
larg
e in
dim
ensi
on
and
gent
ly sl
opin
g T
he k
arst
is
deve
lope
d in
Low
er C
arbo
nife
rous
(M
issi
ssip
pian
) lim
esto
ne a
nd c
ave
evol
utio
n co
mm
ence
d fo
llow
ing
uplif
t an
d ex
posu
re 3
to 4
milli
on y
ears
ag
o E
xten
sive
sin
khol
e pl
ain
at th
e su
rface
Lar
ge s
prin
gs R
ich
trogl
obiti
c fa
una
The
inflo
w m
argi
n of
the
kars
t is
loca
ted
beyo
nd th
e pa
rk b
ound
ary
1981
(vii)
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Mes
sel P
it Fo
ssil
Site
1M
esse
l Pit
Foss
il Si
te is
con
side
red
to b
e th
e si
ngle
be
st s
ite w
hich
con
tribu
tes
to th
e un
ders
tand
ing
of th
e Eo
cene
whe
n m
amm
als
beca
me
firm
ly es
tabl
ishe
d in
all
prin
cipa
l lan
d ec
osys
tem
s T
he
stat
e of
pre
serv
atio
n of
its
foss
ils is
exc
eptio
nal a
nd
allo
ws
for h
igh-
qual
ity s
cien
tific
wor
k
Them
e 1
Mes
sel P
it is
the
riche
st
site
in th
e w
orld
for u
nder
stan
ding
th
e liv
ing
envir
onm
ent o
f the
Eoc
ene
be
twee
n 57
milli
on a
nd 3
6 m
illion
ye
ars
ago
1995
(viii)
Natu
ral
Germ
any
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Mig
uash
a Na
tiona
l Par
k1
Mig
uash
a Na
tiona
l Par
k is
the
mos
t out
stan
ding
fo
ssil
site
in th
e w
orld
from
the
stan
dpoi
nt o
f its
re
pres
enta
tion
of v
erte
brat
e lif
e an
d its
illu
stra
tion
of th
e De
voni
an P
erio
d kn
own
as th
e Ag
e of
Fis
hes
Th
e si
te is
of p
aram
ount
impo
rtanc
e be
caus
e it
has
the
larg
est n
umbe
r and
the
best
-pre
serv
ed fo
ssil
spec
imen
s in
the
wor
ld o
f sar
copt
eryg
ian
fish
whi
ch
gave
rise
to th
e fir
st fo
ur-le
gged
air-
brea
thin
g te
rrest
rial v
erte
brat
es mdash
the
tetra
pods
Them
e 1
Mig
uash
a is
the
outs
tand
ing
foss
il si
te in
the
wor
ld
illust
ratin
g th
e De
voni
an a
s th
e lsquoA
ge
of F
ishe
srsquo a
nd d
ispl
ays
the
high
est
dive
rsity
in th
e w
orld
of t
he lo
be-
finne
d fis
hes
that
gav
e ris
e to
the
first
fo
ur-le
gged
air-
brea
thin
g te
rrest
rial
erte
brat
es mdash
the
tetra
pods
1999
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mis
take
n Po
int
1M
ista
ken
Poin
t fos
sils
con
stitu
te a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g re
cord
of a
crit
ical
mile
ston
e in
the
hist
ory
of li
fe
on E
arth
lsquow
hen
life
got b
igrsquo a
fter a
lmos
t thr
ee
billio
n ye
ars
of m
icro
be-d
omin
ated
evo
lutio
n T
he
foss
ils ra
nge
in a
ge fr
om 5
80 to
560
milli
on y
ears
th
e lo
nges
t con
tinuo
us re
cord
of E
diac
ara-
type
m
egaf
ossi
ls a
nyw
here
and
pre
date
by
mor
e th
an
40 m
illion
yea
rs th
e Ca
mbr
ian
expl
osio
n b
eing
the
olde
st fo
ssil
evid
ence
of a
nces
tors
of m
ost m
oder
n an
imal
gro
ups
Mis
take
n Po
int c
onta
ins
the
wor
ldrsquos
ol
dest
-kno
wn
exam
ples
of l
arge
arc
hite
ctur
ally
com
plex
org
anis
ms
incl
udin
g so
ft-bo
died
anc
estra
l an
imal
s E
colo
gica
lly M
ista
ken
Poin
t con
tain
s th
e ol
dest
and
mos
t dive
rse
exam
ples
of E
diac
aran
de
ep-s
ea c
omm
uniti
es in
the
wor
ld th
us p
rese
rvin
g ra
re in
sigh
ts in
to th
e ec
olog
y of
thes
e an
cest
ral
anim
als
and
the
early
col
oniza
tion
of th
e de
ep-s
ea
floor
Oth
er a
ttrib
utes
con
tribu
ting
to th
e pr
oper
tyrsquos
Ou
tsta
ndin
g Un
ivers
al V
alue
incl
ude
the
wor
ldrsquos
fir
st e
xam
ples
of m
etaz
oan
loco
mot
ion
exc
eptio
nal
pote
ntia
l for
radi
omet
ric d
atin
g of
the
asse
mbl
ages
an
d ev
iden
ce fo
r the
role
of a
ncie
nt o
xyge
n le
vels
in
the
regi
onal
and
glo
bal a
ppea
ranc
e of
com
plex
m
ultic
ellu
lar l
ife
Them
e 1
The
se ru
gged
coa
stal
cl
iffs
of d
eep
mar
ine
orig
in d
ate
to
the
mid
dle
of th
e Ed
iaca
ran
Perio
d c
580
-560
milli
on y
ears
ago
The
y re
cord
lsquowhe
n lif
e go
t big
rsquo th
e fir
st
abun
dant
app
eara
nce
of la
rge
bi
olog
ical
ly co
mpl
ex o
rgan
ism
s af
ter
thre
e bi
llion
year
s of
mai
nly
mic
robi
al
evol
utio
n
2016
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Mon
te S
an
Gior
gio
1M
onte
San
Gio
rgio
is th
e sin
gle
best
kno
wn
reco
rd
of m
arin
e lif
e in
the
Tria
ssic
per
iod
and
reco
rds
impo
rtant
rem
ains
of l
ife o
n la
nd a
s w
ell T
he p
rope
rty
has
prod
uced
dive
rse
and
num
erou
s fo
ssils
man
y of
w
hich
sho
w e
xcep
tiona
l com
plet
enes
s an
d de
taile
d pr
eser
vatio
n T
he lo
ng h
istor
y of
stu
dy o
f the
pro
perty
an
d th
e di
scip
lined
man
agem
ent o
f the
reso
urce
hav
e cr
eate
d a
wel
l doc
umen
ted
and
cata
logu
ed b
ody
of
spec
imen
s of
exc
eptio
nal q
ualit
y an
d ar
e th
e ba
sis
for a
rich
ass
ocia
ted
geol
ogic
al li
tera
ture
As
a re
sult
M
onte
San
Gio
rgio
pro
vides
the
prin
cipa
l poi
nt o
f re
fere
nce
rele
vant
to fu
ture
disc
over
ies
of m
arin
e Tr
iass
ic re
mai
ns th
roug
hout
the
wor
ld
Them
e 1
Mon
te S
an G
iorg
io is
re
gard
ed a
s th
e be
st fo
ssil
reco
rd o
f m
arin
e lif
e fro
m th
e Tr
iass
ic P
erio
d (c
25
0ndash20
0 m
illion
yea
rs a
go)
2003
(201
0)(v
iii)Na
tura
lIta
ly
Switz
er-
land
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
88 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 89
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mor
ne T
rois
Pi
tons
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk
4Th
e pr
oper
ty e
ncom
pass
es e
xtra
ordi
nary
and
inta
ct
exam
ples
and
arra
ys o
f geo
mor
phol
ogic
feat
ures
as
a re
sult
of a
ser
ies
of v
olca
nic
erup
tions
The
dist
inct
ive
geol
ogy
and
land
form
s of
Mor
ne Tr
ois
Pito
ns
Natio
nal P
ark
are
com
prise
d of
thre
e m
ajor
type
s of
ge
olog
ical
form
atio
ns v
olca
nic
pile
s g
laci
s slo
pes
and
souf
riere
s T
he p
rope
rty d
ispla
ys a
mag
nific
ent
spec
trum
of v
olca
nic
activ
ity in
the
form
of s
tream
s of
var
ious
col
ors
inte
rspe
rsed
with
fum
arol
es m
ud
pond
s an
d ho
t spr
ings
inc
ludi
ng th
e m
assiv
e Bo
iling
Lake
Ong
oing
geo
-mor
phol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
of
redu
ctio
n ar
e ta
king
pla
ce in
a la
rgel
y un
dist
urbe
d se
tting
of s
tunn
ing
scen
ic v
alue
and
maj
or s
cien
tific
inte
rest
Them
e 4
Sce
nic
volc
anic
feat
ures
of
grea
t sci
entifi
c in
tere
st in
this
nat
iona
l pa
rk a
re c
ente
red
on th
e 1
342
m
high
vol
cano
kno
wn
as M
orne
Tro
is
Pito
ns M
ore
than
50
fum
arol
es
hot s
prin
gs t
hree
fres
hwat
er la
kes
a
lsquoboi
ling
lake
rsquo and
five
vol
cano
es
loca
ted
on th
e pa
rkrsquos
nea
rly 7
000
ha
to
geth
er w
ith th
e ric
hest
bio
dive
rsity
in
the
Less
er A
ntille
s
1997
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Dom
inic
aLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Mos
i-oa-
Tuny
a
Vict
oria
Fal
ls5
3Th
e M
osi-o
a-Tu
nya
Vic
toria
Fal
ls a
nd a
ssoc
iate
d ei
ght s
teep
sid
ed g
orge
s ha
ve b
een
form
ed th
roug
h th
e ch
angi
ng w
ater
fall
posi
tions
ove
r a g
eolo
gica
l tim
e sc
ale
The
gor
ges
are
an o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of ri
ver c
aptu
re a
nd th
e er
osive
forc
es o
f the
wat
er
still
cont
inue
to s
culp
ture
the
hard
bas
alts
The
se
gorg
es ta
ke a
zig
zag
cour
se o
f a d
ista
nce
of a
bout
15
0 km
alo
ng th
e Za
mbe
zi Ri
ver b
elow
the
falls
Se
ven
prev
ious
wat
erfa
lls o
ccup
ied
the
seve
n go
rges
bel
ow th
e pr
esen
t fal
ls a
nd th
e De
vilrsquos
Ca
tara
ct in
Zim
babw
e is
the
star
ting
poin
t for
cut
ting
back
to a
new
wat
erfa
ll In
add
ition
an
aeria
l vie
w
of th
e fa
lls s
how
s po
ssib
le fu
ture
wat
erfa
ll po
sitio
ns
Upst
ream
are
a s
pect
acul
ar s
erie
s of
rive
rine
isla
nds
form
ed d
urin
g th
e on
goin
g ge
olog
ical
an
d ge
omor
phol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
The
pro
perty
is
cha
ract
erize
d by
ban
ded
basa
lt of
anc
ient
lava
flo
w K
alah
ari s
ands
tone
s an
d ch
alce
dony
out
of
whi
ch s
tone
arte
fact
s of
Hom
o ha
bilis
dat
ing
thre
e m
illion
yea
rs s
tone
tool
s of
the
mid
dle
Ston
e Ag
e an
d w
eapo
ns a
dorn
men
ts a
nd d
iggi
ng to
ols
of th
e la
te S
tone
Age
that
indi
cate
occ
upat
ion
by h
unte
r-ga
ther
ers
Them
e 5
3 T
hese
are
am
ong
the
mos
t spe
ctac
ular
wat
erfa
lls in
the
wor
ld T
he Z
ambe
zi Ri
ver
whi
ch is
m
ore
than
2 k
m w
ide
at th
is p
oint
pl
unge
s no
isily
dow
n a
serie
s of
bas
alt
gorg
es a
nd ra
ises
an
iride
scen
t mis
t th
at c
an b
e se
en m
ore
than
20
km
away
The
Mos
i-oa-
Tuny
a V
icto
ria
Falls
is th
e w
orld
rsquos g
reat
est s
heet
of
fallin
g w
ater
and
sig
nific
ant w
orld
wid
e fo
r its
exc
eptio
nal g
eolo
gica
l and
ge
omor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
1989
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Zam
bia
Zi
mba
-bw
e
Afric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
88 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 89
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mou
nt E
tna
4M
ount
Etn
a is
one
of t
he w
orld
rsquos m
ost a
ctive
and
ic
onic
vol
cano
es a
nd a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
ong
oing
geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
and
vol
cani
c la
ndfo
rms
The
stra
tovo
lcan
o is
cha
ract
erize
d by
al
mos
t con
tinuo
us e
rupt
ive a
ctivi
ty fr
om it
s su
mm
it cr
ater
s an
d fa
irly
frequ
ent l
ava
flow
eru
ptio
ns fr
om
crat
ers
and
fissu
res
on it
s fla
nks
Thi
s ex
cept
iona
l vo
lcan
ic a
ctivi
ty h
as b
een
docu
men
ted
by h
uman
s fo
r at l
east
27
00 y
ears
ndash m
akin
g it
one
of th
e w
orld
rsquos lo
nges
t doc
umen
ted
reco
rds
of h
isto
rical
vo
lcan
ism
The
dive
rse
and
acce
ssib
le a
ssem
blag
e of
vol
cani
c fe
atur
es s
uch
as s
umm
it cr
ater
s
cind
er c
ones
lav
a flo
ws
lava
cav
es a
nd th
e Va
lle
de B
ove
depr
essi
on h
ave
mad
e M
ount
Etn
a a
prim
e de
stin
atio
n fo
r res
earc
h an
d ed
ucat
ion
To
day
Mou
nt E
tna
is o
ne o
f the
bes
t-st
udie
d an
d m
onito
red
volc
anoe
s in
the
wor
ld a
nd c
ontin
ues
to
influ
ence
vol
cano
logy
geo
phys
ics
and
othe
r Ear
th
scie
nce
disc
iplin
es M
ount
Etn
arsquos
noto
riety
sci
entifi
c im
porta
nce
and
cul
tura
l and
edu
catio
nal v
alue
are
of
glo
bal s
igni
fican
ce
Them
e 4
Mou
nt E
tna
is th
e hi
ghes
t M
edite
rrane
an is
land
mou
ntai
n an
d on
e of
the
mos
t act
ive s
trato
volc
ano
in
the
wor
ld T
he e
rupt
ive h
isto
ry o
f the
vo
lcan
o ca
n be
trac
ed b
ack
500
000
year
s an
d at
leas
t 27
00 y
ears
of t
his
activ
ity h
as b
een
docu
men
ted
The
al
mos
t con
tinuo
us e
rupt
ive a
ctivi
ty
of M
ount
Etn
a co
ntin
ues
to in
fluen
ce
volc
anol
ogy
geop
hysi
cs a
nd o
ther
Ea
rth s
cien
ce d
isci
plin
es T
he d
ivers
e an
d ac
cess
ible
rang
e of
vol
cani
c fe
atur
es s
uch
as s
umm
it cr
ater
s
cind
er c
ones
lav
a flo
ws
and
the
Valle
de
Bov
e de
pres
sion
hav
e m
ade
the
site
a p
rime
dest
inat
ion
for r
esea
rch
and
educ
atio
n
2013
(viii)
Natu
ral
Italy
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Naha
nni N
atio
nal
Park
53
6In
Nah
anni
Nat
iona
l Par
k th
ere
is e
xcep
tiona
l re
pres
enta
tion
of o
n-go
ing
geol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
no
tabl
y flu
vial e
rosi
on t
ecto
nic
uplif
t fo
ldin
g an
d ca
nyon
dev
elop
men
t w
ind
eros
ion
kar
st a
nd
pseu
do-k
arst
land
form
s a
nd a
var
iety
of h
ot s
prin
gs
The
maj
or g
eolo
gic
and
geom
orph
olog
ic fe
atur
es
prov
ide
a co
mbi
natio
n of
geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
that
ar
e gl
obal
ly un
ique
Them
e 5
3 L
ocat
ed a
long
The
So
uth
Naha
nni R
iver i
s on
e of
the
mos
t spe
ctac
ular
wild
rive
rs in
Nor
th
Amer
ica
this
par
k co
ntai
ns d
eep
cany
ons
and
huge
wat
erfa
lls T
he
geom
orph
olog
y of
the
prop
erty
is
outs
tand
ing
in it
s w
ealth
of f
orm
an
d co
mpl
exity
of e
volu
tion
Flu
vial
proc
esse
s an
d fe
atur
es p
redo
min
ate
W
ithin
the
prop
erty
are
exa
mpl
es o
f al
mos
t eve
ry d
istin
ct c
ateg
ory
of ri
ver
or s
tream
that
is k
now
n G
eolo
gic
and
geom
orph
olog
ic fe
atur
es in
clud
e th
e m
eand
ers
of a
ncie
nt ri
vers
now
ra
ised
hig
h ab
ove
pres
ent r
iver l
evel
s
Them
e 6
Wor
ldrsquos
fore
mos
t exa
mpl
e of
kar
st d
evel
opm
ent i
n co
ld c
limat
e co
nditi
ons
Con
tain
s a
spec
tacu
lar
kars
t lan
dsca
pe i
nclu
ding
pol
jes
ca
ves
and
gor
ges
and
hot
spr
ing
with
larg
e tu
fa m
ound
Lan
dsca
pe is
su
bjec
t to
activ
e fro
st p
roce
sses
1978
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
90 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 91
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Nam
ib S
and
Sea
10Th
e pr
oper
ty re
pres
ents
an
exce
ptio
nal e
xam
ple
of o
ngoi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es in
volvi
ng th
e fo
rmat
ion
of th
e w
orld
rsquos o
nly
exte
nsive
dun
e sy
stem
in a
coa
stal
fog
dese
rt th
roug
h tra
nspo
rt of
mat
eria
l ove
r tho
usan
ds o
f kilo
met
res
by ri
ver
ocea
n cu
rrent
and
win
d A
lthou
gh th
e pr
oper
ty
enco
mpa
sses
onl
y th
e Ae
olia
n el
emen
ts o
f thi
s on
goin
g ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
the
oth
er e
lem
ents
of
the
lsquocon
veyo
r sys
tem
rsquo are
ass
ured
The
dive
rsity
of
the
ever
-cha
ngin
g du
ne fo
rmat
ions
scu
lpte
d by
pr
onou
nced
dai
ly an
d se
ason
al c
hang
es in
dom
inan
t w
ind
dire
ctio
ns is
als
o ex
cept
iona
l at a
glo
bal s
cale
w
ithin
suc
h a
rela
tivel
y sm
all a
rea
Them
e 10
Hos
ts d
ivers
e du
ne
land
scap
es r
epre
sent
ing
an a
lmos
t co
mpl
ete
cata
logu
e of
dun
e ty
pes
(sta
r lin
ear
trans
vers
e b
arch
ans)
as
wel
l as
othe
r des
ert s
urfa
ce fe
atur
es
such
as
inte
rdun
e co
rrido
rs g
rave
l pl
ains
eph
emer
al c
hann
els
and
play
as
2013
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lNa
mib
iaAf
rica
Ngor
ongo
ro
Cons
erva
tion
Area
41
Ngor
ongo
ro c
rate
r is
the
larg
est u
nbro
ken
cald
era
in
the
wor
ld T
he c
rate
r to
geth
er w
ith th
e Ol
mot
i and
Em
paka
ai c
rate
rs a
re p
art o
f the
eas
tern
Rift
Val
ley
who
se v
olca
nism
dat
es b
ack
to th
e la
te M
esoz
oic
ear
ly Ne
ogen
e an
d is
fam
ous
for i
ts g
eolo
gy T
he
prop
erty
als
o in
clud
es L
aeto
li an
d Ol
duva
i Gor
ge
whi
ch c
onta
in a
n im
porta
nt p
alae
onto
logi
cal r
ecor
d re
late
d to
hum
an e
volu
tion
Them
e 4
The
Ngo
rong
oro
Cons
erva
tion
Area
spa
ns v
ast
expa
nses
of h
ighl
and
plai
ns
sava
nna
sav
anna
woo
dlan
ds a
nd
fore
sts
cent
erd
on th
e sp
ecta
cula
r Ng
oron
goro
Cra
ter
Afric
arsquos
larg
est
cald
era
The
me
1 N
goro
ngor
o ha
s yie
lded
a lo
ng s
eque
nce
of e
viden
ce
of h
uman
evo
lutio
n an
d hu
man
-en
viron
men
t dyn
amic
s in
clud
ing
early
ho
min
id fo
otpr
ints
dat
ing
back
36
m
illion
yea
rs
1979
(201
0)(iv
)(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)M
ixed
Unite
d Re
publ
ic
of
Tanz
ania
Afric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
90 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 91
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Papa
h āna
umo-
ku
ākea
42
8Th
e pr
oper
ty p
rovid
es a
n illu
stra
ting
exam
ple
of
isla
nd h
otsp
ot p
rogr
essi
on f
orm
ed a
s a
resu
lt of
a
rela
tivel
y st
atio
nary
hot
spot
and
sta
ble
tect
onic
pl
ate
mov
emen
t Co
mpr
isin
g a
maj
or p
ortio
n of
the
wor
ldrsquos
long
est a
nd o
ldes
t vol
cani
c ch
ain
the
scal
e
dist
inct
ness
and
line
arity
of t
he m
anife
stat
ion
of
thes
e ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
es in
Pap
ahān
aum
okuā
kea
are
unriv
alle
d an
d ha
ve s
hape
d ou
r und
erst
andi
ng
of p
late
tect
onic
s an
d ho
tspo
ts T
he g
eolo
gica
l va
lues
of t
he p
rope
rty a
re d
irect
ly co
nnec
ted
to
the
valu
es in
Haw
airsquoi
Volc
anoe
s Na
tiona
l Par
k an
d W
orld
Her
itage
pro
perty
and
join
tly p
rese
nt a
ver
y si
gnifi
cant
test
imon
y of
hot
spot
vol
cani
sm
Them
e 4
2 P
apah
ānau
mok
uāke
a is
a v
ast a
nd is
olat
ed li
near
clu
ster
of
smal
l lo
w ly
ing
volc
anic
isla
nds
and
atol
ls w
ith th
eir s
urro
undi
ng o
cean
ro
ughl
y 25
0 km
to th
e no
rthw
est o
f th
e m
ain
Haw
aiia
n Ar
chip
elag
o an
d ex
tend
ing
over
som
e 1
930
km T
his
linea
r clu
ster
form
s th
e no
rthw
est
exte
nsio
n of
the
Empe
ror S
eam
ount
Ch
ain
The
me
8 M
uch
of th
e pr
oper
ty
is m
ade
up o
f pel
agic
and
dee
pwat
er
habi
tats
with
not
able
feat
ures
suc
h as
sea
mou
nts
and
subm
erge
d ba
nks
ex
tens
ive c
oral
reef
s la
goon
s an
d 14
km
2 em
erge
nt la
nds
dist
ribut
ed
betw
een
a nu
mbe
r of e
rode
d hi
gh
isla
nds
pin
nacl
es a
toll
isla
nds
and
cays
2010
(iii)(
vi)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Mixe
dUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Phon
g Nh
a-Ke
Ba
ng N
atio
nal
Park
6Ph
ong
Nha-
Ke B
ang
Natio
nal P
ark
is p
art o
f a
larg
er d
isse
cted
pla
teau
whi
ch e
ncom
pass
es th
e Ph
ong
Nha
Ke
Bang
and
Hin
Nam
no k
arst
s T
he
limes
tone
is n
ot c
ontin
uous
and
dem
onst
rate
s co
mpl
ex in
terb
eddi
ng w
ith s
hale
s an
d sa
ndst
ones
Th
is h
as le
d to
a p
artic
ular
ly di
stin
ctive
topo
grap
hy
The
cave
s de
mon
stra
te a
dis
cret
e se
quen
ce o
f ev
ents
lea
ving
behi
nd d
iffer
ent l
evel
s of
anc
ient
ab
ando
ned
pass
ages
evid
ence
of m
ajor
cha
nges
in
the
rout
es o
f und
ergr
ound
rive
rs c
hang
es in
the
solu
tiona
l reg
ime
dep
ositi
on a
nd la
ter r
e-so
lutio
n of
gia
nt s
pele
othe
ms
and
unus
ual f
eatu
res
such
as
sub
-aer
ial s
trom
atol
ites
On
the
surfa
ce t
here
is
a s
triki
ng s
erie
s of
nat
ural
land
scap
es r
angi
ng
from
dee
ply
diss
ecte
d ra
nges
and
pla
teau
x to
an
imm
ense
pol
je T
here
is e
viden
ce o
f at l
east
one
pe
riod
of h
ydro
ther
mal
act
ivity
in th
e ev
olut
ion
of
this
anc
ient
mat
ure
kars
t sys
tem
The
Son
Doo
ng
Cave
firs
t exp
lore
d in
200
9 c
ould
con
tain
the
wor
ldrsquos
larg
est c
ave
pass
age
in te
rms
of d
iam
eter
an
d co
ntin
uity
The
pla
teau
is o
ne o
f the
fine
st
and
mos
t dis
tinct
ive e
xam
ples
of a
com
plex
kar
st
land
form
in S
outh
east
Asi
a an
d th
e pr
oper
ty is
of
grea
t im
porta
nce
for e
nhan
cing
our
und
erst
andi
ng
of th
e ge
olog
ic g
eom
orph
ic a
nd g
eo-c
hron
olog
ical
hi
stor
y of
the
regi
on
Them
e 6
Ext
ensi
ve a
nd c
ompl
ex
kars
t dev
elop
men
t in
diss
ecte
d pl
atea
u en
viron
men
t to
129
0 m
ab
ove
sea
leve
l tha
t con
tinue
s ac
ross
bo
rder
into
Lao
s L
ong
hist
ory
of
kars
t lan
dsca
pe e
volu
tion
pos
sibl
y si
nce
early
Mes
ozoi
c M
ajor
cav
es
and
unde
rgro
und
river
s an
d ex
tens
ive
encl
osed
dep
ress
ions
(pol
je)
2003
(201
5)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Viet
Nam
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Pirin
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk9
The
prin
cipa
l Ear
th s
cien
ce v
alue
s of
the
prop
erty
re
late
to it
s gl
acia
l geo
mor
phol
ogy
dem
onst
rate
d th
roug
h a
rang
e of
feat
ures
incl
udin
g ci
rque
s d
eep
valle
ys a
nd o
ver 7
0 gl
acia
l lak
es T
he m
ount
ains
of
the
prop
erty
sho
w a
var
iety
of f
orm
s an
d ha
ve
been
dev
elop
ed in
sev
eral
diff
eren
t roc
k ty
pes
Fu
nctio
ning
nat
ural
pro
cess
es a
llow
for s
tudy
of t
he
cont
inue
d ev
olut
ion
of th
e la
ndfo
rms
of th
e pr
oper
ty
and
help
to u
nder
stan
d ot
her u
plan
d ar
eas
in th
e re
gion
Them
e 9
The
prin
cipa
l Ear
th s
cien
ce
valu
es o
f the
pro
perty
rela
te to
its
glac
ial g
eom
orph
olog
y de
mon
stra
ted
thro
ugh
a ra
nge
of fe
atur
es in
clud
ing
cirq
ues
dee
p va
lleys
and
ove
r 70
glac
ial l
akes
1983
(201
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)Na
tura
lBu
lgar
iaEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Pito
ns
Man
agem
ent
Area
4Th
e Pi
tons
Man
agem
ent A
rea
cont
ains
the
grea
ter
part
of a
col
laps
ed s
trato
volc
ano
cont
aine
d w
ithin
th
e vo
lcan
ic s
yste
m k
now
n to
geo
logi
sts
as th
e So
ufrie
re V
olca
nic
Cent
re P
rom
inen
t with
in th
e vo
lcan
ic la
ndsc
ape
are
two
rem
nant
vol
cani
c pe
aks
Gr
os P
iton
and
Petit
Pito
n T
he P
itons
occ
ur w
ith a
va
riety
of o
ther
vol
cani
c fe
atur
es in
clud
ing
cum
ulo
dom
es e
xplo
sion
cra
ters
pyr
ocla
stic
dep
osits
(p
umic
e an
d as
h) a
nd la
va fl
ows
Col
lect
ively
thes
e fu
lly il
lust
rate
the
volc
anic
his
tory
of a
n an
desi
tic
com
posi
te v
olca
no a
ssoc
iate
d w
ith c
rust
al p
late
su
bduc
tion
Them
e 4
The
Pito
ns M
anag
emen
t Ar
ea c
onta
ins
a co
llaps
ed
stra
tovo
lcan
o kn
own
as th
e So
ufrie
re
Volc
anic
Cen
tre P
rom
inen
t with
in th
e vo
lcan
ic la
ndsc
ape
are
two
erod
ed
rem
nant
s of
lava
dom
es G
ros
Pito
n an
d Pe
tit P
iton
with
a v
arie
ty o
f oth
er
volc
anic
feat
ures
incl
udin
g cu
mul
o-do
mes
exp
losi
on c
rate
rs p
yroc
last
ic
depo
sits
(pum
ice
and
ash)
and
lava
flo
ws
2004
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Sain
t Lu
cia
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
92 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 93
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Plitv
ice
Lake
s Na
tiona
l Par
k5
6Th
e ke
y ex
traor
dina
ry p
roce
ss w
hich
has
bee
n sh
apin
g an
d co
ntin
ues
to s
hape
the
Plitv
ice
lake
sy
stem
is th
e tu
fa c
reat
ion
whi
ch fo
rms
barri
ers
acro
ss th
e w
ater
cour
se D
ue to
the
char
acte
ristic
s of
kar
st b
ase
the
wat
ers
of P
litvic
e La
kes
are
natu
rally
sup
ersa
tura
ted
with
cal
cium
car
bona
te
Unde
r cer
tain
phy
sico
-che
mic
al a
nd b
iolo
gica
l co
nditi
ons
the
diss
olve
d ca
lciu
m c
arbo
nate
is
depo
site
d on
the
botto
ms
and
mar
gins
of t
he la
kes
as
wel
l as
on o
bsta
cles
in th
e w
ater
cou
rses
Ove
r tim
e th
is p
roce
ss le
ads
to th
e fo
rmat
ion
of p
orou
s
sim
ulta
neou
sly
hard
and
frag
ile li
mes
tone
bar
riers
w
hich
reta
in th
e w
ater
of c
reek
s an
d riv
ers
The
la
ke s
yste
m is
a s
ubje
ct to
con
stan
t cha
nges
larg
ely
due
to th
e dy
nam
ics
of g
row
th a
nd e
rosi
on o
f tuf
a ba
rrier
s A
clo
ser l
ook
at th
e ba
rrier
s re
veal
s th
e ub
iqui
tous
rem
ains
of m
osse
s an
d ot
her t
erre
stria
l an
d aq
uatic
org
anis
ms
inha
bitin
g th
e hi
ghly
spec
ializ
ed h
abita
t Th
e sc
ale
and
inta
ctne
ss o
f th
e tu
fa fo
rmat
ion
phen
omen
a at
Plit
vice
Lake
s am
ount
to a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
a la
rgel
y un
dist
urbe
d on
-goi
ng p
roce
ss E
xten
sive
rese
arch
on
the
form
atio
n a
ge a
nd s
truct
ure
and
ecol
ogic
al
char
acte
ristic
s illu
stra
te th
e m
ajor
sci
entifi
c im
porta
nce
of th
e pr
oper
ty
Them
e 5
6 I
nter
natio
nal t
ype-
site
fo
r tuf
a-da
mm
ed la
kes
Car
bona
te
biol
ith b
arrie
rs c
onfin
e 16
lake
s up
to
08
km
2 in
are
a an
d up
to 4
6 m
de
ep M
ixed
limes
tone
and
dol
omiti
c lim
esto
ne c
atch
men
t are
a
1979
(200
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)Na
tura
lCr
oatia
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Purn
ulul
u Na
tiona
l Par
k3
6Th
e Bu
ngle
Bun
gles
are
by
far
the
mos
t ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
con
e ka
rst i
n sa
ndst
ones
an
ywhe
re in
the
wor
ld a
nd o
we
thei
r exis
tenc
e an
d un
ique
ness
to s
ever
al in
tera
ctin
g ge
olog
ical
bi
olog
ical
ero
sion
al a
nd c
limat
ic p
heno
men
a
The
sand
ston
e ka
rst o
f Pur
nulu
lu N
atio
nal P
ark
is o
f gre
at s
cien
tific
impo
rtanc
e in
dem
onst
ratin
g so
cle
arly
the
proc
ess
of c
one
kars
t for
mat
ion
on s
ands
tone
- a
phe
nom
enon
reco
gnis
ed b
y ge
omor
phol
ogis
ts o
nly
rece
ntly
and
still
not
com
plet
ely
unde
rsto
od T
he B
ungl
e Bu
ngle
Ran
ges
of th
e pa
rk a
lso
disp
lay
to a
n ex
cept
iona
l deg
ree
evid
ence
of g
eom
orph
ic p
roce
sses
of d
isso
lutio
n
wea
ther
ing
and
eros
ion
in th
e ev
olut
ion
of la
ndfo
rms
unde
r a s
avan
nah
clim
atic
regi
me
with
in a
n an
cien
t st
able
sed
imen
tary
land
scap
e
Them
e 3
6 D
isse
cted
san
dsto
ne
plat
form
that
repr
esen
ts a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
qua
rtz
sand
ston
e flu
vioka
rst w
ith b
eehi
ve-
shap
ed h
ills s
epar
ated
by
narro
w
sinu
ous
gorg
es
2003
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Pyreacute
neacutees
- M
ont
Perd
u9
6Th
e ca
lcar
eous
mas
sif o
f Mon
t Per
du p
rese
nts
a se
ries
of c
lass
ic g
eolo
gica
l lan
dfor
ms
such
as
the
deep
ly-in
cise
d ca
nyon
s an
d sp
ecta
cula
r cirq
ues
Th
e re
gion
is d
istin
guis
hed
by it
s lo
catio
n at
the
tect
onic
col
lisio
n po
int b
etw
een
the
Iber
ian
and
wes
t Eur
opea
n pl
ates
The
pro
perty
pre
sent
s an
ex
cept
iona
l geo
logi
cal u
nity
form
ing
a ca
lcar
eous
m
assi
f with
Mon
t Per
du a
t its
cen
tre T
he re
sulti
ng
land
scap
e is
con
side
rabl
y di
ffere
nt o
n th
e no
rther
n sl
opes
(Fra
nce)
and
the
sout
hern
slo
pes
(Spa
in)
Them
e 9
Com
pose
d of
cla
ssic
al
geol
ogic
al la
ndfo
rms
not
ably
deep
ly-in
cise
d ca
nyon
s on
the
sout
hern
Sp
anis
h si
de a
nd s
pect
acul
ar c
irque
w
alls
on
the
north
ern
slop
es w
ithin
Fr
ance
Cen
tred
arou
nd th
e pe
ak o
f M
ont P
erdu
that
rise
s to
33
48 m
Th
eme
6 O
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of
alpi
ne g
laci
ated
kar
st to
33
52 m
with
ex
tens
ive k
arre
nfel
d d
eep
cany
ons
de
ep c
aves
and
sub
terra
nean
rive
r sy
stem
s In
corp
orat
es c
ompl
ete
kars
t sy
stem
s
1997
(199
9)(ii
i)(iv)
(v)
(vii)
(viii)
Mixe
dFr
ance
Sp
ain
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Riacuteo
Plaacutet
ano
Bios
pher
e Re
serv
e
5Th
e pr
oper
ty c
ompr
ises
two
mai
n ge
omor
phol
ogic
al
area
s T
hese
are
the
stee
p m
ount
ain
rang
e ha
rbou
ring
the
head
wat
ers
of R
iacuteo P
laacuteta
no a
nd
the
flat t
o un
dula
ting
coas
tal p
lain
s T
he la
tter i
s co
mpo
sed
of te
rrace
s of
rece
nt m
arin
e se
dim
ents
an
d pa
rtly
unde
rlain
by
a be
lt of
infe
rtile
dee
ply
wea
ther
ed P
leis
toce
ne q
uartz
san
dy g
rave
ls T
he
Riacuteo
Plaacutet
ano
mea
nder
s fo
r som
e 45
km
thro
ugh
the
low
land
s fo
rmin
g ox
-bow
lake
s b
ackw
ater
sw
amps
an
d na
tura
l lev
ees
At a
bout
100
ma
sl
inla
nd
the
foot
hills
beg
in a
brup
tly T
he ru
gged
gra
nite
m
ount
ains
whi
ch ri
se to
Pun
ta P
iedr
a at
14
18
ma
sl
hav
e m
any
stee
p rid
ges
rem
arka
ble
rock
fo
rmat
ions
suc
h as
Pic
o Da
ma
a 1
50 m
pin
nacl
e
and
man
y w
ater
falls
one
reac
hing
150
m in
hei
ght
Two
third
s of
the
Plaacutet
ano
Rive
r run
thro
ugh
a ru
gged
par
t of t
he m
ount
ains
with
long
stre
tche
s of
whi
te w
ater
In
one
cata
ract
in a
dee
p fo
rest
ed
gorg
e th
e riv
er d
isap
pear
s un
der m
assi
ve b
ould
ers
Th
e m
ount
ains
are
par
t of t
he C
ordi
llera
Cen
tral
whi
ch c
orre
spon
ds to
wha
t was
the
Hond
uras
In
terc
ontin
enta
l Dep
ress
ion
dur
ing
the
Cret
aceo
us
Perio
d
Them
e 5
The
pro
perty
con
tain
s ne
arly
the
full
leng
th o
f the
Riacuteo
Pl
aacutetan
o fr
om it
s m
ount
aino
us
head
wat
ers
to it
s m
eand
ers
thro
ugh
flat t
o un
dula
ting
coas
tal p
lain
s
1982
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lHo
ndur
asLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
94 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 95
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Sang
ay N
atio
nal
Park
4Sa
ngay
(a p
erfe
ct c
one-
shap
ed v
olca
no) i
s no
tabl
e gl
obal
ly fo
r its
long
per
iod
of c
ontin
uous
act
ivity
Th
e ar
ea e
xhib
its a
rugg
ed to
pogr
aphy
with
dee
p
stee
p-si
ded
valle
ys a
bund
ant c
liffs
and
man
y ro
cky
jagg
ed p
eaks
A n
umbe
r of l
arge
rive
rs d
rain
ing
east
war
ds in
to th
e Am
azon
Bas
in a
re c
hara
cter
ized
by fa
st a
nd d
ram
atic
var
iatio
ns in
wat
er le
vel
Run-
off i
s ex
trem
ely
rapi
d du
e to
hig
h ra
infa
ll an
d st
eep
slop
es E
rosi
on is
a c
onst
ant d
ange
r al
thou
gh
cont
rolle
d by
thic
k fo
rest
veg
etat
ion
Num
erou
s w
ater
falls
occ
ur e
spec
ially
in th
e ha
ngin
g va
lleys
of
the
glac
ial z
one
alon
g th
e ea
ster
n ed
ge o
f the
Co
rdille
ra
Them
e 4
With
its
outs
tand
ing
natu
ral
beau
ty a
nd tw
o ac
tive
volc
anoe
s th
e pa
rk il
lust
rate
s th
e en
tire
spec
trum
of
eco
syst
ems
rang
ing
from
trop
ical
ra
info
rest
s to
gla
cier
s w
ith s
triki
ng
cont
rast
s be
twee
n th
e sn
owca
pped
pe
aks
and
the
fore
sts
of th
e pl
ains
1983
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lEc
uado
rLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Shar
k Ba
y W
este
rn A
ustr
alia
17
Shar
k Ba
y co
ntai
ns i
n th
e hy
pers
alin
e Ha
mel
in
Pool
the
mos
t dive
rse
and
abun
dant
exa
mpl
es
of s
trom
atol
ites
(har
d d
ome-
shap
ed s
truct
ures
fo
rmed
by
mic
robi
al m
ats)
in th
e w
orld
Ana
logo
us
stru
ctur
es d
omin
ated
mar
ine
ecos
yste
ms
on E
arth
fo
r mor
e th
an 3
000
milli
on y
ears
Th
e st
rom
atol
ites
of H
amel
in P
ool w
ere
the
first
m
oder
n li
ving
exam
ples
to b
e re
cogn
ised
that
ha
ve a
mor
phol
ogic
al d
ivers
ity a
nd a
bund
ance
co
mpa
rabl
e to
thos
e th
at in
habi
ted
Prot
eroz
oic
seas
As
suc
h th
ey a
re o
ne o
f the
wor
ldrsquos
bes
t exa
mpl
es
of a
livin
g an
alog
ue fo
r the
stu
dy o
f the
nat
ure
and
evol
utio
n of
the
Earth
rsquos b
iosp
here
up
until
the
early
Ca
mbr
ian
Th
e W
oora
mel
Sea
gras
s Ba
nk is
als
o of
gre
at
geol
ogic
al in
tere
st d
ue to
the
exte
nsive
dep
osit
of
limes
tone
san
ds a
ssoc
iate
d w
ith th
e ba
nk f
orm
ed
by th
e pr
ecip
itatio
n of
cal
cium
car
bona
te fr
om
hype
rsal
ine
wat
ers
Them
e 1
Abu
ndan
t stro
mat
olite
s (c
olon
ies
of m
icro
bes
that
form
har
d
dom
e-sh
aped
dep
osits
) tha
t are
m
oder
n re
pres
enta
tives
of s
ome
of th
e ol
dest
form
s of
life
on
Earth
The
me
7 T
he W
oora
mel
Sea
gras
s Ba
nk is
of
gre
at g
eolo
gica
l int
eres
t due
to th
e ex
tens
ive d
epos
it of
lim
esto
ne s
ands
as
soci
ated
with
the
bank
for
med
by
the
prec
ipita
tion
of c
alci
um c
arbo
nate
fro
m h
yper
salin
e w
ater
s
1991
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
96 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 97
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Škoc
jan
Cave
s6
The
Škoc
jan
Cave
s an
d th
eir s
urro
undi
ngs
are
the
maj
or lo
calit
ies
for k
arst
topo
grap
hy a
nd a
re th
e pl
ace
whe
re fu
ndam
enta
l ter
ms
such
as
lsquokar
strsquo
and
lsquodol
inersquo
hav
e th
eir o
rigin
Thi
s is
not
onl
y a
stro
ng in
dica
tion
of th
e pr
oper
tyrsquos
impo
rtanc
e fo
r sc
ienc
e b
ut m
ore
spec
ifica
lly o
f its
impo
rtanc
e fo
r th
e hi
stor
y of
Ear
th s
cien
ces
An
impr
essi
ve a
rray
of e
xcep
tiona
l kar
st m
anife
stat
ions
the
resu
lt of
pa
st a
nd p
rese
nt g
eolo
gica
l ge
omor
phol
ogic
al
spel
eolo
gica
l and
hyd
rolo
gica
l pro
cess
es a
re c
lear
ly at
dis
play
for s
cien
tists
and
vis
itors
alik
e w
ithin
a
rela
tivel
y sm
all a
rea
The
hea
rt of
the
prop
erty
the
mai
n ca
ve s
yste
m w
ith th
e un
derg
roun
d st
retc
hes
of th
e Re
ka R
iver
has
been
form
ed in
a th
ick
laye
r of
cre
tace
ous
limes
tone
The
con
stan
tly d
ynam
ic
syst
em is
an
outs
tand
ing
text
book
exa
mpl
e of
co
ntac
t Kar
st w
ith w
ell-d
evel
oped
feat
ures
suc
h as
a
blin
d va
lley
colla
psed
dol
ines
ope
ning
s c
hasm
s an
d ca
ves
Rem
arka
bly
this
geo
logi
cal d
ivers
ity
supp
orts
an
equa
lly fa
scin
atin
g bi
olog
ical
dive
rsity
w
hich
has
impo
rtant
impl
icat
ions
for l
and
and
wat
er
man
agem
ent
Them
e 6
Loc
ated
in th
e lsquoc
lass
ical
rsquo ka
rst o
f Eur
ope
The
pro
perty
co
mpr
ises
a s
inki
ng ri
ver a
t the
end
of
blin
d va
lley
the
expo
sed
cour
se o
f the
un
derg
roun
d riv
er fl
owin
g ac
ross
the
base
of d
eep
colla
pse
depr
essi
ons
an
d a
larg
e riv
er c
ave
with
a h
igh
cany
on p
assa
ge I
t is
repr
esen
tativ
e of
the
inpu
t of a
n al
loge
nic
river
into
a
kars
t sys
tem
1986
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Slov
enia
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
96 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 97
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Sout
h Ch
ina
Kars
t6
The
Sout
h Ch
ina
Kars
t Wor
ld H
erita
ge P
rope
rty
reve
als
the
com
plex
evo
lutio
nary
hist
ory
of o
ne o
f the
w
orld
rsquos m
ost o
utst
andi
ng la
ndsc
apes
Shi
lin a
nd L
ibo
are
glob
al re
fere
nce
area
s fo
r the
kar
st fe
atur
es a
nd
land
scap
es th
at th
ey e
xhib
it T
he s
tone
fore
sts
of S
hilin
de
velo
ped
over
270
milli
on y
ears
dur
ing
four
maj
or
geol
ogica
l tim
e pe
riods
from
the
Perm
ian
to p
rese
nt
illust
ratin
g th
e ep
isodi
c na
ture
of t
he e
volu
tion
of th
ese
kars
t fea
ture
s Li
bo c
onta
ins
carb
onat
e ou
tcro
ps o
f di
ffere
nt a
ges
shap
ed o
ver m
illion
s of
yea
rs b
y er
osive
pr
oces
ses
into
impr
essiv
e Fe
ngco
ng a
nd F
engl
in
kars
ts L
ibo
also
con
tain
s a
com
bina
tion
of n
umer
ous
tall k
arst
pea
ks d
eep
dolin
es s
inkin
g st
ream
s an
d lo
ng ri
ver c
aves
Wul
ong
repr
esen
ts h
igh
inla
nd k
arst
pl
atea
us th
at h
ave
expe
rienc
ed c
onsid
erab
le u
plift
with
gi
ant d
olin
es a
nd b
ridge
s W
ulon
grsquos
land
scap
es c
onta
in
evid
ence
for t
he h
istor
y of
one
of t
he w
orld
rsquos gr
eat
river
sys
tem
s th
e Ya
ngtze
and
its
tribu
tarie
s Hu
anjia
ng
Kars
t is
an e
xten
sion
of th
e Li
bo K
arst
com
pone
nt
Toge
ther
the
two
sites
pro
vide
an o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of fe
ngco
ng k
arst
and
also
pre
serv
e an
d di
spla
y a
rich
dive
rsity
of s
urfa
ce a
nd u
nder
grou
nd k
arst
fe
atur
es G
uilin
Kar
st is
con
sider
ed th
e be
st k
now
n ex
ampl
e of
con
tinen
tal f
engl
in a
nd p
rovid
es a
per
fect
ge
omor
phic
expr
essio
n of
the
end
stag
e of
kar
st
evol
utio
n in
Sou
th C
hina
Gui
lin is
a b
asin
at a
rela
tivel
y lo
w a
ltitud
e an
d re
ceive
s ab
unda
nt a
lloge
nic
(rain
fed)
w
ater
from
sur
roun
ding
hills
lea
ding
to a
fluv
ial
com
pone
nt th
at a
ids
feng
lin d
evel
opm
ent
resu
lting
in
feng
lin a
nd fe
ngco
ng k
arst
sid
e-by
-sid
e ov
er a
larg
e ar
ea S
cient
ific
stud
y of
kar
st d
evel
opm
ent i
n th
e re
gion
ha
s re
sulte
d in
the
gene
ratio
n of
the
lsquoGui
lin m
odel
rsquo of
feng
cong
and
feng
lin k
arst
evo
lutio
n S
hibi
ng K
arst
pr
ovid
es a
spe
ctac
ular
feng
cong
land
scap
e w
hich
is
also
exc
eptio
nal b
ecau
se it
dev
elop
ed in
rela
tivel
y in
solu
ble
dolo
mite
rock
s Sh
ibin
g al
so c
onta
ins
a ra
nge
of m
inor
kar
st fe
atur
es in
cludi
ng k
arre
n tu
fa d
epos
its
and
cave
s Jin
fosh
an K
arst
is a
uni
que
kars
t tab
le
mou
ntai
n su
rroun
ded
by m
assiv
e to
wer
ing
cliffs
It
repr
esen
ts a
pie
ce o
f diss
ecte
d pl
atea
u ka
rst i
sola
ted
from
the
Yunn
an-G
uizh
ou-C
honq
ing
plat
eau
by d
eep
fluvia
l incis
ion
An
ancie
nt p
lana
tion
surfa
ce re
mai
ns o
n th
e su
mm
it w
ith a
n an
cient
wea
ther
ing
crus
t Be
neat
h th
e pl
atea
u su
rface
are
dism
embe
red
horiz
onta
l cav
e sy
stem
s th
at a
ppea
r at h
igh
altit
ude
on c
liff fa
ces
Jin
fosh
an re
cord
s th
e pr
oces
s of
diss
ectio
n of
the
high
el
evat
ion
kars
t pla
teau
and
con
tain
s ev
iden
ce o
f the
re
gion
rsquos in
term
itten
t upl
ift a
nd k
arst
ifica
tion
since
the
Ceno
zoic
It is
a s
uper
lativ
e ty
pe-s
ite o
f a k
arst
tabl
e m
ount
ain
Them
e 6
Sev
en s
ites
of a
ser
ial
prop
erty
that
repr
esen
t kar
st e
volu
tion
in s
outh
ern
Chin
a S
hilin
com
pris
es
ston
e fo
rest
s on
a ro
lling
plat
eau
in
Yunn
an J
info
shan
is a
n is
olat
ed h
igh
plat
eau
with
hug
e ho
rizon
tal c
aves
su
spen
ded
abov
e de
ep s
urro
undi
ng
valle
ys W
ulon
g is
pla
teau
kar
st
with
spe
ctac
ular
tian
keng
nat
ural
br
idge
s de
ep c
aves
and
gor
ges
Sh
ibin
g illu
stra
tes
unus
ual c
one
kars
t de
velo
pmen
t in
dolo
mite
bed
rock
Li
bo h
as e
xten
sive
fore
sted
con
e ka
rst
(feng
cong
and
feng
lin)
polje
s g
orge
s an
d ca
ves
with
Hua
njia
ng b
eing
an
exte
nsio
n of
the
prot
ecte
d ar
ea G
uilin
sh
ows
the
culm
inat
ion
of s
ubtro
pica
l ka
rst d
evel
opm
ent w
ith s
pect
acul
ar
cone
s an
d to
wer
s be
side
the
Rive
r Li
The
se a
reas
pro
vide
type
-site
s fo
r th
eir p
rinci
pal k
arst
feat
ures
2007
(201
4)(v
ii)(v
iii)Na
tura
lCh
ina
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Škoc
jan
Cave
s6
The
Škoc
jan
Cave
s an
d th
eir s
urro
undi
ngs
are
the
maj
or lo
calit
ies
for k
arst
topo
grap
hy a
nd a
re th
e pl
ace
whe
re fu
ndam
enta
l ter
ms
such
as
lsquokar
strsquo
and
lsquodol
inersquo
hav
e th
eir o
rigin
Thi
s is
not
onl
y a
stro
ng in
dica
tion
of th
e pr
oper
tyrsquos
impo
rtanc
e fo
r sc
ienc
e b
ut m
ore
spec
ifica
lly o
f its
impo
rtanc
e fo
r th
e hi
stor
y of
Ear
th s
cien
ces
An
impr
essi
ve a
rray
of e
xcep
tiona
l kar
st m
anife
stat
ions
the
resu
lt of
pa
st a
nd p
rese
nt g
eolo
gica
l ge
omor
phol
ogic
al
spel
eolo
gica
l and
hyd
rolo
gica
l pro
cess
es a
re c
lear
ly at
dis
play
for s
cien
tists
and
vis
itors
alik
e w
ithin
a
rela
tivel
y sm
all a
rea
The
hea
rt of
the
prop
erty
the
mai
n ca
ve s
yste
m w
ith th
e un
derg
roun
d st
retc
hes
of th
e Re
ka R
iver
has
been
form
ed in
a th
ick
laye
r of
cre
tace
ous
limes
tone
The
con
stan
tly d
ynam
ic
syst
em is
an
outs
tand
ing
text
book
exa
mpl
e of
co
ntac
t Kar
st w
ith w
ell-d
evel
oped
feat
ures
suc
h as
a
blin
d va
lley
colla
psed
dol
ines
ope
ning
s c
hasm
s an
d ca
ves
Rem
arka
bly
this
geo
logi
cal d
ivers
ity
supp
orts
an
equa
lly fa
scin
atin
g bi
olog
ical
dive
rsity
w
hich
has
impo
rtant
impl
icat
ions
for l
and
and
wat
er
man
agem
ent
Them
e 6
Loc
ated
in th
e lsquoc
lass
ical
rsquo ka
rst o
f Eur
ope
The
pro
perty
co
mpr
ises
a s
inki
ng ri
ver a
t the
end
of
blin
d va
lley
the
expo
sed
cour
se o
f the
un
derg
roun
d riv
er fl
owin
g ac
ross
the
base
of d
eep
colla
pse
depr
essi
ons
an
d a
larg
e riv
er c
ave
with
a h
igh
cany
on p
assa
ge I
t is
repr
esen
tativ
e of
the
inpu
t of a
n al
loge
nic
river
into
a
kars
t sys
tem
1986
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Slov
enia
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
98 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 99
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Stev
ns K
lint
111
Stev
ns K
lint i
s a
glob
ally
exce
ptio
nal t
estim
ony
to th
e im
pact
of m
eteo
rite
impa
ct o
n th
e hi
stor
y of
life
on
Earth
The
pro
perty
pro
vides
a g
loba
lly
exce
ptio
nal r
epre
sent
atio
n of
the
evid
ence
of t
he
Chixu
lub
met
eorit
e im
pact
that
took
pla
ce a
t the
end
of
the
Cret
aceo
us P
erio
d c
67
milli
on y
ears
ago
Th
is im
pact
is w
idel
y be
lieve
d by
mod
ern
scie
ntis
ts
to h
ave
caus
ed th
e en
d of
the
Age
of th
e Di
nosa
urs
an
d le
d to
the
extin
ctio
n of
mor
e th
an 5
0 o
f life
on
Ear
th T
his
is th
e m
ost r
ecen
t of t
he m
ajor
mas
s ex
tinct
ions
in E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry C
ompa
rativ
e an
alys
is
indi
cate
s th
is is
the
mos
t sig
nific
ant a
nd re
adily
ac
cess
ible
site
of h
undr
eds
avai
labl
e to
see
the
sedi
men
tary
reco
rd o
f the
ash
clo
ud fo
rmed
by
the
met
eorit
e im
pact
the
act
ual s
ite o
f the
impa
ct b
eing
de
ep u
nder
wat
er o
ffsho
re th
e Yu
cata
n pe
nins
ula
In
add
ition
the
pro
perty
has
icon
ic s
cien
tific
impo
rtanc
e as
the
mos
t sig
nific
ant a
nd a
cces
sibl
e of
the
thre
e lo
calit
ies
whe
re th
e ra
dica
l the
ory
for
aste
roid
driv
en e
xtin
ctio
n w
as d
evel
oped
thro
ugh
the
sem
inal
wor
k of
Wal
ter a
nd L
uis
W A
lvare
z w
ith
thei
r co-
wor
kers
Ste
vns
Klin
t is
high
ly si
gnifi
cant
in
term
s of
its
past
pre
sent
and
futu
re c
ontri
butio
n to
sci
ence
esp
ecia
lly p
erta
inin
g to
the
defin
ition
of
and
expl
anat
ion
of th
e Cr
etac
eous
Pal
eoge
ne (K
Pg
) bou
ndar
y Th
e ou
tsta
ndin
g fo
ssil
reco
rd a
t Ste
vns
Klin
t pr
ovid
es a
suc
cess
ion
of th
ree
biot
ic a
ssem
blag
es
incl
udin
g th
e m
ost d
ivers
e en
d-Cr
etac
eous
mar
ine
ecos
yste
m k
now
n T
he m
illion
yea
rs re
cord
ed in
the
rock
at S
tevn
s Kl
int p
rovid
es e
viden
ce o
f a c
limax
pr
e-im
pact
com
mun
ity f
auna
that
sur
vived
a m
ass
extin
ctio
n ev
ent
and
the
subs
eque
nt fa
unal
reco
very
an
d in
crea
sed
biod
ivers
ity fo
llow
ing
this
eve
nt T
he
foss
il re
cord
sho
ws
whi
ch ta
xa b
ecam
e ex
tinct
an
d w
hich
sur
vived
and
reve
als
the
tem
po a
nd
mod
e of
evo
lutio
n of
the
succ
eedi
ng p
ost i
mpa
ct
faun
a th
at d
ivers
ified
to th
e m
arin
e fa
una
of to
day
thus
pro
vidin
g im
porta
nt c
onte
xt fo
r the
mai
n K
Pg
boun
dary
laye
r exp
osed
at S
tevn
s Kl
int
Them
e 11
Bea
rs e
viden
ce o
f the
as
tero
id im
pact
bel
ieve
d to
hav
e ca
used
the
mas
s ex
tinct
ion
that
led
to
the
end
of th
e Ag
e of
the
Dino
saur
s
Icon
ic s
cien
tific
impo
rtanc
e du
e to
its
asso
ciat
ion
with
the
radi
cal t
heor
y fo
r as
tero
id d
riven
ext
inct
ion
The
me
1
An e
xcep
tiona
l fos
sil r
ecor
d is
vis
ible
at
the
prop
erty
sho
win
g th
e co
mpl
ete
succ
essi
on o
f fau
na a
nd m
icro
-fau
na
char
ting
the
reco
very
afte
r the
mas
s ex
tinct
ion
2014
(viii)
Natu
ral
Denm
ark
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
98 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 99
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Swis
s Al
ps
Jung
frau
-Ale
tsch
92
The
prop
erty
pro
vides
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of th
e fo
rmat
ion
of th
e Hi
gh A
lps
resu
lting
from
upl
ift a
nd
com
pres
sion
whi
ch b
egan
20-
40 m
illion
yea
rs a
go
With
in a
n al
titud
e ra
nge
from
809
m to
42
74 m
th
e re
gion
dis
play
s 40
0 m
illion
-yea
r-ol
d cr
ysta
lline
rock
s th
rust
ove
r you
nger
car
bona
te ro
cks
due
to
the
north
war
d dr
ift o
f the
Afri
can
tect
onic
pla
te
Adde
d to
the
dram
atic
reco
rd o
f the
pro
cess
es
of m
ount
ain
build
ing
is a
gre
at a
bund
ance
and
di
vers
ity o
f geo
mor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es s
uch
as
U-sh
aped
gla
cial
val
leys
cirq
ues
hor
n pe
aks
val
ley
glac
iers
and
mor
aine
s T
his
mos
t gla
ciat
ed p
art o
f th
e Al
ps c
onta
ins
the
Alet
sch
glac
ier
the
larg
est a
nd
long
est i
n Eu
rope
whi
ch is
of s
igni
fican
t sci
entifi
c in
tere
st in
the
cont
ext o
f gla
cial
his
tory
and
ong
oing
pr
oces
ses
par
ticul
arly
rela
ted
to c
limat
e ch
ange
Them
e 9
Gla
cial
feat
ures
incl
ude
U-sh
aped
gla
cial
val
leys
cirq
ues
hor
n pe
aks
val
ley
glac
iers
and
mor
aine
s
This
mos
t gla
ciat
ed p
art o
f the
Alp
s co
ntai
ns th
e Al
etsc
h gl
acie
r th
e la
rges
t and
long
est i
n Eu
rope
whi
ch
is o
f sig
nific
ant s
cien
tific
inte
rest
in
the
cont
ext o
f gla
cial
his
tory
and
on
goin
g pr
oces
ses
par
ticul
arly
rela
ted
to c
limat
e ch
ange
The
me
2 T
he
prop
erty
pro
vides
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of th
e fo
rmat
ion
of th
e Hi
gh A
lps
resu
lting
from
upl
ift a
nd
com
pres
sion
whi
ch b
egan
20-
40
milli
on y
ears
ago
With
in a
n al
titud
e ra
nge
from
809
m to
42
74 m
the
re
gion
dis
play
s 40
0 m
illion
-yea
r-ol
d cr
ysta
lline
rock
s th
rust
ove
r you
nger
ca
rbon
ate
rock
s du
e to
the
north
war
d dr
ift o
f the
Afri
can
tect
onic
pla
te
2001
(200
7)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)Na
tura
lSw
itzer
-la
ndEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Swis
s Te
cton
ic
Aren
a Sa
rdon
a2
Earth
rsquos h
isto
ry g
eolo
gica
l and
geo
mor
phic
feat
ures
an
d pr
oces
ses
The
Sw
iss
Tect
onic
Are
na S
ardo
na
prov
ides
an
exce
ptio
nal d
ispl
ay o
f mou
ntai
n bu
ildin
g te
cton
ics
and
has
been
reco
gnis
ed a
s a
key
site
fo
r geo
logi
cal s
cien
ces
sinc
e th
e 18
th c
entu
ry T
he
clea
r exp
osur
e of
the
Glar
us O
verth
rust
is a
key
but
no
t the
onl
y si
gnifi
cant
fea
ture
The
exp
osur
es o
f th
e ro
cks
belo
w a
nd a
bove
this
feat
ure
are
visib
le
in th
ree
dim
ensi
ons
and
take
n to
geth
er h
ave
mad
e su
bsta
ntia
l con
tribu
tions
to th
e un
ders
tand
ing
of
mou
ntai
n bu
ildin
g te
cton
ics
Its
geol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
can
be re
adily
app
reci
ated
by
all v
isito
rs T
he
prop
erty
can
be
diffe
rent
iate
d fro
m o
ther
sim
ilar
site
s by
the
com
bina
tion
of th
e cl
ear e
xpos
ure
of
the
phen
omen
on in
a m
ount
ain
setti
ng i
ts h
isto
ry
of s
tudy
and
its
ongo
ing
cont
ribut
ion
to g
eolo
gica
l sc
ienc
es
Them
e 2
The
Sw
iss
Tect
onic
Are
na
Sard
ona
prov
ides
an
exce
ptio
nal
disp
lay
of m
ount
ain
build
ing
tect
onic
s an
d ha
s be
en re
cogn
ised
as
a ke
y si
te fo
r geo
logi
cal s
cien
ces
sinc
e th
e 18
th c
entu
ry T
he c
lear
exp
osur
e of
th
e Gl
arus
Ove
rthru
st is
a k
ey b
ut
not t
he o
nly
sign
ifica
nt f
eatu
re T
he
expo
sure
s of
the
rock
s be
low
and
ab
ove
this
feat
ure
are
visib
le in
thre
e di
men
sion
s an
d ta
ken
toge
ther
hav
e m
ade
subs
tant
ial c
ontri
butio
ns to
the
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
mou
ntai
n bu
ildin
g te
cton
ics
2008
(viii)
Natu
ral
Switz
er-
land
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
100 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 101
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Tajik
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk (M
ount
ains
of
the
Pam
irs)
92
5Th
e Pa
mir
Mou
ntai
ns a
re a
maj
or c
entre
of
glac
iatio
n on
the
Eura
sian
con
tinen
t and
Taj
ik
Natio
nal P
ark
illust
rate
s w
ithin
one
pro
tect
ed
area
an
outs
tand
ing
juxt
apos
ition
of m
any
high
m
ount
ains
val
ley
glac
iers
and
dee
p riv
er g
orge
s al
ongs
ide
the
cold
con
tinen
tal d
eser
t env
ironm
ent
of th
e hi
gh P
amir
Plat
eau
land
form
s A
n ou
tsta
ndin
g la
ndfo
rm fe
atur
e of
the
prop
erty
rsquos g
eolo
gica
lly
dyna
mic
terra
in is
Lak
e Sa
rez
It w
as c
reat
ed b
y an
ea
rthqu
ake-
gene
rate
d la
ndsl
ide
of a
n es
timat
ed
six
billio
n to
nnes
of m
ater
ial a
nd is
pos
sibl
y th
e yo
unge
st d
eep
wat
er a
lpin
e la
ke in
the
wor
ld I
t is
of in
tern
atio
nal s
cien
tific
and
geom
orph
olog
ical
ha
zard
sig
nific
ance
bec
ause
of t
he o
n-go
ing
geol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
influ
enci
ng it
s st
abilit
y an
d th
e so
rt of
lacu
strin
e ec
osys
tem
whi
ch w
ill de
velo
p ov
er ti
me
Taj
ik N
atio
nal P
ark
furth
erm
ore
offe
rs a
un
ique
opp
ortu
nity
for t
he s
tudy
of p
late
tect
onic
s an
d co
ntin
enta
l sub
duct
ion
phen
omen
a th
ereb
y co
ntrib
utin
g to
our
fund
amen
tal u
nder
stan
ding
of
Earth
bui
ldin
g pr
oces
ses
Them
e 9
The
Pam
ir M
ount
ains
are
a
maj
or c
entre
of g
laci
atio
n on
the
Eura
sian
con
tinen
t and
Taj
ik N
atio
nal
Park
illu
stra
tes
with
in o
ne p
rote
cted
ar
ea a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ju
xtap
ositi
on o
f m
any
high
mou
ntai
ns v
alle
y gl
acie
rs
and
deep
rive
r gor
ges
alon
gsid
e th
e co
ld c
ontin
enta
l des
ert e
nviro
nmen
t of
the
high
Pam
ir Pl
atea
u la
ndfo
rms
Th
eme
2 T
ajik
Nat
iona
l Par
k of
fers
a
uniq
ue o
ppor
tuni
ty fo
r the
stu
dy
of p
late
tect
onic
s an
d co
ntin
enta
l su
bduc
tion
phen
omen
a th
ereb
y co
ntrib
utin
g to
our
fund
amen
tal
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
Ear
th b
uild
ing
proc
esse
s T
hem
e 5
An
outs
tand
ing
land
form
feat
ure
of th
e pr
oper
tyrsquos
ge
olog
ical
ly dy
nam
ic te
rrain
is
Lake
Sar
ez I
t was
cre
ated
by
an
earth
quak
e-ge
nera
ted
land
slid
e of
an
est
imat
ed s
ix bi
llion
tonn
es o
f m
ater
ial a
nd is
pos
sibl
y th
e yo
unge
st
deep
wat
er a
lpin
e la
ke in
the
wor
ld
It is
of i
nter
natio
nal s
cien
tific
and
geom
orph
olog
ical
haz
ard
sign
ifica
nce
beca
use
of th
e on
-goi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pr
oces
ses
influ
enci
ng it
s st
abilit
y an
d th
e so
rt of
lacu
strin
e ec
osys
tem
whi
ch
will
deve
lop
over
tim
e
2013
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Tajik
ista
nAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Tala
man
ca
Rang
e-La
Am
ista
d Re
serv
es
La
Amis
tad
Natio
nal P
ark
9Th
e Ta
lam
anca
Ran
ge is
a v
ery
parti
cula
r sam
ple
of th
e re
cent
geo
logi
cal h
isto
ry o
f the
Cen
tral
Amer
ican
Isth
mus
the
rela
tivel
y na
rrow
stri
p of
land
co
nnec
ting
North
and
Sou
th A
mer
ica
and
sepa
ratin
g th
e Pa
cific
and
Atla
ntic
Oce
ans
The
pro
perty
sho
ws
impr
essi
ve m
arks
of Q
uate
rnar
y gl
acia
l act
ivity
w
hich
has
sha
ped
glac
ial c
irque
s g
laci
al la
kes
and
deep
U-s
hape
d va
lleys
whi
ch c
anno
t be
foun
d an
ywhe
re e
lse
in C
entra
l Am
eric
a
Them
e 9
Qua
tern
ary
glac
ial a
ctivi
ty
has
shap
ed g
laci
al c
irque
s g
laci
al
lake
s an
d de
ep U
-sha
ped
valle
ys
that
can
not b
e fo
und
anyw
here
els
e in
Ce
ntra
l Am
eric
a
1983
(199
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Cost
a Ri
ca
Pana
ma
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
100 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 101
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Tasm
ania
n W
ilder
ness
91
No c
urre
nt re
trosp
ectiv
e st
atem
ent o
f OUV
The
co
ntem
pora
ry in
scrip
tion
is b
ased
on
the
follo
win
g Ea
rth s
cien
ce v
alue
s R
ock
form
atio
ns g
laci
al
depo
sits
ext
ragl
acia
l pro
cess
es a
nd g
laci
o-ka
rst
land
form
s of
his
pro
perty
pro
vide
a re
cord
of m
ajor
st
ages
of E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry a
nd to
geth
er w
ith th
e as
soci
ated
eco
logy
pro
vide
livin
g ev
iden
ce o
f the
pr
evio
us e
xiste
nce
of th
e so
uthe
rn s
uper
cont
inen
t of
Gon
dwan
a an
d its
sub
sequ
ent f
ragm
enta
tion
The
as
soci
ated
pro
cess
es a
re o
ccur
ring
at la
rge
scal
e in
a v
arie
ty o
f und
istu
rbed
env
ironm
ents
pro
vidin
g a
benc
hmar
k ag
ains
t whi
ch th
e ef
fect
s of
hum
an
activ
ities
can
be
mea
sure
d
Them
e 9
1 R
ock
form
atio
ns g
laci
al
depo
sits
ext
ragl
acia
l pro
cess
es a
nd
glac
io-k
arst
land
form
s of
his
pro
perty
pr
ovid
e a
reco
rd o
f maj
or s
tage
s of
Ea
rthrsquos
his
tory
and
toge
ther
with
the
asso
ciat
ed e
colo
gy p
rovid
e liv
ing
evid
ence
of t
he p
revio
us e
xiste
nce
of th
e so
uthe
rn s
uper
cont
inen
t of
Gon
dwan
a an
d its
sub
sequ
ent
fragm
enta
tion
1982
(199
0)(ii
i)(iv)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)
Mixe
dAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Tass
ili n
rsquoAjje
r3
The
geol
ogica
l con
form
atio
n of
Tass
ili nrsquo
Ajje
r inc
lude
s Pr
ecam
bria
n cr
ysta
lline
elem
ents
and
sed
imen
tary
sa
ndst
one
succ
essio
ns o
f gre
at p
aleo
-geo
grap
hica
l an
d pa
leo-
ecol
ogica
l inte
rest
Them
e 3
San
dsto
ne p
late
aus
and
esca
rpm
ents
that
are
hig
hly
diss
ecte
d w
ith a
rang
e of
ero
sion
al fe
atur
es
1982
(i)(ii
i)(vii
)(v
iii)M
ixed
Alge
riaAr
ab
Stat
es
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
102 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 103
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Te W
ahip
ouna
mu
ndash So
uth
Wes
t Ne
w Z
eala
nd
91
2Te
Waumlh
ipou
nam
u - S
outh
Wes
t New
Zea
land
is
cons
ider
ed to
be
the
best
mod
ern
exam
ple
of th
e pr
imitiv
e ta
xa o
f Gon
dwan
alan
d se
en in
mod
ern
ecos
yste
ms
ndash an
d as
suc
h th
e pr
oper
ty is
of g
loba
l sig
nific
ance
The
pro
gres
sive
brea
k-up
of t
he s
outh
ern
supe
r-con
tinen
t of G
ondw
anal
and
is co
nsid
ered
on
e of
the
mos
t im
porta
nt e
vent
s in
the
Earth
rsquos ev
olut
iona
ry h
istor
y Ne
w Z
eala
ndrsquos
sepa
ratio
n be
fore
th
e ap
pear
ance
of m
arsu
pial
s an
d ot
her m
amm
als
and
its lo
ng is
olat
ion
since
wer
e ke
y fa
ctor
s en
ablin
g th
e su
rviva
l of t
he a
ncie
nt G
ondw
anan
bio
ta o
n th
e isl
ands
of
New
Zea
land
to a
gre
ater
deg
ree
than
else
whe
re
The
livin
g re
pres
enta
tives
of t
his
ancie
nt b
iota
inclu
de
fligh
tless
kiw
is c
arni
voro
us la
nd s
nails
14
spec
ies
of
podo
carp
and
gen
era
or b
eech
Th
e So
uth
Wes
t is
also
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of th
e im
pact
of t
he P
leist
ocen
e ep
och
of E
arth
hist
ory
Ice-
carv
ed la
ndfo
rms
crea
ted
by th
ese
lsquoIce
Agersquo
gla
ciers
do
min
ate
the
mou
ntai
n la
nds
and
are
espe
cially
w
ell-p
rese
rved
in th
e ha
rder
plu
toni
c ig
neou
s ro
cks
of F
iord
land
Gla
cier-c
ut fi
ords
lak
es d
eep
U-sh
aped
va
lleys
han
ging
val
leys
cirq
ues
and
ice-s
horn
spu
rs
are
grap
hic
illust
ratio
ns o
f the
pow
erfu
l influ
ence
of
thes
e gl
acie
rs o
n th
e la
ndsc
ape
Dep
ositio
nal
land
form
s of
Ple
istoc
ene
glac
ial o
rigin
are
also
im
porta
nt e
spec
ially
in W
estla
nd w
est o
f the
Alp
ine
Faul
t Ch
rono
logi
cal s
eque
nces
of o
utw
ash
grav
els
and
mor
aine
ridg
es in
ele
gant
cur
ves
and
loop
s ou
tline
the
shap
es o
f bot
h fo
rmer
pie
dmon
t gla
ciers
and
Hol
ocen
e ldquop
ost-g
lacia
lrdquo va
lley
glac
iers
Them
e 9
Sou
th-w
est N
ew Z
eala
nd
is a
lso
an o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of th
e im
pact
of t
he P
leis
toce
ne e
poch
of
Earth
his
tory
Ice
-car
ved
land
form
s cr
eate
d by
thes
e lsquoIc
e Ag
ersquo g
laci
ers
dom
inat
e th
e m
ount
ain
land
s a
nd
are
espe
cial
ly w
ell-p
rese
rved
in th
e ha
rder
plu
toni
c ig
neou
s ro
cks
of
Fior
dlan
d G
laci
er-c
ut fi
ords
lak
es
deep
U-s
hape
d va
lleys
han
ging
va
lleys
cirq
ues
and
ice-
shor
n sp
urs
are
grap
hic
illust
ratio
ns o
f the
po
wer
ful i
nflue
nce
of th
ese
glac
iers
on
the
land
scap
e D
epos
ition
al la
ndfo
rms
of P
leis
toce
ne g
laci
al o
rigin
are
als
o im
porta
nt e
spec
ially
in W
estla
nd
wes
t of t
he A
lpin
e Fa
ult
Chro
nolo
gica
l se
quen
ces
of o
utw
ash
grav
els
and
m
orai
ne ri
dges
in e
lega
nt c
urve
s an
d lo
ops
out
line
the
shap
es o
f bo
th fo
rmer
pie
dmon
t gla
cier
s an
d Ho
loce
ne lsquop
ost-
glac
ialrsquo
valle
y gl
acie
rs
Them
e 1
2 T
he p
rogr
essi
ve b
reak
-up
of t
he s
outh
ern
supe
r-co
ntin
ent o
f Go
ndw
ana
is c
onsi
dere
d on
e of
the
mos
t im
porta
nt e
vent
s in
the
Earth
rsquos
evol
utio
nary
his
tory
New
Zea
land
rsquos
sepa
ratio
n be
fore
the
appe
aran
ce
of m
arsu
pial
s an
d ot
her m
amm
als
an
d its
long
isol
atio
n si
nce
wer
e ke
y fa
ctor
s en
ablin
g th
e su
rviva
l of
the
anci
ent G
ondw
anan
bio
ta o
n th
e is
land
s of
New
Zea
land
to a
gre
ater
de
gree
than
els
ewhe
re
1990
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lNe
w
Zeal
and
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
102 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 103
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Teid
e Na
tiona
l Pa
rk4
Teid
e Na
tiona
l Par
k is
an
exce
ptio
nal e
xam
ple
of a
rela
tivel
y ol
d s
low
mov
ing
geo
logi
cally
co
mpl
ex a
nd m
atur
e vo
lcan
ic s
yste
m I
t is
of g
loba
l im
porta
nce
in p
rovid
ing
dive
rse
evid
ence
of t
he
geol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
that
und
erpi
n th
e ev
olut
ion
of o
cean
ic is
land
s a
nd th
ese
valu
es c
ompl
emen
t th
ose
of e
xistin
g vo
lcan
ic p
rope
rties
on
the
Wor
ld
Herit
age
List
suc
h as
the
Haw
aii V
olca
noes
Na
tiona
l Par
k It
offe
rs a
dive
rse
and
acce
ssib
le
asse
mbl
age
of v
olca
nic
feat
ures
and
land
scap
es in
a
rela
tivel
y lim
ited
area
The
are
a is
a m
ajor
cen
tre
for i
nter
natio
nal r
esea
rch
with
a lo
ng h
isto
ry o
f in
fluen
ce o
n ge
olog
y an
d ge
omor
phol
ogy
espe
cial
ly th
roug
h th
e w
ork
of v
on H
umbo
ldt
von
Buch
and
Ly
ell
whi
ch h
as m
ade
Mou
nt T
eide
a s
igni
fican
t site
in
the
hist
ory
of v
olca
nolo
gy
Them
e 4
Tei
de N
atio
nal P
ark
feat
ures
th
e Te
ide-
Pico
Vie
jo s
trato
volc
ano
that
at
37
18 m
is
the
high
est p
eak
on
Span
ish
soil
Ris
ing
750
0 m
abo
ve
the
ocea
n flo
or i
t is
rega
rded
as
the
wor
ldrsquos
third
-tal
lest
vol
cani
c st
ruct
ure
and
stan
ds in
the
Las
Cana
das
cald
era
Tei
de is
of g
loba
l im
porta
nce
in p
rovid
ing
evid
ence
of t
he g
eolo
gica
l pr
oces
ses
that
und
erpi
n th
e ev
olut
ion
of o
cean
ic is
land
s
2007
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Spai
nEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
The
Dolo
mite
s3
1Th
e Do
lom
ites
are
of in
tern
atio
nal s
igni
fican
ce
for g
eom
orph
olog
y as
the
clas
sic
site
for t
he
deve
lopm
ent o
f mou
ntai
ns in
dol
omiti
c lim
esto
ne
The
area
pre
sent
s a
wid
e ra
nge
of la
ndfo
rms
rela
ted
to e
rosi
on t
ecto
nism
and
gla
ciat
ion
The
qu
antit
y an
d co
ncen
tratio
n of
ext
rem
ely
varie
d lim
esto
ne fo
rmat
ions
is e
xtra
ordi
nary
in a
glo
bal
cont
ext
incl
udin
g pe
aks
tow
ers
pin
nacl
es a
nd
som
e of
the
high
est v
ertic
al ro
ck w
alls
in th
e w
orld
Th
e ge
olog
ical
val
ues
are
also
of i
nter
natio
nal
sign
ifica
nce
not
ably
the
evid
ence
of M
esoz
oic
carb
onat
e pl
atfo
rms
or lsquo
foss
ilized
ato
llsrsquo
parti
cula
rly
in te
rms
of th
e ev
iden
ce th
ey p
rovid
e of
the
evol
utio
n of
the
bio-
cons
truct
ors
afte
r the
Per
mia
nTr
iass
ic b
ound
ary
and
the
pres
erva
tion
of th
e re
latio
nshi
ps b
etw
een
the
reef
s th
ey c
onst
ruct
ed
and
thei
r sur
roun
ding
bas
ins
The
Dol
omite
s al
so
incl
ude
seve
ral i
nter
natio
nally
impo
rtant
type
se
ctio
ns fo
r the
stra
tigra
phy
of th
e Tr
iass
ic P
erio
d
The
scie
ntifi
c va
lues
of t
he p
rope
rty a
re a
lso
supp
orte
d by
the
evid
ence
of a
long
his
tory
of s
tudy
an
d re
cogn
ition
at t
he in
tern
atio
nal l
evel
Tak
en
toge
ther
the
com
bina
tion
of g
eom
orph
olog
ical
an
d ge
olog
ical
val
ues
crea
tes
a pr
oper
ty o
f glo
bal
sign
ifica
nce
Them
e 3
Roc
k-co
ntro
lled
cliff
s an
d pl
atea
us w
ith a
dditi
onal
role
of
glac
iatio
n T
hem
e 1
The
Dol
omite
s co
ntai
n an
out
stan
ding
reco
rd o
f Tr
iass
ic re
ef s
yste
ms
and
thei
r bio
tas
2009
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Italy
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
104 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 105
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Thre
e Pa
ralle
l Ri
vers
of Y
unna
n Pr
otec
ted
Area
s
23
5Th
e pr
oper
ty is
of o
utst
andi
ng v
alue
for d
ispl
ayin
g th
e ge
olog
ical
his
tory
of t
he la
st 5
0 m
illion
yea
rs
asso
ciat
ed w
ith th
e co
llisio
n of
the
Indi
an P
late
with
th
e Eu
rasi
an P
late
the
clo
sure
of t
he a
ncie
nt T
ethy
s Se
a a
nd th
e up
liftin
g of
the
Him
alay
a Ra
nge
and
the
Tibe
tan
Plat
eau
The
se w
ere
maj
or g
eolo
gica
l ev
ents
in th
e ev
olut
ion
of th
e la
nd s
urfa
ce o
f Asi
a an
d th
ey a
re o
n-go
ing
The
dive
rse
rock
type
s w
ithin
th
e pr
oper
ty re
cord
this
his
tory
and
in
addi
tion
th
e ra
nge
of k
arst
gra
nite
mon
olith
and
Dan
xia
sand
ston
e la
ndfo
rms
in th
e al
pine
zon
e in
clud
e so
me
of th
e be
st o
f the
ir ty
pe in
the
mou
ntai
ns o
f th
e w
orld
Them
e 2
The
pro
perty
is o
f ou
tsta
ndin
g va
lue
for d
ispl
ayin
g th
e ge
olog
ical
his
tory
of t
he la
st 5
0 m
illion
ye
ars
asso
ciat
ed w
ith th
e co
llisio
n of
the
Indi
an P
late
with
the
Eura
sian
Pl
ate
the
clos
ure
of th
e an
cien
t Tet
hys
Sea
and
the
uplif
ting
of th
e Hi
mal
aya
Rang
e an
d th
e Ti
beta
n Pl
atea
u
Them
es 3
5 D
eepl
y ca
rved
val
leys
of
maj
or ri
vers
that
pas
s th
roug
h st
eep
gorg
es w
hich
in
plac
es a
re 3
000
m
deep
and
are
bor
dere
d by
gla
ciat
ed
peak
s m
ore
than
60
00 m
hig
h
2003
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lCh
ina
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Tong
ariro
Na
tiona
l Par
k4
No a
ppro
ved
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV B
asis
of
insc
riptio
n ar
e E
arth
rsquos E
volu
tiona
ry H
isto
ry -
The
pa
rk li
es a
t the
sou
th-w
este
rn te
rmin
us o
f a P
acifi
c ch
ain
of v
olca
noes
alig
ned
alon
g a
maj
or te
cton
ic
plat
e bo
unda
ry O
ngoi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es -
Th
e pa
rkrsquos
vol
cano
es c
onta
in a
com
plet
e ra
nge
of
volc
anic
feat
ures
Them
e 4
Ton
garir
o Na
tiona
l Par
k in
clud
es th
ree
activ
e vo
lcan
oes
w
hich
hav
e cu
ltura
l and
relig
ious
si
gnifi
canc
e fo
r the
Mao
ri pe
ople
and
sy
mbo
lize
the
spiri
tual
link
s be
twee
n th
is c
omm
unity
and
its
envir
onm
ent
1990
(199
3)(v
i)(vii
)(v
iii)M
ixed
New
Ze
alan
dAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
104 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 105
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Tran
g An
La
ndsc
ape
Com
plex
6Tr
ang
An is
a s
uper
b ge
olog
ical
pro
perty
that
di
spla
ys i
n a
glob
ally
exce
ptio
nal w
ay t
he fi
nal
stag
es o
f tow
er-k
arst
land
scap
e ev
olut
ion
in a
hu
mid
trop
ical
env
ironm
ent
Deep
dis
sect
ion
of
an u
plift
ed li
mes
tone
mas
sif o
ver a
per
iod
of fi
ve
milli
on y
ears
has
pro
duce
d a
serie
s of
cla
ssic
al
kars
t lan
dfor
ms
incl
udin
g co
nes
tow
ers
enc
lose
d de
pres
sion
s (c
ockp
its)
inte
rior-
drai
ning
val
leys
(p
olje
s) f
oot-
cave
s an
d su
bter
rane
an c
ave
pass
ages
de
cora
ted
with
spe
leot
hem
s T
he p
rese
nce
of
trans
ition
al fo
rms
betw
een
lsquofeng
cong
rsquo kar
st w
ith
ridge
s co
nnec
ting
tow
ers
and
lsquofen
glin
rsquo kar
st w
here
to
wer
s st
and
isol
ated
on
allu
vial p
lain
s is
an
extre
mel
y si
gnifi
cant
feat
ure
of th
e pr
oper
ty T
rang
An
is a
n un
usua
l aut
ogen
ic k
arst
sys
tem
bei
ng
rain
-fed
onl
y an
d hy
drol
ogic
ally
isol
ated
from
rive
rs
in th
e su
rroun
ding
terra
in F
orm
er in
unda
tion
by
the
sea
trans
form
ed th
e m
assi
f int
o an
arc
hipe
lago
fo
r som
e pe
riods
tho
ugh
it is
fully
em
erge
nt o
n la
nd to
day
Fluc
tuat
ions
of s
ea le
vel a
re e
viden
ced
by a
n al
titud
inal
ser
ies
of e
rosi
on n
otch
es in
clif
fs
with
ass
ocia
ted
cave
s w
ave-
cut p
latfo
rms
bea
ch
depo
sits
and
mar
ine
shel
l lay
ers
Them
e 6
Tow
er k
arst
in it
s en
d st
ages
nea
r sea
leve
l Nu
mer
ous
navig
able
foot
-cav
es a
nd e
xten
sive
sw
amp
notc
h an
d m
arin
e no
tch
deve
lopm
ent r
eflec
ting
sea
leve
l ch
ange
s
2014
(v)(v
ii)(v
iii)M
ixed
Viet
Nam
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
106 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 107
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Ulu ṟ
u-Ka
ta T
juṯa
Na
tiona
l Par
k
3No
cur
rent
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV b
ut
the
follo
win
g te
xt re
late
d to
crit
erio
n (v
iii) h
as b
een
deve
lope
d pr
evio
usly
as a
dra
ft th
at w
ill lik
ely
be
cons
ider
ed in
the
futu
re b
ased
on
the
date
of
insc
riptio
n T
he in
selb
ergs
(ste
ep-s
ided
isol
ated
hi
lls ri
sing
abr
uptly
from
the
Earth
) of U
luṟu
and
Kata
Tju
ṯa ar
e ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
es o
f tec
toni
c
geoc
hem
ical
and
geo
mor
phic
pro
cess
es U
luṟu
and
Kata
Tju
ṯa ar
e st
rikin
g ex
ampl
es o
f geo
logi
cal a
nd
eros
iona
l pro
cess
es o
ver t
ime
and
they
refle
ct th
e ag
e a
nd re
lativ
ely
stab
le n
atur
e o
f the
Aus
tralia
n co
ntin
ent
Such
sta
bilit
y at
the
cont
inen
tal l
evel
is
glo
bally
rare
The
geo
logy
of U
luṟu
and
Kata
Tj
u ṯa d
emon
stra
te o
ngoi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es
of re
mar
kabl
e in
tere
st T
he s
ides
of U
luṟu
are
mar
ked
by a
num
ber o
f unu
sual
feat
ures
whi
ch
can
be a
scrib
ed to
diff
erin
g pr
oces
ses
of e
rosi
on
For e
xam
ple
the
feat
ure
know
n as
nga
ltaw
ata
a
cere
mon
ial p
ole
asso
ciat
ed w
ith M
ala
Tjuk
urpa
is
asc
ribed
to s
heet
ing
of m
assi
ve ro
ck p
aral
lel t
o th
e ex
istin
g su
rface
Dur
ing
rain
per
iods
the
runo
ff fro
m U
luṟu
casc
ades
dow
n th
e fis
sure
s fo
rmin
g w
ater
falls
som
e up
to 1
00 m
etre
s hi
gh C
aves
at
the
base
of U
luṟu
are
form
ed b
y a
wid
espr
ead
arid
zo
ne p
roce
ss o
f gra
nula
r dis
inte
grat
ion
know
n as
ca
vern
ous
wea
ther
ing
Them
e 3
Thi
s pa
rk fe
atur
es
inse
lber
gs o
f san
dsto
ne (U
luṟu)
and
co
nglo
mer
ate
(Kat
a Tj
u ṯa) t
hat r
ise
spec
tact
acul
arly
abov
e th
e va
st re
d sa
ndy
plai
n of
cen
tral A
ustra
lia
1987
(199
4)(v
)(vi)(
vii)
(viii)
Mixe
dAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Valleacute
e de
Mai
Na
ture
Res
erve
1Sh
aped
by
geol
ogic
al a
nd b
iolo
gica
l pro
cess
es
that
took
pla
ce m
illion
s of
yea
rs a
go t
he p
rope
rty
is a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
an
earli
er a
nd m
ajor
st
age
in th
e ev
olut
iona
ry h
isto
ry o
f the
wor
ldrsquos
flo
ra I
ts e
colo
gy is
dom
inat
ed b
y en
dem
ic p
alm
s
and
espe
cial
ly by
the
coco
-de-
mer
fam
ous
for i
ts
dist
inct
ively
larg
e do
uble
nut
con
tain
ing
the
larg
est
seed
in th
e pl
ant k
ingd
om T
he V
alleacute
e de
Mai
co
nstit
utes
a li
ving
labo
rato
ry i
llust
ratin
g of
wha
t ot
her t
ropi
cal a
reas
wou
ld h
ave
been
bef
ore
the
adve
nt o
f mor
e ad
vanc
ed p
lant
fam
ilies
Them
e 1
Sta
ted
to c
onst
itute
a li
ving
labo
rato
ry i
llust
ratin
g of
wha
t oth
er
tropi
cal a
reas
wou
ld h
ave
been
bef
ore
the
adve
nt o
f mor
e ad
vanc
ed p
lant
fa
milie
s
1983
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lSe
y-ch
elle
sAf
rica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
106 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 107
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Vatn
ajoumlk
ull
Natio
nal P
ark
- Dy
nam
ic N
atur
e of
Fire
and
Ice
4 9
The
coex
isten
ce a
nd o
ngoi
ng in
tera
ctio
n of
an
activ
e oc
eani
c rif
t on
land
a m
antle
plu
me
the
atm
osph
ere
and
an ic
e ca
p w
hich
has
var
ied
in s
ize a
nd e
xten
t ov
er th
e pa
st 2
8 m
illion
yea
rs m
ake
the
prop
erty
un
ique
in a
glo
bal c
onte
xt E
arth
sys
tem
inte
ract
ions
ar
e co
nsta
ntly
build
ing
and
resh
apin
g th
e pr
oper
ty
crea
ting
rem
arka
bly
dive
rse
land
scap
es a
nd a
w
ide
varie
ty o
f tec
toni
c v
olca
nic
and
glac
iovo
lcan
ic
feat
ures
Esp
ecia
lly in
tere
stin
g an
d un
ique
in th
is re
gard
are
the
basa
ltic
lava
shi
elds
(Ice
land
shi
elds
) vo
lcan
ic fi
ssur
es a
nd c
one
row
s v
ast fl
ood
lava
s
and
feat
ures
of i
ce d
omin
ant g
laci
o-vo
lcan
ism s
uch
as tu
yas
and
tinda
r In
tere
stin
gly
the
wel
l exp
osed
vo
lcan
ic fe
atur
es o
f the
pro
perty
hav
e be
en u
sed
as a
nalo
gues
for s
imila
r fea
ture
s on
the
plan
et
Mar
s G
eoth
erm
al h
eat a
nd s
ubgl
acia
l eru
ptio
ns
prod
uce
mel
twat
er a
nd jouml
kulh
laup
s th
at m
aint
ain
glob
ally
uniq
ue s
andu
r pla
ins
to th
e no
rth a
nd
sout
h of
the
Vatn
ajoumlk
ull i
ce c
ap a
s w
ell a
s ra
pidl
y ev
olvin
g ca
nyon
s In
add
ition
the
pro
perty
con
tain
s a
dyna
mic
arra
y of
gla
cial
- and
geo
mor
phol
ogic
al
feat
ures
cre
ated
by
expa
ndin
g or
retre
atin
g gl
acie
rs
resp
ondi
ng to
cha
nges
in c
limat
e T
hese
feat
ures
ca
n be
eas
ily a
cces
sed
and
expl
ored
at t
he s
nout
s of
Va
tnaj
oumlkul
lrsquos m
any
outle
t gla
cier
s an
d th
eir f
orel
ands
es
peci
ally
in th
e so
uthe
rn lo
wla
nds
mak
ing
the
prop
erty
a fl
agsh
ip g
laci
al re
sear
ch lo
catio
n
Them
e 4
9 T
his
is a
n ic
onic
vo
lcan
ic re
gion
that
als
o fe
atur
es th
e co
ntin
enta
l drif
ting
curre
ntly
activ
e in
this
par
t of A
tlant
ic O
cean
with
te
n ce
ntra
l vol
cano
es e
ight
of w
hich
ar
e su
bgla
cial
Tw
o of
thes
e ar
e am
ong
the
mos
t act
ive in
Icel
and
The
in
tera
ctio
n be
twee
n vo
lcan
oes
and
the
rifts
that
und
erlie
the
Vatn
ajoumlk
ull
ice
cap
take
s m
any
form
s th
e m
ost
spec
tacu
lar o
f whi
ch is
the
joumlku
lhla
up
ndash a
sudd
en fl
ood
caus
ed b
y th
e br
each
of t
he m
argi
n of
a g
laci
er
durin
g an
eru
ptio
n
2019
(viii)
Natu
ral
Icel
and
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
108 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 109
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Viru
nga
Natio
nal
Park
4Vi
rung
a Na
tiona
l Par
k is
loca
ted
in th
e ce
ntre
of t
he
Albe
rtine
Rift
of t
he G
reat
Rift
Val
ley
In th
e so
uthe
rn
part
of th
e pa
rk t
ecto
nic
activ
ity d
ue to
the
exte
nsio
n of
the
Earth
rsquos cr
ust i
n th
is re
gion
has
cau
sed
the
emer
genc
e of
the
Viru
nga
mas
sif c
ompr
ising
eig
ht
volc
anoe
s s
even
of w
hich
are
loca
ted
tota
lly o
r pa
rtial
ly in
the
park
Am
ong
them
are
the
two
mos
t ac
tive
volc
anoe
s of
Afri
ca ndash
Nya
mur
agira
and
nea
rby
Nyira
gong
o ndash
whi
ch b
etw
een
them
are
resp
onsib
le
for t
wo-
fifth
s of
the
hist
oric
vol
cani
c er
uptio
ns o
n th
e Af
rican
con
tinen
t and
whi
ch a
re c
hara
cter
ized
by th
e ex
trem
e flu
idity
of t
he a
lkal
ine
lava
The
act
ivity
of
Nyira
gong
o is
of w
orld
impo
rtanc
e as
a w
itnes
s to
vo
lcan
ism o
f a la
va la
ke t
he b
otto
m o
f its
cra
ter i
s in
fact
fille
d by
a la
ke o
f qua
si pe
rman
ent l
ava
that
em
ptie
s pe
riodi
cally
with
cat
astro
phic
con
sequ
ence
s fo
r the
loca
l com
mun
ities
The
nor
ther
n se
ctor
of
the
park
incl
udes
abo
ut 2
0 o
f the
mas
sif o
f Mon
ts
Rwen
zori
ndash th
e la
rges
t gla
cial
regi
on o
f Afri
ca a
nd
the
only
true
alpi
ne m
ount
ain
chai
n of
the
cont
inen
t It
bord
ers
the
Rwen
zori
Mou
ntai
ns N
atio
nal P
ark
of
Ugan
da i
nscr
ibed
as
Wor
ld H
erita
ge w
ith w
hich
it
shar
es th
e lsquoP
ic M
argu
erite
rsquo th
ird h
ighe
st s
umm
it of
Af
rica
(51
09 m
)
Them
e 4
The
Viru
nga
mas
sif
com
pris
es e
ight
vol
cano
es s
even
of
whi
ch a
re lo
cate
d to
tally
or
parti
ally
in th
e pa
rk A
mon
g th
em
are
the
two
mos
t act
ive v
olca
noes
of
Afri
ca ndash
Nya
mur
agira
and
nea
rby
Nyira
gong
o ndash
whi
ch b
etw
een
them
ar
e re
spon
sibl
e fo
r tw
o-fif
ths
of th
e hi
stor
ic v
olca
nic
erup
tions
on
the
Afric
an c
ontin
ent a
nd w
hich
are
ch
arac
teriz
ed b
y th
e ex
trem
e flu
idity
of
the
alka
line
lava
The
act
ivity
of
Nyira
gong
o is
of w
orld
impo
rtanc
e as
a w
itnes
s to
vol
cani
sm o
f a la
va
lake
the
bot
tom
of i
ts c
rate
r is
in fa
ct
fille
d by
a la
ke o
f qua
si p
erm
anen
t la
va th
at e
mpt
ies
perio
dica
lly w
ith
cata
stro
phic
con
sequ
ence
s fo
r the
lo
cal c
omm
uniti
es
1979
(vii)
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Dem
-oc
ratic
Re
publ
ic
of th
e Co
ngo
Afric
a
Volc
anoe
s of
Ka
mch
atka
4Th
e ad
ditio
n of
Klu
chev
skoy
Nat
ure
Park
as
the
sixt
h co
mpo
nent
of t
he p
rope
rty fu
rther
add
s to
the
over
all c
over
age
of th
e ra
nge
of K
amch
atka
rsquos n
atur
al
feat
ures
The
add
ition
to th
e si
te c
lear
ly m
eets
cr
iterio
n (v
iii) in
its
own
right
as
an o
utst
andi
ng
exam
ple
of g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es a
nd la
ndfo
rms
and
ther
efor
e co
ntrib
utes
in a
ver
y si
gnifi
cant
way
to th
e ex
pand
ed p
rope
rty a
s a
who
le m
eetin
g cr
iterio
n (v
iii)
Them
e 4
One
of t
he m
ost
outs
tand
ing
volc
anic
regi
ons
in th
e w
orld
with
a h
igh
dens
ity o
f act
ive
volc
anoe
s a
var
iety
of t
ypes
and
a
wid
e ra
nge
of re
late
d fe
atur
es T
he s
ix si
tes
incl
uded
in th
e se
rial p
rope
rty
grou
p to
geth
er th
e m
ajor
ity o
f vol
cani
c fe
atur
es o
f the
Kam
chat
ka p
enin
sula
Th
e in
terp
lay
of a
ctive
vol
cano
es a
nd
glac
iers
form
s a
dyna
mic
land
scap
e of
gr
eat b
eaut
y
1996
(200
1)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Russ
ian
Fede
ra-
tion
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
108 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 109
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Vred
efor
t Dom
e11
Vred
efor
t Dom
e is
the
olde
st l
arge
st a
nd m
ost
deep
ly er
oded
com
plex
met
eorit
e im
pact
stru
ctur
e in
th
e w
orld
It i
s th
e si
te o
f the
wor
ldrsquos
gre
ates
t sin
gle
kn
own
ener
gy re
leas
e ev
ent
It co
ntai
ns h
igh
qual
ity
and
acce
ssib
le g
eolo
gica
l (ou
tcro
p) s
ites
whi
ch
dem
onst
rate
a ra
nge
of g
eolo
gica
l evid
ence
s of
a
com
plex
met
eorit
e im
pact
stru
ctur
e T
he ru
ral a
nd
natu
ral l
ands
cape
s of
the
seria
l pro
perty
hel
p po
rtray
th
e m
agni
tude
of t
he ri
ng s
truct
ures
resu
lting
from
th
e im
pact
The
ser
ial p
rope
rty is
con
side
red
to b
e a
repr
esen
tativ
e sa
mpl
e of
a c
ompl
ex m
eteo
rite
impa
ct s
truct
ure
A c
ompr
ehen
sive
com
para
tive
anal
ysis
with
oth
er c
ompl
ex m
eteo
rite
impa
ct
stru
ctur
es d
emon
stra
ted
that
it is
the
only
exam
ple
on E
arth
pro
vidin
g a
full
geol
ogic
al p
rofil
e of
an
astro
blem
e be
low
the
crat
er fl
oor
ther
eby
enab
ling
rese
arch
into
the
gene
sis
and
deve
lopm
ent o
f an
astro
blem
e im
med
iate
ly po
st im
pact
Them
e 11
The
old
est
larg
est
and
mos
t dee
ply
erod
ed c
ompl
ex
met
eorit
e im
pact
stru
ctur
e in
the
wor
ld T
he s
ite o
f the
wor
ldrsquos
gre
ates
t si
ngle
kno
wn
ener
gy re
leas
e ev
ent
2005
(viii)
Natu
ral
Sout
h Af
rica
Afric
a
Wad
den
Sea
7Th
e W
adde
n Se
a is
a d
epos
ition
al c
oast
line
of
unpa
ralle
led
scal
e an
d di
vers
ity I
t is
dist
inct
ive in
be
ing
alm
ost e
ntire
ly a
tidal
flat
and
bar
rier s
yste
m
with
onl
y m
inor
rive
r infl
uenc
es a
nd a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
the
larg
e-sc
ale
deve
lopm
ent o
f an
intri
cate
and
com
plex
tem
pera
te-c
limat
e sa
ndy
barri
er c
oast
und
er c
ondi
tions
of r
isin
g se
a-le
vel
High
ly dy
nam
ic n
atur
al p
roce
sses
are
uni
nter
rupt
ed
acro
ss th
e va
st m
ajor
ity o
f the
pro
perty
cre
atin
g a
varie
ty o
f diff
eren
t bar
rier i
slan
ds c
hann
els
fla
ts g
ullie
s s
altm
arsh
es a
nd o
ther
coa
stal
and
se
dim
enta
ry fe
atur
es
Them
e 7
The
larg
est u
nbro
ken
syst
em o
f int
ertid
al s
and
and
mud
fla
ts in
the
wor
ld
2009
(201
4)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Denm
ark
Ge
rman
y Ne
ther
-la
nds
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Wad
i Al-H
itan
(Wha
le V
alle
y)1
Wad
i Al-H
itan
is th
e m
ost i
mpo
rtant
site
in th
e w
orld
to
dem
onst
rate
one
of t
he ic
onic
cha
nges
that
mak
e up
the
reco
rd o
f life
on
Earth
the
evo
lutio
n of
the
wha
les
It p
ortra
ys v
ividl
y th
eir f
orm
and
mod
e of
life
du
ring
thei
r tra
nsiti
on fr
om la
nd a
nim
als
to a
mar
ine
exis
tenc
e It
exc
eeds
the
valu
es o
f oth
er c
ompa
rabl
e si
tes
in te
rms
of th
e nu
mbe
r co
ncen
tratio
n an
d qu
ality
of i
ts fo
ssils
and
thei
r acc
essi
bilit
y an
d se
tting
in a
n at
tract
ive a
nd p
rote
cted
land
scap
e
Them
e 1
Wad
i Al-H
itan
is th
e m
ost i
mpo
rtant
site
in th
e w
orld
to
dem
onst
rate
one
of t
he ic
onic
ch
ange
s th
at m
ake
up th
e re
cord
of
life
on
Earth
the
evo
lutio
n of
the
wha
les
durin
g th
eir t
rans
ition
from
la
nd a
nim
als
to a
mar
ine
exis
tenc
e
2005
(viii)
Natu
ral
Egyp
tAr
ab
Stat
es
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
110 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 111
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Wes
t Nor
weg
ian
Fjor
ds ndash
Ge
irang
erfjo
rd
and
Naeligroslash
yfjo
rd
9Th
e W
est N
orw
egia
n Fj
ords
are
cla
ssic
sup
erbl
y de
velo
ped
fjord
s c
onsi
dere
d as
the
type
loca
lity
for
fjord
land
scap
es in
the
wor
ld T
hey
are
com
para
ble
in s
cale
and
qua
lity
to o
ther
exis
ting
fjord
s on
the
Wor
ld H
erita
ge L
ist a
nd a
re d
istin
guis
hed
by th
e cl
imat
e an
d ge
olog
ical
set
ting
The
pro
perty
dis
play
s a
full
rang
e of
the
inne
r seg
men
ts o
f tw
o of
the
wor
ldrsquos
long
est a
nd d
eepe
st fj
ords
and
pro
vides
w
ell-d
evel
oped
exa
mpl
es o
f you
ng a
ctive
gla
ciat
ion
durin
g th
e Pl
eist
ocen
e ic
e ag
e T
he ic
e- a
nd w
ave-
polis
hed
surfa
ces
of th
e st
eep
fjord
sid
es p
rovid
e su
perb
ly ex
pose
d an
d co
ntin
uous
thre
e-di
men
sion
al
sect
ions
thro
ugh
the
bedr
ock
The
reco
rd o
f the
po
stgl
acia
l iso
stat
ic re
boun
d of
the
crus
t and
its
geom
orph
ic e
xpre
ssio
n in
the
fjord
land
scap
e ar
e si
gnifi
cant
and
repr
esen
t key
are
as fo
r the
sc
ient
ific
stud
y of
slo
pe in
stab
ility
and
the
resu
lting
ge
ohaz
ards
Them
e 9
The
pro
perty
dis
play
s a
full
rang
e of
the
inne
r seg
men
ts o
f tw
o of
the
wor
ldrsquos
long
est a
nd d
eepe
st
fjord
s a
nd p
rovid
es w
ell-d
evel
oped
ex
ampl
es o
f you
ng a
ctive
gla
ciat
ion
durin
g th
e Pl
eist
ocen
e ic
e ag
e T
he
ice-
and
wav
e-po
lishe
d su
rface
s of
th
e st
eep
fjord
sid
es p
rovid
e su
perb
ly ex
pose
d an
d co
ntin
uous
thre
e-di
men
sion
al s
ectio
ns th
roug
h th
e be
droc
k T
he re
cord
of t
he p
ostg
laci
al
isos
tatic
rebo
und
of th
e cr
ust a
nd
its g
eom
orph
ic e
xpre
ssio
n in
the
fjord
land
scap
e ar
e si
gnifi
cant
and
re
pres
ent k
ey a
reas
for t
he s
cien
tific
stud
y of
slo
pe in
stab
ility
and
the
resu
lting
geo
haza
rds
2005
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Norw
ayEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Wet
Tro
pics
of
Quee
nsla
nd1
The
Wet
Tro
pics
con
tain
s on
e of
the
mos
t com
plet
e an
d di
vers
e liv
ing
reco
rds
of th
e m
ajor
sta
ges
in
the
evol
utio
n of
land
pla
nts
from
the
very
firs
t pt
erid
ophy
tes
mor
e th
an 2
00 m
illion
yea
rs a
go to
th
e ev
olut
ion
of s
eed-
prod
ucin
g pl
ants
incl
udin
g th
e co
ne-b
earin
g cy
cads
and
sou
ther
n co
nife
rs
(gym
nosp
erm
s) f
ollo
wed
by
the
flow
erin
g pl
ants
(a
ngio
sper
ms)
As
the
Wet
Tro
pics
is th
e la
rges
t par
t of
the
entir
e Au
stra
lasi
an re
gion
whe
re ra
info
rest
s ha
ve p
ersi
sted
con
tinuo
usly
sinc
e Go
ndw
anan
tim
es i
ts li
ving
flora
with
the
high
est c
once
ntra
tion
of p
rimiti
ve a
rcha
ic a
nd re
lict t
axa
know
n is
the
clos
est m
oder
n-da
y co
unte
rpar
t for
Gon
dwan
an
fore
sts
In a
dditi
on a
ll of
Aus
tralia
rsquos u
niqu
e m
arsu
pial
s an
d m
ost o
f its
oth
er a
nim
als
orig
inat
ed
in ra
info
rest
eco
syst
ems
and
the
Wet
Tro
pics
stil
l co
ntai
ns m
any
of th
eir c
lose
st s
urviv
ing
mem
bers
Th
is m
akes
it o
ne o
f the
mos
t im
porta
nt li
ving
reco
rds
of th
e hi
stor
y of
mar
supi
als
as
wel
l as
of
song
bird
s
Them
e 1
The
livin
g pl
ants
in th
is
prop
erty
are
sta
ted
to re
pres
ent
lsquomaj
or s
tage
s in
the
evol
utio
n of
land
pl
ants
fro
m th
e ve
ry fi
rst l
and
plan
ts
to h
ighe
r pla
nts
(Gym
nosp
erm
s an
d An
gios
perm
s)rsquo
1988
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
110 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 111
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Will
andr
a La
kes
Regi
on5
1Th
e Au
stra
lian
geol
ogica
l env
ironm
ent
with
its
low
to
pogr
aphi
c re
lief a
nd lo
w e
nerg
y sy
stem
s is
uniq
ue
in th
e lo
ngev
ity o
f the
land
scap
es it
pre
serv
es a
nd
the
Willa
ndra
Lak
es p
rovid
es a
n ex
cept
iona
l win
dow
in
to c
limat
ic an
d re
late
d en
viron
men
tal c
hang
es o
ver
the
last
100
000
yea
rs T
he W
illand
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akes
lar
gely
unm
odifi
ed s
ince
they
drie
d ou
t som
e 18
500
yea
rs
BP p
rovid
e ex
celle
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ondi
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ecor
ding
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istoc
ene
Epoc
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nd d
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te h
ow
non-
glac
iate
d zo
nes
resp
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maj
or g
lacia
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l fluc
tuat
ions
Th
e de
mon
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at th
is pr
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ty o
f the
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rcon
nect
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betw
een
land
form
s an
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doge
nesis
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chem
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atol
ogy
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ing
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gy
and
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al e
xtin
ctio
n re
pres
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a c
lass
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ndm
ark
in
Plei
stoc
ene
rese
arch
in th
e Au
stra
lasia
n ar
ea W
illand
ra
Lake
s Re
gion
is a
lso o
f exc
eptio
nal im
porta
nce
for
inve
stig
atin
g th
e pe
riod
whe
n hu
man
s be
cam
e do
min
ant i
n Au
stra
lia a
nd th
e la
rge
spec
ies
of w
ildlife
be
cam
e ex
tinct
and
rese
arch
con
tinue
s to
elu
cidat
e w
hat r
ole
hum
ans
play
ed in
thes
e ev
ents
Them
e 5
1 W
illand
ra L
akes
pro
vides
an
exc
eptio
nal w
indo
w in
to c
limat
ic
and
rela
ted
envir
onm
enta
l cha
nges
ov
er th
e la
st 1
000
00 y
ears
a p
erio
d of
maj
or c
limat
ic c
hang
es w
hen
hum
ans
beca
me
dom
inan
t in
Aust
ralia
an
d la
rge
spec
ies
of w
ildlif
e be
cam
e ex
tinct
1981
(iii)(
viii)
Mixe
dAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Yello
wst
one
Natio
nal P
ark
4Ye
llow
ston
e is
one
of t
he w
orld
rsquos fo
rem
ost s
ites
for t
he s
tudy
and
app
reci
atio
n of
the
evol
utio
nary
hi
stor
y of
the
Earth
The
par
k ha
s a
glob
ally
unpa
ralle
led
asse
mbl
age
of s
urfic
ial g
eoth
erm
al
activ
ity t
hous
ands
of h
ot s
prin
gs m
udpo
ts a
nd
fum
arol
es a
nd m
ore
than
hal
f of t
he w
orld
rsquos a
ctive
ge
yser
s N
early
150
spe
cies
of f
ossi
l pla
nts
rang
ing
from
sm
all f
erns
and
rush
es u
p to
larg
e Se
quoi
a an
d m
any
othe
r tre
e sp
ecie
s h
ave
been
iden
tified
in th
e pa
rkrsquos
abu
ndan
t fos
sil d
epos
its T
he w
orld
rsquos la
rges
t re
cogn
ized
cald
era
(45
km b
y 75
km
ndash 2
7 m
iles
by
45 m
iles)
is c
onta
ined
with
in th
e pa
rk
Them
e 4
Yel
low
ston
e Na
tiona
l Pa
rk is
the
wor
ldrsquos
firs
t nat
iona
l pa
rk s
et a
side
to p
rese
rve
a w
ide
varie
ty o
f you
ng v
olca
nic
and
rela
ted
hydr
othe
rmal
feat
ures
Yel
low
ston
e co
ntai
ns h
alf o
f all
the
wor
ldrsquos
kno
wn
geot
herm
al fe
atur
es w
ith m
ore
than
10
000
exam
ples
It a
lso
has
the
wor
ldrsquos
larg
est c
once
ntra
tion
of
geys
ers
(mor
e th
an 3
00 g
eyse
rs o
r tw
o th
irds
of a
ll th
ose
on th
e pl
anet
)
1978
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Yose
mite
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk9
Glac
ial a
ctio
n co
mbi
ned
with
the
gran
itic
bedr
ock
has
prod
uced
uni
que
and
pron
ounc
ed la
ndfo
rm
feat
ures
incl
udin
g di
stin
ctive
pol
ishe
d do
me
stru
ctur
es a
s w
ell a
s ha
ngin
g va
lleys
tar
ns
mor
aine
s an
d U-
shap
ed v
alle
ys G
rani
tic la
ndfo
rms
such
as
Half
Dom
e an
d th
e ve
rtica
l wal
ls o
f El
Capi
tan
are
clas
sic
dist
inct
ive re
flect
ions
of g
eolo
gic
hist
ory
No o
ther
are
a po
rtray
s th
e ef
fect
s of
gl
acia
tion
on u
nder
lying
gra
nitic
dom
es a
s w
ell a
s Yo
sem
ite d
oes
Them
e 9
Gla
cial
act
ion
com
bine
d w
ith th
e gr
aniti
c be
droc
k ha
s pr
oduc
ed u
niqu
e an
d pr
onou
nced
la
ndfo
rm fe
atur
es in
clud
ing
dist
inct
ive
polis
hed
dom
e st
ruct
ures
as
wel
l as
hang
ing
valle
ys t
arns
mor
aine
s an
d U-
shap
ed v
alle
ys
1984
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
112 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
From Wells 1996 p 40-41
Annex 2 Contextual framework for World Heritage fossil propertiesContextual framework for World Heritage Fossil Sites 40
Summary Recommendations
RECOMMENDATION 1Choose sites that contain well-preserved fossil accumulations of high species diversity which in combination best document the story of community and environmental change through time
RECOMMENDATION 2The events to be represented in the history of life should where possible encompass the iconography of a tree of life not a ladder of progress
RECOMMENDATION 3Choose fossil Lagerstatten and make provision for expanding the List or substituting sitesfossils to better tell any chapter of the story
RECOMMENDATION 4Separate Precambrian history from Phanerozoic history (the roots from the upper branches of the evolutionary tree respectively) Present Precambrian history as major events such as the origin of life multicellularity etc andPresent Phanerozoic history in terms of communities andor stages in the evolution of major groups
Contextual framework for World Heritage Fossil Sites 41
RECOMMENDATION 5All published Precambrian fossil sites should be reviewed by anexpert panel to select those worthy of evaluation for Heritagelisting This may be best achieved through a panel drawn fromthe international palaeontological societies
RECOMMENDATION 6Phanerozoic sites should be chosen so as to be representative in timeand space of both community structure and selected phylogeneticlineages
RECOMMENDATION 7Any fossil Lagerstatten chosen from the Phanerozoic shouldwherever possible be of high diversity and include significantinvertebrate as well as vertebrate assemblages
RECOMMENDATION 8A condition for granting World Heritage status should makeprovision for curation study and display of any sitefossils
RECOMMENDATION 9Specialists in the major Phanerozoic groups and time periodsshould be consulted to refine and update the indicative list Thismay be best achieved through a panel drawn from theinternational palaeontological societies
Footnote Fossil Lagerstatten A term used by the German palaeontologistAdolf Seilacher to describe exceptionally rich fossil deposits He dividedsuch deposits into two categories (i) Conservation Lagerstatten which aredeposits yielding fossils of exceptional preservation which are notnecessarily abundant (ii) Concentration Lagerstatten yielding highnumbers of fossils The two categories are not necessarily mutuallyexclusive and some sites contain both high numbers and high quality offossils
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 113
From Preparing World Heritage Nominations UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2011 p 42)
Annex 3 IUCN fossil site evaluation checklist
IUCN has undertaken a global thematic study on geological World Heritage (Dingwall et al2005) The study provides further guidance on this criterion and enables further considera-tion of the scope of the World Heritage List in relation to thirteen different thematic groupsof geological properties
EXAMPLE
Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) (Egypt)
Wadi Al-Hitan Whale Valley in the Western Desert ofEgypt contains invaluable fossil remains of the earliestand now extinct suborder of whales ArchaeocetiThese fossils represent one of the major stories of evo-lution the emergence of the whale as an ocean-goingmammal from a previous life as a land-based animalThis is the most important site in the world for thedemonstration of this stage of evolution It portrays
Co
nt
en
ts
Prep
arin
g W
orld
Her
itag
e N
omin
atio
ns bull
Sec
ond
edit
ion
201
1
42
World Heritage background1
copy U
NES
CO
V
eacuteron
ique
Dau
ge
IUCN fossil site evaluation checklist
1 Does the site provide fossils which cover an extended period of geological time ie how wide is the geological window
2 Does the site provide specimens of a limited number of species or whole biotic assemblages ie how rich is the species diversity
3 How unique is the site in yielding fossil specimens for that particular period of geologicaltime ie would this be the rsquotype localityrsquo for study or are there similar areas that are alternatives
4 Are there comparable sites elsewhere that contribute to the understanding of the totalrsquostoryrsquo of that point in timespace ie is a single site nomination sufficient or should a serial nomination be considered
5 Is the site the only main location where major scientific advances were (or are) beingmade that have made a substantial contribution to the understanding of life on Earth
6 What are the prospects for ongoing discoveries at the site
7 How international is the level of interest in the site
8 Are there other features of natural value (eg scenery landform vegetation) associatedwith the site ie does there exist within the adjacent area modern geological or biological processes that relate to the fossil resource
9 What is the state of preservation of specimens yielded from the site
10 Do the fossils yielded provide an understanding of the conservation status of contemporary taxa andor communities ie how relevant is the site in documenting the consequences to modern biota of gradual change through time
Source Wells (1996)
114 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
With permission from Goldscheider et al (2020) red triangles on Figure 18 depicting the locations of World Heritage Properties with karst OUV their numbers referring to the list of World Heritage karst sites
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
5 Australia Purnululu 2003 viiviii Outstanding example of quartz sand-stone fluviokarst with beehive-shaped hills separated by narrow sinuous gorg-es Developed on rocks of Devonian age
Tropical savannah re-gime
9 Canada Nahanni Nation-al Park
1978 viiviii Worldrsquos foremost example of karst development in cold climate condi-tions Contains a spectacular karst landscape including poljes caves and gorges and hot spring with large tufa mound Landscape is subject to active frost processes
Cold continental climate with wide monthly vari-ations in temperature and precipitation Alpine tundra and mountainous taiga environments with discontinuous perma-frost Rich diversity of vegetation and wildlife
10 Canada Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
1984 (1990)
viiviii Includes large areas of limestones and dolomites Outstanding example of glaciokarst terrain Many karren sub-terranean streams springs and caves Columbia Icefield partly overlies and intrudes Castleguard Cave
Located across conti-nental divide between 1036 m to 3954 m Continental cool temper-ate alpine climate with mountain permafrost Rich diversity of vegeta-tion and wildlife
11 China Huanglong 1992 vii Hot springs emerging from carbon-ate rocks have precipitated extensive calcareous travertine deposits along valley floor with numerous rimstone pools Represents depositional output landforms of deeply circulating karst groundwater system
Warm temperate con-tinental alpine environ-ment Forested valleys surrounded by moun-tains to 5000 m
12 China Jiuzhaigou Valley
1992 vii Extensive areas of limestone and do-lomite Carbonate tufa deposits from cold springs have formed a series of tufa-dammed lakes and tufa-coated cascades along valley floor Represents depositional output landforms of shal-low karst groundwater system with significant epikarst water contribution
Warm temperate con-tinental alpine environ-ment Forested valleys surrounded by moun-tains to 4800 m
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 115
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
13 China Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area
1992 vii A mixed quartz sandstone (66) and limestone (33) area most notable for 3100 sandstone pillars and peaks to 200 m high separated by ravines and gorges Limestone part contains about 40 known caves with rich decoration and two natural bridges one of which is 357m high Includes entire Suoxi karst catchment Particularly outstand-ing for its spectacular sandstone fluvio-karst relief
Humid warm temperate climate with deciduous forest Altitude range 450 m to 1264 m
15 China South China Karst
2007 (2014)
vii viii Seven sites of a serial nomination that represent karst evolution in southern China Shilin comprises stone forests on a rolling plateau in Yunnan Jinfos-han is an isolated high plateau with huge horizontal caves suspended above deep surrounding valleys Wu-long is plateau karst with spectacular tiankeng natural bridges deep caves and gorges Shibing illustrates unusual cone karst development in dolomite bedrock Libo has extensive forested cone karst (fengcong and fenglin) poljes gorges and caves with Huanji-ang being an extension of the protect-ed area Guilin shows the culmination of subtropical karst development with spectacular cones and towers beside the River Li These areas provide type-sites for their principal karst features
Continental humid sub-tropical plateau (Shilin Jinfoshan Wulong) to subtropical monsoonal (Shibing Libo Huanji-ang Guilin) Extensive natural forest cover at Libo-Huanjiang
16 Croatia Plitvice Lakes National Park
1979 (2000)
viiviii ix International type-site for tufa-dammed lakes Carbonate biolith barriers confine 16 lakes up to 08 km2 in area and up to 46 m deep Mixed limestone and dolomitic limestone catchment area
Continental humid warm temperate Mixed co-niferous and deciduous forested catchment
22 France Spain
Pyreacuteneacutees - Mont Perdu
1997 (1999)
iii iv v vii viii
Outstanding example of alpine glaci-ated karst to 3352 m with extensive karrenfeld deep canyons deep caves and subterranean river systems Incor-porates complete karst systems
Humid maritime alpine climate to north and drier Mediterranean climate to south with associated complex vegetation zo-nation
23 Greece Meteora 1988 iiiivvvii Sheer towers and pillars 10 to gt100 m high developed in early Tertiary deltaic quartz conglomerate often fluted with closely spaced vertical karren (the tow-ers support almost inaccessible mon-astery buildings) Fluviokarst
Mean altitude 300 m rising to 1000 m Medi-terranean climate
24 Hungary Slovakia
Caves of Ag-gtelek Karst and Slovak Karst
1995 (2000)
viii Area contains 712 caves Variety of cave types including Dobšinskaacute Ice Cave and speleothem forms with stalagmites to 327 m high Surface landscape is a temperate doline karst with some evidence of a prior humid tropical or subtropical influence which has evolved intermittently since the Cretaceous
Continental humid tem-perate
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
116 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
25 Indonesia Lorentz National Park
1999 viii ix x Largest protected area in SE Asia (235M ha) Continuous transect from snow caps (5030 m) to tropical coast Worldrsquos best example of tropical alpine glaciated karst Extensive humid trop-ical karst occurs at lower elevations Huge sinking rivers and springs
From the mountains to the sea Tropical glaci-ated alpine to lowland tropical rainforest
29 Korea Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes
2007 vii viii Oustanding example of vulcanokarst a special style of pseudokarst This in-cludes Geomunoreum lava tubes which are notable for spectacular decoration with carbonate speleothems the car-bonate being derived from overlying calcareous dune sands blown in from the coast
Warm temperate mon-soonal
30 Mada-gascar
Tsingy de Be-maraha Strict Nature Reserve
1990 vii x Extensive areas of very sharp limestone pinnacle karst known locally as lsquotsingyrsquo with joint corridors up to 80 m deep occupied by forest Traversed by river gorges May be the worldrsquos most spec-tacular pinnacled terrain
Tropical seasonally arid
31 Malaysia Gunung Mulu 2000 vii viii ix x
The park has a significant area of karst in Miocene limestone that contains large underground rivers and gt290 km of explored caves including Sarawak Chamber (700 m long 300-400 m wide and up to 100m high) ndash the worldrsquos largest underground room Caves con-tain major speleothem deposits and 15 million year sediment sequences Rich cave biota especially notable for bats and swiftlets Surface features include giant collapse dolines and spectacular razor-sharp pinnacle karst (ca 50 m high)
Humid tropical rainforest with 17 vegetation zones covering altitude range to 2377 m
34 Palau Rock Islands Southern La-goon
2012 iii v vii ix x
A superb example of 445 partly drowned well-karstified coral islands with flooded closed depressions as marine lakes
Western Pacific oceanic tropical humid
35 Philip-pines
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park
1999 vii x Spectacular tropical karst landscape in middle Miocene limestone on Pala-wan Island extending from mountains to the sea Contains polygonal karst towers and polje Major underground river drains directly to the sea lower portions of cave are tidal and navigable for 6 km
Humid tropical rainforest environment Most sig-nificant forest in Palawan Biogeographical Prov-ince
37 Russian Federa-tion
Lena Pillars Nature Park
2012 viii Dolomitic limestone pillars along edges of Lena River and tributaries Pillars were isolated by paleo-dissolution along joints beneath thick gravel cover and are revealed along valley sides by frost processes and fluvial undercutting Karst features include groundwater circulation and small flutes
Worldrsquos most extreme continental climate with permafrost at base of soil extending to depth of several hundred me-tres
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 117
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
38 Russian Federa-tion
Western Cau-casus
1999 vii x A geologically complex region rising to over 3000 m The northern section consists of alpine karst in Triassic lime-stones much of it glaciated Includes glaciokarst features many deep gorges and deep caves Incorporates com-plete karst systems
Temperate to alpine con-tinental climate Largely undisturbed deciduous and coniferous forest and alpine meadows
40 Slovenia Škocjan Caves 1986 vii viii Located in the lsquoclassicalrsquo karst of Eu-rope The property comprises a sink-ing river at the end of blind valley the exposed course of the underground river flowing across the base of deep collapse depressions and a large river cave with a high canyon passage It is representative of the input of an allo-genic river into a karst system
Continental Mediterra-nean climate
42 South Africa
Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa
1999 (2005)
iii vi A cluster of karst sites in Proterozoic dolomite bedrock that contain remains of some of the earliest hominids as well as many other species The caves contain internationally outstanding ex-amples of cave sediments with fossils that were deposited over an interval of several million years into very ancient karst systems
Subtropical High Veldt savannah environment
45 Turkey Hierapo-lis-Pamukkale
1988 iii iv vii Extensive and 200 m high valleyside travertine terrace with rimstone pools formed by carbonate deposition from geothermal water emerging at 59oC Used as a spa since 2nd century BC Possibly the worldrsquos earliest karst tour-ist site still in use Significant human impact
Warm temperate Medi-terranean environment
46 UK Pitcairn Islands
Henderson Island
1988 vii x Raised coral atoll 30 km2 in area with rough karstified lsquomakatearsquo plateau sur-face at about 30 m above sea level with central depression that may have been former lagoon Island is bounded by 15 m high cliffs and fringing reef to 200 m wide Limestone considered late Ter-tiary in age An outstanding example of early phase of karstification with intact natural processes but scientifically unevaluated Some caves
Tropical humid maritime climate supporting thick cover of trees and dense undergrowth The only raised and forested atoll with its ecology intact
48 USA Mammoth Cave National Park
1981 vii viii x The longest cave in the world with 590 km of surveyed river passages often large in dimension and gently sloping The karst is developed in Lower Car-boniferous (Mississippian) limestone and cave evolution commenced fol-lowing uplift and exposure three to four million years ago Extensive sinkhole plain at the surface Large springs Rich troglobitic fauna The inflow margin of the karst is located beyond the Park boundary
Humid warm temperate continental climate De-ciduous forest cover
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
118 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
49 USA Carlsbad Cav-erns National Park
1995 vii viii Huge caverns extensively decorated with speleothems are a major feature of the park The 81 known caves mainly occur in uplifted Permian reef lime-stones Outstanding karst extends into neighbouring Guadalupe National Park The regionrsquos caves provide the worldrsquos foremost example of evolution by sul-phuric acid dissolution which occurred progressively between 12 and four million years ago Surface topography on back-reef dolomites and limestones is dominated by dry valleys High bio-diversity including about 1 million bat population
Subtropical semi-arid continental climate
50 Venezu-ela
Canaima Na-tional Park
1994 vii viii ix x
The most outstanding example in the world of cave development in quartzite (Precambrian age) Caves occur to 108 km long and 383 m deep En-closed depressions and stream-sinks on plateau (tepuy) surface around 2650 m Springs emerge in tepuy walls A fluviokarst landscape
Humid tropical upland rainforest environment
51 Viet Nam Ha Long Bay 1994 (2000)
vii viii The worldrsquos most extensive and best- known example of tropical tower karst invaded by the sea The Park area includes about 775 islands some with caves Incorporates areas of fengcong and fenglin karst Significant human impact from surrounding development
Humid tropical mon-soonal environment
52 Viet Nam Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
2003 (2015)
viii Extensive and complex karst develop-ment in dissected plateau environment to 1290 m above sea level that con-tinues across border into Laos Long history of karst landscape evolution possibly since early Mesozoic Major caves and underground rivers and ex-tensive enclosed depressions (polje)
Humid tropical mon-soonal environment with largely undisturbed ev-ergreen primary forest Rich biodiversity
53 Viet Nam Trang An Land-scape Complex
2014 v vii viii Tower karst in its end stages near sea level Numerous navigable foot-caves and extensive swamp notch and ma-rine notch development reflecting sea level changes
Humid tropical mon-soonal environment in coastal context
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
Geological W
orld Heritage A revised global framew
ork for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
IUCN
INTERNATIONAL UNIONFOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE
WORLD HEADQUARTERSRue Mauverney 281196 Gland SwitzerlandTel +41 22 999 0000Fax +41 22 999 0002wwwiucnorg
Geological World Heritage A revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage ConventionPatrick J Mc Keever and Guy M NarbonneWith contributions by Ulrika Aringberg Loviacutesa Aacutesbjoumlrnsdoacutettir Joseacute Brilha Tom Casadevall Tove Damholt Piotr Migoń S Felix Toteu Paul Williams and Kyung Sik Woo
About IUCNIUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations It provides public private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress economic development and nature conservation to take place together
Created in 1948 IUCN is now the worldrsquos largest and most diverse environmental network harnessing the knowledge resources and reach of more than 1400 Member organisations and some 18000 experts It is a leading provider of conservation data assessments and analysis Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices tools and international standards
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments NGOs scientists businesses local communities indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development
Working with many partners and supporters IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities these projects work to reverse habitat loss restore ecosystems and improve peoplersquos well-being
wwwiucnorghttpstwittercomIUCN
Geological World Heritage A revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage ConventionPatrick J Mc Keever and Guy M Narbonne
With contributions by Ulrika Aringberg Loviacutesa Aacutesbjoumlrnsdoacutettir Joseacute Brilha Tom Casadevall Tove Damholt Piotr Migoń S Felix Toteu Paul Williams and Kyung Sik Woo
The designation of geographical entities in this book and the presentation of the material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN or other participating organisations concerning the legal status of any country territory or area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries
The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN or other participating organisations
IUCN is pleased to acknowledge the support of its Framework Partners who provide core funding Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland Government of France and the French Development Agency (AFD) the Ministry of Environment Republic of Korea the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the United States Department of State
This publication has been made possible in part by funding from the Cultural Heritage Administration Republic of Korea
Published by IUCN Gland Switzerland
Produced by IUCN World Heritage Programme
Copyright copy 2021 IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorised without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged
Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder
Recommended citation Mc Keever PJ and Narbonne GM (2021) Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Gland Switzerland IUCN
ISBN 978-2-8317-2141-5 (PDF)
DOI httpsdoiorg102305IUCNCH202112en
Cover photo Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina) copy Philipp Schinz
Layout by Guilder Design Dublin Ireland (wwwguilderdesigncom)
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | iii
Contents
Executive summary iv
List of acronyms v
Acknowledgements vi
Introduction 1
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life 6
Theme 2 Tectonic systems 11
Theme 3 Erosional systems 16
Theme 4 Volcanic systems 20
Theme 5 River lake and delta systems 24
Theme 6 Cave and karst systems 28
Theme 7 Coastal systems 32
Theme 8 Marine systems 36
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems 38
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systems 42
Theme 11 Meteorite impacts 45
Comparative analysis 49
Integrity 50
Protection and management 50
Boundaries 50
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks51
Conclusions 58
References 60
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties 62
Annex 2 Contextual framework for World Heritage fossil properties 112
Annex 3 IUCN fossil site evaluation checklist 113
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world 114
iv | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Executive summary
In 2005 IUCN published a report entitled Geological World Heritage A Global Framework (Dingwall et al 2005) httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode12797 The aim of that report was to discuss and advise on the role of the World Heritage Convention in recognising and protecting geological and geomorphological heritage By using a thematic approach the 2005 report aimed to assist States Parties in undertaking global comparative analyses of properties prior to and as part of new nominations under
criterion (viii) assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors to identify possible gaps in coverage of the World Heritage List assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors in their evaluation of new nominations of properties under criterion (viii)
(to be outstanding examples representing major stages of Earthrsquos history including the record of life significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphic or physiographic feature)
The report identified 13 themes and since its publication an additional 22 geological and geomorphological properties have been inscribed on the World Heritage List under criterion (viii)
Furthermore in 2015 UNESCO adopted the new International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) which recognises a new site-level designation the UNESCO Global Geopark which are territories of internationally significant geological heritage As of June 2021 there are 169 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 44 countries
Since 2005 several of the themes identified in Geological World Heritage A Global Framework have been subject to substantial individual studies The UNESCO World Heritage Committee in both 2013 and 2014 requested IUCN to revise its thematic study on geological sites to refine the proposed 13 themes articulate the threshold of Outstanding Universal Value and clarify the difference between the criterion (viii) of the World Heritage selection criteria and Geoparks status (noting that at that time Geoparks were not a UNESCO designation)
Accordingly the aim of the present study is to fully revise and update the 2005 report and to look at the potential impact of the new UNESCO Global Geopark designation on future inscriptions to the World Heritage List under criterion (viii) Central to this task is a discussion on the concept of Outstanding Universal Value and reiteration that not all sites of significance can be included on the World Heritage List This aim of the report has been achieved through a thorough review of the 2005 report and in particular the thematic approach to geology that the report used This review has led to the proposal of a rationalised set of 11 themes to guide the application of criterion (viii) For each of the 11 themes this report analyses what each theme covers what was listed as World Heritage by 2005 and since 2005 whether the advice available at the present is sufficient for each theme how well each theme is now represented on the World Heritage list including geographical representation and finally tries to identify if there are any key issues that this study has uncovered This report also examines the processes of comparative analysis and questions of site integrity in relation to properties listed for geological and geomorphological values
Finally this report looks in detail at the differences and similarities between geological World Heritage Properties recognised under criterion (viii) and UNESCO Global Geoparks It examines each designation and presents a pathway to help States Parties Member States to determine whether one of these two UNESCO designations might be appropriate for any possible new territories and in particular to distinguish sites with the potential for inscription on the World Heritage List
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | v
List of acronyms
GGN Global Geoparks Network
IGCP International Geoscience Programme
IGGP International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
OUV Outstanding Universal Value
UGGp UNESCO Global Geopark
UNESCO United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization
vi | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Tim Badman Peter Shadie Kristof Vandenberghe Guy Martini and Marie-Luise Frey for their valuable comments and advice The inputs from the independent peer reviewers of the whole text Jonathan Larwood and Gabi Schneider are much appreciated Thanks are also due to Niall OrsquoLaoghaire of Guilder Design for design and layout and to Ulrika Aringberg Sarina van der Ploeg Ceacutelia Zwahlen and staff of the IUCN World Heritage Programme for their support in the production process This publication could not have been possible without the generous financial support of the Cultural Heritage Administration of the Republic of Korea Guy Narbonne is grateful for support through a Queenrsquos University Research Chair IUCN thanks the study authors as well as all the chapter authors and reviewers named above for their extensive work to contribute to producing this study The contributions of the photographers and illustrators is also acknowledged with thanks
KeywordsWorld Heritage UNESCO Global Geoparks Criterion (viii) Outstanding Universal Value Global comparative analysis History of planet Earth and the evolution of life Tectonic systems Erosional systems Volcanic systems River lake and delta systems Cave and karst systems Coastal systems Marine systems Glacial and periglacial systems Desert and semi-desert systems Meteorite impacts
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 1
In 2005 IUCN published a report entitled Geological World Heritage A Global Framework (Dingwall et al 2005) and hereinafter referred to as lsquothe 2005 reportrsquo The aim of that report was to discuss and advise on the role of the World Heritage Convention (hereinafter referred to as lsquothe Conventionrsquo) in recognising and protecting geological and geomorphological heritage By using a thematic approach the 2005 report aimed to assist States Parties in undertaking global comparative
analyses of properties prior to and as part of new nominations under criterion (viii)
assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors to identify possible gaps in coverage of the World Heritage List
assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors in their evaluation of new nominations of properties under criterion (viii) (to be outstanding examples representing major stages of Earthrsquos history including the record of life significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphic or physiographic feature)
Since the publication of the 2005 report an additional 22 properties have been inscribed on the World Heritage List using criterion (viii) which is used to recognise geological and geomorphological properties under the Convention This brings the total number of geological World Heritage Properties (December 2020) to 93 Furthermore in 2015 UNESCO adopted the new International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) which recognises a new site-level designation the UNESCO Global Geopark which are territories of internationally significant geological heritage As of June 2021 there are 169 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 44 countries Additionally since 2005 several of the themes identified in the 2005 report have been subject to substantial individual studies
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee in both 2013 and 2014 requested IUCN to revise its 2005 thematic study on geological sites the Geological World Heritage A Global Framework to refine the proposed 13 themes articulate the threshold of Outstanding Universal Value and clarify the
Introduction
Figure 1 The Giantrsquos Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Property (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) The Giantrsquos Causeway lies at the foot of basalt cliffs along the sea coast on the edge of the Antrim plateau in Northern Ireland It is made up of some 40000 massive black basalt columns sticking out of the sea The dramatic sight has inspired legends of giants striding over the sea to Scotland Geological studies of these formations over the last 300 years have greatly contributed to the development of the Earth sciences and show that this striking landscape was caused by volcanic activity during the Palaeogene some 50ndash60 million years ago copy Tourism Northern Ireland
2 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
difference between the criterion (viii) of the World Heritage and Geoparks However at that time Geoparks were not designated by UNESCO That changed in 2015 when UNESCO adopted the new designation of UNESCO Global Geopark and all pre-existing Global Geoparks became UNESCO Global Geoparks
Accordingly the aim of the present study is to fully revise and update the 2005 report and to look at the potential impact of the new UNESCO Global Geopark designation on future inscriptions to the World Heritage List under criterion (viii) Central to this is a discussion on the concept of Outstanding Universal Value and a reiteration that not all sites of significance can make it onto the World Heritage List This has been followed by a thorough review of the 2005 report in particular the thematic approach to geology that the report used The report identified 13 themes The review has reduced this number to 11 themes some of them are the same as in the 2005 reports there is one new theme and some of the 2005 themes have been re-named andor combined
Finally with the approval of the UNESCO Global Geopark designation this study provides a framework for assessing which designation World Heritage or UNESCO Global Geopark might be appropriate when considering geological and geomorphological sites for international recognition
However as stated before outlining the revised thematic study it is essential to examine closely the idea of Outstanding Universal Value which is the core concept behind any inscription to the World Heritage List
Outstanding Universal ValueAccording to the latest version of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention published by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in 2019
ldquoThe cultural and natural heritage is among the priceless and irreplaceable assets not only of each nation but of humanity as a whole The loss through deterioration or disappearance of any of these most prized assets constitutes an impoverishment of the heritage of all the peoples of the world Parts of this heritage because of their exceptional qualities can be considered to be of lsquoOutstanding Universal Valuersquo and as such worthy of special protection against the dangers which increasingly threaten themrdquo
But what exactly is lsquoOutstanding Universal Valuersquo or OUV and how can it be defined in the context of geological heritage A series of criteria and conditions have been developed to evaluate OUV Six criteria (i ndash vi) cover cultural properties while criteria (vii) ndash (x) cover natural properties (see below) Of course a nomination can include both cultural and natural criteria The guidelines also state that for a property to be deemed of OUV it must also meet the conditions of integrity andor authenticity and must have an adequate protection and management
system to ensure its safeguarding It is therefore clear from the Operational Guidelines (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019) that OUV is a three-pronged statement where a World Heritage Property must fulfil one or more criteria (criterion (viii) for geological properties) it must fulfil the conditions of integrity and it must be adequately protected and managed The full ten criteria areCriterion (i) - to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius
Criterion (ii) - to exhibit an important interchange of human values over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world on developments in architecture or technology monumental arts town-planning or landscape design
Criterion (iii) - to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared
Criterion (iv) - to be an outstanding example of a type of building architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history
Criterion (v) - to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement land-use or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures) or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change
Criterion (vi) - to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions with ideas or with beliefs with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance (The World Heritage Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria)
Criterion (vii) - to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance
Criterion (viii) - to be outstanding examples representing major stages of Earthrsquos history including the record of life significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphic or physiographic features
Criterion (ix) - to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial fresh water coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals
Criterion (x) - to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation
Fulfilling Criterion (viii) a revised thematic approachA key phrase from the Operational Guidelines (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019) states that ldquo[t]he Convention is not intended to ensure the protection of all properties of great interest importance or value but only for a select list of the most outstanding of these from an international viewpointrdquo Furthermore ldquo[i]t is not to be assumed that a property of national andor regional importance will automatically be
Introduction
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 3
inscribed on the World Heritage Listrdquo This is the first key point to bear in mind Just because a site may be of regional or national significance it does not mean that it is of OUV The site must be absolutely exceptional at the global level in what it contains or displays and among the priceless and irreplaceable assets of humanity as a whole
The most fundamental part of the nomination process is clarifying if a property could be considered to have OUV Until potential OUV and the attributes conveying this value has been defined it is not possible to develop other essential aspects of the nomination including the comparative analysis the definition of boundaries and the protection and management which should reflect the extent and character of the attributes that convey the value
The 2005 report identified 13 themes to assist in determining whether a World Heritage Property fulfils the terms of criterion (viii) Based on consideration of the effectiveness of the implementation of these themes and based on review by the study and chapter authors this report has reorganised the approach to geological World Heritage in relation to a reorganised list of 11 themes The study has also reviewed and classified all existing geological World Heritage Properties considering their OUV in relation to these 11 themes (Annex 1) Many properties contain features relevant to more than one theme but for brevity the list of lsquoancillary themesrsquo in Annex 1 only includes significant contributions that warranted mention in the Statement of OUV published on the World Heritage website Furthermore it was apparent that the OUV of five properties cover two primary themes Therefore the 93 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) are listed 98 times under the 11 primary themes In all of these themes States Parties must ask themselves if their proposed site really does display or contain something so internationally exceptional that is of true global significance
The 11 themes identified in this report are
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of lifeTheme 1 documents major events in Earth history and the fossil record of life It combines two related themes from the 2005 report Theme 4 lsquoStratigraphic Properties ‒ Rock sequences that provide a record of key Earth history eventsrsquo and Theme 5 lsquoFossil Properties ‒ The record of life on Earth represented in the fossil recordrsquo
Theme 2 Tectonic systemsThe Tectonic systems theme includes the lsquoTectonic and structural featuresrsquo and the lsquoMountain systemsrsquo themes as defined in the 2005 report This merger was justified by the fact that tectonics is the process that governs the movement of Earthrsquos tectonic plates at their boundaries as well as heat energy and material transfer from the Earthrsquos interior towards the surface and vice-versa seafloor spreading coupled with subduction rifting mountain building volcanoes faults earthquakes erosion etc are direct or indirect expressions of tectonic processes However with a view of providing a meaningful representation to the general public we have restricted the scope of the lsquoTectonic systemsrsquo theme to mountain ranges convergent plate boundaries (subduction
zones) divergent plate boundaries (ocean ridges) sliding plate boundaries (transform zones) continental rifting valleys and cratonic shields while keeping lsquoVolcanic systemsrsquo and lsquoErosional systemsrsquo as separate themes
Theme 3 Erosional systemsThe theme lsquoErosional systemsrsquo was not explicitly present in the 2005 report One might argue that it is the equivalent of the lsquoMountain systemsrsquo with partial overlap with the lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo but there were already a number of World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) which were neither mountains nor located in drylands but were erosional in nature Additionally a significant number of properties were inscribed in recognition of their scenic beauty (criterion (vii)) although their justifications clearly highlighted geomorphological features and processes more in line with criterion (viii) The relevance of lsquoErosional systemsrsquo for criterion (viii) is twofold First erosional systems show ldquosignificant on-going geological [in fact geomorphological] processes in the development of landformsrdquo and secondly these processes may produce ldquosignificant geomorphological or physiographical featuresrdquo
Theme 4 Volcanic systemsVolcanoes are true wonders of the planet they are central to the formation evolution and sustenance of biological systems they form some of our deepest and most significant cultural attachments to the land and they attract large numbers of visitors for their aesthetic appeal The theme Volcanic systems was originally included in the 2005 report as Theme 2 Furthermore volcanic systems were the subject of the 2009 volcano thematic study by Wood (2009) In 2019 IUCN published an updated report on World Heritage Volcanoes (Casadevall et al 2019) which we draw on here for this discussion
Theme 5 River lake and delta systemsThe theme covers fluvial lacustrine and deltaic landscapes and their associated features These are systems resulting from large-scale fluvial processes which have formed and influenced the development of valleys flood plains river corridors wetlands lakes and deltas along with instream features and morphology (Ferrier amp Jenkins 2010) Spectacular features such as waterfalls are also included under this theme The theme includes foremost alluvial landscapes and depositional features while erosional features such as river canyons are covered primarily by Theme 3 In terms of deltas this theme only covers the special cases of inland and inverted deltas while coastal deltas are covered within Theme 7 There is also some overlap with Theme 9 as many important fluvial lacustrine and deltaic processes and landforms occur in glacial landscapes The River lake and delta systems theme is equivalent to the lsquoFluvial lacustrine and deltaic systemsrsquo theme from the 2005 report The main driving process for the formation of all inland waters is the hydrological cycle Water evaporates from the oceans and precipitates over the continents where it flows back to the sea along rivers and streams reworking large amounts of sediments and forming some of our most familiar fluvial landforms Some of the water resides in wetlands or lakes for many years or in ice caps for
Introduction
4 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
thousands or millions of years (Moss 2010)
Theme 6 Cave and karst systemsThe theme covers systems developed predominantly by the process of dissolution of soluble rocks This mainly involves carbonate rocks (limestone dolomite marble) and evaporite rocks (gypsum salt) In these terrains drainage disappears in enclosed depressions rivers sink underground and caves are signature landforms Some sandstone landscapes are also included because these rocks can become relatively soluble under subtropical and tropical conditions Natural processes involved in the development of Caves and karst systems are explained by Ford amp Williams (2007 2011) and Palmer (2007)
Theme 7 Coastal systemsCoastal systems refer to physical processes and physiographical features present in the coastal zone The coastal zone is the boundary between land and sea a highly dynamic interface between geological and oceanographical features and including atmospheric (weather and climate) processes and how these are affected by land and sea (Abdulla et al 2013) But the interface - the shoreline - is mobile because land can be uplifted or subside and sea level can rise or fall Hence coastal landscapes landforms and sediments develop along a moving interface between land and sea as well as over long periods of time The zone over which this interaction plays out can be kilometres wide and so landforms produced by coastal processes can be found well inland well above sea level kilometres offshore and well below present sea level In many places coastal landforms are also influenced by ancient antecedent topography
Theme 8 Marine systemsMarine systems includes seafloor and submarine features coral islands reefs and oceanic islands The theme encompasses ldquosignificant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphological featuresrdquo found in the shallow and deep marine areas This theme comprises the former Theme 9 of the 2005 report lsquoReefs atolls and oceanic islandsrsquo but additionally includes the wide range of ongoing processes and geological features of marine areas including physical chemical and biological processes tectonic settings and sedimentary environments including continental shelf and slope basin floors abyssal plains oceanic trenches submarine ridges
Marine areas cover 70 of the Earth surface most of which is in deep marine areas In recent years there have been a number of advances in the study of the submarine environment including extensive mapping of the seafloor which has
produced a plethora of new information on the marine systems in the deep marine areas
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems This theme includes geological processes landscape and geomorphological features developed by past or present glacial and periglacial systems Theme 9 is equivalent to the former two themes 10 lsquoGlaciers and ice capsrsquo and 11 lsquoIce Agesrsquo described in the 2005 report The new theme Theme 9 includes 17 of the World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) for their OUV (primary elements)
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systemsThe theme lsquoDesert and semi-desert systemsrsquo present in the 2005 report as lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo emphasises specific environments rather than a particular surface process or group of processes However in order to minimise overlaps within the present framework and to make it as clear as possible this category is understood as primarily designed to cover aeolian processes and landforms as well as features produced by intermittent runoff and evaporation Thus it includes landscape features such as dunes and dune fields of various types and sizes yardangs deflation hollows wadis and playas
Theme 11 Meteorite impactsThe theme of Meteorite impacts includes features produced by the impacts of meteors comets asteroids and other extra-terrestrial objects with the Earth including both physical structures formed by extra-terrestrial impacts such as impact craters as well as major effects caused by them such as mass extinction Impacts by and accretion of extra-terrestrial bodies was the fundamental process by which the Earth grew to its current size It was also a dominant geological process throughout the early history of the Solar System and a variety of possible effects have been ascribed to impacts on Earth including the origin of the Earthrsquos moon the contribution to the Earthrsquos quantity of volatile gases and effects on the evolution of early life In more recent geological time at least one mass extinction event is linked to global effects caused by a major impact event (eg Osinski amp Pierazzo 2012)
Identifying potential Outstanding Universal ValueConsidering that uniqueness does not automatically equate with OUV the essential first step is thus to identify any value(s) of a site fulfilling criterion (viii) and thus with the potential to justify OUV of the proposed property For this process it is important to set out all geological values of the site
Map out all geological values of the proposed propery
Organise values according to the 11 themes of criterion viii
Identify overlap between values of the proposed property and gaps of the WHL
Write a brief synthesis defining value(s) and attributes filling gaps of the WHL
Perform comparative analysis based on value attributes and integrity
Figure 2 Flow chart summarising the process that should be undertaken when assessing if a site or place demonstrates OUV
Introduction
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 5
and evaluate these based on the 11 themes presented in this report in order to clarify if and how these values could potentially address one or more gaps on the World Heritage List Subsequently a definition of the values proposed to fulfil the criterion and a description of the attributes that convey this value should be set out in a relatively short text This will then form the basis for undertaking a rigorous global comparative analysis and in the event that this demonstrates a strong case for OUV will be the basis for a proposed Statement of OUV to be included in the nomination of the property (Figure 2)
To nominate a site to the World Heritage List it must first have been included on a State Partyrsquos Tentative List Tentative List are lists of sites that the States Parties consider to be of OUV and that they therefore consider suitable for inscription on the World Heritage List
Thematic studyBefore continuing with a discussion of the comparative analysis process the following section will look closely at the 11 themes identified for this report As in the 2005 report the 11 themes provide a basis upon which nominated candidate World Heritage Properties (using criterion (viii)) can be assessed regarding their OUV from the viewpoint of science and conservation It is also intended that the 11 themes will guide national and regional advisors to assess the relative importance of sites and for IUCN to assess nominations and offer advice to interested parties
In particular in revising the themes specific questions were askedWhat does the theme cover
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this theme
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distribution
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)
Introduction
6 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverTheme 1 documents major events in Earth history and the fossil record of life It combines two related themes from the 2005 report Theme 4 lsquoStratigraphic Properties ‒ Rock sequences that provide a record of key Earth history eventslsquo and Theme 5 lsquoFossil Properties ‒ The record of life on Earth represented in the fossil recordrsquo
Theme 1 is the sole theme for 18 World Heritage Properties and is an important ancillary element of the OUV for six additional properties (Table 1 Annex 1) Fossils are abundant and important in several other World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) such as Gros Morne National Park (Canada) and Yellowstone National Park (United States of America) but are less significant than other features that define the OUV in these properties
The over-riding message from the combined properties representing Theme 1 is the co-evolution of the Earth and life ‒ the recognition that the major tectonic oceanographic atmospheric cryogenic and astronomical events and processes that have affected our planet over geological timescales have also profoundly influenced the evolution
and ecology of life on Earth and that some major events in biological evolution have profoundly changed the Earthrsquos surface and atmosphere Theme 1 World Heritage Properties include the conditions for early life on the primitive Earth more than three billion years ago (Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa)) the oldest large and complex multicellular life (Mistaken Point (Canada)) the development of marine animal life in the Cambrian explosion (Burgess Shale in Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (Canada) Chengjiang Fossil Site (China)) the Devonian and Carboniferous lsquoterrestrial revolutionrsquo of land plants that dramatically increased atmospheric oxygen and led to the proliferation of life on land and in freshwater rivers and lakes (Miguasha National Park Joggins Fossil Cliffs both in Canada) and abundant evidence of climatic control on the Cenozoic evolution of mammals (Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte) (Australia)) and early hominids (Lake Turkana National Parks (Kenya))
Properties in Theme 1 contain an outstanding record of the diversity of fossil life In addition to the shells and bones that characterise Phanerozoic fossil assemblages worldwide several properties (Burgess Shale in Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Chengjiang Fossil Site Messel Pit Fossil Site Mistaken
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of lifeGuy M Narbonne and Patrick J Mc Keever
Figure 3 Monte San Giorgio (Italy amp Switzerland) is regarded as the best fossil record of marine life from the Triassic Period (245ndash230 million years ago) Source Woudloper Wikimedia Commons
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 7
Point) are famous as Fossil Lagerstaumltten in which soft tissues were exquisitely preserved Fossil plants and terrestrial arthropods such as insects are abundant in most properties at least partly deposited in freshwater or terrestrial settings (Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte) Dinosaur Provincial Park Dorset and East Devon Coast Ischigualasto Talampaya Natural Parks Joggins Fossil Cliffs Messel Pit Fossil Site Miguasha National Park) and even in some properties originating in marginal or fully marine settings (Monte San Giorgio Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley)) Trace fossils the fossilised tracks trails and burrows of mobile animals are present in most Theme 1 properties and provide evidence of animal behaviour thousands to hundreds of millions of years ago Microfossils are preserved in nearly all Theme 1 fossil sites including Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains which dates back 36 to 325 billion years ago shortly after the origin of microscopic life on our planet
Most of the properties that achieved World Heritage recognition prior to 1995 were inscribed in combination with other natural or cultural OUV criteria commonly (iii) (vii) (ix) or (x) Since 1995 most properties in Theme 1 have been inscribed solely under criterion (viii)
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005At the time of the publication of the 2005 report 14 properties had been inscribed onto the World Heritage List under criterion (viii) and under the former Themes 4 (Stratigraphic Properties) and 5 (Fossil Properties) They included for example Dinosaur Provincial Park (Canada) Shark Bay Western Australia (Australia) Messel Pit Fossil Site (Germany) and the Dorset and East Devon Coast (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) (Table 1 Annex 1)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since 2005 an additional four properties have been inscribed onto the World Heritage List which either totally or partially fall under this new Theme 1 and the former Themes 4 and 5 The new properties are Joggins Fossil Cliffs (Canada) Chengjiang Fossil Site (China) Mistaken Point (Canada) and Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa)
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themePublication of an IUCN-commissioned report Earthrsquos geological history A contextual framework for assessment of World
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 1
Date Inscribed(extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 1 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Dinosaur Provincial Park Canada 1979 Grand Canyon National Park United States of America
1979
Great Smoky Mountains National Park United States of America
1983 Ngorongoro Conservation Area United Re-public of Tanzania
1979 (2010)
Valleacutee de Mai Nature Reserve Seychelles 1983 Willandra Lakes Region Australia 1981
Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Canada 1984 (1990) Tasmanian Wilderness Australia 1982 (1989)
Wet Tropics of Queensland Australia 1988 Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Australia 1986 (1994)
Shark Bay Western Australia Australia 1991 Te Wahipounamu ndash South West New Zealand New Zealand
1990
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte) Australia
1994 The Dolomites Italy 2009
Messel Pit Fossil Site Germany 1995 Stevns Klint Denmark 2014
Lake Turkana National Parks Kenya 1997 (2001)
Miguasha National Park Canada 1999
Ischigualasto Talampaya Natural Parks Argen-tina
2000
Dorset and East Devon Coast United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2001
Monte San Giorgio Italy and Switzerland 2003 (2010)
Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) Egypt 2005
Joggins Fossil Cliffs Canada 2008
Chengjiang Fossil Site China 2012
Mistaken Point Canada 2016
Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains South Africa 2018
Table 1 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 1 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life
8 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Heritage fossil site nominations (Wells 1996) provided a key framework for this analysis Wellsrsquo recommendations slightly modified and printed in UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2011 p 42 and Annex 3 of this report) shaped all subsequent nominations and decisions in Theme 1 and have been emulated by other themes Wellsrsquo proposed separation between pre-Cambrian and Phanerozoic properties (Recommendation 4) has become somewhat blurred since 2005 with most recently inscribed Theme 1 properties emphasising OUV as both a landmark in biological evolution and as an important step in the evolution of the Earth system and his recommendations 5 and 9 about the need to constitute expert panels ldquoto select properties worthy of evaluation for Heritage listingrdquo were not implemented All recent nominations in Theme 1 have used a similar lsquobest practicersquo method for the comparative analysis of fossil properties (IUCN 2016 p 56-57 Thomas and Narbonne 2015 p 59-69) In summary the thematic guidance for this theme is good but requires regular attention to ensure it remains relevant and effective
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionWorld Heritage Properties representing Theme 1 are present on every inhabited continent There is excellent temporal coverage of the Phanerozoic the eon of Earth history characterised by abundant visible fossils with seventeen World Heritage fossil properties (Table 1 Figure 5 Annex 1) Many geological periods host a site the Cambrian and Triassic each contain multiple properties that reflect different biotopes (eg terrestrial versus marine) and preservational modes (eg Lagerstaumltten versus
mainly skeletal remains) during that time The most significant remaining gaps are at the interface between palaeontology and global change over geological timescales especially the mass extinction events that were a primary control on global diversity throughout the Phanerozoic (Raup amp Sepkoski 1982 Fan et al 2020) The terminal Cretaceous extinction that exterminated 50 of animal species including dinosaurs is superbly reflected in the fossil record at Stevns Klint (Denmark) but the equally profound Palaeozoic extinctions at the end of the Ordovician Devonian and Permian are not yet represented in any World Heritage Property Other Phanerozoic intervals of extreme global change and extinction (eg Mesozoic Ocean Anoxic Events Palaeocene ndash Eocene Thermal Maximum event) could also be considered Cenozoic (mainly Pleistocene and modern) glaciation processes and products are well covered in Theme 9 but ancient glacial events in deep time (eg the Carboniferous-Permian Gondwana glaciations and the Neoproterozoic and Paleoproterozoic lsquoSnowballrsquo glaciations) profoundly affected the evolution of life and could usefully be described in Theme 1 Ichnology where animal track properties can yield behavioural information that cannot be preserved in shells and bones is represented for example in the hominid tracksite at Laetoli in Ngorongoro Conservation Area (United Republic of Tanzania) A number of previous World Heritage nominations based solely on dinosaur footprints have been deemed inadequate to show OUV However a coherent transnational nomination of exceptional sites demonstrating a compelling reason for global significance and OUV might be considered
Figure 4 Messel Pit Fossil Site (Germany) is the richest site in the world for understanding the living environment of the Eocene between 57 million and 36 million years ago copy LimesMedia Tim Schnarr Source UNESCO
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 9
In contrast with the abundance of World Heritage fossil properties in Phanerozoic strata the Hadean Archean and Proterozoic eons that collectively comprise the first four billion years of Earth evolution (85 of Earth history) contain only two recently inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Properties located at nearly opposite ends of the pre-Cambrian timescale (Figure 5 left hand column Annex 1) Additional major events in pre-Cambrian evolution not included in any World Heritage fossil property include the earliest diverse signs of life 35 billion years ago the Great Oxidation Event (24 to 18 billion years ago) that transformed the chemistry of the Earthrsquos surface and made eukaryotes possible rsquoSnowball Earthrsquo the nearly total freezing of the entire Earth surface 720-635 million years ago that ultimately led to the appearance of animals and
the diverse Ediacara biota that postdated Mistaken Point life and immediately preceded the Cambrian explosion of shelly animals
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)Several Theme 1 properties inscribed between 1983‒1991 used criteria that differ from modern usage Four properties inscribed under criterion (viii) - Great Smoky Mountains National
1 httpsstratigraphyorgICSchartChronostratChart2021-05pdf
PHAN
ERO
ZOIC
PRO
TERO
ZOIC
ARC
HEA
NH
ADEA
N
Present
0541
25
40
46
Billi
ons
of y
ears
bef
ore
the
pres
ent
Eon
Mistaken Point
Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains
Geological timethrough Earth history
CEN
OZO
ICM
ESO
ZOIC
PALE
OZO
IC
EraNeogene
Paleogene
Cretaceous
Jurassic
Triassic
Permian
Carboniferous
Devonian
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian
Period
Phanerozoic Geological Time
World HeritageFossil Sites
Mill
ions
of y
ears
bef
ore
the
pres
ent
0
66
251
541Chengjiang Fossil Site
Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (incl Burgess Shale)
Miguasha National Park
Joggins Fossil Cliffs
Monte San Giorgio
IschigualastoTalampaya National Parks
Dorset and East Devon Coast
Dinosaur Provincial Park Messel Pit Fossil Site
Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley)
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte)
Lake Turkana National Parks
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte)
Figure 5 Temporal distribution of UNESCO Fossil Properties (Theme 1) Modified from Thomas and Narbonne 2015 Fig 34 Formal stratigraphic names and dates are from the International Chronostratigraphic Chart (May 2021)1
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life
10 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Park (United States of America) Wet Tropics of Queensland (Australia) Valleacutee de Mai Nature Reserve (Seychelles) and Shark Bay Western Australia (Australia) ndash do not contain fossil assemblages of OUV but are regarded as providing modern living analogues for ancient biotopes and biological constructions thousands to billions of years old This view is not presently followed and since 1991 all criterion (viii) properties in Theme 1 have been inscribed on the basis of outstanding fossil assemblages and events in the deep-time record of life and environments Modern sedimentary environments exemplified in properties such as the Wadden Sea (intertidal sand and mud flats) Great Barrier Reef (shallow-marine carbonate sediments including reefs) Namib Sand Sea (aeolian dunes) Nahanni National Park and Riacuteo Plaacutetano Biosphere Reserve (rivers) form the key to interpreting process sedimentology in deep time but are not in and of themselves major events in Earth history and the fossil record of life
There is some overlap with criterion (iii) to ldquobear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilisation which is living or which has disappearedrdquo for properties containing early hominid fossils The hominid fossil properties Archaeological Site of Atapuerca (Spain) Sangiran Early Man Site (Indonesia) and Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa (South Africa) are inscribed under criterion (iii) whereas hominid fossils in Ngorongoro Conservation Area (United Republic of Tanzania) and Lake Turkana National Parks (Kenya) are inscribed under criterion (viii) The hominid record at Willandra Lakes Region (Australia) is inscribed under criterion (iii) but its geology including giant marsupial fossils is inscribed under criterion (viii) This overlap between criterion (iii) and criterion (viii) in properties preserving the record of fossil hominids partly reflects the background of the nomination of these properties and also partly reflects the timescale of hominid evolution over the past seven million years
Finally palaeontology has a huge appeal throughout society worldwide Fossil properties (Theme 1) provide an opportunity for the public to see outstanding fossil assemblages in the context of the inter-relationship between global change and the evolution of life over geologic timescales Evidence of past global change can help to inform the public about potential processes effects and magnitudes of present and future global change This will be enhanced as States Parties nominate new sites that fill the identified gaps in global extinction events and major environmental and climatic events in the deep-time record of life on Earth
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 11
What does the theme coverThe Tectonic systems theme includes the lsquoTectonic and structural featuresrsquo and the lsquoMountain systemsrsquo themes as defined in the 2005 report This merger was justified by the fact that tectonics is the process that governs the movement of Earthrsquos tectonic plates at their boundaries as well as heat energy and material transfer from the Earthrsquos interior towards the surface and vice-versa seafloor spreading coupled with subduction rifting mountain building volcanoes faults earthquakes erosion etc are direct or indirect expressions of tectonic processes However with a view of providing a meaningful representation to the general public we have restricted the scope of the lsquoTectonic systemsrsquo theme to mountain ranges convergent plate boundaries (subduction zones) divergent plate boundaries (ocean ridges) sliding plate boundaries (transform zones) continental rifting valleys and cratonic shields while keeping lsquoVolcanic systemsrsquo and lsquoErosional systemsrsquo as separate themes
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005Utilising the current Themes eight properties of the 71 properties inscribed on the World Heritage List by 2005 had
gained their recognition mainly or solely under Theme 2 (Table 2 Annex 1) Several other mountain systems such as the Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) were recognised under criterion (vii)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Based on the new theme proposed here two properties were inscribed since 2005 mainly because of tectonic features while three additional properties utilise Theme 2 as an important ancillary theme in their inscription (Table 2 Annex 1)
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThere is no separate thematic study on this theme and the scope of inscriptions shows both limited geographical balance and that there is considerable confusion in the potential application of this theme and confusion with other manifestations of tectonism (such as volcanoes) The two newly inscribed properties since 2005 are both associated tectonically with the Alpine orogeny in western Europe which does not fulfil the geographical diversification requested in
Theme 2 Tectonic systemsTom Casadevall and S Felix Toteu
Figure 6 Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) (Tajikistan) offers a unique opportunity for the study of plate tectonics and continental subduction phenomena thereby contributing to our fundamental understanding of Earth building processes copy Kasirov K Source UNESCO
12 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
2005 However the three recent properties for which Theme 2 is an ancillary theme are regionally diverse Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains in Africa Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) in Central Asia and Papahānaumokuākea in the central Pacific Ocean
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionIn total the geographical distribution is as follow Europe amp North America 4 Asia amp Pacific 5 Latin America amp Caribbean 1 Generally there is a weak representation worldwide and especially in Africa and the Arab States of the tectonic theme considering the many past and modern tectonic processes that have shaped the landscape around the world
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)Like most aspects of the geological sciences no theme is truly separate from other themes The 11 themes in this report are not silos Perhaps the greatest demonstration of this is the link between tectonic systems and volcanic systems Volcanic systems mostly appear at the boundaries of tectonic plates where tectonic systems are also actively being formed Of the 12 World Heritage Properties identified in Annex 1 has having been inscribed primarily for volcanic systems all but four are intimately associated with active tectonic boundaries Two other properties are associated with volcanic hotspots one with recent though no longer active volcanism Only one
property is associated with volcanism in deeper geological time (Giantrsquos Causeway and Causeway Coast United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Figure 1)) For the sake of this report Theme 4 refers specifically to features associated with the extrusion of magma and the features created while Theme 2 refers to non-volcanic features associated with the interaction of tectonic plates both in the present and in the geological past
The Plate Tectonic Map of the world (Figure 7) combined with the World Physical Map (Figure 8) reveals the potential for a more balanced distribution of tectonic features worldwide States Parties in various regions where these prominent tectonic features appear should be encouraged to review their Tentative List to include new properties In this regard many countries in all regions of the world have potential for World Heritage Properties ranging from mountain range to rift valley systems properties Countries in Asia amp Pacific can enrich their inscribed properties or Tentative List with outstanding sites witnessing tectonics features at subduction zones as well as at oceanic trenches and collision zones For example Kermadec Islands and Marine Reserve which is currently on the Tentative List of New Zealand under criterion (viii) was shaped by the subduction of the Pacific Plate under the Indo-Australian Plate with the Kermadec Trench being one of Earthrsquos deepest oceanic trenches reaching a depth of 10047 m The Andean mountain chain of South America the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and the Cascade volcanic range of North America are notable examples of subduction zone tectonics and yet have no volcanic or tectonic features listed under criterion (viii) (Casadevall et al 2019) This represents an important gap for World Heritage Properties in the Americas Outstanding examples of ocean floor spreading are the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 2
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 2 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Australia 1986 (1994) Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Canada 1984 (1990)
Galaacutepagos Islands Ecuador 1978 (2001) Te Wahipounamu ndash South West New Zealand New Zealand
1990
Gros Morne National Park Canada 1987 Canaima National Park Venezuela 1994
Lake Baikal Russian Federation 1996 Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch Switzerland 2001 (2007)
Heard and McDonald Islands Australia 1997 Papahānaumokuākea United States of Amer-ica
2010
Macquarie Island Australia 1997 Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) Tajikistan
2013
Lorentz National Park Indonesia 1999 Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains South Africa 2018
Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas China
2003
Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona Switzerland 2008
Chaicircne des Puys - Limagne fault tectonic arena France
2018
Table 2 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 2 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 2 Tectonic systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 13
Figure 7 Plate tectonic map of the World copy United States National Park Service
Figure 8 World Physical Map copy National Centers for Environmental Information National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Theme 2 Tectonic systems
14 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
and East Pacific Rise that have produced extensive valley systems Portugal has already considered a portion of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that includes the Azores in its Tentative List in 2017 Indeed there are very few countries that can add more about tectonic features telling the history of ocean floor spreading the exceptions being Iceland which lies on the mid-Atlantic Ridge and the countries around the Red Sea
On the continents the East African Rift Valley and the Baikal Rift Zone are Earthrsquos two prominent continental rift valley systems The two branches of the East African Rift are relayed to the north through the Afar Triangle to the Red Sea Rift and the Gulf of Aden Each of these rift systems is unique each telling in its own way the story of the early stage of continental break and drift However none of them host World Heritage inscribed under criterion (viii) for tectonic features although they host other properties inscribed under other criteria Examples are Lake Baikal (Russian Federation) inscribed in 1996 under criteria (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x) Kilimanjaro National Park (United Republic of Tanzania) Mount Kenya National Park Natural Forest (Kenya) and Lake Malawi National Park (Malawi) inscribed under criteria (vii) (ix) andor (x) or Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) Lake Turkana National Parks (Kenya) both inscribed under criteria (vii) (viii) (ix) andor (x)
The Cameroon Line running from Atlantic Ocean to Lake Chad through the Gulf of Guinea is another unique tectonic feature of the African region and is the only example on Earth of an
active intraplate alignment of tectonic-related volcanoes and intrusive massifs synchronously developed on both the oceanic and the continental crusts and linked to a common mantle source The scientific debates around its origin can ultimately reveal how the interaction and energy transfer between the asthenosphere and lithosphere contribute to shaping our planet The Cameroon Line is a unifying geological and biological gift linking many nations in Central Africa and telling an important part of the autobiography of the continent (from about 70 million years) from geological biological and socio-cultural perspectives (Anderson amp de Wit 2008 Henriques amp Neto 2015 Toteu et al 2010) The IUCN World Heritage Volcanoes report of 2019 sees the Cameroon Line as worthy of consideration in the Tentative List of States Parties (Casadevall et al 2019)
Despite the fact that tectonic processes cause major changes on the Earthrsquos surface they are poorly represented in the list of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List or even on the Tentative Lists The cause of this might be the poor capacity of States Parties or the fact that some expressions of tectonic processes such as volcanoes or erosion surfaces already constitute individual geological themes However the huge scale of some of the features (eg rift valleys alpine ranges oceanic trenches) also makes them politically and financially difficult to promote It is also important to stress that the geological community have not done enough to demonstrate the prominent role geological processes have
Figure 9 Lorentz National Park (Indonesia) The geology and landforms of Lorentz National Park display graphic evidence of Earthsrsquo history Located at the meeting point of two colliding continental plates the area has a complex geology with ongoing mountain formation as well as major sculpting by glaciation and shoreline accretion The dominating mountain range is a direct product of the collision between the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates copy Raiyani Muharramah Source Shutterstockcom
Theme 2 Tectonic systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 15
played in shaping the landscape of the Earth in impacting the development of biodiversity and the culture of people This transpires well in the case of Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) mentioned previously which was inscribed on the World Heritage List under criterion (vii) despite the fact that the site description clearly recognises the importance of mountain building (ie lsquotectonicrsquo process) Clearly States Parties must be encouraged to focus on and expose the geological processes that generated the appropriate environment for development of so many biological and cultural properties today inscribed on the World Heritage List In this regard all mountain ranges around the world especially the Alpine Himalayan and Andean collisional belts and rift valleys have produced a variety of ecosystems that have favoured the development of rich biological and cultural diversities There is today a need to see beyond these end-products and make the tectonic processes themselves more visible
Considering that most tectonic features on the Earthrsquos surface appear as linear and transnational features (eg major faults ocean ridges mountain belts rift and associated volcanoes) it might be necessary and more efficient for States Parties individually or as group to look into serial nominations as a mechanism that can associate different properties generated from the same tectonic process However one challenge may be the disparities (infrastructure human resource and policies) that may exist between States Parties with as a consequence difficulty of preparing and implementing coherent and robust management plan for the inscribed property At the opposite it might be easier for one country having a specific tectonic feature that has generated several other outstanding geological biological andor cultural features to manage a property inscribed under serial nomination
Theme 2 Tectonic systems
16 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThe theme lsquoErosional systemsrsquo was not explicitly present in the 2005 report One might argue that it is the equivalent of the lsquoMountain systemsrsquo with partial overlap with the lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo but there were already a number of World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) which were neither mountains nor located in drylands but were erosional in nature Additionally a significant number of properties were inscribed in recognition of their scenic beauty (criterion (vii)) although their justifications clearly highlighted geomorphological features and processes more in line with criterion (viii) The relevance of lsquoErosional systemsrsquo for criterion (viii) is twofold First erosional systems show ldquosignificant on-going geological (in fact geomorphological) processes in the development of landformsrdquo and secondly these processes may produce ldquosignificant geomorphological or physiographical featuresrdquo
Erosional systems are understood as including landscapes and landforms produced by the combined action of various surface processes that are not covered by the specialised Themes 6 lsquoCave and karst systemsrsquo 7 lsquoCoastal systemsrsquo 9 lsquoGlacial and periglacial systemsrsquo and 10 lsquoDesert and semi-
desert systemsrsquo elsewhere in this report Volcanic systems (Theme 4) in turn are predominantly constructional Thus from the process-based perspective erosional systems are shaped by (a) weathering (b) mass movements of various kind (c) slope runoff (d) fluvial erosion and e) non-karstic subsurface processes such as piping Among them weathering mass movements and fluvial erosion are the most important agents of shaping the land surface All these processes lead to deposition of material eroded from elsewhere allowing depositional forms such as talus and alluvial fans to locally dominate the landscape (eg in the valley floors) Nevertheless erosion in the broad sense is the primary factor behind the scenery In parallel to the above the meaning of erosional systems may be also explained by products ie landscapes and landforms produced by the processes listed above At the regional scale these systems include non-glaciated mountains plateaus and escarpments strongly dissected uplands including badlands inselberg landscapes peneplains and solitary elevations isolated by erosional lowering of the surrounding terrains Characteristic medium-size landforms within erosional systems include rock cities and ruiniform relief tors (crags) rock cliffs gully networks canyons and landform assemblages produced by landslides and piping
Theme 3 Erosional systemsPiotr Migoń
Figure 10 Canaima National Park (Venezuela) The tabular hills and high escarpments of Canaima display significant karstic erosion of quartzites copy Natalino Russo La Venta
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 17
Erosional systems are not limited to any specific bedrock type although by virtue of strength some rock types tend to support distinctive often spectacular erosional systems more often than others do Moreover these systems appear and develop in different ways depending on rock type Therefore to account for the diversity of landforms and controls and to facilitate comparative analyses it is useful to consider several distinctive rock-controlled erosional systems such as granite landscapes sandstone and conglomerate landscapes mudstone and tuff badlands as well as ancient volcanic terrains which may be plateaus or pointed elevations (necks)
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005At the time of the 2005 report though not identified as such at the time six World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) fit the descriptive definition of Erosional systems adopted in the new thematic approach of this study and a further five properties relate to Erosional systems as an ancillary theme (Table 3 Annex 1)
In addition the effects of long-term erosion are evident in several other properties inscribed under criterion (viii) although these may be also be represented under other themes1 Tasmanian Wilderness Australia (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x)
ndash mountainous landscapes with dissected terrains and plateaus (classified as lsquoGlacial and periglacial systemsrsquo Theme 9)
2 Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Australia (viii) (ix) and (x) ndash part of Great Escarpment
3 Dinosaur Provincial Park Canada (vii) (viii) ndash chiefly paleontological site (Theme 1) but also an excellent example of badland topography
4 Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Canada (vii) (viii) ndash fossil site (Theme 1) with diverse mountainous topography including widespread glacial features
5 Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas China (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x) ndash deeply carved valleys of major rivers within mountainous setting
6 Great Smoky Mountains National Park United States of America (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x) ndash dissected mountainous terrain non-glacial
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since the 2005 report an additional three properties have been inscribed under criterion (viii) because of their erosional features1 China Danxia China (vii) and (viii)ndash diverse erosional
topographies on continental red beds predominantly sandstone and conglomerate
2 The Dolomites Italy (vii) and (viii) ndash rock-controlled cliffs and plateaus with additional role of glaciation
3 Lena Pillars Nature Park Russian Federation (viii) ndash rock formations due to differential erosion along riverside margins
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThere has been no supplementary advice to date on this newly proposed theme Reasons for not inscribing the localities listed above are probably complex but it certainly has to be observed that many of these inscriptions predate the year 2000 reflecting contemporaneous focus on scenic values rather than geodiversity and geoheritage In some instances at least insufficient scientific understanding may have been an additional factor for not considering criterion
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 3
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 3 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Grand Canyon National Park United States of America
1979 Nahanni National Park Canada 1978
Durmitor National Park Montenegro 1980 (2005) Great Smoky Mountains National Park United States of America
1983
Tassili nrsquoAjjer Algeria 1982 Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Australia 1986 (1994)
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park Australia 1987 (1994) Mosi-oa-Tunya Victoria Falls Zambia Zimba-bwe
1989
Canaima National Park Venezuela 1994 Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas China
2003
Purnululu National Park Australia 2003
The Dolomites Italy 2009
China Danxia China 2010
Lena Pillars Nature Park Russian Federation 2012
Table 3 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 3 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 3 Erosional systems
18 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
(viii) In this context it is worth mentioning that post-2005 scholarly monographs on granite landscapes and sandstone landscapes published by leading academic publishing houses may now provide much better scientific background for nominations under criterion (viii)
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionErosional systems are currently represented by about 35 properties with 29 of them inscribed under criteria (vii) andor (viii) Among them distinctive sandstone and conglomerate erosional landscapes from plateaus to inselbergs are fairly well represented ndash 12 properties including six under criterion (viii) However the majority of them occurs in drylands (eight cases including three in north Africa and three in Australia) and only two were established in humid terrains Three properties represent granite landscapes all in China and representing similar topography none inscribed explicitly under criterion (viii) Three properties cover ancient volcanic terrains mostly plateaus Great Escarpments and badlands are represented by two examples each Finally five properties may be classified as mountainous landscapes with no specific connection to any particular rock type Overlap with glacial and periglacial systems is evident in some of these properties The Dolomites (Italy) and Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation) are distinctive individual cases Thus whereas overall representation of erosional systems may seem adequate there are significant gaps both thematic and geographical
Considering the diversity of erosional systems the following missing themes may be identified erosional landscapes developed on clastic rocks mainly
sandstone and conglomerates in semi-humid and humid areas to counterbalance an over-representation of those in arid and semi-arid terrains They are likely to develop by a different suite of dominant processes than their arid counterparts
granite topographies are evidently under-represented especially if criterion (viii) alone is considered Existing properties are all mountainous and all from one region (east China) whereas inselberg landscapes domed mountains uplands (plateaus) with tors spectacular boulder fields are missing
badlands are another under-represented type of erosional system especially given lithological diversity of badlands Mudrocks and cemented gravel deposits are known to host spectacular badland landscapes
entirely non-glacial mountain systems are poorly represented and there is a room for nominations which would emphasise complexity and integrity of mountain systems preferably on lithologically diverse bedrock
In terms of geographical coverage properties inscribed principally under Theme 3 occur in Europe and North America (4) Asia and the Pacific (3) and one each in Arab States and Latin America and the Caribbean Sub-Saharan Africa is represented by only one property but which is not inscribed explicitly under criterion (viii) High latitudes are another
Figure 11 Tassili nrsquoAjjer (Algeria) The sandstone plateaux and escarpments of Tassili nrsquoAjjer are highly dissected with a range of erosional features copy Mohammed Beddiaf Source UNESCO
Theme 3 Erosional systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 19
geographical gap (two properties only one under criterion (vii)) where it may be assumed that cold-climate processes will produce erosional systems different from those in low latitudes whether humid or arid Some of these gaps may be filled by re-nominating some of existing World Heritage Properties adding criterion (viii) to the cultural criteria used before
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)Impressive erosional landscapes may be found within World Heritage Properties inscribed under criteria (ix) and (x) (eg Greater Blue Mountains Area (Australia) and Western Ghats (India)) or solely under criteria pertinent to cultural heritage (eg tall granite domes which form the stage for Rio de Janeiro Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea (Brazil) as well as the Serra da Capivara National Park (Brazil) the Matobo Hills (Zimbabwe) Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Libya) or Group of Monuments at Hampi (India)) An emerging point here is that the coverage of erosional systems by existing World Heritage Properties is much larger than the examination under criterion (viii) alone would suggest Consequently gap analyses should consider these properties as well
Additionally in a few examples criterion (viii) was proposed to justify inscription but was not accepted (eg Mount Sanqingshan National Park (China) (vii) and Wadi Rum Protected Area (Jordan) (iii) (v) and (vii)) In other cases criterion (viii) could have been used but was not proposed possibly because the nominated property did not readily fit any of the 13 Earth science themes proposed by the 2005 report In fact an equally large number of properties representing excellent examples of erosional systems have been inscribed under criterion (vii) not (viii) even if the OUV statements relate directly to the effects of on-going erosion and significant landforms produced by it These properties include1 Kakadu National Park Australia (i) (vi) (vii) (ix) and (x) ndash
dissected sandstone plateau and escarpments2 Ennedi Massif Natural and Cultural Landscape Chad
(iii) (vii) and (ix) ndash sandstone plateaus canyons and rock arches
3 Mount Taishan China (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) and (vii) ndash granite mountainous terrain
4 Mount Huangshan China (ii) (vii) and (ix) ndash granite mountainous terrain
5 Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area China (vii) ndash intricately dissected sandstone and limestone upland with multitude of tall rock towers and spires
6 Mount Sanqingshan National Park China (vii) ndash granite mountainous terrain
7 Simien National Park Ethiopia (vii) and (x) ndash dissected lava plateau
8 Meteora Greece (i) (ii) (iv) (v) and (vii) ndash isolated residual hills carved out of conglomerate
9 Wadi Rum Protected Area Jordan (iii) (v) and (vii) ndash sandstone massifs and rock arches
10 Maloti-Drakensberg Park Lesotho and South Africa (i) (iii) (vii) and (ix) ndash Great Escarpment capped by basaltic lavas
11 Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) Mali (v) and (vii) ndash plateau cliffs and plains in sandstone rocks
12 Air and Teacuteneacutereacute Natural Reserves Niger (vii) (ix) and (x) ndash residual volcanic massifs
13 Putorana Plateau Russian Federation (vii) and ix) ndash ancient lava plateau
14 Goumlreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia Turkey (i) (iii) (v) and (vii) ndash strongly eroded tuffs and lacustrine deposits multiple hoodoos and badland landscape
Theme 3 Erosional systems
20 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverVolcanoes are widely understood by the public as wonders of the planet they are central to the formation evolution and sustenance of biological systems they form some of our deepest and most significant cultural attachments to the land and they attract large numbers of visitors for their aesthetic appeal The theme Volcanic systems was recognised in the 2005 report (numbered as Theme 2) Furthermore volcanic systems were the subject of the 2009 volcano thematic study by Wood (2009) In 2019 IUCN published an updated report on World Heritage Volcanoes (Casadevall et al 2019) which we draw on here for this discussion
This study continues to consider Volcanic systems as a distinct theme Most geological themes encompass millions or billions of years of Earth history The Volcanic systems theme includes volcanoes and volcanic features found on Earth in both the marine and terrestrial environments While these features can be from any period of Earth history from the oldest volcanic rocks (42 billion years old) to the youngest eruptions the majority of volcanic properties by their nature typically only
preserve the most recent geological time frames Active volcanoes encompass those active in the Holocene Epoch (the last 11700 years) The distinctive attributes of volcanic properties are of geoheritage value but significantly they also frequently demonstrate associated aspects of cultural spiritual biological aesthetic and educational value Thus in a number of cases volcanic areas may be protected as World Heritage solely for these other attributes without direct recognition of the volcanic geoheritage as being the basis of OUV (Casadevall et al 2019)
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005Volcanic landscapes are among the most recognisable properties on the World Heritage List Of 1211 World Heritage Properties in 2019 83 (74) have significant volcanic features (Casadevall et al 2019) However of these only 26 properties have been inscribed under criterion (viii) Utilising the current themes 14 properties inscribed on the List by 2005 had gained their recognition mainly or solely under the present Theme 4 (Table 4 Annex 1)
Theme 4 Volcanic systemsTom Casadevall
Figure 12 Volcanoes of Kamchatka (Russian Federation) Kamchatka is one of the most outstanding volcanic regions in the world with a high density of active volcanoes a variety of types and a wide range of related features The six sites included in the serial designation group together the majority of volcanic features of the Kamchatka peninsula The interplay of active volcanoes and glaciers forms a dynamic landscape of great beauty copy UNESCO
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 21
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since the 2005 report an additional five volcanic properties have been inscribed under criterion (viii) primarily utilising Theme 4 (Table 4 Annex 1) Three of these inscriptions were added following the volcano thematic study of 2009 (Wood 2009) Furthermore since 2005 (and 2009) two nominations of volcanic properties were advanced but were not recommended for inscription as volcano-related World Heritage (Wudalianchi Scenic Spots (China) and Chaicircne des Puys ndash Limagne fault tectonic arena (France) the latter was ultimately inscribed in 2018 for its tectonic features)
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThe World Heritage Volcanoes report Casadevall et al (2019) provides revised comprehensive and up to date advice to States Parties on the application of criterion (viii) to volcanic properties and replaces the 2005 study as the definitive thematic guidance going forward The advice includes the use
of the classification system and feature identification presented in this study to the nomination of volcanic properties under criterion (viii) including a checklist that can also be used by the reviewers of the nomination The advice also describes a method for developing a comprehensive global comparative analysis to support the application for Listing in relation to volcanic systems this being a point that has been problematic in a number of nominations and is central to the application and review process in establishing the potential for OUV
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionAs noted above there are now 83 properties on the World Heritage List with significant volcanic values Of these 19 are volcanic properties where Theme 4 provides the primary rationale under criterion (viii) and two additional properties have used it as an ancillary rationale Within these 21 properties there are many important gaps in geographical distribution as well as gaps in their distribution by geo-tectonic setting The
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Princi-pally Under Theme 4
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 4 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Yellowstone National Park United States of America
1978 El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Bio-sphere Reserve Mexico
2013
Galaacutepagos Islands Ecuador 1978 (2001) Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains South Africa 2018
Ngorongoro Conservation Area United Repub-lic of Tanzania
1979 (2010)
Virunga National Park Democratic Republic of the Congo
1979
Sangay National Park Ecuador 1983
Giantrsquos Causeway and Causeway Coast United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
1986
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park United States of America
1987
Tongariro National Park New Zealand 1990 (1993)
Volcanoes of Kamchatka Russian Federation 1996 (2001)
Heard and McDonald Islands Australia 1997
Macquarie Island Australia 1997
Morne Trois Pitons National Park Dominica 1997
Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) Italy 2000
Pitons Management Area Saint Lucia 2004
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes Republic of Korea
2007
Teide National Park Spain 2007
Papahānaumokuākea United States of America 2010
Mount Etna Italy 2013
Vatnajoumlkull National Park - dynamic nature of fire and ice Iceland
2019
Table 4 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 4 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 4 Volcanic systems
22 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
regional distribution of volcanic properties is Europe and North America (8) Asia and Pacific (4) Africa (2) and Latin America and the Caribbean (5)
The 2019 volcano theme study outlines a series of recommendations to fill the thematic and geographical gaps on the World Heritage List The southwestern Pacific island arcs are noted as unrepresented on the List The Andes of western South America is the most prominent example of continental arc volcanism and yet is poorly represented For divergent margin properties the Great Rift Valley of Africa and its northern continuation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are poorly or not represented Submarine volcanic systems are dominantly rift systems and are not represented Volcanism in back arc basins is unrepresented although there are outstanding examples in Argentina and the southwest Pacific Collision zones are not represented The two ancient volcanic terrains on the current List contain no continental flood basalts ring dykes or subvolcanic feeder and storage systems despite the importance of these terrains in creating and remaking the early continents and as components of most of the planetrsquos major mass extinctions Previously identified gaps in Archean granite-greenstone belts and komatiites and in modern mid-Atlantic Ridge volcanism have been addressed by Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa inscribed in 2018) and Vatnajoumlkull National Park - dynamic nature of fire and ice (Iceland inscribed in 2019)
Other under-represented aspects of Theme 4 include large caldera forming volcanic systems stratovolcanoes found in
several critical subduction zone environments (eg Andean and Cascadian zones Indonesia-Philippine-Japanese subduction zones) and submarine volcanic features and volcanic rift systems Conversely monogenetic volcanic fields and basaltic volcanism should now be considered as well or fully represented on the List
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)No discussion of the global volcanic estate would be complete without mention of volcanism in the marine environment Purely submarine volcanic features are not included on the World Heritage List primarily because many of these features occur under what is known as the lsquoHigh Seasrsquo where no State Party has legal jurisdiction However 70 of the Earthrsquos surface is covered by water and is effectively a submarine environment and much of the Earthrsquos active tectonism including spreading centres ridges transform faults and subduction-related trenches are submarine Bathymetric studies of the sea floor have revealed that this vast area is dotted with volcanoes which recent studies (Hillier amp Watts 2007 Wessel et al 2010 Kim amp Wessel 2011) estimate could number over three million 39000 of which rise to more than 1000 m above the ocean
Figure 13 Ngorongoro Conservation Area (United Republic of Tanzania) The Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans vast expanses of highland plains savannah savannah woodlands and forests centred on the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater Africarsquos largest caldera copy Patrick Mc Keever
Theme 4 Volcanic systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 23
floor With the increase in seafloor mining and other potentially destructive practices some of these volcanic terrains are at risk
Several marine reserves include areas of submarine volcanism and hydrothermal vent activity but by and large the volcanic features in these submarine environments are not adequately represented on the World Heritage List The World Heritage Convention does not currently address areas beyond national jurisdiction (Abdulla et al 2013 Freestone et al 2016)
One impediment to managing and protecting properties in the submarine environments is that often there are no States Parties to claim jurisdiction and management responsibility over most of them Thus such properties fall more appropriately under lsquoLaw of the Searsquo jurisprudence However several submarine volcanoes representing submarine extensions of terrestrial volcanic systems (Loihi USA and Oshima Japan) do fall within territorial jurisdictions The UNESCOIUCN publication World Heritage on the High Seas An Idea Whose Time Has Come (Freestone et al 2016) discusses this topic primarily from the perspective of biological World Heritage but many of the concepts therein also apply to geological World Heritage
Casadevall et al (2019) considers the absence of submarine volcanism from the World Heritage List to be a substantial gap in representation of the Earthrsquos volcanic systems However they also recognise that filling this gap will depend upon additional international agreement and governance frameworks and this represents a further reason to explore the extension of the application of the World Heritage Convention to the High Seas
World Heritage Volcanoes (Casadevall et al 2019) found that a significant number of volcanic properties on the World Heritage List are listed under other criteria than criterion (viii) In part this reflects the important cultural and historical values often assigned to volcanic features and eruptions by communities which may have witnessed eruptions or live in or on volcanic edifices which have attained a notable role in these cultures In addition a number of volcanic areas have important endemic plant communities with high degrees of biodiversity Thus many volcanic landscapes have been inscribed for their biodiversity under criteria (ix) and (x)
Theme 4 Volcanic systems
24 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThe theme covers fluvial lacustrine and deltaic landscapes and their associated features These are systems resulting from large-scale fluvial processes which have formed and influenced the development of valleys flood plains river corridors wetlands lakes and deltas along with instream features and morphology (Ferrier amp Jenkins 2010) The theme includes foremost alluvial landscapes and depositional features while erosional features such as river canyons are covered primarily by Theme 3 However spectacular features such as waterfalls are included under this theme In terms of deltas this theme only covers the special cases of inland and inverted deltas while coastal deltas are covered within Theme 7 There is also some overlap with Theme 9 as many important fluvial lacustrine and deltaic processes and landforms occur in glacial landscapes The River lake and delta systems theme is equivalent to the lsquoFluvial lacustrine and deltaic systemsrsquo theme from the 2005 report
The main driving process for the formation of all inland waters is the hydrological cycle Water evaporates from the oceans
and precipitates over the continents where it flows back to the sea along rivers and streams reworking large amounts of sediments and forming some of our most familiar fluvial landforms Some of the water resides in wetlands or lakes for many years or in ice caps for thousands or millions of years (Moss 2010)
River processes shape the Earthrsquos surface while responding to sudden events (earthquakes volcanic eruptions mega floods) and or progressive change (continental uplift change in climate and precipitation) Climate and precipitation are the main factors influencing the dynamics and evolution of river systems with this history embedded into relict forms and features The fluvial geomorphology of rivers adjusts both to varying flow patterns and vegetation cover During drier geological periods vegetation cover and sediment transport decreases and rivers transform into new types Examples of this are underfit streams which have channels set in valleys formed by much larger river systems during wetter periods (Fryirs amp Brierley 2012) Apart from recording past climate events rivers also demonstrate a huge diversity of types
Theme 5 River lake and delta systemsUlrika Aringberg
Figure 14 Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia) The waters flowing over the limestone and dolomites have over thousands of years deposited travertine barriers creating natural dams which in turn have created a series of beautiful lakes caves and waterfalls These geological processes continue today copy Ko Hon Chiu Vincent Source UNESCO
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 25
processes and physiographic features For example natural floodplains contain a high complexity of various physical features such as meander bends levees cutbanks pointbars relict channels oxbow lakes ponds islands channel braiding alluvial fans inland deltas swamps and marshes
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005In the 2005 report it was noted that there were 71 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) Using the present themes the principal attributes of the OUV of six properties are assigned to the lsquoFluvial lacustrine and deltaic systemsrsquo theme One of these Everglades National Park (United States of America) share its main theme with Theme 7 (Coastal systems) Up to 2005 another three properties had ancillary attributes of OUV assigned to Theme 5 (Table 5 Annex 1)
Evidently many properties on the World Heritage List demonstrate significant values related to the River lake and delta systems theme but are inscribed under criteria other than criterion (viii) In this updated review about 30 properties inscribed under criteria other than (viii) prior to 2005 were found to demonstrate values of Theme 5 The statements of OUV for some of these properties (for example Pantanal Conservation Area (Brazil) and Mana Pools National Park Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas (Zimbabwe)) are directly linked to significant fluvial lacustrine and deltaic forms and processes and contain examples of some of the worldrsquos most prominent systems relating to this theme
Several World Heritage Properties contain the full length of rivers or the majority of their lengths and catchments for example Kakadu National Park (Australia) but only the Riacuteo Plaacutetano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras) is inscribed under criterion (viii)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since 2005 no properties have been inscribed on the World Heritage List with their principal attributes of OUV assigned to the River lake and delta systems theme and only one property
(Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) (Tajikistan)) utilises Theme 5 as an ancillary theme in its statement of OUV Among properties inscribed after 2005 under criteria other than criterion (viii) ten are identified to demonstrate significant values directly related to Theme 5 Among these are one of the worldrsquos most important inland deltas the Okavango Delta (Botswana) and the saline hyper-saline and freshwater Lakes of Ounianga (Chad) It is clear that many more properties on the World Heritage List other than those inscribed under criterion (viii) demonstrate significant and even outstanding river lake and delta systems values
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThere is one early study (Thorsell et al 1997) on wetland and marine areas on the World Heritage List which also provides a list of 41 prospective sites with potential OUV Some of these have now been inscribed (for example Pantanal Conservation Area (Brazil) Landscapes of Dauria (Mongolia and Russian Federation) and Okavango Delta (Botswana)) however only a few such as Wadden Sea (Denmark Germany and Netherlands) (see Theme 7) under criterion (viii) World Heritage Properties with OUV under Theme 5 are still poorly represented on the World Heritage List Conversely although some of the worldrsquos most prominent properties under this theme are inscribed their attributes and values have not been recognised as OUV under criterion (viii) Some reasons might be previously vague descriptions of the theme unawareness that the OUV of river lake and delta systems are recognised under criterion (viii) and inadequate scientific understanding or recognition of these systems This lack of recognition requires attention As no properties have been inscribed under Theme 5 since 2005 this clearly shows that additional upstream support and a gap analysis on the theme are needed to address this discrepancy
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionThe theme is clearly under-represented among properties inscribed under criterion (viii) Presently only six properties have been recognised for their OUV as river lake and delta systems
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 5
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 5 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Nahanni National Park Canada 1978 Canaima National Park Venezuela 1994
Everglades National Park United States of America
1979 Lake Baikal Russian Federation 1996
Plitvice Lakes National Park Croatia 1979 (2000) Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas China
2003
Willandra Lakes Region Australia 1981 Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) Tajikistan
2013
Riacuteo Plaacutetano Biosphere Reserve Honduras 1982
Mosi-oa-Tunya Victoria Falls Zambia Zimba-bwe
1989
Table 5 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 5 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 5 River lake and delta systems
26 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Despite having three of the largest and most important inland deltas already inscribed on the World Heritage List (Wood Buffalo National Park (Canada) the Okavango Delta (Botswana) and The Ahwar of Southern Iraq Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities (Iraq)) none of these properties were inscribed under criterion (viii) or recognised for their extremely important and valuable deltaic processes Likewise although the World Heritage Properties of Iguazu National Park (Argentina) and Iguaccedilu National Park (Brazil) conserve the largest and one of the most spectacular waterfall systems in the world this has not been recognised as a value under criterion (viii)
Terrestrial fossil properties inscribed under Theme 1 notably Miguasha National Park (Devonian) Joggins Fossil Cliffs (Carboniferous) and Dinosaur Provincial Park (Cretaceous) all in Canada occur in well studied fluvial lacustrine and deltaic deposits but this is not included as part of their OUV
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any lsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)Freshwater is fundamental to life on Earth and hydromorphological processes have shaped much of the
Earthrsquos surface as we see it today The importance of river (and other freshwater) systems for the evolution of life on land and human societal development is unparalleled The characteristics of freshwater bodies are highly determined by the climate and their relict forms and sediment archives are therefore also of immense importance for understanding past climatic events and changes Until now only Willandra Lakes Region (Australia) has been inscribed for its OUV of showing past major changes in Earthrsquos climate history and evolution
Large rivers cover long distances and vast areas and it is often not feasible to include the whole catchment within a World Heritage nomination Designation of OUV attributes such as the worldrsquos longest river or highest discharge river is difficult to achieve but could be done through serial properties and or transboundary nominations To cover the lsquobig storiesrsquo we should focus on the few natural rivers left and the textbook examples of alluvial and depositional features as well as past climatic records that these systems demonstrate Large relatively intact meandering systems can still be found in the Amazon and Congo basins as well as in northern Siberia and China while extensive braided river systems are found in North America New Zealandrsquos South Island and the Himalayas The flow of many rives has been impeded by human activity and natural free-flowing rivers2 are now confined to the Arctic (Canada and Russian Federation) and the Amazon and Congo basins as well as
Figure 15 Nahanni National Park (Canada) Located along the South Nahanni River this property is one of the most spectacular wild rivers in North America The park contains deep canyons and huge waterfalls The geomorphology of the property is outstanding in its wealth of form and complexity of evolution The park hosts the Worldrsquos foremost example of karst development in cold climate conditions but fluvial processes and features predominate Within the property are examples of almost every known characteristic of rivers Geological and geomorphological features include the abandoned meanders of ancient rivers now raised high above present river levels copy Ko Hon Chiu Vincent Source UNESCO
Theme 5 River lake and delta systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 27
a few examples in for example Australia and Papua New Guinea (Grill et al 2019 WWF 2019)
Theme 5 is highly relevant for other criteria and as discussed earlier some of the worldrsquos most outstanding river lake and delta systems are inscribed under criteria other than criterion (viii) Of greatest importance is undeniably that these properties and their physical biological and evolutionary processes are now protected for future generations however it would be an advantage if they were also recognised for their OUV under criterion (viii) Freshwater systems contain some of the most threatened habitats on the planet and are losing biodiversity twice as fast as any terrestrial or marine systems Despite only covering about 1 of the terrestrial surface these systems support about one-third of all known vertebrate species (Dye et al 2019) River lake and delta systems often present exceptional natural beauty significant on-going ecological and biological processes and contain significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity and threatened species and are therefore highly relevant for all the other natural (including some of the cultural) criteria
Lastly it should be noted that there are particularly important links to be made in application of this theme through connections to the implementation of the 1971 Ramsar Convention which allows for the recognition of wetlands of international importance IUCN and the Ramsar Convention Secretariat have frequently collaborated on implementation including the joint work on the only thematic study on this theme (from 1997) However the clear need for further thematic advice could be advanced by IUCN in conjunction with Ramsar
2 Free Flowing Rivers 2019 - httpfreeflowingriverorg
Theme 5 River lake and delta systems
28 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThe theme covers systems developed predominantly by the process of dissolution of soluble rocks This mainly involves carbonate rocks (limestone dolomite marble) and evaporite rocks (gypsum salt) In these terrains drainage disappears in enclosed depressions rivers sink underground and caves are signature landforms Some sandstone landscapes are also included because these rocks can become relatively soluble under subtropical and tropical conditions Natural processes involved in the development of caves and karst systems are explained by Ford amp Williams (2007 2011) and Palmer (2007)
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005At the time of the 2005 report 45 properties with internationally significant cave and karst features had been inscribed on the World Heritage List Amongst these were 25 considered to have outstanding karst features yet only eight were recognised as having OUV primarily under Theme 6 with an additional seven properties using it as an ancillary theme (Table 6 Annex 1) One additional property with OUV was lava pseudokarst recognised under criterion (viii) and having karst-like cave
decorations developed within lava tubes formed through volcanic processes
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005By 2019 the number of properties with internationally significant cave and karst features on the World Heritage List had increased by two properties that adopt karst as their main theme and a further two that utilise it as an ancillary theme (Table 6 Annex 1) It is evident that the outstanding cave and karst qualities of several properties were not appreciated either by some parties responsible for considering these nominations This points to the need for more upstream advice to assist in the recognition of significant karst values before nominations are made Sometimes the most appropriate nomination configuration (single areaserial nominationtransnational nomination) was not identified at the time of inscription and so adjustments have needed to be made to boundaries some years later
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThe 2005 report contained excellent and focused advice and enabled States Parties to achieve a global overview regarding
Theme 6 Cave and karst systemsPaul Williams and Kyung Sik Woo
Figure 16 Škocjan Caves (Slovenia) Located in the lsquoclassicalrsquo karst of Europe the property comprises a sinking river at the end of blind valley the exposed course of the underground river flowing across the base of deep collapse depressions and a large river cave with a high canyon passage It is representative of the input of an allogenic river into a karst system copy LimesMedia Tim Schnarr Source UNESCO
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 29
the protection of geological World Heritage and the contribution that they might make In addition to the 2005 report in 2008 IUCN published a separate report on World Heritage Caves and Karst a Thematic Study which was a global review of karst World Heritage Properties (Williams 2008) That thematic review of Caves and Karst was noted by several States Parties and encouraged a cautious consideration of the appropriateness or otherwise of possible nominations (Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation) in 2012 and the Trang An Landscape Complex (Viet Nam) in 2014) and stimulated a new entry on the Tentative List (Salt Domes of Iran 2017) The net effect of both reports was probably to encourage a total of about ten new inscriptions in this theme However there has been no progress regarding nominations in relation to gypsum karst The 2008 study remains current and appropriate in guiding towards the completion of the World Heritage List under this theme of criterion (viii)
The 2008 thematic review pointed out that the World Heritage Committee had noted in 2007 [Decision 31 COM 8B13]
ldquohellip that karst systems (including caves) are relatively well represented on the World Heritage List Worldwide there are a large number of protected karst landscapes with caves and at a detailed level every one of these can assert that it is in some way unique Therefore in the interests of maintaining the credibility of the World Heritage List IUCN considers that there is increasingly limited scope for recommending further karst nominations for inclusion on the World Heritage List In particular IUCN recommends that the World Heritage Committee should consider indicating clearly to States Parties that further karst nominations should only be promoted where
There is a very clear basis for identifying major and distinctive features of outstanding universal value that has been verified by a thorough global comparative analysis
The basis for claiming outstanding universal value is a significant and distinctive feature of demonstrable and widespread significance and not one of many narrow and specialized features that are exhibited within karst terrains IUCN recommends that States Parties considering karst nominations carry out an initial global comparative analysis prior to proceeding with the development of a full nomination in order to minimize the possibilities of promoting a nomination that will not meet the requirements of the World Heritage Convention including those concerning the conditions of integrityrdquo
This advice was taken seriously by States Parties and is undoubtedly responsible for a reduction in the rate of nomination of cave and karst properties Furthermore this theme illustrates in the nomination of the South China Karst (China) a particularly important example of the recognition of OUV through a serial approach by assembling in a thoroughly planned process the most outstanding examples of karst sites that illustrate one of the two great karst regions of Earth This is a model that has also been recommended in the thematic study in the Dinaric Karst the other of those two great regions
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionThe theme is well represented on the World Heritage List (Annex 1) and has a wide but unevenly distributed geographical distribution Two points are significant here
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 6
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 6 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Mammoth Cave National Park United States of America
1981 Nahanni National Park Canada 1978
Škocjan Caves Slovenia 1986 Plitvice Lakes National Park Croatia 1979 (2000)
Ha Long Bay Viet Nam 1994 (2000) Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Canada 1984 (1990)
Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst Hungary Slovakia
1995 (2000) Canaima National Park Venezuela 1994
Carlsbad Caverns National Park United States of America
1995 Pyreacuteneacutees - Mont Perdu France Spain 1997 (1999)
Desembarco del Granma National Park Cuba 1999 Lorentz National Park Indonesia 1999
Gunung Mulu National Park Malaysia 2000 Purnululu National Park Australia 2003
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Viet Nam 2003 (2015) Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes Republic of Korea
2007
South China Karst China 2007 (2014) Lena Pillars Nature Park Russian Federation 2012
Trang An Landscape Complex Viet Nam 2014
Table 6 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 6 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 6 Cave and karst systems
30 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Firstly the global distribution of karst rocks is the first determinant of where cave and karst World Heritage Properties can be located hence the properties shown on Figure 18 are mapped against a background of outcrops of carbonate and evaporite rocks (Goldscheider et al 2020) These rocks are distributed unevenly and the world distribution of evaporites is also uneven Thus we cannot expect an even global distribution of karst properties
Secondly cave and karst development depend on the operation of chemical processes driven by water and its temperature Rainfall is the primary driver but the rate of dissolution is enhanced if it is also warm Hence limestone locations that are wet warm and forested have excellent caves and karst which accounts for where most caves and karst World Heritage Properties are found However global climates change over time so important palaeokarst is sometimes found in places that were once wet but under modern conditions are inimical to karst and cave evolution This is the case in many temperate to subtropical arid lands where caves acting as Naturersquos vaults contain rich histories of more benign environments and climates in the past Some cold properties of the subarctic were also once warmer and have palaeokarst features developed during past milder humid conditions
The 2008 thematic review of caves and karst identified significant gaps in the geographical distribution of karst World
Heritage Properties and pointed to a gap in semi-arid and periglacial environments Only one inscription Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation) has since contributed to filling that gap Central Asia the Middle East Africa and South America remain seriously under-represented It was also pointed out that an important gap exists in the representation of evaporite terrains (salt and gypsum) This remains the case Also despite Shibing Karst in China being a dolomite terrain a gap remains regarding well-developed caves in dolomite
One lsquobig storyrsquo that is unrepresented but to which caves and karst can contribute is that of climates of the past Palaeokarst properties that contain important stories about past conditions on Earth are not explicitly represented on the World Heritage List although several World Heritage karst properties contain caves with excellent palaeoclimate archives Global climate is never static and while ice caps and seafloor sediments contain major climate archives the continents are under-represented Between the poles the best source of terrestrial palaeoclimate records is caves (they are also one of the best sources of hominid remains) Further cave records are also very much easier to date than other archives For example caves in the arid Nullarbor Plains of Australia have yielded mid-Pliocene speleothems containing pollen indicative of a past forested environment in association with rare mega-faunal remains The arid cave and karst properties of Central Asia and Africa could hold evidence of similar stories A cave in the island of
Figure 17 South China Karst (China) Seven sites of a serial nomination that represent karst evolution in southern China includes Shilin (stone forests on a rolling plateau in Yunnan) Jinfoshan (an isolated high plateau with huge horizontal caves suspended above deep surrounding valleys) Wulong (plateau karst with spectacular tiankeng natural bridges deep caves and gorges) Shibing (unusual cone karst development in dolomite bedrock) Libo (extensive forested cone karst (fengcong and fenglin) poljes gorges and caves with Huanjiang being an extension of the protected area) Guilin (the culmination of subtropical karst development with spectacular cones and towers beside the River Li) These areas provide type-sites for their principal karst features copy IUCN Jim Thorsell
Theme 6 Cave and karst systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 31
Mallorca Spain has yielded a precisely dated history of sea level change in the mid-Pliocene at a time when the Earthrsquos temperatures were two or three degrees higher than present Thick guano deposits in caves have never been investigated in detail for their palaeoecological record although they have long been recognised as sources of minerals
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)The key issue to emerge from this review is that many properties nominated for other reasons contain excellent caves and karst (Annex 1) Consequently important karst areas are being conserved on the coat-tails of other criteria This is an advantage for conservation but it would still be worth formally recognising the OUV of karst when it exists To amend a nomination by adding a new criterion after inscription would require the State Party to expend more resources that might be better used elsewhere but IUCN could better address this issue by helping to identify possibly unrecognised OUV at the pre-nomination stage
Figure 18 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world (with permission from Goldscheider et al 2020) with red triangles depicting the locations of World Heritage Properties with karst OUV their numbers referring to the list of World Heritage karst sites (see Annex 4) copy Goldscheider et al (2020)
Theme 6 Cave and karst systems
32 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverCoastal systems refer to physical processes and physiographical features present in the coastal zone The coastal zone is the boundary between land and sea a highly dynamic interface between geological and oceanographical features and including atmospheric (weather and climate) processes and how these are affected by land and sea (Abdulla et al 2013) But the interface - the shoreline - is mobile because land can be uplifted or subside and sea level can rise or fall Hence coastal landscapes landforms and sediments develop along a moving interface between land and sea as well as over long periods of time The zone over which this interaction plays out can be kilometres wide and so landforms produced by coastal processes can be found well inland well above sea level kilometres offshore and well below present sea level In many places coastal landforms are also influenced by ancient antecedent topography The operation of physical processes in coastal environments is explained by Woodroffe et al (2011) and Bird (2004) provides a geomorphological classification of coastal landscapes
Coastal processes were classified into 13 categories in the 2005 report It stated that coastal processes can display
ldquosignificant on-going geological processes in the development of landformsrdquo and ldquosignificant geomorphological or physiographical featuresrdquo for criterion (viii) Coastal processes have also been classified worldwide into 62 coastal provinces (from the coastline to 200 m depth) (Spalding 2012 UNESCO 2016)
Waves tides and wind dominate coastal processes and rivers deliver sediment to the coast These activities lead to the development of coastal landforms that vary according to whether processes play out on hard rocky coasts or on relatively soft mobile sand and gravel coasts So on the one hand we find cliffs headlands reefs coral lagoons and blue-holes rias and fjords while on the other we see beaches dunes sand spits and barriers dune lakes tidal-flats deltas and estuaries Marine canyons may also extend offshore sometimes for hundreds of kilometres The coast also supports rich ecosystems including salt marshes mangroves seagrass coral reefs and salt-tolerant coastal forests and shrub fields
Due to rapid sea-level rise since the last glaciation drowned coasts (characterised by rias fjords and estuaries) are very
Theme 7 Coastal systemsKyung Sik Woo
Figure 19 Fraser Island (Australia) Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world The combination of shifting sand-dunes tropical rainforests and lakes makes it an exceptional property copy IUCN Ceacutelia Zwahlen
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 33
common around the world Post-glacial sea level stabilised close to its present position about 6000 years ago Since that time sea level has varied by less than two metres depending on location but sometimes the migration of shoreline position is also driven by on-going tectonics Thus in some places sea level has the illusion of falling because the land is rising This can result in a staircase of marine terraces as in the Desembarco del Granma National Park (Cuba) In other places such as glaciated parts of northern continents shoreline regression (retreat) is driven by recovery of the land after being depressed under the weight of enormously thick ice sheets Elsewhere huge amounts of sediment deposition by large rivers may cause the land to subside and the sea to transgress thus giving the impression that sea level is rising
Carbonate coasts and sediments tend to increase towards the tropics but can be constrained by large inputs of muddy sediment In carbonate-dominated coasts a clear distinction can be made between tropical to subtropical coral reef-dominated systems and temperate carbonate shell-sand systems Carbonate beaches and tidal flats are especially found in low latitude regions where they tend to be controlled by carbonate production rates of shallow marine organisms as well as by physical hydraulic energy Broad tidal flats composed of carbonates (called sabkha) are present in arid coastal areas Stromatolites (calcareous microbial growths) are another significant feature of low latitude carbonate coasts (Shark Bay Western Australia (Australia))
Where clastic sediments are dominant different types of coastal landforms can develop according to the balance between tidal and wave energy Wave-dominated coasts are represented by beach barrier island and lagoon systems Tidal flats develop along more sheltered low energy coasts with abundant terrestrial sediment supply Coastal deltas and deltaic plains also form where rivers discharge abundant sediment
Many coastal features may be assessed as having OUV due to the great variety of interacting processes involved in their formation and the wide array of hard and soft coast landforms that result The coastal zone is also affected by the discharge of rivers and thereby may be influenced by phenomena that
may occur thousands of kilometres inland away from the coastal zone itself (eg Everglades National Park (United States of America)) Finally by virtue of the concentration of human populations in the coastal zone as well as in the basins of many rivers coastal zones are among the most threatened globally human impact affecting the integrity of many coastal features although in some places there may be sustainable relationships between geodiversity biodiversity and associated cultural activities
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005Using the themes recognised in this report three properties with coastal zone OUV were inscribed on the World Heritage List by 2005 with another six properties that exhibit coastal processes as an ancillary theme (Table 7 Annex 1)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005The only property listed under this theme since 2005 is the Wadden Sea (Denmark Germany and Netherlands) which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2009 and extended in 2014 This property demonstrates geological and geomorphological components of barrier islands beaches tidal flats and ongoing coastal processes which are strongly associated with the paths of migratory birds between Eurasia and Africa
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeConsidering that only one property has been inscribed under this theme since 2005 it can be concluded that the 2005 report was not very effective in stimulating the World Heritage nomination of coastal systems which as a result remain poorly represented on the World Heritage List in terms of recognition under criterion (viii)
Abdulla et al (2013) provided a global analysis of marine World Heritage Properties for all natural criteria They identified and mapped 27 coastal and 24 pelagic provinces representing over 50 of all provinces Around 44 (27) of all 62 coastal provinces and 65 (24) of all 37 pelagic provinces are completely unrepresented (0 properties) on the World Heritage List For another 31 (19) of coastal provinces and 30
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 7
Date Inscribed(extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 7 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Everglades National Park United States of America
1979 Galaacutepagos Islands Ecuador 1978 (2001)
Gulf of Porto Calanche of Piana Gulf of Girola-ta Scandola Reserve France
1983 Great Barrier Reef Australia 1981
Fraser Island Australia 1992 Shark Bay Western Australia Australia 1991
Wadden Sea Denmark Germany Netherlands 2009 (2014) Ha Long Bay Viet Nam 1994 (2000)
Desembarco del Granma National Park Cuba 1999
Dorset and East Devon Coast United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2001
Table 7 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 7 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 7 Coastal systems
34 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
(11) of pelagic provinces it is likely that the small area (lt1) covered by existing World Heritage Properties is not adequate to include all features of potential OUV in the province They suggested that the properties and dynamics of seawater and the ocean itself can represent the OUV Apart from ecosystem processes specific to coastal and marine systems in criterion (ix) and references to coastal and marine geological processes and themes in criterion (viii) the physical and chemical nature of seawater and ocean water bodies have not been considered and these are fundamental to the biological processes and species that are the subject of criteria (ix) and (x) (Abdulla et al 2013)
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionThe geographical distribution of existing coastal system World Heritage Properties inadequately reflects the widespread occurrence of coastal properties of global importance There is no case of a lsquocoastal systemrsquo that is fully or over-represented Evidently as with some other themes (such as Theme 6) there are many properties located in coastal areas that are included on the World Heritage List under criteria other than criterion (viii) It has been beyond the scope of the present study to undertake an analysis of that coverage (and the extent to which outstanding coastal geoheritage is covered in such properties) The need to provide updated thematic advice in this area should also consider this aspect of the recognition of coastal systems of OUV under criterion (viii)
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)The prevailing lsquobig storyrsquo to be addressed is sea level rise associated with climatic change Sea level change is a natural process that has been going on for billions of years but the current particularly rapid rate of rise is exacerbated by human activity via the warming effect of greenhouse gases So there is scope for selecting some further World Heritage Properties that contain clear evidence for sea level change and demonstrate the consequences of such changes whether natural or human-induced One of the clearest and scientifically most well-known sites from which the history of Quaternary sea level change has been revealed is found in a series of uplifted coral reefs in Papua New Guinea a Tentative List property referred to as lsquoHuon Terraces ndash Stairway to the Pastrsquo Climate change is also associated with a greater incidence of extreme storm events and these are often particularly manifest along the coast where geological evidence may be left that shows the nature and magnitude of the event (eg cyclones) which may be disastrous from a human perspective Strong physical sedimentary records of both sediments and rocks can be displayed as tempestites tsunamiites and rhodoid deposits in coast zones These records help in understanding the geological history (magnitude and frequency) of natural disasters
Figure 20 Wadden Sea (Denmark Germany and Netherlands) The largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world copy IUCN Wendy Strahm
Theme 7 Coastal systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 35
Unlike most other geological properties under different themes coastal (also marine) systems cannot be physically separated from adjacent areas because strong process connections are present due to the combined effects of climate waves tide and fluvial discharge Also human activities (coastal protection aquaculture and fisheries) are heavily involved in most areas and traditional fisheries have sometimes become part of geological and ecological systems in coastal regions This kind of human involvement in the coastal zone has already been recognised by Abdulla et al (2013) In many coastal zones there are areas where geodiversity underpins biodiversity because organisms living or visiting the coastal zone are dependent upon the food resources in the substrates that are directly associated with geological and oceanographical processes
Coastal System
Dynamic ongoingprocess associated
with surroundingcoastal landform
Coastal landform sedimentary
deposit with surroundingantecedent landform
Special deposit
bull Wave-dominatedbull Tide-dominatedbull Wave- and tide- combined processed
bull Siliciclastic landform barrier island beach amp dune delta (fan delta) tidal environmentbull Carbonate landform beach amp dune tidal environment (eg sabhka) frining reef and lagoon stromatolite rhodolite etcbull Others marine terrace mangrove swamp
bull Event deposits tempestite seismite tsunamitebull Placer depositsbull Special relationship between geodiversity and biodiversity
Figure 21 Coastal Classification copy Kyung Sik Woo
Theme 7 Coastal systems
36 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverMarine systems includes seafloor and submarine features coral islands reefs and oceanic islands The theme encompasses ldquosignificant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphological featuresrdquo found in the shallow and deep marine areas
This theme comprises the former Theme 9 of the 2005 report lsquoReefs atolls and oceanic islandsrsquo but additionally includes the wide range of ongoing processes and geological features of marine areas including physical chemical and biological processes tectonic settings and sedimentary environments including continental shelf and slope basin floors abyssal plains oceanic trenches submarine ridges
Marine areas cover 70 of the Earth surface most of which is in deep marine areas In recent years there have been a number of advances in the study of the submarine environment including extensive mapping of the seafloor which has produced a plethora of new information on the marine systems in the deep marine areas
The theme of Marine systems will have some overlap with other themes such as lsquoTectonic systemsrsquo eg oceanic ridges andor the theme of lsquoVolcanic systemsrsquo eg volcanic islands as well as the theme of lsquoRiver lake and delta systemsrsquo andor lsquoCoastal systemsrsquo
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005Marine systems were not defined in the 2005 report and only the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) and the Galaacutepagos Islands (Ecuador) were listed with primary features under the then theme of lsquoReefs atolls and oceanic islandsrsquo Shark Bay Western Australia (Australia) was inscribed in 1991 and recognised especially for its stromatolites under criterion (viii)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005No properties that use Theme 8 as a primary theme have been inscribed since 2005 Papahānaumokuākea in the mid-Pacific Ocean addresses Theme 8 as an ancillary theme (Table 8 Annex 1) and the fossil Triassic reefs and atolls of The Dolomites (Italy) are listed as ancillary values under Theme 1
Theme 8 Marine systemsTom Casadevall Tove Damholt and Kyung Sik Woo
Figure 22 Great Barrier Reef (Australia) The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) forms the worldrsquos largest coral reef ecosystem ranging from inshore fringing reefs to mid-shelf reefs and exposed outer reefs including examples of all stages of reef development The processes of geological and geomorphological evolution are well represented linking continental islands coral cays and reefs The varied seascapes and landscapes that occur today have been moulded by changing climates and sea levels and the erosive power of wind and water over long time periods One-third of the GBR lies beyond the seaward edge of the shallower reefs this area comprises continental slope and deep oceanic waters and abyssal plains copy Wise Hok Wai Lum Source Wikimedia Commons
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 37
Evidently a number of atolls and reefs are inscribed under other natural criteria than criterion (viii) and a full evaluation of the representation of these features on the World Heritage List would have to take this into consideration important amongst these is the Ningaloo Coast (Australia) inscribed under criteria (vii) and (x) but having one of the worldrsquos longest near-shore coral reefs All other marine features than oceanic islands atolls and reefs are apparently very poorly represented or missing indicating a substantial gap in the representation of marine features on the World Heritage List
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeWhile this is a newly defined theme given that only one inscription was made since 2005 that falls under the former theme of lsquoReefs atolls and oceanic islandsrsquo it is clear that the 2005 report did not provide the stimulus to States Parties in relation to the application of criterion (viiI)
As noted in the previous Theme (Coastal systems) Abdulla et al (2013) remains an important broader thematic reference for the listing of marine World Heritage There appears to be a need to provide further specific guidance on the positioning of criterion (viii) in relation to the current and future recognition of marine World Heritage
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionGiven the small number of criterion (viii) World Heritage Properties currently listed in relation to the Marine systems theme it is difficult to assess the question of equitable geographical distribution Some notable marine environments such as the Indian Ocean the Polar Regions and most of the Atlantic Ocean currently lack any properties inscribed under criterion (viii) on the World Heritage List however the extent of coverage by properties listed under other themes needs to be considered in assessing representation
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)As this is a newly defined theme and as most of the deep marine environments have not been included previously on the World Heritage List it is reasonable to say that many of the lsquobig storiesrsquo of the geoheritage of Marine systems remain to be revealed within the World Heritage List
There are likely to be number of missing elements under criterion (viii) related to most of the overall features included in the theme Features recommended by Abdulla et al (2013) complemented by biogenic features to include the atolls and reefs are as follows plates and tectonic features hotspot seamounts vents seeps and other hydrogeological features sedimentary processes (clastic processes and products) biogenic features (atolls reefs etc)
As the scope of the present report does not allow for a thorough study on the means to respond to the lsquobig storiesrsquo it is recommended that a thematic study and gap analysis for the theme of Marine systems under criterion (viii) be undertaken to identify the missing elements for future listings In considering such a study including the recommendations of Abdulla et al (2013) it is important to note that some of these aspects can also be taken forward in relation to the application of other themes (for instance see the discussion of marine volcanism in Theme 4)
One example of a lsquobig storyrsquo that is at present only touched on in a limited and incomplete fashion is the submarine expression of plate tectonic boundaries ndash spreading centres subduction zones and expressions of hot spots One could envision for example a serial property nomination to encompass key elements of the Mid-Atlantic Rift system which collectively would tell the story of this major Earth tectonic feature (but noting the link to implementation of Themes 2 and 4) Another topic missing on the World Heritage List is the marine sedimentary systems of canyons channels and submarine fans telling the story of on-going processes acting at giant scale in the deep marine
The importance of including marine natural heritage on the World Heritage List has been recognised in a number of recent reports from IUCN (Abdulla et al 2013 Freestone et al 2016 Casadevall et al 2019) As noted in these reports a key issue relates to who has jurisdiction to propose manage and protect areas of the deep marine environment These environments cover half of the Earthrsquos surface most of which lies beyond the jurisdiction of nations However and as mentioned under the lsquoVolcanic systemsrsquo theme the plethora of recent deep sea floor mapping and exploration has revealed a variety of seafloor features and environments which may merit protection from threats due to mineral resource exploitation disposal of wastes from human activity such as mining dredging for seafoods etc This represents a further reason to explore the extension of the application of the World Heritage Convention to the High Seas
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 8
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 8 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Great Barrier Reef Australia 1981 Galaacutepagos Islands Ecuador 1978 (2001)
Papahānaumokuākea United States of America 2010
Table 8 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 8 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 8 Marine systems
38 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThis theme includes geological processes landscape and geomorphological features developed by past or present glacial and periglacial systems Theme 9 is equivalent to the former two themes 10 lsquoGlaciers and ice capsrsquo and 11 lsquoIce Agesrsquo described in the 2005 report The new theme Theme 9 includes 17 of the World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) for their OUV (primary elements)
Glacier and glacial landscapes are often described as being of the most outstanding and spectacular natural beauty and several World Heritage Properties have been inscribed under criterion (vii) for example Mount Kenya National ParkNatural Forest (Kenya) Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) and Waterton Glacier International Peace Park (Canada and United States of America) The glacial landscape represents diverse glacial landforms and geomorphic or physiographic features both at a large and small scale created by glacial processes such as erosion and deposition Present day glaciers and ice caps are mainly found in high northern and southern latitudes and in high mountain ranges Their existence is dependent
upon a cold climate and precipitation The glaciers mass balance being the difference between accumulation of snow in the winter and ablation of ice during summer are recorded globally and used as an indication of climate change
Glaciers are in broad sense classified into two main types warm-based or temperate glaciers and cold-based or polar glaciers but in between are variations of intermediate thermal glaciers for example sub-polar glaciers The thermal condition of the glaciers together with ice thickness and gravity due to sub-glacial topography and type of bedrock are one of the factors that affects their dynamics and simultaneously the magnitude of erosion and carving There are several different types of glaciers Large continental masses of glacial ice are called ice sheets such as those covering Antarctica and Greenland Ice caps are smaller usually less than 50000 square kilometres and are mainly found in polar and sub-polar regions eg Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice (Iceland) Mountain glaciers develop in high mountains regions and include smaller cirque glaciers in bowl-shaped eroded landforms Valley glaciers and outlet glaciers are the
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systemsLoviacutesa Aacutesbjoumlrnsdoacutettir
Figure 23 Ilulissat Icefjord (Denmark) The Ilulissat Icefjord is an outstanding example of a stage in the Earthrsquos history the last ice age of the Quaternary Period The ice-stream is one of the fastest (40 m per day) and most active in the world Its annual calving of over 46 km3 of ice accounts for 10 of the production of all Greenland calf ice more than any other glacier outside Antarctica The property has significantly added to the understanding of ice-cap glaciology climate change and related geomorphic processes copy Ko Hon Chiu Vincent Source UNESCO
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 39
flowing or streaming part of mountain glaciers or ice caps They become piedmont glaciers when they spread out entering flat land but are called tidewater glaciers when reaching out into the sea Rock glaciers are slow moving glaciers with variable amounts of ice involved which are covered with rock and debris preventing the ice from melting
Diverse glacial landforms and glacial landscapes are created by erosional and depositional processes in different glacial environments The main environments are glacial glacio-fluvial glacio-lacustrine and glacio-marine In glacial environments older glacial landforms and features are often eroded or covered by younger glacial erosion and deposits
Periglacial systems are found in cold climate regions where permafrost and freeze-thaw processes are the dominant factors effecting the environment These processes develop characteristic and diverse landform in periglacial environments for example patterned ground palsas and pingos Permafrost is defined as a ground material (soil rock ice or organic material) that remains at or below 0degC for at least two consecutive years Its main characteristic is the permanently frozen conditions of ground water and vapour within the
sediments and bedrocks affected by the cold climate At the surface is the active layer often about one metre thick that seasonally and repeatedly freezes and thaws Permafrost exists in large areas of non-glacial environments in the polar regions but it also occurs (to a lesser extent) as mountain permafrost in many of the higher mountain areas in the world and as subsea permafrost in the continental shelves of the Arctic Ocean Global warming in the past decades has caused changes in the glacial and periglacial environments and is an on-going condition which may have unforeseen consequences in the future
The description for the theme lsquoIce Agesrsquo in the 2005 report is good and valid It includes global patterns of continental icesheet expansion and recession isostasy sea-level changes and associated biogeographic records
The major Ice Ages in the Earthrsquos history are The Huronian (24-21 billion years ago) The Cryogenian (720-635 million years ago) The Early Palaeozoic (460-420 million years ago) the
Andean-Saharan Ice Age
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 9
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 9 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Kluane Wrangell-St Elias Glacier Bay Tatshenshini-Alsek Canada and United States of America
1979 (1992 1994)
Gros Morne National Park Canada 1987
Los Glaciares National Park Argentina 1981 Heard and McDonald Islands Australia 1997
Tasmanian Wilderness Australia 1982 (1989)
Pirin National Park Bulgaria 1983 (2010)
Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves La Amistad National Park Costa Rica Panama
1983 (1990)
Yosemite National Park United States of America
1984
Huascaraacuten National Park Peru 1985
Te Wahipounamu ndash South West New Zealand New Zealand
1990
Laponian Area Sweden 1996
Pyreacuteneacutees - Mont Perdu France Spain 1997 (1999)
High Coast Kvarken Archipelago Finland Sweden
2000 (2006)
Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch Switzerland 2001 (2007)
Ilulissat Icefjord Denmark 2004
West Norwegian Fjords ndash Geirangerfjord and Naeligroslashyfjord Norway
2005
Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) Tajikistan
2013
Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice Iceland
2019
Table 9 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 9 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems
40 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
The Late Palaeozoic (360-260 million years ago) the Karoo Ice Age
The Cenozoic (28 million-10000 years ago) the Quaternary Ice Age
The Quaternary Ice Age is a rather well-documented event in the Earthrsquos history especially in the Northern Hemisphere but that is not the case with the older Ice Ages However geological records of glacial deposits and erosion relative sea level changes fossil records and chemical elements are evidence of colder climate condition effecting the palaeoenvironment long before the last Ice Age
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005By 2005 14 properties had been inscribed on the World Heritage List under Theme 9 and two additional properties inscribed with ancillary elements under this theme (Table 9 Annex 1) The 14 properties are divided between sites with present glaciers and active glacial processes and sites without glaciers but including glacial landscapes and features from the Pleistocene Epoch Only one property under Theme 9 Laponian Area (Sweden) mention the periglacial processes of freeze-thaw
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since 2005 two properties have been inscribed solely or jointly with other themes 1) Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) (Tajikistan) which is at the centre of glaciation on the
Eurasian continent and 2) Vatnajoumlkull National Park (Iceland) for the lsquodynamic nature of fire and icersquo with OUV for two Themes 9 and 4
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeIn the 2005 report the thematic advice provides clarity on the elements of criterion (viii) were divided into four parts and defined with a list of processes landforms and features recognised within each part The two themes at the time (lsquoGlaciers and ice capsrsquo and lsquoIce Agesrsquo) was clearly described The reason that only two inscriptions have been assigned for Theme 9 since 2005 can partly be explained by the relatively high number of inscriptions related to this theme before 2005 A number of potentially relevant properties were also inscribed under criterion (vii) A recent inventory of glaciers inside World Heritage Properties independent of criteria inscriptions gave the result of 46 properties with notable glaciers within their boundaries (Bosson et al 2019) In 2020 at least seven sites on the Tentative Lists of States Parties are described as being glacial and periglacial systems
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionTheme 9 is relatively well represented but with an uneven geographical distribution Europe and North America (11 properties) Asia and Pacific (four properties) and Latin America and the Caribbean (three properties) The theme has not yet
Figure 24 Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina) Significant process of glaciation as well as of geological geomorphological and physiographical phenomena caused by the ongoing advance and retreat of the glaciations that took place during the Pleistocene epoch in the Quaternary period and the neoglaciations corresponding to the current epoch or Holocene copy Philipp Schinz Source UNESCO
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 41
been used for inscription of properties in the Arab States and Africa but this reflects the geography of the planet
Periglacial systems are under-represented on the World Heritage List even though permafrost regions extend over 25 of the Earthrsquos terrestrial areas Large permafrost areas exist in northern Canada Alaska (USA) Russian Federation and China Periglacial system are in properties inscribed under others themes for example Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation) and are also found in World Heritage Properties inscribed for criterion (vii) and biodiversity eg Putorana Plateau (Russian Federation)
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)The key issue for Theme 9 is the changing climate globally In the past decade we have witnessed that glaciers are retreating fast and periglacial areas are thawing Bosson et al (2019) provides an inventory based on the newest available data on glaciers in 2017 and glacier evolution modelling for 46 World Heritage glaciers sites The results predict that by the year 2100 more than 80 of the ice volume of glaciers in 2017 is expected to have melted in 20 or 41 sites according to the models low or high emission scenario Glacier lsquoextinctionrsquo or disappearance is forecasted in eight to 21 World Heritage Properties In the research it is also pointed out that this decline in World Heritage glaciers will strongly affect the integrity and value of many of these sites and can even be a threat to their OUV
The lsquobig storiesrsquo of the major Ice Ages in Earthrsquos history are their causes and effects Does the rock record hold any evidence of the likely causes of these Ice Ages How are these Ice Ages represented in geological formations and erosions How do they represent changes in palaeoclimates palaeoenvironments atmospheric composition changes in tectonic or changes in the fossil record It is clear that inscription of older Ice Ages can be complex and it will have a strong interplay with other themes To cover some of these topics inscription as a serial or transboundary properties could be considered
Theme 9 has the characteristic of interacting with many other themes under criterion (viii) and with other criteria as well Glacial and periglacial systems are common under criterion (vii) but are also found under criteria (ix) and (x) as the theme creates a foundation for a specific ecological environment biological diversity and habitats
Multibeam surveys of the sea floor have revealed glacial landforms that provide additional information on terrestrial glaciation It is not unlikely that in the near future a new technology will reveal geological properties of OUV for Theme 9 and other themes of criterion (viii)
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems
42 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThe theme Desert and semi-desert systems is presented in the 2005 report as lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo and emphasises specific environments rather than a particular surface process or group of processes However in order to minimise overlaps within the present framework and to make it as clear as possible this category is understood as primarily designed to cover aeolian processes and landforms as well as features produced by intermittent runoff and evaporation Thus it includes landscape features such as dunes and dune fields of various types and sizes yardangs deflation hollows wadis and playas
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005The 2005 report mentioned that four properties had OUV under this lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo theme (Willandra Lakes Region (Australia) Tassili nrsquoAjjer (Algeria) Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park (Australia) and Purnululu National Park (Australia) but none had actually been inscribed under that theme (Table 10 Annex 1)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005The current representation of desert and semi-desert systems among World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion
(viii) is very limited There are only three such properties all inscribed after the 2005 report El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve
(Mexico) ndash includes part of the Sonoran Desert with star dunes and linear dunes of considerable height This property also includes significant volcanic features
Namib Sand Sea (Namibia) ndash hosts diverse dune landscapes representing an almost complete catalogue of dune types (star linear transverse barchans) as well as other desert surface features such as interdune corridors gravel plains ephemeral channels and playas
Lut Desert (Iran) ndash includes classic locality of yardangs developed on a massive scale as well as gravel plains and dune fields
There are several additional World Heritage Properties relevant to the theme but inscribed under criteria other than criterion (viii) However justifications of inscription show that landscape features produced by desert environmental processes were considered crucial for the OUV of these properties These are1 Air and Teacuteneacutereacute Natural Reserves (Niger) (vii) (ix) and (x) ndash
include dune fields surrounding residual volcanic massifs in the hyper-arid environment
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systemsPiotr Migoń
Figure 25 Lut Desert (Iran) The Lut Desert is a classic locality of yardangs developed on a massive scale as well as gravel plains and dune fields copy Paul Williams
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 43
2 Lakes of Ounianga (Chad) (vii) ndash a group of lakes within an otherwise hyper-arid environment fed by groundwater and surrounded by dunes and desert pavements filling surface depressions formed by aeolian erosion (deflation)
3 Okavango Delta (Botswana) (vii) (ix) and (x) ndash overlapping with Theme 5 (River lake and delta systems) it also represents geomorphic features resulting from specific hydrological functioning of drylands with considerable seasonal variations in runoff
Furthermore as with other themes there are many more properties included on the World Heritage List within arid and semi-arid environments but listed for values not related to desert geomorphology (such as Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) (Egypt) which is listed for its spectacular fossils but in a diverse natural desert landscape
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeDesert and semi-desert systems have been the subject of a thematic study commissioned by IUCN (Goudie amp Seely 2011) This study comprehensively covered desert environments identifying various geomorphological features present in the worldrsquos deserts whether directly formed by dry climate processes or not but also indicating three unique subjects for drylands (a) wind processes and landforms (b) weathering processes forms and surface materials specifically different types of near-surface crusts and (c) fossil lakes and other pluvial evidence The latter is particularly important in the context of climate change over geological timescales providing evidence of drastic shifts in climate especially during the Quaternary It needs to be noted that five out of the six World Heritage Properties listed above were inscribed after the thematic study was published although work towards their nominations may have started earlier
Goudie amp Seely (2011) also noted several World Heritage Properties located in deserts which contain representative desert surface features although not of OUV and inscribed under different natural and cultural criteria Among them properties inscribed in recognition of rock art are particularly relevant as this rock art often provides evidence of drastic climate change experienced in recent Earth history They also found several properties on the Tentative List which illustrate desert processes with a few having been inscribed in the following years
This 2011 thematic advice remains relevant and effective as a basis for guiding future application of criterion (viii) under this theme
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionThe current representation of desert and semi-desert systems is relatively modest although the actual number of properties located in arid and semi-arid areas is much higher Many however were inscribed as outstanding examples of erosional systems and palaeontological properties as well as for rock art (as Cultural World Heritage) rather than for aeolian or other specifically dry climate processes Among the six properties listed above four are located in Africa whereas Asia and North America are represented by one property each This low number stands in stark contrast to the area covered by worldrsquos deserts and semi-deserts estimated by Goudie amp Seely (2011) for one third of the total continental area Evident geographical gaps are deserts of Middle East Central and East Asia Australia as well as the semi-desert areas of South America The vastness of the Sahara and the diversity of the North American drylands also offers potential for identification of further features of OUV
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any lsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)In terms of diversity of desert processes and landforms the majority of properties illustrate depositional effects of aeolian processes being focused on dune landscapes Star and linear dunes are highlighted whereas other dunes types such as transverse dune fields and barchans are less exposed Effects of aeolian erosion (deflation) are emphasised in one case only (Lut Desert (Iran)) and there is the scope for further investigation and nominations Desert lakes and playas (former lake basins including seasonal lakes) whether in inland or coastal locations (sabkhas) are clearly under-represented Another gap is complex desert geomorphological systems which would explicitly integrate erosional transitional and depositional features into one system addressing the condition of integrity Two variants may be distinguished here (a) aeolian systems from deflation surfaces (playas stony deserts wind-moulded bedrock outcrops) to dune fields (b) runoff-evaporation systems from channel networks in the higher ground to seasonal lakes and playas The theme of desert landscapes as evidence of climate change is definitely worth exploration both for existing properties (including those inscribed under cultural criteria) and potential properties It may be linked with cultural World Heritage
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 10
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 10 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Bio-sphere Reserve Mexico
2013
Namib Sand Sea Namibia 2013
Lut Desert Iran 2016
Table 10 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 10 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systems
44 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
as the sensitivity of dry environments to climate change often contributed to rises and falls of ancient civilisations which have left tangible evidence (abandoned settlements relict cultural landscapes) Rapidly increasing literature on this subject will provide solid scientific background for further action
In the dual context of desert and semi-desert systems and climate change a theme of loess deposits (wind-blown silt) is identified as completely missing from the World Heritage List Loess with associated palaeosols (buried soils) is an important carrier of palaeoenvironmental information which in suitable settings covers the entire Quaternary Period providing a unique terrestrial record of climate change The thickness of continuous loess may exceed 100 m and is often well exposed In certain localities loess is linked with distinctive features of surface erosion (gully networks escarpments) illustrating on-going geological (geomorphological) processes and significant geomorphic formations Supporting fertile soils loess areas have been inhabited and turned into agricultural land early in the human history As a consequence they are rich in archaeological evidence often of unique value The potential of loess deposits and landscapes may be explored in East and Central Asia Central and Eastern Europe in particular but loess deposits occur on all continents
Thus whilst the specific guidance for the application of criterion (viii) remains relevant it may be that deserts would benefit from a greater connection of the recognition of geoheritage to the wider recognition of cultural and natural World Heritage
Figure 26 Namib Sand Sea (Namibia) This property hosts diverse dune landscapes representing an almost complete catalogue of dune types (star linear transverse barchans) as well as other desert surface features such as interdune corridors gravel plains ephemeral channels and playas copy Ko Hon Chiu Vincent Source UNESCO
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 45
What does the theme coverThe theme of Meteorite impacts includes features produced by the impacts of meteors comets asteroids and other extra-terrestrial objects with the Earth including both physical structures formed by extra-terrestrial impacts such as impact craters as well as major effects caused by them such as mass extinction Impacts by and accretion of extra-terrestrial bodies was the fundamental process by which the Earth grew to its current size It was also a dominant geological process throughout the early history of the Solar System and a variety of possible effects have been ascribed to impacts on Earth including the origin of the Earthrsquos moon the contribution to the Earthrsquos quantity of volatile gases and effects on the evolution of early life In more recent geological time at least one mass extinction event is linked to global effects caused by a major impact event (eg Osinski amp Pierazzo 2012)
Most of the physical structures formed by impacts of extra-terrestrial bodies on Earth have been obliterated by later geological processes and only a few of the more than 190 impact craters3 that have been identified still display the characteristic crater morphology with an annular depression surrounded by an elevated crater rim
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005At the time of the publication of the 2005 report only one property had been inscribed on the World Heritage List under this theme Vredefort Dome (South Africa) which is the oldest largest and most deeply eroded complex meteorite impact structure in the world (Table 11 Annex 1) It is the site of the worldrsquos greatest single known energy release event and contains high quality and accessible geological (outcrop) properties which demonstrate a range of geological evidences of a complex meteorite impact structure
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005In 2014 Stevns Klint (Denmark) was inscribed under this theme The property bears evidence of the asteroid impact believed to have caused the mass extinction that led to the end of the Age of the Dinosaurs and has iconic scientific importance due to its association with the radical theory for asteroid driven extinction In 2014 decision 38 COM 8B10 of the World Heritage Committee followed the recommendation of IUCN and considered ldquothat this nomination can be regarded as completing the recognition of the phenomenon of asteroid impact and its impact on the history of life on Earth on the
Theme 11 Meteorite impactsTove Damholt
Figure 27 Vredefort Dome (South Africa) The Vredefort Dome is the oldest largest and most deeply eroded complex meteorite impact structure in the world and the site of the worldrsquos greatest single known energy release event copy OUR PLACE The World Source UNESCO
3 Earth Impact Database 2019 - httpwwwpasscnetEarthImpactDatabaseNew20website_05-2018Indexhtml
46 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
World Heritage Listrdquo The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa) an Archean property inscribed under several themes (Theme 1 2 4 and 11) contains several thin beds interpreted as meteorite fall-back breccia reflecting the massive bombardments of the early Earth
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeIn the 2005 report the lsquoMeteorite impactrsquo theme is described as ldquophysical evidence of meteorite impacts (astroblemes) and major changes that have resulted from them such as extinctionsrdquo This led to the nomination and inscription of Stevns Klint (Denmark) in 2014 This theme has not been seen as requiring a separate thematic study
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionAs mentioned there are only two properties on the World Heritage List that represent meteorite impacts one in Africa and one in Europe plus one property in Africa that contains meteorite fall-back spherules Further it should be noted again that following the nomination of the Stevns Klint (Denmark) in 2014 it can be considered that this theme is now fully represented on the World Heritage List regardless of geographical distribution
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any lsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)The theme is well represented considering the more limited scope compared to the other themes recognised within criterion (viii) This is particularly the case with regards to the very old and very large physical features related to impacts by extra-terrestrial bodies by the eroded crater of Vredefort Dome supplemented by the fall back breccia of the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (both in South Africa) Stevns Klint (Denmark) forms an equally strong representation of the effect of an extra-terrestrial impact on the record of life on Earth It is remarkable however that the list does not include the feature that is most spectacular and easily understandable to everyone a well-preserved impact crater with a clearly visible annular depression surrounded by an elevated crater rim The lsquobig storiesrsquo of the theme are thus regarded as fully covered except for the representation of a crater structure clearly visible to the untrained eye and recognised as such to a wide public
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 11
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 11 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Vredefort Dome South Africa 2005 Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains South Africa 2018
Stevns Klint Demark 2014
Table 11 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 11 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Figure 28 Stevns Klint (Denmark) The Stevns Klint bears evidence of the asteroid impact believed to have caused the mass extinction that led to the end of the Age of the Dinosaurs It is of iconic scientific importance due to its association with the radical theory for asteroid driven extinction copy Jacob Lautrup Source UNESCO
Theme 11 Meteorite impacts
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 47
As mentioned previously apart from justifying OUV any World Heritage nomination must also include a full and detailed comparative analysis the definition of boundaries meet the conditions of integrity and demonstrate adequate long-term protection and management which should reflect the extent and character of the attributes that convey the OUV To assist in the assessment of OUV it is necessary to perform a global comparative analysis with other sites and areas (including those already inscribed on the World Heritage List) across the world that contain or display similar elements The following three cases are examples of how the building of a comparative analysis was done for recently designated World Heritage Properties nominated under criterion (viii) Collectively these three examples show some commonalities that extend across all 11 themes in geological World Heritage (Figure 2) including the overarching need to identify a gap in attributes of OUV among all existing World Heritage Properties before beginning the nomination the utility of creating a formal list of required and desired criteria to permit equal comparisons among all relevant sites worldwide and the value of a rigorous scoring system to rank individual sites
relative to these previously defined criteria At the same time these examples also show that some aspects of each theme are unique to that theme and thus require some individuality in the criteria for comparisons It is recommended to consider these but also to contact IUCN beforehand in order to establish an effective comparative analysis methodology
Theme 1 Mistaken Point CanadaFor the past two decades all nominations under Theme 1 have used a similar lsquobest practicersquo method for the comparative analysis of fossil sites as illustrated by the analysis of Mistaken Point (IUCN 2016 p 56-57 Thomas and Narbonne 2015 p 59-69) The evaluation started with a comparison of Mistaken Point with all World Heritage fossil sites none of which contained any part of the OUV proposed for Mistaken Point
Evaluation of all Ediacaran fossil sites worldwide was aided by comparative work undertaken by two international Ediacaran fossil experts who analysed all 109 sites worldwide where Ediacaran fossils had been reported identifying 84 sites they regarded as valid and then further distilling this list to 13 sites
Figure 29 Mistaken Point (Canada) These rugged coastal cliffs of deep marine origin date to the middle of the Ediacaran Period 580-560 million years ago They record lsquowhen life got bigrsquo the first abundant appearance of large biologically complex organisms after three billion years of mainly microbial evolution copy Mistaken Point Ambassadors Inc Barrett amp MacKay Photography Source UNESCO
Comparative analysis
48 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
on five continents with sufficient age certainty and fossil diversity to potentially justify OUV These 13 sites were then assessed on the basis of 12 criteria reflecting the ten questions on the lsquoIUCN fossil site evaluation checklistrsquo (Annex 2) that critically assessed the record of fossil diversity at the site the nature and quality of the fossil archive at the site and the permanence (integrity) and scientific impact of the site (Figure 30) The 13 short-listed Ediacaran sites were then assessed as objectively as possible under these 12 criteria typically using numerical subcategories such as stratigraphic thickness number of fossils described number of fossil species recognised and number of scientific papers documenting the site for ranking within each criterion The short-listed sites were then ranked numerically from 1 to 13 within each criterion and the results were summed to produce a matrix for global comparative analysis A final test of the comparative matrix was to critically compare the ranking (both overall and in each specific criterion) of all 13 sites with the Statement of OUV of the nominated site as representing the ldquooutstanding record of a critical milestone in the history of life on Earth lsquowhen life got bigrsquo after almost three billion years of microbe-dominated evolutionrdquo (Thomas and Narbonne 2015 Fig 36)
Theme 4 Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice IcelandVolcanic systems have recently received a high degree of attention with comprehensive global reviews of all inscribed World Heritage Properties that display volcanic features as part of their OUV (Wood 2009 Casadevall et al 2019) These reviews have provided excellent summations of the breadth of volcanic features preserved in World Heritage Properties worldwide but also reveal some significant volcanic features and processes not represented in any World Heritage Property
The inscription of Icelandrsquos Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice (VPN) property on the World Heritage List in 2019 filled a major gap in the coverage of volcanic systems ndash the volcanic systems that produce a mid-ocean ridge Iceland
is the only part of the actively spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge that is above sea level The comparative analysis for the VPN nomi-nation was with 13 sites six of them World Heritage Properties plus seven other prominent sites which have similar tectonic glacio-volcanic volcanic andor glaciological processes From this comparative analysis it was clear that VPN stood out as being by far the most diverse site in terms of the types of landforms related to volcanism and glacio-volcanism No pro-perty inscribed on the World Heritage List presented active ice dominant glacio-volcanism or glacio-volcanic landforms such as Tuya and Tindar ridges Moacuteberg (hyaloclastite) formations joumlkulhlaup and Sandur or glacial outwash plains In the compa-rative analysis the volcanic fields of Antarctica came close to the VPN in diversity but they had lower levels of Holocene vol-canic activity and many are in areas that are difficult to access (Baldursson et al 2018)
The IUCN evaluation report for VPN (IUCN 2019) concluded
ldquoThe property comprises an entire system where magma and the lithosphere are incessantly interacting with the cryosphere hydrosphere and atmosphere to create extremely dynamic and diverse geological processes and landforms that are currently underrepresented or not found on the World Heritage Listrdquo
Theme 11 Stevns Klint DenmarkThe mass extinction at the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary represents the latest and by far best understood and most publicised of the five major faunal turnovers (mass extinction events) that punctuated the Phanerozoic history of life on Earth (Raup amp Sepkoski 1982 Fan et al 2020) It was also the first mass extinction event that was demonstrably related to an extra-terrestrial impact (Alvarez et al 1980) Recognising that this event was not already represented on the World Heritage List Stevns Klint was proposed for adoption as representing a lsquomajor stage in Earthrsquos history including the record of lifersquo thus fulfilling criterion (viii)
CATEGORY 1Fossil record of Ediacara-typesoft-bodied macrofossil deiversity
CATEGORY 2Nature and quality of the fossil archive
CATEGORY 3Permanence (integrity) and scientific impact of the site
1 Number of Ediacara-type macrofossil genera (sensu lato) known from the site
2 Higher level diversity3 Number of Ediacaran macrofossil specimens of lsquoanimal-like characterrsquo estimated to be visible and in situ at the site4 Wider evolutionary signifiance
5 Quality of preserved Ediacara-type preservation
6 Exposed stratigraphic thickness
7 Geochronological constraints
8 Age of the fossil assemblages
9 Range of major depositional environments represented at the site
10 Degree of site investigation
11 Ease of access to the site
12 Permanence of the site
Figure 30 Summary of the criteria assessed in the Global Comparative Analysis of Ediacaran fossil properties Modified from Thomas and Narbonne 2015 Table 32
Comparative analysis
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 49
The comparative analysis used an existing database (KTbase) of more than 500 sites marking the CretaceousminusPalaeogene boundary (Damholt amp Surlyk 2012) and was performed in two stages
First three prerequisites were defined to ensure that all sites examined in further detail comprised the key attributes telling the complete story of the biotic turnover across the CretaceousminusPalaeogene boundary layer and included traces of the extra-terrestrial impact
Completeness across the boundary including the latest Cretaceous and the earliest Palaeogene strata in order to represent the entire event the nature of the mass extinction and the subsequent recovery of life after the extinction
Well studied and described allowing comparison
Boundary layer lithologically different from the underly-ing Cretaceous sediments and the overlying Palaeogene sediments and including the characteristic enrichment in iridium and other rare elements
These three criteria reduced the number of relevant sites to 17 (Damholt amp Surlyk 2012)
In order to compare the 17 sites fulfilling the prerequisites with respect to their potential as a World Heritage Property an additional number of issues were subsequently studied in detail under a second set of criteria (Soslashrensen 2010)
The nature and quality of the rock section itself The site should be of high quali-ty and permanency and contain a clearly defined stratigraphic section
bull Visibility of the boundary layer
bull Lateral extent of exposure
bull Quality of exposure
Fossil record of biodiversityThe site should contain high fossil diversity representing the broadest possible range of major taxonomic groups
bull Fossil diversity
Scientific impact of siteThe site should have high quality for scientific studies
bull Scientific impactbull Accessibility of the
site
The 17 short-listed Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary sites were assessed as objectively as possible under the defined criteria using numerical subcategories such as visibility of boundary layer lateral extent quality of exposure presence of major biotic groups and number of scientific papers documenting the site for ranking within each criterion The results were summed to produce a matrix for global comparative analysis
Finally the ranking found in the numerical comparative analysis was critically compared with the Statement of OUV of the nominated property as an outstanding example of the most spectacular global mass extinction event in the history of Earth (Damholt amp Surlyk 2012)
Figure 31 Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice (Iceland) This is an iconic volcanic region that also features the continental drifting currently active in this part of Atlantic Ocean with ten central volcanoes eight of which are subglacial Two of these are among the most active in Iceland The interaction between volcanoes and the rifts that underlie the Vatnajoumlkull ice cap takes many forms the most spectacular of which is the joumlkulhlaup ndash a sudden flood caused by the breach of the margin of a glacier copy THORNorvarethur Aacuternason Source UNESCO
Comparative analysis
50 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
IntegrityWhile the principles of authenticity apply only to properties being nominated under criteria (i) ndash (vi) the concept of integrity applies to all nominations including those under criterion (viii) Integrity is a measure of the wholeness or intactness of the heritage of the proposed property Specifically it must include all elements needed to express its OUV it must be of adequate size to ensure the complete representation of the features and processes that convey the propertyrsquos significance and it should not be suffering from any adverse effects of development andor neglect For all properties nominated under criteria (vii) ndash (x) bio-physical processes and landform features should be relatively intact However it is recognised that no area is totally pristine and that all natural areas are in a dynamic state and to some extent involve contact with people For criterion (viii) the Operational Guidelines (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019) state that proposed properties
ldquohellipshould contain all or most of the key inter-related and interdependent elements in their natural relationships For example an rsquoice agersquo area would meet the conditions of integrity if it includes the snow field the glacier itself and samples of cutting patterns deposition and colonization (eg striations moraines pioneer stages of plant succession etc) in the case of volcanoes the magmatic series should be complete and all or most of the varieties of effusive rocks and types of eruptions be representedrdquo
Within this general context other aspects of integrity are most-ly specific to the theme and property under consideration For example a fossil property under Theme 1 should contain a high abundance and diversity of well-preserved fossils that remain in situ in the rock for observation and future study and fossils that have been removed for scientific purposes should be reposited in a curated museum collection The permanence of the fossil record at the property is also an important feature of its integrity
Protection and management Once a property is inscribed onto the World Heritage List it is necessary that the State Party ensures the conditions and integrity of the property are sustained or even enhanced To achieve this all properties must have adequate long-term legislative regulatory institutional and or traditional protection and management to ensure their safeguarding The property should be protected from social economic and other pressures that might negatively impact the propertyrsquos OUV
BoundariesThe delineation of boundaries is an essential requirement in the establishment of the effective protection of a property For properties nominated under criteria (vii) ndash (x) boundaries should reflect the spatial requirements of habitats species processes or phenomena that provide the basis for their inscription on the World Heritage List The boundaries should include sufficient areas immediately adjacent to the area of OUV in order to protect the propertyrsquos heritage values from direct effects of human encroachments and impacts of resource use outside of the nominated area (a buffer zone) More information on protection and management and boundaries can be found in the Operational Guidelines (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019)
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 51
The following section addresses the explicit request from the World Heritage Committee for guidance on the relationship between geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
The lsquoConvention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritagersquo was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 17th session in November 1972 It was done in response to the observation that cultural and natural heritage were becoming increasingly threatened with destruction not only by traditional causes of decay but also by changing social and economic conditions It also considered that parts of the cultural and natural heritage are of outstanding interest and therefore need to be preserved as part of the World Heritage of humankind as a whole At the time of adoption the Convention stated that natural heritage included ldquogeological and physiographical formationsrdquo Subsequently the concept of OUV was defined and ten criteria were established to help States Parties decide whether proposed World Heritage Properties could fulfil the concept of OUV Before 2004 natural criterion (i) stated ldquobe outstanding examples representing major stages of Earthrsquos history including the record of life significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphic or physiographic featuresrdquo With the re-organising of the criteria in 2004 natural criterion (i) became criterion (viii) although the definition remained unchanged Presently (June 2021) 93 properties are inscribed on the World Heritage List either under criterion (viii) alone or in combination with one or more other criteria representing approximately 8 of all properties on the list
The latest version of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention published in 2019 mentions that since the adoption of the Convention in 1972 the international community has embraced the concept of lsquosustainable developmentrsquo and notes that the protection and conservation of the natural and cultural heritage constitute a significant contribution to sustainable development It also encourages States Parties to mainstream into their programmes and activities related to the Convention the principles of the relevant policies adopted by the World Heritage Committee the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention and the UNESCO Governing Bodies These include the document Policy for the Integration of a Sustainable Development Perspective into the Processes of the World Heritage Convention and the UNESCO policy on engaging with indigenous peoples as well as other related policies and documents including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and international human rights standards However the definitions of World Heritage and OUV and the ten criteria that support these definitions still make no reference to sustainable development Furthermore some properties
are so fragile remote scientifically specific or they simply have no host human communities that they cannot contribute to sustainable development The important thing is of course that they fulfil one or more of the ten criteria to demonstrate that they have OUV
Starting in the late 1980rsquos and 1990rsquos various areas in Europe were developing programmes of sustainable development based on geological heritage In 1994 Reacuteserve Geacuteologique de Haute Provence (France) Vulkaneifel (the Gerolstein area of the Eifel district in Germany) and the Museum of the Petrified Forest on Lesvos Island Greece joined together to apply for funding under the European Unionrsquos community-led LEADER programme to further develop this concept of using an arearsquos geological heritage to promote the sustainable development of the communities who live there They were joined by the Maestrazgo Cultural Park in Spain and together in 2000 they jointly launched the fledging European Geoparks Network with each area branding itself as a European Geopark As originally defined a European Geopark is a territory which includes a particular geological heritage and a sustainable territorial development strategy supported by a European program to promote development It must have clearly defined boundaries and sufficient surface area for true territorial economic development A European Geopark should have an active role in the economic development of its territory through enhancement of a general image linked to the geological heritage and the development of geotourism It should also have direct impact on the territory by influencing its inhabitants living conditions and environment The objective is to enable the inhabitants to re-appropriate the values of the territoryrsquos heritage and actively participate in the territoryrsquos cultural revitalisation as a whole Also significantly all European Geoparks were obliged to be part of a network of cooperation the European Geoparks Network By early 2004 the European Geoparks Network had expanded to include 17 European Geoparks
At the same time Geoparks also began to be created in China However here the early focus was to define sites and areas important from a geological science perspective only rather than using that heritage for promoting sustainable development On February 13 2004 alongside the annual meeting in UNESCO of the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) eight Chinese Geoparks and the 17 European Geoparks were brought together to create the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and the 25 European and Chinese Geoparks were rebranded as Global Geoparks under the auspices of UNESCO and using the approach of using geological heritage for promoting sustainable development The Global Geoparks and the GGN were then formally launched in June 2004 in Beijing China at the inaugural International
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
52 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Conference on Geoparks The 2005 report noted that ldquohellipthe World Heritage List is never likely to include more than 150 properties of primary geological or geomorphological interestrdquo and that the ldquonecessarily selective nature of World Heritage cannot therefore be regarded as adequate for recognising the full range of globally selective geological propertiesrdquo By the time the 2005 report was published there were 32 Global Geoparks and it was noted that the UNESCO Geoparks Program could be a viable alternative model to World Heritage for recognising protecting other geological sites However there was no UNESCO Geoparks Program at that time and there was no formal legal link to UNESCO
Nevertheless Global Geoparks increasingly spread to other areas of the world Starting in 2013 at the request of its Member States UNESCO through the establishment of a working group began to explore ways of formalising the link between Global Geoparks and the Organisation This resulted in the adoption in November 2015 by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 38th session of a new programme the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) which allowed for the creation of a new UNESCO site designation the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) Following approval from 33 individual Member States which hosted the then existing 120 Global Geoparks these areas were automatically re-designated as UGGprsquos Presently (June 2021) there are 169 UGGprsquos in 44 Member States all linked together through the GGN4
With the drafting and adoption of a set of Statutes and Operational Guidelines for the new IGGP (UNESCO 2015) a UNESCO Global Geopark was officially defined as a
ldquohellipsingle unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection education and sustainable development The international geological significance of a UNESCO Global Geopark is determined by scientific professionals as part of a lsquoUNESCO Global Geopark Evaluation Teamrsquo who make a globally comparative assessment based on the peer-reviewed published research conducted on geological sites within the area UNESCO Global Geoparks use geological heritage in connection with all other aspects of that arearsquos natural and cultural heritage to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society in the context of the dynamic planet we all live onrdquo
To support this definition a set of seven criteria were also adopted(i) UNESCO Global Geoparks must be single unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection education research and sustainable development A UNESCO Global Geopark must have a clearly defined border be of adequate size to fulfil its functions and contain geological
heritage of international significance as independently verified by scientific professionals
(ii) UNESCO Global Geoparks should use that heritage in connection with all other aspects of that arearsquos natural and cultural heritage to promote awareness of key issues facing society in the context of the dynamic planet we all live on including but not limited to increasing knowledge and understanding of geoprocesses geohazards climate change the need for the sustainable use of Earthrsquos natural resources the evolution of life and the empowerment of indigenous peoples
(iii) UNESCO Global Geoparks should be areas with a management body having legal existence recognized under national legislation The management bodies should be appropriately equipped to adequately address the area of the UNESCO Global Geopark in its entirety
(iv) In the case where an applying area overlaps with another UNESCO designated site such as a World Heritage Site or Biosphere Reserve the request must be clearly justified and evidence must be provided for how UNESCO Global Geopark status will add value by being both independently branded and in synergy with the other designations
(v) UNESCO Global Geoparks should actively involve local communities and indigenous peoples as key stakeholders in the Geopark In partnership with local communities a co-management plan needs to be drafted and implemented that provides for the social and economic needs of local populations protects the landscape in which they live and conserves their cultural identity It is recommended that all relevant local and regional actors and authorities be represented in the management of a UNESCO Global Geopark Local and indigenous knowledge practice and management systems should be included alongside science in the planning and management of the area
(vi) UNESCO Global Geoparks are encouraged to share their experience and advice and to undertake joint projects within the GGN Membership of GGN is obligatory
(vii) A UNESCO Global Geopark must respect local and national laws relating to the protection of geological heritage The defining geological heritage sites within a UNESCO Global Geopark must be legally protected in advance of any application At the same time a UNESCO Global Geopark should be used as leverage for promoting the protection of geological heritage locally and nationally The management body must not participate directly in the sale of geological objects such as fossils minerals polished rocks and ornamental rocks of the type normally found in so-called lsquorockshopsrsquo within the UNESCO Global Geopark (regardless of their origin) and should actively discourage unsustainable trade in geological materials as a whole Where clearly justified as a responsible activity and as part of delivering the most effective and sustainable means of site management it may permit sustainable collecting of geological materials for scientific and educational purposes from naturally renewable sites within
4 List of UNESCO Global Geoparks - httpwwwunescoorgnewennatural-sciencesenvironmentearth-sciencesunesco-global-geoparkslist-of-unesco-global-geoparks
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 53
the UNESCO Global Geopark Trade of geological materials based on such a system may be tolerated in exceptional circumstances provided it is clearly and publicly explained justified and monitored as the best option for the Global Geopark in relation to local circumstances Such circumstances will be subject to approval by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council on a case by case basis
As can be seen the main and important differences between geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks include that the former are defined by the concept of OUV while the latter are defined by having lsquosites and landscapes of international geological significancersquo While OUV is defined as a combination of fulfilling one or more of the World Heritage criteria site integrity and having a management plan for UGGprsquos international geological significance is independently assessed by the International Union for Geological Sciences (IUGS) Through their global network IUGS ask independent geological researchers on whether the areasrsquo geological values have attracted international scientific researchers whose results have been published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals If the application is deemed by IUGS as not having international value then the application is stopped
Additionally the concept of sustainable development is an integral part of the definition of a UGGp and the involvement of local communities is one of the criteria that helps support
the definition Furthermore while UGGprsquos can just like World Heritage Properties be transnational they cannot be serial in nature as a UGGp is defined as a single unified geographical area Finally a UGGp must include people within its boundaries as per criterion (v) of the definition and there is no zonation such as can exist for World Heritage Properties (eg buffer zones)
Legally the two designations also differ The Statutes and Operational Guidelines of the IGGP do not constitute an intergovernmental convention such as the lsquoWorld Heritage Conventionrsquo and decisions involving new designations and revalidation (the 4-yearly periodic review all UGGprsquos are subject to) are taken by a body of individuals the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council which is appointed by the Director General of UNESCO on the basis of their expertise in Geoparks but who are not representatives of their respective States or any other affiliated entity This is in contrast to the equivalent body for World Heritage the World Heritage Committee which consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties that are signatories to the Convention The aforementioned system of periodic review for UGGprsquos revalidation also differs to that operated through the World Heritage Convention the periodic review During revalidation progress reports submitted by the UGGp are analysed and this is followed by a site visit that thoroughly investigates not only whether the area is still functioning as a UGGp but significantly what improvements have been made particularly in regard to sustainable
Figure 32 Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geoparks (Greece) One of the remits of UNESCO Global Geoparks is to promote awareness of geohazards On Lesvos Island the Geopark authorities teach school children how to act in the event of an earthquake When this earthquake hit the village of Vrisa in 2017 pupils in the local school were in class While the school was destroyed all children escaped unharmed copy Patrick Mc Keever
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
54 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
development community involvement and networking activities through the GGN The result of this process can be that the area has made sufficient progress meaning it can maintain its designation as a UGGp for an additional four years after which this process is repeated (the so-called green card) If however it is deemed that not enough progress has been made or one or more other issues have been identified (perhaps for example problems in management or visibility) then a two year warning is issued (the so-called yellow card) A list of recommendations are given to the UGGp and a two year period is allowed for their implantation after which another full revalidation exercise is undertake At this stage if it is considered that not enough progress has been made then the area loses its designation as a UGGp (the so-called red card) A red card is not necessarily the end of the story however as the area when its management body feels it is ready can re-apply following the normal procedure Several Geoparks that previously were given red card have re-applied and have been re-designated as UGGprsquos
While the two UNESCO designations have different remits and foci the two are not mutually exclusive There are several UGGprsquos that include within their boundaries one or more World Heritage Properties (cultural natural and mixed) there are some UGGprsquos that have subsequently either partially or wholly been inscribed onto the World Heritage List There are also some geological World Heritage Properties that have
subsequently been incorporated into a UGGp (eg Messel Pit Fossil Site World Heritage Property in Germany is now a site within the much larger Bergstraszlige-Odenwald UGGp)
When a Member State of UNESCO or a State Party to the World Heritage Convention is pondering whether to apply for an area within its territory to be designated as a geological World Heritage Property or as a UGGp the key questions they should ask is why do they want that designation and what is it they hope to achieve by obtaining it The following figures (34 and 35) are aimed at helping countries decide
Figure 33 Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark (Northern Ireland amp Republic of Ireland) Protection of internationally important geological environments is also part of the remit of UNESCO Global Geoparks Cuilcagh Mountain holds one of the largest expanses of blanket bog in Europe Erosion of the bog for example by increased numbers of walkers leads to increased rain runoff into the Marble Arch Caves To assist in the protection of both the bog and the caves the Geopark authorities built a walkway for ramblers The wooden walkway has become a huge success and has attracted tens of thousands more walkers to the area but still ensuring protection of the environment while economically benefitting the sustainable tourism industry of the Geopark copy Tourism Ireland
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 55
World Heritage Property Unesco Global Geopark
Who Can Apply Any country that has signed the World Heritage Convention Such countries are known as States Parties
Any country that is a member of UNESCO
Geological Values Must fulfil criterion (viii) and demonstrate OUV
Must have sites and landscapes of international geological significance
Who Decides On Geological Value Recommendation made by IUCN Decision made by World Heritage Committee
International Union of Geological Sciences make decision If they say lsquonorsquo the application is halted
Role Of National Government The nomination of a property for inscription on the World Heritage List is prepared by a State Party to the World Heritage Convention
Notice of intent to apply and the application sent by the national organisation that has official relations with UNESCO eg national commission
Tentative List Obligatory Recommended
National Committees Not required Recommended
Submission Only a property already on the World Heritage Tentative List may be submitted by the State Party to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre as a new World Heritage nomination
Through the national organisation that has official relations with UNESCO eg national commission
Serial Properties Sites Yes No Must be a single unified area
Other Values Can be submitted under any other natural or cultural criteria so long as it can demonstrate OUV under each criterion
Obligatory to link the geological values with other natural cultural and intangible values
Maximum Size None While there is no maximum size it needs to be manageable by a single management authority
Minimum Size Must be of adequate size to ensure the complete representation of the features and processes which convey the propertyrsquos significance and OUV
Cannot be a single site and must be of sufficient size to realise sustainable economic development
Management Body Obligatory Obligatory
Overlap With Other Unesco Designations
Yes Yes but the reasons must be detailed in the application and the management body of any other designation must support the UGGp application
Local Community Involvement Recommended where appropriate Obligatory
Areas With No Human Population Yes No
Selling Of Geological Material In So-Called rsquoRock Shopsrsquo
Yes Not permitted by any organisation selling such material that is linked to the management body
Networking With Other Sites In The Same Designation
No Obligatory All UGGprsquos must be members of the Global Geoparks Network
Cost Of Application Process World Heritage Properties need an established protection and management regime that meets the World Heritage standard but the cost of running such very much depends on site-specific characteristics
Costs associated with the nomination varies
Area must demonstrate it is acting as a de-facto UGGp at the time of application including employing staff operational activities visibility etc Costs associated with this varies Costs associated with creation of application dossier also vary but normally less that WHS applications
Figure 34 A compilation of common questions comparing geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
56 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
World Heritage Property Unesco Global Geopark
Cost Of Site Assessment Costs borne by the nominating State Party
Costs borne by the applying area
Annual Fee None A fee of 1500euro is payable annually to the GGN of which 1000USD is donated to UNESCO
Application Timeline Sites need to have been inscribed on the Tentative List for at least 12 months before being nominated
Nomination process from voluntary draft deadline takes a minimumn of 22 months
Minimum of approximately 18 months At the time of application the candidate area must be acting as a de-facto Geopark for at least one year
Decision Making Process By the intergovernmental World Heritage Committee
By the international UNESCO Global Geopark Council Final endorsement is by the Executive Board of UNESCO
Review Process Every six years States Parties submit periodic reports for examination by the World Heritage Committee
The state of conservation of specific World Heritage Properties that are under threat is reported by the State Party and analysed by the Advisory Bodies
Four year revalidation process using a traffic light system of green (four year renewal) yellow (two year renewal) and red (delisting)
Expectation For Results Regarding Sustainable Development
States Parties to the World Heritage Convention have the responsibility to contribute to and comply with the sustainable development objectives including gender equality in the World Heritage processes and in their heritage conservation and management systems
Obligatory and assessed during the revalidation process
Figure 34 A compilation of common questions comparing geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 57
Figure 35 A Decision Tree aimed at further assisting countries decide whether to seek designation for an area as a geological World Heritage Property or a UNESCO Global Geoparks
ValuesDoes the site have OUV
Is the site of international geological significance
Scoping study on the potential for demonstrating OUV and or initialcomparative analysis of the site in
its wider global context
UGGp NONE Independentassessment
needed
IntegrityDoes the site satisfy the conditions for integrity
Is it a serial site Does the site include people within its boundaries and
is of sufficient area for territorial economic development
Assessment of conditions for integrity as outlined in sect88 and
sect93 of the World Heritage Operational Guidelines
Lead and managementIs the lead and management at state level
Are local communities indigenous peoples actively involved
Timeline for application processTime available
Sites need to be inscribed on the Tentative List
min 12 months before nominatedNomination process from voluntary
deadline for draft nominations takes min 22 months
Min 18 months
WH or UGGp
Yes No Donrsquot know
Yes No Donrsquot know
Yes No Donrsquot know
Yes No
WH or UGGpWH
Yes No
NONEUGGp
Yes No
WH
Yes No
NONEUGGp
Long Less
UGGp
WH
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
58 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
As was stated at the outset of this report the 2005 report entitled Geological World Heritage A Global Framework aimed to discuss and advise on the role of the World Heritage Convention in recognising and protecting geological and geomorphological heritage By using a thematic approach the 2005 report aimed to assist States Parties in undertaking global comparative
analyses of properties prior to and as part of new nominations under criterion (viii)
assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors to identify possible gaps in coverage of the World Heritage List
assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors in their evaluation of new nominations of properties under criterion (viii)
The remit of the present report is to fully revise and update the 2005 report and to look at the potential impact of the new UNESCO Global Geopark designation on future inscriptions to the World Heritage List under criterion (viii)
As with the 2005 report this report also emphasises the fundamental nature of demonstrating OUV before any nomination to the World Heritage List should be made It must be further emphasised that the World Heritage List is very selective and just because a site may be the best of its type nationally or even on a continental scale it does not automatically follow that it has the necessary OUV to be inscribed onto the World Heritage List Only the best sites on a global scale should be inscribed
Before starting the process of considering a possible nomination (and preferably before addition of a possible site to the national Tentative List that guides possible World Heritage nominations) consideration should be given to the reason for seeking a nomination What is it the State Party wants to achieve by a nomination At this stage consideration should be given to assessing whether the UNESCO Global Geopark designation may be a more appropriate option to consider The decision tree in the previous section (Figure 35) can help with this assessment
Whether the decision is to press ahead with a World Heritage nomination or an application to become a UNESCO
Conclusions
Figure 36 Grand Canyon National Park (United States of America) Carved out by the Colorado River the Grand Canyon (nearly 1500 m deep) is the most spectacular gorge in the world Located in the state of Arizona it cuts across the Grand Canyon National Park and its horizontal strata retrace the geological history of the past two billion years copy US National Park Service
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 59
Global Geopark all the geological values of the site under consideration must be analysed For a World Heritage nomination the site must demonstrate OUV For a UNESCO Global Geopark application the proposed site or landscape must demonstrate geological heritage of international value
To assist with the analysis in relation to possible World Heritage nominations the 11 themes described in this report should be used to organise the information needed to consider the geological values of the proposed site Overlaps between the geological values of the proposed site and gaps in the World Heritage List should be identified to ensure that these values are not already well represented If the values overlap with identified gaps in the List a brief synthesis defining these values and the attributes should be compiled as the basis for further analysis
Finally to ensure the proposed site really can demonstrate OUV a thorough and detailed comparative analysis should be undertaken based on its geological values attributes and integrity to demonstrate that the site has the exceptional level of global significance that could justify its inclusion on the World Heritage List and fully meet the requirements set out in the World Heritage Conventionrsquos Operational Guidelines
Only once this has been done and the State Party can fully demonstrate that the site has the necessary potential to demonstrate OUV should the preparation of a full nomination to the World Heritage List be considered Throughout this process IUCN is available to respond to questions and advice of States Parties considering World Heritage nominations and welcomes further questions on the recommendations put forward in the present study
Conclusions
60 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Abdulla A Obura D Bertzky B and Shi Y (2013) Marine Natural Heritage and the World Heritage List Interpretation of World Heritage criteria in marine systems analysis of biogeographic representation of sites and a roadmap for addressing gaps Gland Switzerland IUCN httpswwwiucnorgnode21147
Alvarez LW Alvarez W Asaro F and Michel HV (1980) Extraterrestrial cause for the CretaceousndashTertiary Extinction Science 208(4448) pp1095ndash1108 httpsdoiorg101126science20844481095
Anderson JM and de Wit M (2008) Africa Alive Corridors A continental network of earth life and cultural heritage Geobulletin of the Geological Society of South Africa December 2008 pp 11ndash25
Baldursson S Guethnason J Hannesdoacutettir H and Thoacuteretharson T (2018) Nomination of Vatnajoumlkull National Park for inclusion in the World Heritage List Reykjaviacutek Vatnajoumlkull National Park httpswhcunescoorgdocument166300
Bird EC (2004) lsquoCoastal Classificationrsquo In AS Goudie (ed) Encyclopaedia of Geomorphology Routledge London vol 1 p 165-168
Bosson J‐B Huss M and Osipova E (2019) Disappearing World Heritage glaciers as a keystone of nature conservation in a changing climate Earthrsquos Future 7 469ndash479 httpsdoi org1010292018EF001139
Casadevall T Tormey D and Roberts J (2019) World Heritage Volcanoes Classification gap analysis and recommendations for future listings Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsdoiorg102305IUCNCH201907en
Damholt T and Surlyk F (2012) Nomination of Stevns Klint for inclusion in the World Heritage List St Heddinge Denmark Oslashstsjaeligllands Museum
Dingwall P Weighell T and Badman T (2005) Geological World Heritage A Global Framework Gland Switzerland IUCN httpswwwiucnorgcontentgeological-world-heritage-a-global-framework
Dye BJ et al (2019) Heritage Dammed Water Infrastructure Impacts on World Heritage Properties and Free Flowing Rivers Civil Society Report to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and Parties of the World Heritage Convention Moscow Rivers without Boundaries and World Heritage Watch httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode48506
Fan J-X et al (2020) A high-resolution summary of Cambrian to Early Triassic marine invertebrate biodiversity Science 367(6475) pp272ndash277 httpsdoiorg101126scienceaax4953
Ferrier RC and Jenkins A (eds) (2010) Handbook of catchment management Chichester Wiley-Blackwell httpsdoiorg1010029781444307672
Ford DC and Williams PW (2007) Karst Hydrogeology and Geomorphology Chichester Wiley
Ford DC and Williams PW (2011) lsquoGeomorphology underground the study of karst and karst processesrsquo In KJ Gregory and AS Goudie (eds) The SAGE Handbook of Geomorphology London SAGE Publications
Freestone D Laffoley D Douvere F and Badman T (2016) World Heritage in the High Seas An Idea Whose Time Has Come World Heritage Report 44 UNESCO and IUCN
Fryirs KA and Brierley GJ (2012) Geomorphic analysis of river systems an approach to reading the landscape John Wiley amp Sons
Goldscheider N et al (2020) Global distribution of carbonate rocks and karst water resources Hydrogeology Journal 28 1661-1677 httpsdoiorg101007s10040-020-02139-5
Goudie A and Seely M (2011) World Heritage Desert Landscapes Potential Priorities for the Recognition of Desert Landscapes and Geomorphological Sites on the World Heritage List Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode9818
Grill G et al (2019) Mapping the worldrsquos free-flowing rivers Nature 569(7755) p215 httpsdoiorg101038s41586-019-1111-9
Henriques MH and Neto K (2015) Geoheritage at the Equator Selected Geoproperties of Sao Tome Island (Cameron Line Central Africa) Sustainability v 7 pp 648-667 httpsdoiorg103390su7010648
Hillier JK and Watts AB (2007) Global distribution of seamounts from ship-track bathymetry data Geophys Res Lett 34 L13304 httpsdoiorg1010292007GL029874
References
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 61
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (2016) lsquoWorld Heritage Nomination ndash IUCN Technical Evaluation Mistaken Point (Canada)rsquo In IUCN World Heritage Evaluations 2016 IUCN Evaluations of nominations of natural and mixed properties to the WHL WHC1640COMINF8B2 Gland Switzerland IUCN pp53-62 httpswhcunescoorgdocument152802
IUCN (2019) lsquoWorld Heritage Nomination ndash IUCN Technical Evaluation Vatnajoumlkull National Park (Iceland)rsquo In IUCN World Heritage Evaluations 2019 IUCN Evaluations of nominations of natural and mixed properties to the World Heritage List WHC1943COMINF8B2 Gland Switzerland IUCN pp42-51 httpswhcunescoorgdocument176191
Kim S and Wessel P (2011) New global seamount census from altimetry-derived gravity data Geophysical Journal International 186 615-631 httpsdoiorg101111j1365-246X201105076x
Moss B (2010) Ecology of fresh waters a view for the twenty-first century John Wiley amp Sons
Osinski GR and Pierazzo E (2012) Impact Cratering Processes and Products John Wiley amp Sons
Palmer AN (2007) Cave Geology Dayton Ohio Cave Books
Raup DM and Sepkoski JJ (1982) Mass extinctions in the marine fossil record Science 215(4539) pp1501-1503 httpsdoiorg101126science21545391501
Soslashrensen AM (2010) Comparative analysis of KT boundary sites for inclusion in the World Heritage List Report Oslashstsjaeligllands Museum
Spalding MD (2012) Marine World Heritage Towards a representative balanced and credible World Heritage List UNESCO World Heritage Centre Paris Online whcunescoorguploadsactivitiesdocumentsactivity-13-24pdf
Thomas R and Narbonne GM (2015) Mistaken Point Nomination for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List Newfoundland and Labrador Canada Parks and Natural Areas Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation and Mistaken Point Ambassadors Inc httpswhcunescoorguploadsnominations1497pdf
Thorsell JW Levy RF and Sigaty T (1997) A global overview of wetland and marine protected areas on the World Heritage list Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode7359
Toteu SF Anderson JM and De Wit M (2010) lsquoAfrica Alive Corridorsrsquo Forging a new future for the people of Africa Journal of African Earth Sciences 58 pp692ndash715 httpsdoiorg101016jjafrearsci201008011
United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2015) The Statutes and Operational Guidelines of the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme IGGP2015ST
UNESCO (2016) The future of the World Heritage convention for marine conservation UNESCO World Heritage paper 45
UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2011) Preparing World Heritage Nominations 2nd ed A World Heritage Resource Manual Paris France
UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2019) Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention WHC1901 10 July 2019 Paris France
Wessel P Sandwell DT and Kim S (2010) The Global Seamount Census Oceanography 23 24-33
Wells RT (1996) Earthrsquos Geological History A Contextual Framework for Assessment of World Heritage Fossil Site Nominations IUCN Natural Heritage Programme Working Paper 1 Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode7357
Williams P (2008) World Heritage Caves and Karst A Thematic Study Gland Switzerland IUCN httpswwwiucnorgcontentworld-heritage-caves-and-karst-a-thematic-study
Wood C (2009) World Heritage Volcanoes Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode9486
Woodroffe CD Cowell PJ and Dickson ME (2011) lsquoCoastal Environmentsrsquo In KJ Gregory and AS Goudie (eds) The SAGE Handbook of Geomorphology London SAGE Publications
World Heritage Committee (2014) Decision 38 COM 8B10 Stevns Klint (Denmark) In Report of decisions of the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee (Doha 2014) Paris France UNESCO World Heritage Centre httpswhcunescoorgendecisions6095
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) (2019) New study in Nature Just one-third of the worldrsquos longest rivers remain free-flowing 8 May 2019 Gland Switzerland WWF httpswwfpandaorgwwf_newspress_releases346815New-Study-in-Nature-Just-One-Third-of-the-Worlds-Longest-Rivers-Remain-Free-Flowing
References
62 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 63
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Aust
ralia
n Fo
ssil
Mam
mal
Site
s (R
iver
slei
gh
Nara
coor
te)
1Ri
vers
leig
h pr
ovid
es e
xcep
tiona
l an
d in
man
y ca
ses
uniq
ue m
amm
al a
ssem
blag
es fr
om th
e Ol
igoc
ene
to M
ioce
ne s
pann
ing
from
10-
30 m
illion
ye
ars
ago
The
se a
ssem
blag
es d
ocum
ent c
hang
es
in h
abita
t fro
m h
umid
low
land
rain
fore
st to
dry
eu
calyp
t for
ests
and
woo
dlan
ds a
nd p
rovid
e th
e fir
st fo
ssil
reco
rd fo
r man
y di
stin
ctive
gro
ups
of
livin
g m
amm
als
such
as
the
mar
supi
al m
oles
and
fe
athe
r-ta
iled
poss
ums
The
ass
embl
ages
reco
vere
d fro
m th
e ca
ves
at N
arac
oorte
Vic
toria
Fos
sil C
ave
pres
erve
an
outs
tand
ing
reco
rd o
f mor
e re
cent
te
rrest
rial v
erte
brat
e lif
e T
hese
ope
n a
win
dow
into
a
sign
ifica
nt p
erio
d of
Ear
thrsquos
his
tory
from
the
mid
-Pl
eist
ocen
e to
pre
sent
(530
000
yea
rs a
go to
toda
y)
a pe
riod
char
acte
rised
by
grea
t clim
atic
cha
nges
Them
e 1
Rive
rsle
igh
and
Nara
coor
te
are
a su
perb
illu
stra
tion
of k
ey s
tage
s in
the
Ceno
zoic
evo
lutio
n of
Aus
tralia
rsquos
uniq
ue fa
una
1994
(viii)
(ix)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Barb
erto
n M
akho
njw
a M
ount
ains
12
4 1
1De
cisi
on 4
2 CO
M 8
B5
stat
es T
he p
rope
rty
cont
ains
the
best
mos
t dive
rse
and
outs
tand
ing
exam
ples
of r
ock
outc
rops
from
the
Arch
aean
sta
ge
of E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry I
ts ro
cks
have
reve
aled
the
earli
est
reco
rd o
f sin
gle-
celle
d lif
e fo
rms
as w
ell a
s th
e ea
rlies
t and
mos
t sig
nific
ant g
eom
orph
ic fe
atur
es
incl
udin
g de
taile
d ev
iden
ce o
f the
pro
cess
es
invo
lved
in th
e ev
olut
ion
of th
e or
igin
ally
oxyg
en-f
ree
ocea
ns a
nd a
tmos
pher
e a
nd c
reat
ion
of th
e fir
st
cont
inen
tal l
andf
orm
sTh
e pr
oper
ty is
a tr
uly
uniq
ue re
mna
nt o
f the
an
cien
t Ear
thrsquos
cru
st c
onta
inin
g am
ong
the
olde
st
and
undo
ubte
dly
the
best
-pre
serv
ed s
eque
nce
of
volc
anic
and
sed
imen
tary
rock
s on
Ear
th T
hese
hi
ghly
acce
ssib
le a
ncie
nt e
xpos
ures
pre
sent
a
cont
inuo
us 3
40 m
illion
yea
r seq
uenc
e of
rock
s
star
ting
3600
milli
on y
ears
ago
The
ir ph
ysic
al a
nd
chem
ical
cha
ract
eris
tics
prov
ide
an u
npar
alle
led
sour
ce o
f sci
entifi
c in
form
atio
n ab
out t
he e
arly
Earth
The
out
stan
ding
val
ue o
f the
se ro
cks
lies
in
the
larg
e nu
mbe
r of s
ites
and
feat
ures
that
whe
n co
mbi
ned
pro
vide
a un
ique
and
as
yet o
nly
parti
ally
expl
ored
sci
entifi
c re
sour
ce
Them
e 1
One
of t
he w
orld
rsquos
olde
st g
eolo
gica
l stru
ctur
es d
atin
g ba
ck 3
6 to
32
5 bi
llion
year
s ag
o
pres
ervin
g th
e en
viron
men
t for
the
early
evo
lutio
n of
life
The
me
2 A
n Ar
chea
n gr
anite
-gre
enst
one
belt
that
re
cord
s co
ntin
ent-
build
ing
on th
e ea
rly E
arth
The
me
4 K
omat
iites
the
ho
ttest
lava
s th
at h
ave
ever
flow
ed
on o
ur p
lane
t w
ere
first
reco
gnize
d in
th
is s
ite T
hem
e 11
Sph
erul
e be
ds
of m
olte
n ro
ck d
ropl
ets
from
a p
erio
d of
inte
nse
met
eorit
e bo
mba
rdm
ent
whi
ch p
rovid
e ev
iden
ce o
f som
e of
the
earli
est l
arge
met
eorit
e im
pact
eve
nts
2018
(viii)
Natu
ral
Sout
h Af
rica
Afric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties Guy M Narbonne and Joseacute Brilha
62 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 63
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Cana
dian
Roc
ky
Mou
ntai
n Pa
rks
12
6Th
e Bu
rges
s Sh
ale
is o
ne o
f the
mos
t sig
nific
ant
foss
il ar
eas
in th
e w
orld
Exq
uisi
tely
pres
erve
d fo
ssils
reco
rd a
dive
rse
abu
ndan
t mar
ine
com
mun
ity d
omin
ated
by
soft-
bodi
ed o
rgan
ism
s
Orig
inat
ing
soon
afte
r the
rapi
d un
fold
ing
of a
nim
al
life
abou
t 540
milli
on y
ears
ago
the
Bur
gess
Sha
le
foss
ils p
rovid
e ke
y ev
iden
ce o
f the
his
tory
and
ear
ly ev
olut
ion
of m
ost a
nim
al g
roup
s kn
own
toda
y an
d yie
ld a
mor
e co
mpl
ete
view
of l
ife in
the
sea
than
an
y ot
her s
ite fo
r tha
t tim
e pe
riod
The
sev
en p
arks
of
the
Cana
dian
Roc
kies
are
a c
lass
ic re
pres
enta
tion
of s
igni
fican
t and
on-
goin
g gl
acia
l pro
cess
es a
long
th
e co
ntin
enta
l divi
de o
n hi
ghly
faul
ted
fold
ed a
nd
uplif
ted
sedi
men
tary
rock
s
Them
e 1
The
Bur
gess
Sha
le
insc
ribed
as
a UN
ESCO
Wor
ld H
erita
ge
Prop
erty
in 1
980
for i
ts w
orld
-ren
own
foss
ils o
f Cam
bria
n so
ft-bo
died
m
arin
e an
imal
s is
now
incl
uded
in
this
pro
perty
The
me
2 T
he
cont
iguo
us n
atio
nal p
arks
of B
anff
Ja
sper
Koo
tena
y an
d Yo
ho a
s w
ell a
s th
e M
ount
Rob
son
Mou
nt A
ssin
iboi
ne
and
Ham
ber p
rovin
cial
par
k fo
rms
a st
rikin
g m
ount
ain
land
scap
e T
hem
e 6
Incl
udes
larg
e ar
eas
of li
mes
tone
s an
d do
lom
ites
Out
stan
ding
exa
mpl
e of
gla
ciok
arst
terra
in M
any
karre
n
subt
erra
nean
stre
ams
spr
ings
and
ca
ves
Col
umbi
a Ic
efiel
d pa
rtly
over
lies
and
intru
des
Cast
legu
ard
Cave
1984
(199
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)Na
tura
lCa
nada
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Cana
ima
Natio
nal
Park
32
5 6
No a
ppro
ved
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV
but t
he in
scrip
tion
refe
renc
es th
e fo
llow
ing
Earth
sc
ienc
e va
lues
Thr
ee d
iffer
ent e
rosi
on s
urfa
ces
are
to b
e fo
und
with
in th
e pa
rk T
he o
ldes
t roc
ks
are
Prec
ambr
ian
and
aro
und
170
0 m
illion
yea
rs
old
are
som
e of
the
olde
st o
n th
e pl
anet
Abo
ve
thes
e ar
e yo
unge
r for
mat
ions
whi
ch h
ave
been
w
eath
ered
into
mou
ntai
ns b
y 50
0 m
illion
yea
rs o
f er
osio
n T
he g
eolo
gy p
rovid
es e
viden
ce th
at S
outh
Am
eric
a an
d Af
rica
once
form
ed p
art o
f a s
ingl
e co
ntin
ent
The
prop
erty
dis
play
s a
dist
inct
ive a
nd
outs
tand
ing
tepu
i lan
dsca
pe w
hich
is s
till e
volvi
ng
in re
spon
se to
nat
ural
pro
cess
es a
t lar
ge s
cale
Th
e la
ndsc
ape
also
dem
onst
rate
s th
e in
tera
ctio
n of
th
e in
dige
nous
Pem
oacuten w
ith th
e en
viron
men
t bot
h be
caus
e of
the
grea
t use
the
Pem
oacuten m
ake
of th
e pa
rkrsquos
nat
ural
reso
urce
s an
d be
caus
e of
the
way
the
park
rsquos la
ndsc
ape
and
vege
tatio
n ha
s be
en s
hape
d by
the
Pem
oacuten
Them
e 3
Tab
ular
hills
and
hig
h es
carp
men
ts w
ith s
igni
fican
t kar
stic
er
osio
n of
qua
rtzite
s T
hem
e 2
Ro
ughl
y 65
o
f the
par
k is
cov
ered
by
tabl
e m
ount
ain
(tepu
i) fo
rmat
ions
Th
eme
5 A
ngel
Fal
ls in
Can
aim
a Na
tinal
Par
k is
the
high
est w
ater
falls
in
the
wor
ld T
hem
e 6
The
mos
t ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e in
the
wor
ld
of c
ave
deve
lopm
ent i
n qu
artz
ite
(Pre
cam
bria
n ag
e) C
aves
occ
ur
to 1
08
km lo
ng a
nd 3
83 m
dee
p
Encl
osed
dep
ress
ions
and
stre
am-
sink
s on
pla
teau
(tep
uy) s
urfa
ce
arou
nd 2
650
m S
prin
gs e
mer
ge in
te
puy
wal
ls A
fluv
ioka
rst l
ands
cape
1994
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lVe
nezu
-el
aLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
64 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 65
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Carls
bad
Cave
rns
Natio
nal P
ark
6Ca
rlsba
d Ca
vern
s Na
tiona
l Par
k is
one
of th
e fe
w p
lace
s in
the
wor
ld w
here
on-
goin
g ge
olog
ic
proc
esse
s ar
e m
ost a
ppar
ent a
nd ra
re s
pele
othe
ms
cont
inue
to fo
rm e
nabl
ing
scie
ntist
s to
stu
dy
geol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
in a
virt
ually
und
istur
bed
envir
onm
ent
Thes
e sp
eleo
them
s in
clud
e he
lictit
es
form
ing
unde
rwat
er c
alci
te a
nd g
ypsu
m s
pele
othe
ms
an
d an
ast
onish
ing
colle
ctio
n of
lsquobio
them
srsquo c
ave
form
atio
ns a
ssist
ed in
thei
r for
mat
ion
by b
acte
ria
Rese
arch
ers
can
stud
y bo
th th
e Ca
pita
n re
efrsquos
insid
e th
roug
h ca
ve p
assa
ges
that
pen
etra
te in
and
thro
ugh
it as
wel
l as
erod
ed c
anyo
n-ex
pose
d cr
oss
sect
ions
ou
tsid
e
Them
e 6
Hug
e ca
vern
s ex
tens
ively
deco
rate
d w
ith s
pele
othe
ms
are
a m
ajor
fe
atur
e of
the
park
The
81
know
n ca
ves
mai
nly
occu
r in
uplift
ed P
erm
ian
reef
lim
esto
nes
Outs
tand
ing
kars
t ext
ends
in
to n
eigh
bour
ing
Guad
alup
e Na
tiona
l Pa
rk T
he re
gion
rsquos ca
ves
prov
ide
the
wor
ldrsquos
fore
mos
t exa
mpl
e of
evo
lutio
n by
sul
phur
ic ac
id d
issol
utio
n w
hich
oc
curre
d pr
ogre
ssive
ly be
twee
n 12
and
4
milli
on y
ears
ago
Sur
face
topo
grap
hy
on b
ackr
eef d
olom
ites
and
limes
tone
s is
dom
inat
ed b
y dr
y va
lleys
Hig
h bi
odive
rsity
inc
ludi
ng a
bout
1 m
illion
bat
po
pula
tion
1995
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Cave
s of
Agg
tele
k Ka
rst a
nd S
lova
k Ka
rst
6Th
e pr
oper
ty C
aves
of A
ggte
lek
Kars
t and
Slo
vak
Kars
t w
hile
typi
cal o
f man
y ka
rst l
ocal
ities
in
Euro
pe i
s di
stin
ctive
in it
s gr
eat n
umbe
r (w
ith 7
12
reco
rded
at t
ime
of in
scrip
tion)
of d
iffer
ent t
ypes
of
cav
es fo
und
in a
con
cent
rate
d ar
ea G
eolo
gica
l pr
oces
ses
caus
ing
kars
t fea
ture
s to
be
burie
d by
se
dim
ent a
nd th
en la
ter r
eact
ivate
d or
exh
umed
pr
ovid
e ev
iden
ce p
erta
inin
g to
the
geol
ogic
his
tory
of
the
last
tens
of m
illion
s of
yea
rs R
elic
ts o
f pr
e-Pl
eist
ocen
e ka
rst (
ie m
ore
than
abo
ut 2
m
illion
yea
rs o
ld) a
re v
ery
dist
inct
in th
e ar
ea a
nd
man
y of
them
sho
w e
viden
ce fo
r sub
-tro
pica
l and
tro
pica
l clim
ate
form
s T
hese
incl
ude
roun
ded
hills
th
at a
re re
licts
of t
ropi
cal k
arst
late
r mod
ified
by
Plei
stoc
ene
perig
laci
al w
eath
erin
g T
his
suite
of
pale
okar
st fe
atur
es s
how
ing
a co
mbi
natio
n of
bot
h tro
pica
l and
gla
cial
clim
ates
is
very
unu
sual
and
is
prob
ably
bette
r doc
umen
ted
in th
e Sl
ovak
Kar
st th
an
anyw
here
els
e in
the
wor
ld
Them
e 6
Are
a co
ntai
ns 7
12 c
aves
Va
riety
of c
ave
type
s in
clud
ing
Dobš
insk
aacute Ic
e Ca
ve a
nd s
pele
othe
m
form
s w
ith s
tala
gmite
s to
32
7 m
hig
h S
urfa
ce la
ndsc
ape
is a
te
mpe
rate
dol
ine
kars
t with
som
e ev
iden
ce o
f a p
rior h
umid
trop
ical
or
sub
tropi
cal i
nflue
nce
whi
ch h
as
evol
ved
inte
rmitt
ently
sin
ce th
e Cr
etac
eous
1995
(200
0)(v
iii)Na
tura
lHu
ngar
y Sl
ovak
iaEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
64 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 65
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Chaicirc
ne d
es P
uys
- Li
mag
ne fa
ult
tect
onic
are
na
2Co
ntin
enta
l drif
t m
anife
sted
thro
ugh
plat
e te
cton
ics
is
an
esse
ntia
l par
adig
m fo
r the
his
tory
of t
he E
arth
as
it e
xpla
ins
the
curre
nt m
ake-
up o
f oce
ans
and
cont
inen
ts a
nd th
eir p
ast a
nd fu
ture
mov
emen
ts
The
prop
erty
is a
n ex
cept
iona
l illu
stra
tion
of th
e ph
enom
enon
of c
ontin
enta
l bre
ak-u
p o
r rift
ing
w
hich
is o
ne o
f the
five
maj
or s
tage
s of
pla
te
tect
onic
s T
he C
haicircn
e de
s Pu
ys -
Lim
agne
faul
t te
cton
ic a
rena
pre
sent
s a
coin
cide
nt v
iew
of a
ll th
e re
pres
enta
tive
proc
esse
s of
con
tinen
tal b
reak
-up
and
reve
als
thei
r int
rinsi
c lin
ks T
he g
eolo
gica
l fo
rmat
ions
of t
he p
rope
rty a
nd th
eir s
peci
fic la
yout
illu
stra
te w
ith c
larit
y th
is p
lane
t-w
ide
proc
ess
and
its
effe
cts
on a
larg
e an
d sm
all s
cale
on
the
land
scap
e
This
con
cent
ratio
n ha
s a
dem
onst
rate
d gl
obal
si
gnifi
canc
e in
term
s of
its
com
plet
enes
s d
ensi
ty
and
expr
essi
on a
nd h
as c
ontri
bute
d to
the
site
rsquos
prom
inen
ce s
ince
the
18th
cen
tury
for t
he s
tudy
of
clas
sica
l geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
Them
e 2
Situ
ated
in th
e ce
ntre
of
Fran
ce t
he p
rope
rty c
ompr
ises
the
long
Lim
agne
faul
t th
e al
ignm
ents
of
the
Chaicirc
ne d
es P
uys
volc
anoe
s an
d th
e in
verte
d re
lief o
f the
Mon
tagn
e de
la
Ser
re I
t is
an e
mbl
emat
ic s
egm
ent
of th
e W
est E
urop
ean
Rift
cre
ated
in
the
afte
rmat
h of
the
form
atio
n of
th
e Al
ps 3
5 m
illion
yea
rs a
go T
he
geol
ogic
al fe
atur
es o
f the
pro
perty
de
mon
stra
te h
ow th
e co
ntin
enta
l cru
st
crac
ks t
hen
colla
pses
allo
win
g de
ep
mag
ma
to ri
se a
nd c
ause
upl
iftin
g at
the
surfa
ce T
he p
rope
rty is
an
exce
ptio
nal i
llust
ratio
n of
con
tinen
tal
brea
k-up
ndash o
r rift
ing
ndash w
hich
is o
ne
of th
e fiv
e m
ajor
sta
ges
of p
late
te
cton
ics
2018
(viii)
Natu
ral
Fran
ceEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
66 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 67
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Chen
gjia
ng F
ossi
l Si
te1
The
Chen
gjia
ng F
ossil
Site
pre
sent
s an
exc
eptio
nal
reco
rd o
f the
rapi
d di
vers
ifica
tion
of lif
e on
Ear
th d
urin
g th
e ea
rly C
ambr
ian
Perio
d 5
30 m
illion
yea
rs b
efor
e pr
esen
t In
this
geol
ogica
lly s
hort
inte
rval
alm
ost a
ll m
ajor
gro
ups
of a
nim
als
had
thei
r orig
ins
The
prop
erty
is
a gl
obal
ly ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
a m
ajor
sta
ge
in th
e hi
stor
y of
life
repr
esen
ting
a pa
laeo
biol
ogica
l w
indo
w o
f gre
at s
igni
fican
ce
The
exce
ptio
nal p
alae
onto
logi
cal e
viden
ce o
f the
Ch
engj
iang
Fos
sil S
ite is
unr
ivalle
d fo
r its
rich
spe
cies
dive
rsity
To
date
at l
east
16
phyla
plu
s a
varie
ty o
f en
igm
atic
grou
ps a
nd a
bout
196
spe
cies
have
bee
n do
cum
ente
d Ta
xa re
cove
red
rang
e fro
m a
lgae
thr
ough
sp
onge
s an
d cn
idar
ians
to n
umer
ous
bila
teria
n ph
yla
inclu
ding
the
earli
est k
now
n ch
orda
tes
The
earli
est
know
n sp
ecim
ens
of s
ever
al p
hyla
suc
h as
cni
daria
ns
cten
opho
res
pria
pulid
s an
d ve
rtebr
ates
occ
ur h
ere
M
any
of th
e ta
xa re
pres
ent t
he s
tem
gro
ups
to e
xtan
t ph
yla a
nd th
row
light
on
char
acte
ristic
s th
at d
istin
guish
m
ajor
taxo
nom
ic gr
oups
Th
e pr
oper
ty d
ispla
ys e
xcel
lent
qua
lity o
f fos
sil
pres
erva
tion
inclu
ding
the
soft
and
hard
tiss
ues
of
anim
als
with
har
d sk
elet
ons
alon
g w
ith a
wid
e ar
ray
of
orga
nism
s th
at w
ere
entir
ely
soft-
bodi
ed a
nd th
eref
ore
rela
tivel
y un
repr
esen
ted
in th
e fo
ssil r
ecor
d A
lmos
t all
of th
e so
ft-bo
died
spe
cies
are
unkn
own
else
whe
re
Fine
-sca
le d
etai
led
pres
erva
tion
inclu
des
feat
ures
as
the
alim
enta
ry s
yste
ms
of a
nim
als
for e
xam
ple
of th
e ar
thro
pod
Nara
oia
and
the
delic
ate
gills
of t
he
enig
mat
ic Yu
nnan
ozoo
n T
he s
edim
ents
of C
heng
jiang
pr
ovid
e w
hat a
re c
urre
ntly
the
olde
st k
now
n fo
ssil
chor
date
s th
e ph
ylum
to w
hich
all v
erte
brat
es b
elon
g
The
foss
ils a
nd ro
cks
of th
e Ch
engj
iang
Fos
sil S
ite
toge
ther
pre
sent
a c
ompl
ete
reco
rd o
f an
early
Ca
mbr
ian
mar
ine
com
mun
ity I
t is
one
of th
e ea
rlies
t re
cord
s of
a c
ompl
ex m
arin
e ec
osys
tem
with
food
w
ebs
capp
ed b
y so
phist
icate
d pr
edat
ors
Mor
eove
r it
dem
onst
rate
s th
at c
ompl
ex c
omm
unity
stru
ctur
es h
ad
deve
lope
d ve
ry e
arly
in th
e Ca
mbr
ian
dive
rsifi
catio
n of
an
imal
life
and
pro
vides
evid
ence
of a
wid
e ra
nge
of
ecol
ogica
l nich
es T
he p
rope
rty th
us p
rovid
es a
uni
que
win
dow
of u
nder
stan
ding
into
the
stru
ctur
e of
ear
ly Ca
mbr
ian
com
mun
ities
Them
e 1
Che
ngjia
ngrsquos
foss
ils p
rese
nt
the
mos
t com
plet
e re
cord
of a
n ea
rly
Cam
bria
n m
arin
e co
mm
unity
with
ex
cept
iona
lly p
rese
rved
sof
t-bo
died
an
d sh
elly
foss
ils c
ompr
isin
g m
ore
than
200
spe
cies
repr
esen
ting
at le
ast
sixt
een
phyla
of e
arly
anim
als
2012
(viii)
Natu
ral
Chin
aAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
66 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 67
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Chin
a Da
nxia
3Ch
ina
Danx
ia c
onta
ins
a w
ide
varie
ty o
f wel
l-de
velo
ped
red-
beds
land
form
s su
ch a
s pe
aks
to
wer
s m
esas
cue
stas
clif
fs v
alle
ys c
aves
and
ar
ches
Bei
ng s
hape
d by
bot
h en
doge
nous
forc
es
(incl
udin
g up
lift)
and
exog
enou
s fo
rces
(inc
ludi
ng
wea
ther
ing
and
eros
ion)
Chi
na D
anxia
pro
vides
a
rang
e of
diff
eren
t asp
ects
of t
he p
heno
men
on
of p
hysi
cal l
ands
cape
dev
elop
ed fr
om c
ontin
enta
l (te
rrest
rial)
redd
ish
cong
lom
erat
e an
d sa
ndst
one
in
a w
arm
hum
id m
onso
on c
limat
e il
lust
ratin
g bo
th
the
rang
e of
land
form
s in
rela
tion
to th
e fo
rces
and
pr
oces
ses
that
form
ed th
em T
he c
ompo
nent
par
ts
repr
esen
t the
bes
t exa
mpl
es o
f lsquole
ast e
rode
drsquo to
lsquom
ost e
rode
drsquo D
anxia
land
form
s d
ispl
ayin
g a
clea
r la
ndfo
rm s
eque
nce
from
lsquoyou
ngrsquo t
hrou
gh lsquom
atur
ersquo to
lsquoo
ld a
gersquo
and
with
eac
h co
mpo
nent
par
t dis
play
ing
char
acte
ristic
geo
mor
phol
ogic
feat
ures
of a
give
n st
age
Them
e 3
Dive
rse
eros
iona
l to
pogr
aphi
es o
n co
ntin
enta
l red
be
ds p
redo
min
antly
san
dsto
ne a
nd
cong
lom
erat
e
2010
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Chin
aAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Dese
mba
rco
del
Gran
ma
Natio
nal
Park
67
The
uplif
ted
mar
ine
terra
ces
of D
esem
barc
o de
l Gr
anm
a Na
tiona
l Par
k (D
GNP)
and
the
cont
inui
ng
deve
lopm
ent o
f kar
st to
pogr
aphy
and
feat
ures
are
a
glob
ally
sign
ifica
nt il
lust
ratio
n of
geo
mor
phol
ogic
an
d ph
ysio
grap
hic
feat
ures
and
ong
oing
geo
logi
cal
proc
esse
s D
GNP
disp
lays
a ra
re re
lief f
orm
ed b
y th
e co
mbi
natio
n of
tect
onic
mov
emen
ts in
the
still
activ
e co
ntac
t zon
e be
twee
n tw
o te
cton
ic p
late
s an
d th
e ef
fect
s of
pas
t sea
leve
l cha
nge
in re
spon
se
to c
limat
e flu
ctua
tions
The
kar
st fo
rms
incl
ude
esca
rpm
ents
clif
fs c
ave
syst
ems
rive
r can
yons
and
la
rge
sink
hole
s kn
own
as d
olin
es in
mos
t dive
rse
size
s an
d sh
apes
Them
e 6
7 S
pect
acul
ar s
tairc
ase
of u
plift
ed c
oral
terra
ces
arou
nd
Cabo
Cru
z th
at s
uppo
rt on
goin
g de
velo
pmen
t of k
arst
land
form
s
Terra
ces
exte
nd fr
om -
180
m
offs
hore
to 4
60 m
inla
nd a
nd re
flect
a
com
bina
tion
of te
cton
ic a
nd
glac
io-e
usta
tic p
roce
sses
Exc
elle
nt
exam
ples
of l
ittor
al k
arst
Rel
ative
ly re
cent
upl
ift h
as p
erm
itted
the
com
men
cem
ent o
f kar
stifi
catio
n
1999
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cuba
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
68 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 69
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Dino
saur
Pr
ovin
cial
Par
k1
The
prop
erty
is o
utst
andi
ng in
the
num
ber a
nd
varie
ty o
f hig
h qu
ality
spe
cim
ens
repr
esen
ting
ever
y kn
own
grou
p of
Cre
tace
ous
dino
saur
s T
he d
ivers
ity
affo
rds
exce
llent
opp
ortu
nitie
s fo
r pal
eont
olog
y th
at is
bot
h co
mpa
rativ
e an
d ch
rono
logi
cal
Over
35
0 ar
ticul
ated
spe
cim
ens
from
the
Oldm
an a
nd
Dino
saur
Par
k fo
rmat
ions
incl
udin
g m
ore
than
15
0 co
mpl
ete
skel
eton
s no
w re
side
in m
ore
than
30
maj
or m
useu
ms
In a
dditi
on to
the
sign
ifica
nt
num
ber o
f hig
h qu
ality
spe
cim
ens
the
prop
erty
co
ntai
ns a
com
plet
e as
sem
blag
e of
non
-din
osau
rian
foss
il m
ater
ial o
fferin
g an
unp
aral
lele
d op
portu
nity
fo
r the
stu
dy o
f the
Lat
e Cr
etac
eous
pal
eo-
ecos
yste
m
Them
e 1
Din
osau
r Pro
vinci
al P
ark
cont
ains
som
e of
the
mos
t im
porta
nt
foss
il di
scov
erie
s ev
er m
ade
from
th
e Cr
etac
eous
in
parti
cula
r abo
ut
35 s
peci
es o
f din
osau
rs d
atin
g ba
ck
som
e 75
milli
on y
ears
1979
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Dors
et a
nd E
ast
Devo
n Co
ast
17
The
coas
tal e
xpos
ures
alo
ng th
e Do
rset
and
Ea
st D
evon
coa
st p
rovid
e an
alm
ost c
ontin
uous
se
quen
ce o
f Tria
ssic
Jur
assi
c an
d Cr
etac
eous
ro
ck fo
rmat
ions
spa
nnin
g th
e M
esoz
oic
Era
and
docu
men
t app
roxim
atel
y 18
5 m
illion
yea
rs o
f Ear
thrsquos
hi
stor
y Th
e pr
oper
ty in
clud
es a
rang
e of
glo
bally
si
gnifi
cant
foss
il lo
calit
ies
- bo
th v
erte
brat
e an
d in
verte
brat
e m
arin
e an
d te
rrest
rial -
whi
ch h
ave
prod
uced
wel
l pre
serv
ed a
nd d
ivers
e ev
iden
ce
of li
fe d
urin
g M
esoz
oic
times
It a
lso
cont
ains
te
xtbo
ok e
xem
plar
s of
coa
stal
geo
mor
phol
ogic
al
feat
ures
lan
dfor
ms
and
proc
esse
s R
enow
ned
for i
ts
cont
ribut
ion
to E
arth
sci
ence
inve
stig
atio
ns fo
r ove
r 30
0 ye
ars
the
Dors
et a
nd E
ast D
evon
coa
st h
as
help
ed fo
ster
maj
or c
ontri
butio
ns to
man
y as
pect
s of
geo
logy
pal
aeon
tolo
gy a
nd g
eom
orph
olog
y an
d ha
s co
ntin
uing
sig
nific
ance
as
a hi
gh q
ualit
y te
achi
ng t
rain
ing
and
rese
arch
reso
urce
for t
he
Earth
sci
ence
s
Them
e 1
Sup
erb
coas
tal e
xpos
ures
pr
ovid
e an
alm
ost c
ontin
uous
se
quen
ce o
f Tria
ssic
Jur
assi
c an
d Cr
etac
eous
rock
form
atio
ns s
pann
ing
the
Mes
ozoi
c Er
a an
d do
cum
ent
appr
oxim
atel
y 18
5 m
illion
yea
rs
of E
arth
his
tory
The
me
7 It
als
o co
ntai
ns te
xtbo
ok e
xem
plar
s of
co
asta
l geo
mor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
land
form
s an
d pr
oces
ses
2001
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d Ki
ngdo
m
of G
reat
Br
itain
an
d No
rther
n Ire
land
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
68 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 69
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Durm
itor N
atio
nal
Park
3Du
rmito
r Nat
iona
l Par
k ha
rbou
rs a
wea
lth o
f ge
olog
ical
and
geo
mor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es o
f maj
or
scie
ntifi
c in
tere
st w
hich
hav
e be
en s
hapi
ng th
e la
ndsc
ape
suc
h as
the
man
y re
mar
kabl
e Ka
rst
phen
omen
a T
he d
omin
ant g
eolo
gica
l fea
ture
s ar
e ve
ry th
ick
ofte
n sa
vage
ly co
ntor
ted
limes
tone
fo
rmat
ions
of t
he M
iddl
e an
d Up
per T
riass
ic U
pper
Ju
rass
ic a
nd U
pper
Cre
tace
ous
thou
gh m
ore
rece
nt ro
cks
are
also
pre
sent
One
par
ticul
arity
is
the
so-c
alle
d Du
rmito
r Flys
ch a
term
use
d fo
r te
cton
ic la
yers
incl
ined
at a
n an
gle
of 9
0 de
gree
s in
the
Durm
itor M
assi
f Th
e sh
eer w
alls
of t
he m
any
cany
ons
and
in p
artic
ular
tho
se o
f the
spe
ctac
ular
Ta
ra R
iver G
orge
of m
ore
than
60
km a
re n
ot o
nly
fund
amen
tal l
ands
cape
feat
ures
of t
he p
ark
but a
lso
expo
se m
agni
ficen
t roc
k fo
rmat
ions
Les
s kn
own
but n
o le
ss fa
scin
atin
g is
the
unde
rgro
und
wor
ld
of th
e pr
oper
ty It
incl
udes
Mon
tene
grorsquo
s de
epes
t ca
ve a
nd s
ubte
rrane
an ri
vers
dra
inin
g so
me
of th
e gl
acia
l lak
es I
n pa
rticu
lar
the
lsquoIce
Cave
rsquo is
a vis
ually
st
unni
ng a
nd a
rare
relic
t of p
ast g
laci
atio
n
Them
e 3
Thi
s br
eath
taki
ng n
atio
nal
park
was
form
ed b
y gl
acie
rs a
nd is
tra
vers
ed b
y riv
ers
and
unde
rgro
und
stre
ams
The
Tar
a Ri
ver c
anyo
n w
hich
ha
s th
e de
epes
t gor
ges
in E
urop
e
1980
(200
5)(v
ii)(v
iii)(x
)Na
tura
lM
onte
ne-
gro
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
El P
inac
ate
and
Gran
Des
iert
o de
Al
tar B
iosp
here
Re
serv
e
104
The
prop
erty
rsquos d
eser
t and
vol
cani
c la
ndfo
rms
prov
ide
an e
xcep
tiona
l com
bina
tion
of fe
atur
es o
f gr
eat s
cien
tific
inte
rest
The
vas
t sea
of s
and
dune
s th
at s
urro
unds
the
volc
anic
shi
eld
is c
onsi
dere
d th
e la
rges
t and
mos
t act
ive d
une
syst
em in
Nor
th
Amer
ica
It in
clud
es a
dive
rse
rang
e of
dun
es th
at
are
near
ly un
dist
urbe
d a
nd in
clud
e sp
ecta
cula
r an
d ve
ry la
rge
star
-sha
ped
dune
s th
at o
ccur
bo
th s
ingl
y an
d in
long
ridg
es u
p to
48k
m in
le
ngth
The
vol
cani
c ex
posu
res
prov
ide
impo
rtant
co
mpl
emen
tary
geo
logi
cal v
alue
s a
nd th
e de
sert
envir
onm
ent a
ssur
es a
dra
mat
ic d
ispl
ay o
f a s
erie
s of
impr
essi
ve la
rge
crat
ers
and
mor
e th
an 4
00
cind
er c
ones
lav
a flo
ws
and
lava
tube
s T
aken
to
geth
er th
e co
mbi
natio
n of
Ear
th s
cien
ce fe
atur
es
is a
n im
pres
sive
labo
rato
ry fo
r geo
logi
cal a
nd
geom
orph
olog
ical
stu
dies
Them
e 10
The
pro
perty
incl
udes
par
t of
the
Sono
ran
Dese
rt w
ith s
tar d
unes
an
d lin
ear d
unes
of c
onsi
dera
ble
heig
ht T
hem
e 4
The
714
566
ha
prop
erty
com
pris
es tw
o di
stin
ct p
arts
th
e do
rman
t vol
cani
c Pi
naca
te S
hiel
d of
bla
ck a
nd re
d la
va fl
ows
and
mor
e th
an 4
00 m
onog
enet
ic c
inde
r con
es
and
maa
rs o
f Hol
ocen
e ag
e
2013
(vii)
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Mex
ico
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Ever
glad
es
Natio
nal P
ark
5 7
The
Ever
glad
es is
a v
ast
near
ly fla
t se
abed
that
was
su
bmer
ged
at th
e en
d of
the
last
Ice
Age
Its
limes
tone
su
bstra
te is
one
of t
he m
ost a
ctive
are
as o
f mod
ern
carb
onat
e se
dim
enta
tion
Them
e 5
7 A
rive
r of g
rass
flow
ing
impe
rcep
tibly
from
the
hint
erla
nd in
to
the
sea
1979
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
70 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 71
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Fras
er Is
land
7Th
e pr
oper
ty re
pres
ents
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of
signi
fican
t ong
oing
geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
incl
udin
g lo
ngsh
ore
drift
The
imm
ense
san
d du
nes
are
part
of th
e lo
nges
t and
mos
t com
plet
e ag
e se
quen
ce
of c
oast
al d
une
syst
ems
in th
e w
orld
and
are
stil
l ev
olvin
g T
he s
uper
impo
sitio
n of
act
ive p
arab
olic
du
nes
on re
mna
nts
of o
lder
dun
es d
epos
ited
durin
g pe
riods
of l
ow s
ea le
vel
whi
ch a
re s
tabi
lised
by
tow
erin
g ra
info
rest
s at
ele
vatio
ns o
f up
to 2
40 m
is
cons
ider
ed u
niqu
e F
rase
r Isla
nd a
lso h
as a
var
iety
of
fres
hwat
er d
une
lake
s w
hich
are
exc
eptio
nal i
n te
rms
of n
umbe
r di
vers
ity a
nd a
ge T
he d
ynam
ic
inte
rrela
tions
hip
betw
een
the
coas
tal d
une
sand
m
ass
aqu
ifer h
ydro
logy
and
the
fresh
wat
er d
une
lake
s pr
ovid
es a
seq
uenc
e of
lake
form
atio
n bo
th
spat
ially
and
tem
pora
lly
The
proc
ess
of s
oil f
orm
atio
n on
the
islan
d is
also
un
ique
sin
ce a
s a
resu
lt of
the
succ
essiv
e ov
erla
ying
of d
une
syst
ems
a c
hron
oseq
uenc
e of
pod
zol
deve
lopm
ent f
rom
the
youn
ger d
une
syst
ems
on th
e ea
st to
the
olde
st s
yste
ms
on th
e w
est c
hang
e fro
m
rudi
men
tary
pro
files
less
than
05
m th
ick
to g
iant
fo
rms
mor
e th
an 2
5 m
thic
k T
he la
tter f
ar e
xcee
ds
know
n de
pths
of p
odzo
ls an
ywhe
re e
lse in
the
wor
ld
and
has
a di
rect
influ
ence
on
plan
t suc
cess
ion
w
ith th
e ol
der d
une
syst
ems
caus
ing
retro
gres
sive
succ
essio
n w
hen
the
soil
horiz
on b
ecom
es to
o de
ep
to p
rovid
e nu
tritio
n fo
r tal
l for
est s
peci
es
Them
e 7
Fra
ser I
slan
d is
the
larg
est s
and
isla
nd in
the
wor
ld T
he
com
bina
tion
of s
hifti
ng s
and-
dune
s
tropi
cal r
ainf
ores
ts a
nd la
kes
mak
es it
an
exc
eptio
nal s
ite
1992
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
70 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 71
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Galaacute
pago
s Is
land
s2
47
8Th
e ar
chip
elag
oacutes
geol
ogy
begi
ns a
t the
sea
floo
r and
em
erge
s ab
ove
sea
leve
l whe
re b
iolo
gica
l pro
cess
es
cont
inue
Thr
ee m
ajor
tect
onic
plat
esmdash
Nazc
a C
ocos
an
d Pa
cificmdash
mee
t at t
he b
asis
of th
e oc
ean
whi
ch
is of
sig
nific
ant g
eolo
gica
l inte
rest
In
com
paris
on
with
mos
t oce
anic
arch
ipel
agos
the
Gal
aacutepag
os a
re
very
you
ng w
ith th
e la
rges
t and
you
nges
t isla
nds
Isa
bela
and
Fer
nand
ina
with
less
than
one
milli
on
year
s of
exis
tenc
e a
nd th
e ol
dest
isla
nds
Espa
ntildeola
an
d Sa
n Cr
istoacuteb
al s
omew
here
bet
wee
n th
ree
to fi
ve
milli
on y
ears
The
pro
perty
dem
onst
rate
s th
e ev
olut
ion
of th
e yo
unge
r vol
cani
c ar
eas
in th
e w
est a
nd th
e ol
der i
sland
s in
the
east
On-
goin
g ge
olog
ical a
nd
geom
orph
olog
ical p
roce
sses
inc
ludi
ng re
cent
vol
cani
c er
uptio
ns s
mal
l sei
smic
mov
emen
ts a
nd e
rosio
n pr
ovid
e ke
y in
sight
s to
the
puzz
le o
f the
orig
in o
f the
Ga
laacutepa
gos
Islan
ds A
lmos
t no
othe
r site
in th
e w
orld
of
fers
pro
tect
ion
of s
uch
a co
mpl
ete
cont
inuu
m o
f ge
olog
ical a
nd g
eom
orph
olog
ical f
eatu
res
Them
e 2
4 S
ituat
ed in
the
Paci
fic
Ocea
n so
me
100
0 km
from
the
Sout
h Am
eric
an c
ontin
ent
thes
e 19
is
land
s an
d th
e su
rroun
ding
mar
ine
rese
rve
have
bee
n ca
lled
a un
ique
lsquoli
ving
mus
eum
and
sho
wca
se o
f ev
olut
ionrsquo
Ong
oing
sei
smic
and
vo
lcan
ic a
ctivi
ty re
flect
s th
e pr
oces
ses
that
form
ed th
e is
land
s T
hem
e 7
8
The
arc
hipe
lago
acutes g
eolo
gy b
egin
s at
the
sea
floor
and
em
erge
s ab
ove
sea
leve
l
1978
(200
1)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Ecua
dor
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Gian
trsquos C
ause
way
an
d Ca
usew
ay
Coas
t
4Th
e ge
olog
ical
act
ivity
of t
he C
enoz
oic
Era
is c
lear
ly illu
stra
ted
by th
e su
cces
sion
of t
he la
va fl
ows
and
inte
rbas
altic
bed
s w
hich
are
in e
viden
ce o
n th
e Ca
usew
ay C
oast
Int
erpr
etat
ion
of th
e su
cces
sion
ha
s al
low
ed a
det
aile
d an
alys
is o
f Ter
tiary
eve
nts
in
the
North
Atla
ntic
The
ext
rem
ely
regu
lar c
olum
nar
join
ting
of th
e Th
olei
itic
basa
lts is
a s
pect
acul
ar
feat
ure
whi
ch is
dis
play
ed in
exe
mpl
ary
fash
ion
at th
e Gi
antrsquos
Cau
sew
ay T
he C
ause
way
itse
lf is
a
uniq
ue fo
rmat
ion
and
a su
perla
tive
horiz
onta
l se
ctio
n th
roug
h co
lum
nar b
asal
t lav
as
Them
e 4
The
Gia
ntrsquos
Cau
sew
ay li
es
at th
e fo
ot o
f the
bas
alt c
liffs
alo
ng th
e se
a co
ast o
n th
e ed
ge o
f the
Ant
rim
plat
eau
in N
orth
ern
Irela
nd I
t is
mad
e up
of s
ome
400
00 m
assi
ve b
lack
ba
salt
colu
mns
stic
king
out
of t
he
sea
The
dra
mat
ic s
ight
has
insp
ired
lege
nds
of g
iant
s st
ridin
g ov
er th
e se
a to
Sco
tland
Geo
logi
cal s
tudi
es
of th
ese
form
atio
ns o
ver t
he la
st 3
00
year
s ha
ve g
reat
ly co
ntrib
uted
to th
e de
velo
pmen
t of t
he E
arth
sci
ence
s
and
show
that
this
stri
king
land
scap
e w
as c
ause
d by
vol
cani
c ac
tivity
dur
ing
the
Pale
ogen
e s
ome
50ndash6
0 m
illion
ye
ars
ago
1986
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d Ki
ngdo
m
of G
reat
Br
itain
an
d No
rther
n Ire
land
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
72 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 73
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Gond
wan
a Ra
info
rest
s of
Au
stra
lia
21
3Th
e Go
ndw
ana
Rain
fore
sts
prov
ides
out
stan
ding
ex
ampl
es o
f sig
nific
ant o
ngoi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es
Whe
n Au
stra
lia s
epar
ated
from
Ant
arct
ica fo
llow
ing
the
brea
kup
of G
ondw
ana
new
con
tinen
tal m
argi
ns
deve
lope
d T
he m
argi
n w
hich
form
ed a
long
Aus
tralia
rsquos ea
ster
n ed
ge is
cha
ract
erise
d by
an
asym
met
rical
m
argi
nal s
wel
l tha
t run
s pa
ralle
l to
the
coas
tline
the
eros
ion
of w
hich
has
resu
lted
in th
e Gr
eat D
ivide
and
th
e Gr
eat E
scar
pmen
t Th
is ea
ster
n co
ntin
enta
l mar
gin
expe
rienc
ed v
olca
nicit
y du
ring
the
Ceno
zoic
Era
as
the
Aust
ralia
n co
ntin
enta
l pla
te m
oved
ove
r one
of t
he
plan
etrsquos
hot s
pots
Vol
cano
es e
rupt
ed in
seq
uenc
e al
ong
the
east
coa
st re
sultin
g in
the
Twee
d F
ocal
Pea
k
Ebor
and
Bar
ringt
on v
olca
nic
shie
lds
This
sequ
ence
of
volca
nos
is sig
nific
ant a
s it
enab
les
the
datin
g of
the
geom
orph
ic ev
olut
ion
of e
aste
rn A
ustra
lia th
roug
h th
e st
udy
of th
e in
tera
ctio
n of
thes
e vo
lcani
c re
mna
nts
with
th
e ea
ster
n hi
ghla
nds
Them
e 2
1 3
The
Gon
dwan
a Ra
info
rest
s pr
ovid
es o
utst
andi
ng
exam
ples
of s
igni
fican
t ong
oing
ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
es W
hen
Aust
ralia
se
para
ted
from
Ant
arct
ica
follo
win
g th
e br
eaku
p of
Gon
dwan
a n
ew
cont
inen
tal m
argi
ns d
evel
oped
The
m
argi
n w
hich
form
ed a
long
Aus
tralia
rsquos
east
ern
edge
is c
hara
cter
ised
by
an
asym
met
rical
mar
gina
l sw
ell t
hat r
uns
para
llel t
o th
e co
astli
ne t
he e
rosi
on o
f w
hich
has
resu
lted
in th
e Gr
eat D
ivide
an
d th
e Gr
eat E
scar
pmen
t
1986
(199
4)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Gran
d Ca
nyon
Na
tiona
l Par
k3
1W
ithin
par
k bo
unda
ries
the
geol
ogic
reco
rd s
pans
al
l fou
r era
s of
the
Earth
rsquos e
volu
tiona
ry h
isto
ry f
rom
th
e Pr
ecam
bria
n to
the
Ceno
zoic
The
Pre
cam
bria
n an
d Pa
leoz
oic
porti
ons
of th
is re
cord
are
par
ticul
arly
wel
l exp
osed
in c
anyo
n w
alls
and
incl
ude
a ric
h fo
ssil
asse
mbl
age
Num
erou
s ca
ves
shel
ter f
ossi
ls
and
anim
al re
mai
ns th
at e
xten
d th
e pa
leon
tolo
gica
l re
cord
into
the
Plei
stoc
ene
Them
e 3
Car
ved
out b
y th
e Co
lora
do
Rive
r th
e Gr
and
Cany
on (n
early
15
00
m d
eep)
was
form
ed d
urin
g 6
milli
on
year
s of
geo
logi
c ac
tivity
and
ero
sion
by
the
Colo
rado
Rive
r on
the
upra
ised
Ea
rthrsquos
cru
st T
hem
e 1
Its
horiz
onta
l st
rata
retra
ce th
e ge
olog
ical
his
tory
of
the
past
2 b
illion
yea
rs
1979
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
72 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 73
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Grea
t Bar
rier R
eef
87
The
GBR
ext
endi
ng 2
000
km
alo
ng Q
ueen
slan
drsquos
coas
t is
a g
loba
lly o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of a
n ec
osys
tem
that
has
evo
lved
over
mille
nnia
The
ar
ea h
as b
een
expo
sed
and
flood
ed b
y at
leas
t fou
r gl
acia
l and
inte
rgla
cial
cyc
les
and
ove
r the
pas
t 15
000
yea
rs re
efs
have
gro
wn
on th
e co
ntin
enta
l sh
elf
Durin
g gl
acia
l per
iods
sea
leve
ls d
ropp
ed e
xpos
ing
the
reef
s as
flat
-top
ped
hills
of e
rode
d lim
esto
ne
Larg
e riv
ers
mea
nder
ed b
etw
een
thes
e hi
lls a
nd th
e co
astli
ne e
xten
ded
furth
er e
ast
Durin
g in
terg
laci
al
perio
ds r
isin
g se
a le
vels
cau
sed
the
form
atio
n of
co
ntin
enta
l isl
ands
cor
al c
ays
and
new
pha
ses
of
cora
l gro
wth
Thi
s en
viron
men
tal h
isto
ry c
an b
e se
en
in c
ores
of o
ld m
assi
ve c
oral
s
Toda
y th
e GB
R fo
rms
the
wor
ldrsquos
larg
est c
oral
reef
ec
osys
tem
ran
ging
from
insh
ore
fring
ing
reef
s to
m
id-s
helf
reef
s a
nd e
xpos
ed o
uter
reef
s in
clud
ing
exam
ples
of a
ll st
ages
of r
eef d
evel
opm
ent
The
proc
esse
s of
geo
logi
cal a
nd g
eom
orph
olog
ical
ev
olut
ion
are
wel
l rep
rese
nted
lin
king
con
tinen
tal
isla
nds
cor
al c
ays
and
reef
s T
he v
arie
d se
asca
pes
and
land
scap
es th
at o
ccur
toda
y ha
ve b
een
mou
lded
by
chan
ging
clim
ates
and
sea
leve
ls a
nd
the
eros
ive p
ower
of w
ind
and
wat
er o
ver l
ong
time
perio
ds
One-
third
of t
he G
BR li
es b
eyon
d th
e se
awar
d ed
ge o
f the
sha
llow
er re
efs
this
are
a co
mpr
ises
co
ntin
enta
l slo
pe a
nd d
eep
ocea
nic
wat
ers
and
abys
sal p
lain
s
Them
e 8
7 T
he G
BR fo
rms
the
wor
ldrsquos
larg
est c
oral
reef
eco
syst
em
rang
ing
from
insh
ore
fring
ing
reef
s to
m
id-s
helf
reef
s a
nd e
xpos
ed o
uter
re
efs
incl
udin
g ex
ampl
es o
f all
stag
es
of re
ef d
evel
opm
ent
The
proc
esse
s of
geo
logi
cal a
nd g
eom
orph
olog
ical
ev
olut
ion
are
wel
l rep
rese
nted
lin
king
co
ntin
enta
l isl
ands
cor
al c
ays
and
reef
s T
he v
arie
d se
asca
pes
and
land
scap
es th
at o
ccur
toda
y ha
ve
been
mou
lded
by
chan
ging
clim
ates
an
d se
a le
vels
and
the
eros
ive
pow
er o
f win
d an
d w
ater
ove
r lon
g tim
e pe
riods
One
-thi
rd o
f the
GBR
lie
s be
yond
the
seaw
ard
edge
of t
he
shal
low
er re
efs
this
are
a co
mpr
ises
co
ntin
enta
l slo
pe a
nd d
eep
ocea
nic
wat
ers
and
abys
sal p
lain
s
1981
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Grea
t Sm
oky
Mou
ntai
ns
Natio
nal P
ark
13
Grea
t Sm
oky
Mou
ntai
ns N
atio
nal P
ark
is o
f wor
ld
impo
rtanc
e as
the
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of th
e di
vers
e Ar
cto-
Terti
ary
geofl
ora
era
pro
vidin
g an
in
dica
tion
of w
hat t
he la
te P
leis
toce
ne fl
ora
look
ed
like
befo
re re
cent
hum
an im
pact
s
Them
e 1
Sta
ted
to b
e an
out
stan
ding
ex
ampl
e of
the
dive
rse
Arct
o-Te
rtiar
y ge
oflor
a er
a p
rovid
ing
an in
dica
tion
of
wha
t the
late
Ple
isto
cene
flor
a lo
oked
lik
e be
fore
Rec
ent h
uman
impa
cts
Th
eme
3 N
on-g
laci
al d
isse
cted
m
ount
aino
us te
rrain
1983
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
74 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 75
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Gros
Mor
ne
Natio
nal P
ark
29
The
rock
s of
Gro
s M
orne
Nat
iona
l Par
k co
llect
ively
pres
ent a
n in
tern
atio
nally
sig
nific
ant i
llust
ratio
n of
th
e pr
oces
s of
con
tinen
tal d
rift a
long
the
east
ern
coas
t of N
orth
Am
eric
a an
d co
ntrib
ute
grea
tly to
th
e bo
dy o
f kno
wle
dge
and
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
pla
te
tect
onic
s an
d th
e ge
olog
ical
evo
lutio
n of
anc
ient
m
ount
ain
belts
In
glac
ier-
scou
red
high
land
s an
d sp
ecta
cula
r fjo
rds
gla
ciat
ion
has
mad
e vis
ible
the
park
rsquos m
any
geol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
Them
e 2
Thi
s pa
rk s
ituat
ed o
n th
e w
est c
oast
of t
he is
land
of
New
foun
dlan
d pr
ovid
es a
rare
ex
ampl
e of
the
proc
ess
of c
ontin
enta
l dr
ift w
here
dee
p oc
ean
crus
t and
th
e ro
cks
of th
e Ea
rthrsquos
man
tle li
e ex
pose
d T
hem
e 9
Ple
isto
cene
gl
acia
l act
ion
has
resu
lted
in s
ome
spec
tacu
lar s
cene
ry w
ith c
oast
al
low
land
alp
ine
plat
eau
fjor
ds g
laci
al
valle
ys s
heer
clif
fs w
ater
falls
and
m
any
pris
tine
lake
s
1987
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Gulf
of P
orto
Ca
lanc
he o
f Pi
ana
Gul
f of
Giro
lata
Sc
ando
la R
eser
ve
7No
cur
rent
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV b
ut th
e in
scrip
tion
in 1
983
is b
ased
on
lsquodra
mat
ic g
eolo
gica
l la
ndfo
rmsrsquo
and
refe
rs to
Cyc
les
of e
rosi
on a
nd
reju
vena
tion
have
cre
ated
hig
h cl
iffs
of re
d po
rphy
ry
rhyo
liths
and
bas
altic
pilla
rs c
onsi
dera
bly
erod
ed b
y w
ave
actio
n T
hus
the
area
has
a v
arie
d an
d ru
gged
re
lief o
n m
arin
e an
d sh
ore
habi
tats
The
jagg
ed a
nd
shee
r clif
fs c
onta
in m
any
grot
tos
and
are
flank
ed b
y nu
mer
ous
stac
ks a
nd a
lmos
t ina
cces
sibl
e is
lets
and
co
ves
such
as
Tuar
a T
he c
ombi
natio
n of
the
red
cliff
s s
ome
900
m h
igh
san
d be
ache
s h
eadl
ands
su
ch a
s Ca
pe O
sani
and
the
Peni
nsul
a of
Elb
o a
nd
the
trans
pare
nt s
ea m
ake
the
area
exc
eptio
nally
be
autif
ul
Them
e 7
The
mar
ine
area
of t
he
prop
erty
par
ticul
arly
in th
e Sc
ando
la
natu
re re
serv
e is
rem
arka
ble
for i
ts
wea
lth o
f alg
ae T
he te
rraci
ng o
f livi
ng
form
s is
ver
y re
pres
enta
tive
of th
e M
edite
rrane
an c
oast
al e
nviro
nmen
t th
e lsquop
avem
entrsquo
of L
ithop
hyllu
m (a
lga)
le
ads
to a
bed
of P
osid
onia
whi
ch
can
be u
p to
35
m d
eep
Rem
arka
ble
cora
lligen
ous
stru
ctur
es fo
rm u
p to
th
e ed
ge o
f the
con
tinen
tal s
helf
1983
(vii)
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Fran
ceEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
74 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 75
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Gunu
ng M
ulu
Natio
nal P
ark
6Th
e pa
rk is
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of m
ajor
ch
ange
s in
the
Earth
rsquos h
isto
ry T
hree
maj
or ro
ck
form
atio
ns a
re e
viden
t th
e M
ulu
Form
atio
n of
Pa
leoc
ene
and
Eoce
ne s
hale
rsquos a
nd s
ands
tone
ris
ing
to 2
376
m a
t the
sum
mit
of G
unun
g M
ulu
th
e 1
5 km
thic
k M
elin
au L
imes
tone
form
atio
n of
Up
per E
ocen
e O
ligoc
ene
and
Low
er M
ioce
ne r
isin
g to
16
82 m
at G
unun
g Ap
i an
d th
e M
ioce
ne S
etap
Sh
ale
form
atio
n ou
tcro
ppin
g as
a g
entle
line
of h
ills
to th
e w
est
Maj
or u
plift
that
occ
urre
d du
ring
the
late
Pl
ioce
ne to
Ple
isto
cene
is w
ell r
epre
sent
ed in
the
295
km o
f exp
lore
d ca
ves
as a
ser
ies
of m
ajor
cav
e le
vels
The
sur
face
and
und
ergr
ound
geo
mor
phol
ogy
and
hydr
olog
y re
veal
sig
nific
ant i
nfor
mat
ion
on
the
tect
onic
and
clim
atic
evo
lutio
n of
Bor
neo
The
se
quen
ce o
f ter
rest
rial a
lluvia
l dep
osits
pro
vides
an
impo
rtant
reco
rd o
f gla
cial
ndash in
terg
laci
al c
ycle
s w
ith th
e se
ries
of u
plift
ed c
aves
rang
ing
from
28
m
to o
ver 3
00 m
abo
ve s
ea le
vel a
re a
t lea
st 2
to 3
m
illion
yea
rs o
ld i
ndic
atin
g up
lift r
ates
of a
bout
19
cm p
er 1
000
yea
rs
Them
e 6
The
par
k ha
s a
sign
ifica
nt
area
of k
arst
in M
ioce
ne li
mes
tone
th
at c
onta
ins
larg
e un
derg
roun
d riv
ers
and
gt29
0 km
of e
xplo
red
cave
s
incl
udin
g Sa
raw
ak C
ham
ber (
700
m lo
ng 3
00-4
00 m
wid
e an
d up
to
100
m h
igh)
ndash th
e w
orld
rsquos la
rges
t un
derg
roun
d ro
om C
aves
con
tain
m
ajor
spe
leot
hem
dep
osits
and
15
m
illion
yea
r sed
imen
t seq
uenc
es
Rich
cav
e bi
ota
esp
ecia
lly n
otab
le fo
r ba
ts a
nd s
wift
lets
Su
rface
feat
ures
in
clud
e gi
ant c
olla
pse
dolin
es a
nd
spec
tacu
lar r
azor
-sha
rp p
inna
cle
kars
t (c
a 50
m h
igh)
2000
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lM
alay
sia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Ha L
ong
Bay
67
As th
e m
ost e
xten
sive
and
best
kno
wn
exam
ple
of
mar
ine-
inva
ded
tow
er k
arst
in th
e w
orld
Ha
Long
Ba
y is
one
of th
e w
orld
rsquos m
ost i
mpo
rtant
are
as o
f Fe
ngco
ng (c
lust
ers
of c
onic
al p
eaks
) and
Fen
glin
(is
olat
ed to
wer
feat
ures
) kar
st A
bund
ant l
akes
oc
cupy
ing
drow
ned
dolin
es a
re o
ne o
f the
dist
inct
ive
feat
ures
of t
he F
enco
ng k
arst
with
som
e ap
pear
ing
to b
e tid
al P
osse
ssin
g a
trem
endo
us d
ivers
ity o
f ca
ves
and
othe
r lan
dfor
ms
deriv
ed fr
om th
e un
usua
l ge
omor
phol
ogic
al p
roce
ss o
f mar
ine
inva
ded
tow
er
kars
t the
cav
es a
re o
f thr
ee m
ain
type
s re
mna
nts
of p
hrea
tic c
aves
old
kar
stic
foot
cav
es a
nd m
arin
e no
tch
cave
s T
he p
rope
rty a
lso d
ispla
ys th
e fu
ll ra
nge
of k
arst
form
atio
n pr
oces
ses
on a
ver
y la
rge
scal
e an
d ov
er a
ver
y lo
ng p
erio
d of
geo
logi
cal t
ime
pos
sess
ing
the
mos
t com
plet
e an
d ex
tens
ive e
xzam
ple
of it
s ty
pe
in th
e w
orld
and
pro
vidin
g a
uniq
ue a
nd e
xten
sive
rese
rvoi
r of d
ata
for t
he fu
ture
und
erst
andi
ng o
f ge
oclim
atic
hist
ory
and
the
natu
re o
f kar
st p
roce
sses
in
a c
ompl
ex e
nviro
nmen
t
Them
e 6
7 T
he w
orld
rsquos m
ost
exte
nsive
and
bes
t- k
now
n ex
ampl
e of
trop
ical
tow
er k
arst
inva
ded
by th
e se
a In
corp
orat
es a
reas
of f
engc
ong
and
feng
lin k
arst
1994
(200
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)Na
tura
lVi
et N
amAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
76 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 77
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Haw
aii V
olca
noes
Na
tiona
l Par
k4
This
pro
perty
is a
uni
que
exam
ple
of s
igni
fican
t is
land
bui
ldin
g th
roug
h on
goin
g vo
lcan
ic p
roce
sses
It
repr
esen
ts th
e m
ost r
ecen
t act
ivity
in th
e co
ntin
uing
pro
cess
of t
he g
eolo
gic
orig
in a
nd
chan
ge o
f the
Haw
aiia
n Ar
chip
elag
o T
he p
ark
cont
ains
sig
nific
ant p
arts
of t
wo
of th
e w
orld
rsquos m
ost
activ
e an
d be
st u
nder
stoo
d vo
lcan
oes
Kila
uea
and
Mau
na L
oa T
he v
olca
no M
auna
Loa
mea
sure
d fro
m th
e oc
ean
floor
is
the
grea
test
vol
cani
c m
ass
on E
arth
Them
e 4
Thi
s pr
oper
ty c
onta
ins
two
of th
e m
ost a
ctive
vol
cano
es in
the
wor
ld M
auna
Loa
(41
70 m
hig
h) a
nd
Kila
uea
(12
50 m
hig
h) b
oth
of w
hich
to
wer
ove
r the
Pac
ific
Ocea
n V
olca
nic
erup
tions
hav
e cr
eate
d a
cons
tant
ly ch
angi
ng la
ndsc
ape
and
the
lava
flo
ws
reve
al s
urpr
isin
g ge
olog
ical
fo
rmat
ions
1987
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Hear
d an
d M
cDon
ald
Isla
nds
2 4
9Th
e is
land
s co
ntai
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
es o
f si
gnifi
cant
on-
goin
g ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
es o
ccur
ring
in a
n es
sent
ially
und
istu
rbed
env
ironm
ent
parti
cula
rly p
hysi
cal p
roce
sses
whi
ch p
rovid
e an
un
ders
tand
ing
of th
e ro
le o
f cru
stal
pla
tes
in th
e fo
rmat
ion
of o
cean
bas
ins
and
cont
inen
ts a
nd o
f at
mos
pher
ic a
nd o
cean
ic w
arm
ing
The
isla
nds
are
dist
inct
ive a
mon
g oc
eani
c is
land
s in
bei
ng fo
unde
d up
on a
maj
or s
ubm
arin
e pl
atea
u w
hich
in th
is c
ase
defle
cts
Anta
rctic
circ
umpo
lar w
ater
s no
rthw
ards
w
ith s
triki
ng c
onse
quen
ces
for g
eom
orph
olog
ical
pr
oces
ses
The
y al
so o
ffer a
n ac
tive
exam
ple
of p
lum
e vo
lcan
ism
pro
vidin
g di
rect
geo
logi
cal
evid
ence
of t
he a
ctio
n of
the
long
est o
pera
tiona
l pl
ume
syst
em k
now
n in
the
wor
ld T
his
incl
udes
in
form
atio
n ab
out p
lum
e in
tera
ctio
n w
ith o
verly
ing
crus
tal p
late
s a
s w
ell a
s in
sigh
ts in
to m
antle
plu
me
com
posi
tion
due
to th
e w
ides
t ran
ge o
f iso
topi
c co
mpo
sitio
ns o
f stro
ntiu
m n
eody
miu
m l
ead
and
heliu
m k
now
n fro
m a
ny o
cean
ic is
land
vol
cano
sy
stem
Big
Ben
on
Hear
d Is
land
is th
e on
ly kn
own
cont
inuo
usly
activ
e vo
lcan
o on
a s
ub-A
ntar
ctic
is
land
whe
reas
the
volc
ano
on M
acDo
nald
Isla
nd
rece
ntly
beca
me
activ
e ag
ain
afte
r a 7
500
0 ye
ar
perio
d of
dor
man
cy i
ncre
asin
g si
gnifi
cant
ly in
size
si
nce
insc
riptio
n
Hear
d Is
land
rsquos re
lativ
ely
shal
low
and
fast
-flow
ing
glac
iers
resp
ond
quic
kly
to c
limat
e ch
ange
fa
ster
than
any
gla
cier
s el
sew
here
mak
ing
them
pa
rticu
larly
impo
rtant
in m
onito
ring
clim
ate
chan
ge
They
hav
e flu
ctua
ted
dram
atic
ally
in re
cent
dec
ades
an
d ha
ve re
treat
ed s
igni
fican
tly
Them
e 2
4 H
eard
Isla
nd a
nd
McD
onal
d Is
land
s ar
e th
e on
ly vo
lcan
ical
ly ac
tive
suba
ntar
ctic
is
land
s T
he is
land
s ar
e di
stin
ctive
am
ong
ocea
nic
isla
nds
in b
eing
fo
unde
d up
on a
maj
or s
ubm
arin
e pl
atea
u w
hich
in th
is c
ase
defle
cts
Anta
rctic
circ
umpo
lar w
ater
s no
rthw
ards
The
y al
so o
ffer a
n ac
tive
exam
ple
of p
lum
e vo
lcan
ism
pr
ovid
ing
dire
ct g
eolo
gica
l evid
ence
of
the
actio
n of
the
long
est o
pera
tiona
l pl
ume
syst
em k
now
n in
the
wor
ld
Them
e 9
Hea
rd Is
land
rsquos re
lativ
ely
shal
low
and
fast
-flow
ing
glac
iers
re
spon
d qu
ickl
y to
clim
ate
chan
ge
fast
er th
an a
ny g
laci
ers
else
whe
re
mak
ing
them
par
ticul
arly
impo
rtant
in
mon
itorin
g cl
imat
e ch
ange
The
y ha
ve fl
uctu
ated
dra
mat
ical
ly in
re
cent
dec
ades
and
hav
e re
treat
ed
sign
ifica
ntly
1997
(viii)
(ix)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
76 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 77
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
High
Coa
st
Kva
rken
Ar
chip
elag
o
9Th
e Hi
gh C
oast
Kva
rken
Arc
hipe
lago
is o
f ex
cept
iona
l geo
logi
cal v
alue
for t
wo
mai
n re
ason
s
Firs
t bo
th a
reas
hav
e so
me
of th
e hi
ghes
t rat
es
of is
osta
tic u
plift
in th
e w
orld
mea
ning
that
the
land
stil
l con
tinue
s to
rise
in e
leva
tion
follo
win
g th
e re
treat
of t
he la
st in
land
ice
shee
t w
ith a
roun
d 29
0 m
of l
and
uplif
t rec
orde
d ov
er th
e pa
st 1
050
0 ye
ars
The
upl
ift is
ong
oing
and
is a
ssoc
iate
d w
ith
maj
or c
hang
es in
the
wat
er b
odie
s in
pos
t-gl
acia
l tim
es T
his
phen
omen
on w
as fi
rst r
ecog
nize
d an
d st
udie
d he
re m
akin
g th
e pr
oper
ty a
key
are
a fo
r un
ders
tand
ing
the
proc
esse
s of
cru
stal
resp
onse
to
the
mel
ting
of th
e co
ntin
enta
l ice
she
et S
econ
d
the
Kvar
ken
Arch
ipel
ago
with
its
560
0 is
land
s an
d su
rroun
ding
sea
pos
sess
es a
dis
tinct
ive a
rray
of
glac
ial d
epos
ition
al fo
rmat
ions
suc
h as
De
Geer
m
orai
nes
whi
ch a
dd to
the
varie
ty o
f gla
cial
land
- an
d se
asca
pe fe
atur
es in
the
regi
on I
t is
a gl
obal
ex
cept
iona
l and
dive
rse
area
for s
tudy
ing
mor
aine
ar
chip
elag
os T
he H
igh
Coas
t and
the
Kvar
ken
Arch
ipel
ago
repr
esen
t com
plem
enta
ry e
xam
ples
of
post
-gla
cial
upl
iftin
g la
ndsc
apes
Them
e 9
Bot
h ar
eas
have
som
e of
th
e hi
ghes
t rat
es o
f iso
stat
ic u
plift
in
the
wor
ld m
eani
ng th
at th
e la
nd
still
cont
inue
s to
rise
in e
leva
tion
follo
win
g th
e re
treat
of t
he la
st in
land
ic
e sh
eet
with
aro
und
290
m o
f lan
d up
lift r
ecor
ded
over
the
past
10
500
year
s T
he u
plift
is o
ngoi
ng a
nd is
as
soci
ated
with
maj
or c
hang
es in
the
wat
er b
odie
s in
pos
t-gl
acia
l tim
es
[] a
key
are
a fo
r und
erst
andi
ng th
e pr
oces
ses
of c
rust
al re
spon
se to
the
mel
ting
of th
e co
ntin
enta
l ice
she
et
[] t
he K
vark
en A
rchi
pela
go w
ith
its 5
600
isla
nds
and
surro
undi
ng
sea
pos
sess
es a
dis
tinct
ive a
rray
of g
laci
al d
epos
ition
al fo
rmat
ions
su
ch a
s De
Gee
r mor
aine
s w
hich
ad
d to
the
varie
ty o
f gla
cial
land
- an
d se
asca
pe fe
atur
es in
the
regi
on I
t is
a gl
obal
exc
eptio
nal a
nd d
ivers
e ar
ea
for s
tudy
ing
mor
aine
arc
hipe
lago
s
The
High
Coa
st a
nd th
e Kv
arke
n Ar
chip
elag
o re
pres
ent c
ompl
emen
tary
ex
ampl
es o
f pos
t-gl
acia
l upl
iftin
g la
ndsc
apes
2000
(200
6)(v
iii)Na
tura
lFi
nlan
d
Swed
enEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
78 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 79
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Huas
caraacute
n Na
tiona
l Par
k9
Huas
caraacute
n is
loca
ted
in th
e Hi
gh A
ndes
and
incl
udes
hi
gh p
late
aus
of P
una
gras
slan
ds w
here
60
00
m p
eaks
and
gla
cier
s fo
rm a
glo
bally
not
able
m
ount
aino
us re
gion
inc
ludi
ng o
ver 6
00 g
laci
ers
al
mos
t 300
lake
s an
d 41
trib
utar
ies
of th
ree
impo
rtant
rive
rs t
he S
anta
Pat
ivilc
a an
d M
aran
on
Unde
rlyin
g th
e ex
cept
iona
l lan
dsca
pe o
f Hua
scar
an
Natio
nal P
ark
is a
bro
ad s
pect
rum
of r
emar
kabl
e on
goin
g ge
olog
ical
feat
ures
and
pro
cess
es
shap
ing
the
impr
essi
ve g
eom
orph
olog
y Th
e ar
earsquos
ge
olog
ical
his
tory
and
stru
ctur
es a
re v
ery
com
plex
w
ith s
erra
ted
peak
s an
d th
e ru
gged
topo
grap
hy
orig
inat
e fro
m th
e up
liftin
g of
Mes
ozoi
c se
dim
ents
w
hich
wer
e se
vere
ly fo
lded
and
faul
ted
by c
ompl
ex
tect
onic
act
ivity
at t
he e
nd o
f the
Cre
tace
ous
Perio
d an
d su
bjec
t to
volc
anis
m in
the
Plio
cene
an
d Pl
eist
ocen
e ep
ochs
To
this
day
ther
e is
stro
ng
seis
mic
act
ivity
in th
e ar
ea m
ajor
ear
thqu
akes
su
ch a
s in
194
5 1
962
and
1970
ser
ving
as c
ruel
re
min
ders
Gla
ciat
ion
is a
maj
or e
lem
ent i
n th
e ge
omor
phol
ogy
and
hydr
olog
y of
the
prop
erty
It is
es
timat
ed th
at a
s m
uch
a qu
arte
r of t
he v
olum
e of
gl
acia
l ice
in th
e Co
rdille
ra m
ay h
ave
disa
ppea
red
sinc
e th
e la
te 1
960s
a p
roce
ss w
hich
is li
kely
to
furth
er c
hang
e th
e vis
ual f
ace
of H
uasc
araacuten
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk
Them
e 9
Loc
ated
in th
e Hi
gh A
ndes
an
d in
clud
es h
igh
plat
eaus
of P
una
gras
slan
ds w
here
60
00 m
pea
ks
and
glac
iers
form
a g
loba
lly n
otab
le
mou
ntai
nous
regi
on i
nclu
ding
ove
r 60
0 gl
acie
rs a
lmos
t 300
lake
s an
d 41
trib
utar
ies
of th
ree
impo
rtant
rive
rs
the
Sant
a P
ativi
lca
and
Mar
anon
1985
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Peru
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Ilulis
sat I
cefjo
rd9
The
Ilulis
sat I
cefjo
rd is
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of
a st
age
in th
e Ea
rthrsquos
his
tory
the
last
ice
age
of
the
Quat
erna
ry P
erio
d T
he ic
e-st
ream
is o
ne o
f the
fa
stes
t (40
m p
er d
ay) a
nd m
ost a
ctive
in th
e w
orld
Its
ann
ual c
alvin
g of
ove
r 46
km3
of ic
e ac
coun
ts
for 1
0 o
f the
pro
duct
ion
of a
ll Gr
eenl
and
calf
ice
m
ore
than
any
oth
er g
laci
er o
utsi
de A
ntar
ctic
a T
he
glac
ier h
as b
een
the
obje
ct o
f sci
entifi
c at
tent
ion
for 2
50 y
ears
and
alo
ng w
ith it
s re
lativ
e ea
se
of a
cces
sibi
lity
has
sign
ifica
ntly
adde
d to
the
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
ice-
cap
glac
iolo
gy c
limat
e ch
ange
an
d re
late
d ge
omor
phic
pro
cess
es
Them
e 9
The
Ilul
issa
t Ice
fjord
is
an o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of a
sta
ge
in th
e Ea
rthrsquos
his
tory
the
last
ice
age
of th
e Qu
ater
nary
Per
iod
The
ic
e-st
ream
is o
ne o
f the
fast
est (
40
m p
er d
ay) a
nd m
ost a
ctive
in th
e w
orld
Its
ann
ual c
alvin
g of
ove
r 46
km3
of ic
e ac
coun
ts fo
r 10
of t
he
prod
uctio
n of
all
Gree
nlan
d ca
lf ic
e
mor
e th
an a
ny o
ther
gla
cier
out
side
An
tarc
tica
[]
has
sig
nific
antly
add
ed
to th
e un
ders
tand
ing
of ic
e-ca
p gl
acio
logy
clim
ate
chan
ge a
nd re
late
d ge
omor
phic
pro
cess
es
2004
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Denm
ark
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
78 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 79
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Isch
igua
last
o T
alam
paya
Na
tura
l Par
ks
1Th
e pr
oper
ty o
f Isc
higu
alas
to-T
alam
paya
Nat
ural
Pa
rks
is o
f ext
raor
dina
ry s
cien
tific
impo
rtanc
e
prov
idin
g a
com
plet
e se
quen
ce o
f fos
silif
erou
s co
ntin
enta
l sed
imen
ts re
pres
entin
g th
e Tr
iass
ic
Perio
d of
geo
logi
cal h
isto
ry (c
250
-200
milli
on
year
s be
fore
pre
sent
) an
d re
veal
ing
the
evol
utio
n of
ve
rtebr
ate
life
and
the
natu
re o
f pal
aeoe
nviro
nmen
ts
in th
e Tr
iass
ic th
at u
sher
ed in
the
lsquoAge
of t
he
Dino
saur
srsquo
Exte
ndin
g ov
er th
e Is
chig
uala
sto-
Villa
Uni
oacuten
sedi
men
tary
bas
in t
he d
ram
atic
nat
ural
land
scap
e of
the
prop
erty
exp
oses
six
geol
ogic
al fo
rmat
ions
th
at c
lear
ly an
d ex
cept
iona
lly d
ocum
ent t
he m
ajor
st
age
of E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry fr
om th
e ev
olut
ion
from
the
mam
mal
anc
esto
rs in
the
Early
Tria
ssic
to th
e ris
e of
din
osau
r dom
inan
ce d
urin
g th
e Tr
iass
ic T
he ri
ch
dive
rsity
of f
ossi
ls in
clud
es s
ome
56 k
now
n ge
nera
an
d m
any
mor
e sp
ecie
s of
ver
tebr
ates
inc
ludi
ng
but n
ot li
mite
d to
fish
am
phib
ians
and
a g
reat
va
riety
of r
eptil
es a
nd d
irect
mam
mal
ian
ance
stor
s
incl
udin
g th
e ea
rly d
inos
aur
Eora
ptor
and
at l
east
10
0 sp
ecie
s of
pla
nts
toge
ther
with
abu
ndan
t em
phas
is o
f the
env
ironm
ents
of t
he ti
me
Tog
ethe
r th
ese
rem
ains
pro
vide
a un
ique
win
dow
on
life
in
the
Tria
ssic
Per
iod
with
man
y ne
w d
isco
verie
s st
ill to
be
mad
e
Them
e 1
Isch
igua
last
o T
alam
paya
Na
tura
l Par
ks c
onta
in th
e m
ost
com
plet
e co
ntin
enta
l fos
sil r
ecor
d kn
own
from
the
Tria
ssic
Per
iod
(c 2
50-2
00 m
illion
yea
rs a
go)
Six
geol
ogic
al fo
rmat
ions
con
tain
fo
ssils
of a
wid
e ra
nge
of a
nces
tors
of
mam
mal
s d
inos
aurs
and
pla
nts
reve
alin
g th
e ev
olut
ion
of v
erte
brat
es
and
the
natu
re o
f pal
aeoe
nviro
nmen
ts
in th
e Tr
iass
ic P
erio
d
2000
(viii)
Natu
ral
Arge
ntin
aLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Isol
e Eo
lie
(Aeo
lian
Isla
nds)
4Th
e is
land
srsquo v
olca
nic
land
form
s re
pres
ent c
lass
ic
feat
ures
in th
e co
ntin
uing
stu
dy o
f vol
cano
logy
w
orld
-wid
e W
ith th
eir s
cien
tific
stud
y fro
m a
t lea
st
the
18th
Cen
tury
the
isla
nds
have
pro
vided
two
of
the
type
s of
eru
ptio
ns (V
ulca
nian
and
Stro
mbo
lian)
to
vul
cano
logy
and
geo
logy
text
book
s an
d so
ha
ve fe
atur
ed p
rom
inen
tly in
the
educ
atio
n of
all
geos
cien
tists
for o
ver 2
00 y
ears
The
y co
ntin
ue
to p
rovid
e a
rich
field
for v
olca
nolo
gica
l stu
dies
of
on-g
oing
geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
in th
e de
velo
pmen
t of
land
form
s
Them
e 4
The
Aeo
lian
Isla
nds
prov
ide
an o
utst
andi
ng re
cord
of v
olca
nic
isla
nd-b
uild
ing
and
dest
ruct
ion
and
on
goin
g vo
lcan
ic p
heno
men
a S
tudi
ed
sinc
e at
leas
t the
18t
h ce
ntur
y th
e is
land
s ha
ve p
rovid
ed th
e sc
ienc
e of
vul
cano
logy
with
exa
mpl
es o
f tw
o ty
pes
of e
rupt
ion
(Vul
cani
an a
nd
Stro
mbo
lian)
2000
(viii)
Natu
ral
Italy
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
80 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 81
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Jeju
Vol
cani
c Is
land
and
Lav
a Tu
bes
46
Jeju
has
a d
istin
ctive
val
ue a
s on
e of
the
few
la
rge
shie
ld v
olca
noes
in th
e w
orld
bui
lt ov
er a
ho
t spo
t on
a st
atio
nary
con
tinen
tal c
rust
pla
te I
t is
dis
tingu
ishe
d by
the
Geom
unor
eum
lava
tube
sy
stem
whi
ch is
the
mos
t im
pres
sive
and
sig
nific
ant
serie
s of
pro
tect
ed la
va tu
be c
aves
in th
e w
orld
and
in
clud
es a
spe
ctac
ular
arra
y of
sec
onda
ry c
arbo
nate
sp
eleo
them
s (s
tala
ctite
s an
d ot
her d
ecor
atio
ns)
with
an
abu
ndan
ce a
nd d
ivers
ity u
nkno
wn
else
whe
re
with
in a
lava
cav
e T
he S
eong
san
Ilchu
lbon
g tu
ff co
ne h
as e
xcep
tiona
l exp
osur
es o
f its
stru
ctur
al a
nd
sedi
men
tolo
gica
l cha
ract
eris
tics
mak
ing
it a
wor
ld-
clas
s lo
catio
n fo
r und
erst
andi
ng S
urts
eyan
-typ
e vo
lcan
ic e
rupt
ions
Them
e 4
Jej
u Vo
lcan
ic Is
land
and
La
va T
ubes
incl
udes
Geo
mun
oreu
m
rega
rded
as
the
fines
t lav
a tu
be
syst
em o
f cav
es a
nyw
here
with
its
mul
ticol
oure
d ca
rbon
ate
roof
s an
d flo
ors
and
dar
k-co
lour
ed la
va
wal
ls t
he fo
rtres
s-lik
e Se
ongs
an
Ilchu
lbon
g tu
ff co
ne r
isin
g ou
t of t
he
ocea
n a
dra
mat
ic la
ndsc
ape
and
M
ount
Hal
la t
he h
ighe
st in
Kor
ea
with
its
wat
erfa
lls m
ulti-
shap
ed
rock
form
atio
ns a
nd la
ke-fi
lled
crat
er T
hem
e 6
Out
stan
ding
ex
ampl
e of
vul
cano
kars
t a
spec
ial
style
of p
seud
okar
st T
his
incl
udes
Ge
omun
oreu
m la
va tu
bes
whi
ch a
re
nota
ble
for s
pect
acul
ar d
ecor
atio
n w
ith c
arbo
nate
spe
leot
hem
s th
e ca
rbon
ate
bein
g de
rived
from
ov
erlyi
ng c
alca
reou
s du
ne s
ands
bl
own
in fr
om th
e co
ast
2007
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Repu
blic
of
Kor
eaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Jogg
ins
Foss
il Cl
iffs
1Ea
rthrsquos
his
tory
geo
logi
cal a
nd g
eom
orph
ic fe
atur
es
and
proc
esse
s T
he lsquog
rand
exp
osur
ersquo o
f roc
ks a
t Jo
ggin
s Fo
ssil
Cliff
s co
ntai
ns th
e be
st a
nd m
ost
com
plet
e kn
own
foss
il re
cord
of t
erre
stria
l life
in
the
icon
ic lsquoC
oal A
gersquo
the
Penn
sylva
nian
Sub
perio
d of
the
Carb
onife
rous
Per
iod
in E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry T
he
prop
erty
bea
rs w
itnes
s to
the
first
rept
iles
in E
arth
hi
stor
y w
hich
are
the
earli
est r
epre
sent
ative
s of
th
e am
niot
es a
gro
up o
f ani
mal
s th
at in
clud
es
rept
iles
din
osau
rs b
irds
and
mam
mal
s U
prig
ht
foss
il tre
es a
re p
rese
rved
at a
ser
ies
of le
vels
in th
e cl
iffs
toge
ther
with
ani
mal
pla
nt a
nd tr
ace
foss
ils
that
pro
vide
envir
onm
enta
l con
text
and
ena
ble
a co
mpl
ete
reco
nstru
ctio
n to
be
mad
e of
the
exte
nsive
fo
ssil
fore
sts
that
dom
inat
ed la
nd a
t thi
s tim
e a
nd
are
now
the
sour
ce o
f mos
t of t
he w
orld
rsquos c
oal
depo
sits
The
pro
perty
has
pla
yed
a vit
al ro
le in
the
deve
lopm
ent o
f sem
inal
geo
logi
cal a
nd e
volu
tiona
ry
prin
cipl
es i
nclu
ding
thro
ugh
the
wor
k of
Sir
Char
les
Lyel
l and
Cha
rles
Darw
in f
or w
hich
the
site
has
be
en re
ferre
d to
as
the
lsquocoa
l age
Gal
aacutepag
osrsquo
Them
e 1
The
Jog
gins
Fos
sil C
liffs
ha
ve b
een
desc
ribed
as
the
lsquocoa
l age
Ga
laacutepa
gosrsquo
due
to th
eir w
ealth
of
foss
ils fr
om th
e Ca
rbon
ifero
us P
erio
d (c
360
to 3
00 m
illion
yea
rs a
go) a
nd
repr
esen
t the
mos
t com
plet
e kn
own
foss
il re
cord
of t
erre
stria
l life
from
th
at ti
me
2008
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
80 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 81
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Klua
ne
Wra
ngel
l-St
Elia
s G
laci
er B
ay
Tats
hens
hini
-Al
sek
9Th
ese
tect
onic
ally
activ
e jo
int s
ites
feat
ure
cont
inuo
us m
ount
ain
build
ing
and
cont
ain
outs
tand
ing
exam
ples
of m
ajor
ong
oing
geo
logi
c an
d gl
acia
l pro
cess
es O
ver 2
00 g
laci
ers
in th
e ic
e-co
vere
d ce
ntra
l pla
teau
com
bine
to fo
rm s
ome
of th
e w
orld
rsquos la
rges
t and
long
est g
laci
ers
sev
eral
of
whi
ch s
tretc
h to
the
sea
The
pro
perty
dis
play
s a
broa
d ra
nge
of g
laci
al p
roce
sses
inc
ludi
ng
wor
ld-c
lass
dep
ositi
onal
feat
ures
and
cla
ssic
ex
ampl
es o
f mor
aine
s h
angi
ng v
alle
ys a
nd o
ther
ge
omor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
Them
e 9
Ove
r 200
gla
cier
s in
the
ice-
cove
red
cent
ral p
late
au c
ombi
ne
to fo
rm s
ome
of th
e w
orld
rsquos la
rges
t an
d lo
nges
t gla
cier
s s
ever
al o
f whi
ch
stre
tch
to th
e se
a T
he p
rope
rty
disp
lays
a b
road
rang
e of
gla
cial
pr
oces
ses
incl
udin
g w
orld
-cla
ss
depo
sitio
nal f
eatu
res
and
clas
sic
exam
ples
of m
orai
nes
han
ging
va
lleys
and
oth
er g
eom
orph
olog
ical
fe
atur
es
1979
(199
2
1994
)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Cana
da
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Lake
Bai
kal
25
No a
ppro
ved
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV B
asis
of
insc
riptio
n is
The
geo
logi
cal r
ift s
yste
m w
hich
ga
ve ri
se to
Lak
e Ba
ikal
was
form
ed in
the
Mes
ozoi
c Er
a L
ake
Baik
al is
thus
the
olde
st la
ke in
the
wor
ld
as w
ell a
s th
e de
epes
t Va
rious
tect
onic
forc
es a
re
still
on-g
oing
as
evid
ence
d in
rece
nt th
erm
al v
ents
in
the
dept
hs o
f the
lake
Them
e 2
The
geo
logi
cal r
ift s
yste
m
whi
ch g
ave
rise
to L
ake
Baik
al w
as
form
ed in
the
Mes
ozoi
c Er
a V
ario
us
tect
onic
forc
es a
re s
till o
n-go
ing
as
evid
ence
d in
rece
nt th
erm
al v
ents
in
the
dept
hs o
f the
lake
The
me
5 T
he
prop
erty
incl
udes
Lak
e Ba
ikal
itse
lf
the
deep
est i
n w
orld
and
con
tain
ing
20
of a
ll fre
sh ru
nnin
g w
ater
on
the
plan
et
1996
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lRu
ssia
n Fe
dera
-tio
n
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Lake
Tur
kana
Na
tiona
l Par
ks1
The
geol
ogy
and
foss
il re
cord
repr
esen
ts m
ajor
st
ages
of t
he E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry i
nclu
ding
reco
rds
of
life
repr
esen
ted
by h
omin
id d
isco
verie
s p
rese
nce
of re
cent
geo
logi
cal p
roce
ss re
pres
ente
d by
vo
lcan
ic e
rosi
onal
and
sed
imen
tary
land
form
s
This
pro
perty
rsquos m
ain
geol
ogic
al fe
atur
es s
tem
from
th
e Pl
ioce
ne to
Hol
ocen
e ep
ochs
(c 4
milli
on to
10
000
yea
rs o
ld)
It ha
s be
en v
ery
valu
able
in th
e re
cons
truct
ion
of th
e pa
leo-
envir
onm
ent o
f the
en
tire
Lake
Tur
kana
Bas
in T
he K
obi F
ora
depo
sits
co
ntai
n pr
e-hu
man
mam
mal
ian
mol
lusc
an a
nd
othe
r fos
sil r
emai
ns a
nd h
ave
cont
ribut
ed m
ore
to
the
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
hum
an a
nces
try a
nd p
aleo
-en
viron
men
t tha
n an
y ot
her s
ite in
the
wor
ld
Them
e 1
The
Koo
bi F
ora
depo
sits
ric
h in
mam
mal
ian
mol
lusc
an a
nd
othe
r fos
sil r
emai
ns h
ave
cont
ribut
ed
mor
e to
the
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
pal
eo-
envir
onm
ents
than
any
oth
er s
ite o
n th
e co
ntin
ent
1997
(200
1)(v
iii)(x
)Na
tura
lKe
nya
Afric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
82 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 83
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Lapo
nian
Are
a9
The
Lapo
nian
Are
a co
ntai
ns a
ll th
e pr
oces
ses
asso
ciat
ed w
ith g
laci
al a
ctivi
ty s
uch
as U
-sha
ped
valle
ys m
orai
nes
talu
s sl
opes
dru
mlin
s p
rese
nce
of la
rge
erra
tics
and
rapi
dly
flow
ing
glac
ial s
tream
s
It ha
s ex
celle
nt e
xam
ples
of i
ce a
nd fr
ost a
ctio
n in
a
tund
ra s
ettin
g in
clud
ing
form
atio
n of
pol
ygon
s an
d an
are
a of
spe
ctac
ular
ly co
llaps
ing
and
grow
ing
pals
a m
ound
s G
laci
al ri
vers
orig
inat
ing
in th
e sn
owfie
lds
cont
inue
to c
ut th
roug
h be
droc
k L
arge
un
vege
tate
d ar
eas
illust
rate
the
phen
omen
on o
f w
eath
erin
g T
he p
rope
rty a
lso
cont
ains
a re
cord
of
hum
ans
bein
g pa
rt of
thes
e ec
osys
tem
s fo
r sev
en
thou
sand
yea
rs
Them
e 9
Con
tain
s al
l the
pro
cess
es
asso
ciat
ed w
ith g
laci
al a
ctivi
ty s
uch
as U
-sha
ped
valle
ys m
orai
nes
talu
s sl
opes
dru
mlin
s p
rese
nce
of la
rge
erra
tics
and
rapi
dly
flow
ing
glac
ial
stre
ams
It h
as e
xcel
lent
exa
mpl
es o
f ic
e an
d fro
st a
ctio
n in
a tu
ndra
set
ting
incl
udin
g fo
rmat
ion
of p
olyg
ons
and
an a
rea
of s
pect
acul
arly
colla
psin
g an
d gr
owin
g pa
lsa
mou
nds
Gla
cial
riv
ers
orig
inat
ing
in th
e sn
owfie
lds
cont
inue
to c
ut th
roug
h be
droc
k
1996
(iii)(
v)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)M
ixed
Swed
enEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Lena
Pill
ars
Natu
re P
ark
36
The
Lena
Pilla
rs N
atur
e Pa
rk d
ispl
ays
two
feat
ures
of
sig
nific
ant i
nter
natio
nal i
nter
est i
n re
latio
n to
the
Earth
sci
ence
s T
he la
rge
cryo
geni
cally
m
odifi
ed p
illars
in th
e re
gion
are
the
mos
t not
able
pi
llar l
ands
cape
of t
heir
kind
kno
wn
whi
lst t
he
inte
rnat
iona
lly re
now
ned
and
impo
rtant
exp
osur
es
of C
ambr
ian
rock
s pr
ovid
e a
seco
nd a
nd im
porta
nt
supp
ortin
g se
t of v
alue
s
Them
e 3
Len
a Pi
llars
Nat
ure
Park
is
mar
ked
by s
pect
acul
ar ro
ck p
illars
up
to 1
00 m
hig
h th
at fo
rmed
due
to
diffe
rent
ial e
rosio
n al
ong
the
bank
s of
th
e Le
na R
iver
Them
e 6
Pilla
rs w
ere
isola
ted
by p
aleo
-diss
olut
ion
alon
g jo
ints
ben
eath
thick
gra
vel c
over
and
ar
e re
veal
ed a
long
val
ley
sides
by
frost
pr
oces
ses
and
fluvia
l und
ercu
tting
Kar
st
feat
ures
inclu
de g
roun
dwat
er c
ircul
atio
n an
d sm
all fl
utes
2012
(viii)
Natu
ral
Russ
ian
Fede
ra-
tion
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
82 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 83
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Lore
ntz
Natio
nal
Park
26
The
geol
ogy
and
land
form
s of
Lor
entz
Nat
iona
l Par
k di
spla
y gr
aphi
c ev
iden
ce o
f Ear
thrsquos
his
tory
Loc
ated
at
the
mee
ting
poin
t of t
wo
collid
ing
cont
inen
tal
plat
es t
he a
rea
has
a co
mpl
ex g
eolo
gy w
ith o
ngoi
ng
mou
ntai
n fo
rmat
ion
as w
ell a
s m
ajor
scu
lptin
g by
gl
acia
tion
and
shor
elin
e ac
cret
ion
The
dom
inat
ing
mou
ntai
n ra
nge
is a
dire
ct p
rodu
ct o
f the
col
lisio
n be
twee
n th
e Au
stra
lian
and
Paci
fic te
cton
ic p
late
s an
d th
e pr
oper
ty c
onta
ins
the
high
est p
oint
s of
th
e m
ount
ains
of P
apua
New
Gui
nea
and
the
only
rem
aini
ng g
laci
ers
on th
e is
land
The
re is
als
o cl
ear
evid
ence
of p
ost g
laci
al s
hore
lines
Gr
aphi
cally
illu
stra
ting
the
geom
orph
olog
ical
effe
ct
of th
e la
st g
laci
al a
nd p
ost-
glac
ial p
erio
ds t
he
mou
ntai
ns s
how
all
the
clas
sica
l gla
cial
land
form
s in
clud
ing
lake
s an
d m
orai
nes
Fur
ther
mor
e th
ere
are
five
smal
l rem
nant
gla
cier
s W
hile
all
five
glac
iers
are
retre
atin
g ra
pidl
y un
der p
rese
nt c
limat
ic
cond
ition
s n
o ot
her t
ropi
cal g
laci
er fi
elds
in th
e w
orld
exh
ibit
glac
ial e
volu
tion
as w
ell a
s th
ose
in L
oren
tz N
atio
nal P
ark
The
re is
als
o no
bet
ter
exam
ple
in th
e w
orld
of t
he c
ombi
ned
effe
ct o
f co
llisio
n of
tect
onic
pla
tes
and
the
seco
ndar
y m
ajor
sc
ulpt
ing
by g
laci
al a
nd p
ost-
glac
ial e
vent
s
Them
e 2
The
geo
logy
and
land
form
s of
Lor
entz
Nat
iona
l Par
k di
spla
y gr
aphi
c ev
iden
ce o
f Ear
thsrsquo
his
tory
Lo
cate
d at
the
mee
ting
poin
t of
two
collid
ing
cont
inen
tal p
late
s th
e ar
ea h
as a
com
plex
geo
logy
with
on
goin
g m
ount
ain
form
atio
n as
wel
l as
maj
or s
culp
ting
by g
laci
atio
n an
d sh
orel
ine
accr
etio
n T
he d
omin
atin
g m
ount
ain
rang
e is
a d
irect
pro
duct
of
the
collis
ion
betw
een
the
Aust
ralia
n an
d Pa
cific
tect
onic
pla
tes
Them
e 6
Wor
ldrsquos
bes
t exa
mpl
e of
trop
ical
al
pine
gla
ciat
ed k
arst
Ext
ensi
ve
hum
id tr
opic
al k
arst
occ
urs
at lo
wer
el
evat
ions
Hug
e si
nkin
g riv
ers
and
sprin
gs
1999
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lIn
done
sia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Los
Glac
iare
s Na
tiona
l Par
k9
Los
Glac
iare
s Na
tiona
l Par
k is
an e
xcel
lent
exa
mpl
e of
the
signi
fican
t pro
cess
of g
laci
atio
n a
s w
ell
as o
f geo
logi
cal
geom
orph
ic a
nd p
hysio
grap
hic
phen
omen
a ca
used
by
the
ongo
ing
adva
nce
and
retre
at o
f the
gla
ciat
ions
that
took
pla
ce d
urin
g th
e Pl
eist
ocen
e Ep
och
of th
e Qu
ater
nary
Per
iod
and
the
neog
laci
atio
ns c
orre
spon
ding
to th
e cu
rrent
epo
ch
or H
oloc
ene
The
se e
vent
s ha
ve m
odel
led
ndash an
d co
ntin
ue to
mod
el th
e la
ndsc
ape
of th
e ar
ea a
nd
may
be
reco
gnise
d by
the
lacu
strin
e ba
sins
of
glac
ial o
rigin
the
mor
aine
sys
tem
s de
posit
ed o
n th
e pl
atea
ux o
r by
mor
e re
cent
sys
tem
s pe
rtain
ing
to th
e cu
rrent
val
leys
and
the
man
y la
rge
glac
ier t
ongu
es
fed
by th
e Ic
e Fi
elds
of t
he A
ndes
The
pro
perty
also
pr
ovid
es fe
rtile
gro
und
for s
cien
tific
rese
arch
on
clim
ate
chan
ge
Them
e 9
Sig
nific
ant p
roce
ss o
f gl
acia
tion
as
wel
l as
of g
eolo
gica
l ge
omor
phic
and
phy
siog
raph
ic
phen
omen
a ca
used
by
the
ongo
ing
adva
nce
and
retre
at o
f the
gla
ciat
ions
th
at to
ok p
lace
dur
ing
the
Plei
stoc
ene
Epoc
h of
the
Quat
erna
ry P
erio
d a
nd
the
neog
laci
atio
ns c
orre
spon
ding
to
the
curre
nt e
poch
or H
oloc
ene
La
cust
rine
basi
ns o
f gla
cial
orig
in t
he
mor
aine
sys
tem
s de
posi
ted
on th
e pl
atea
ux o
r by
mor
e re
cent
sys
tem
s pe
rtain
ing
to th
e cu
rrent
val
leys
and
th
e m
any
larg
e gl
acie
r ton
gues
fed
by
the
Ice
Fiel
ds o
f the
And
es
1981
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Arge
ntin
aLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
84 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 85
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Lut D
eser
t10
The
prop
erty
repr
esen
ts a
n ex
cept
iona
l exa
mpl
e of
on
goin
g ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
es re
late
d to
ero
sion
al
and
depo
sitio
nal f
eatu
res
in a
hot
des
ert
The
yard
ang
kal
ut la
ndfo
rms
are
wid
ely
cons
ider
ed
the
best
-exp
ress
ed in
the
wor
ld in
term
s of
ext
ent
unbr
oken
con
tinui
ty a
nd h
eigh
t Th
e Lu
t san
d-se
as
are
amon
gst t
he b
est d
evel
oped
act
ive d
une
field
s in
the
wor
ld d
ispl
ayin
g a
wid
e va
riety
of d
une
type
s (c
resc
entic
ridg
es s
tar d
unes
com
plex
line
ar
dune
s fu
nnel
-sha
ped
dune
s) w
ith d
unes
am
ongs
t th
e hi
ghes
t obs
erve
d an
ywhe
re o
n ou
r pla
net
Nebk
ha d
une
field
s (d
unes
form
ed a
roun
d pl
ants
) ar
e w
ides
prea
d w
ith th
ose
at L
ut a
s hi
gh a
s an
y m
easu
red
else
whe
re E
vapo
rite
(sal
t) la
ndfo
rms
are
disp
laye
d in
wid
e va
riety
incl
udin
g w
hite
sa
lt-cr
uste
d cr
ysta
lline
river
beds
sal
t pan
s (p
laya
) w
ith p
olyg
onal
ly fra
ctur
ed c
rust
s p
ress
ure-
indu
ced
tepe
e-fra
ctur
ed s
alt c
rust
s g
ypsu
m d
omes
sm
all
salt
ping
os (o
r blis
ters
) an
d sa
lt ka
rren
Oth
er
dry-
land
land
form
s in
clud
e ex
tens
ive h
amad
a (s
tony
des
ert p
avem
ents
or r
eg) u
sual
ly lo
cate
d on
ped
imen
t sur
face
s w
ith w
ind
face
ted
ston
es
(ven
tifac
ts)
gullie
d ba
dlan
ds a
nd a
lluvia
l fan
s (b
ajad
a)
Them
e 10
Cla
ssic
loca
lity
of
yard
angs
dev
elop
ed o
n a
mas
sive
sc
ale
as
wel
l as
grav
el p
lain
s an
d du
ne fi
elds
2016
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Iran
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
84 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 85
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mac
quar
ie Is
land
2 4
Mac
quar
ie Is
land
and
its
outly
ing
islet
s ar
e ge
olog
ical
ly un
ique
in b
eing
the
only
plac
e on
Ear
th
whe
re ro
cks
from
the
Earth
rsquos m
antle
are
bei
ng
activ
ely
expo
sed
abov
e se
a le
vel T
he is
land
is th
e ex
pose
d cr
est o
f the
und
erse
a M
acqu
arie
Rid
ge
raise
d to
its
pres
ent p
ositi
on w
here
the
Indo
-Au
stra
lian
tect
onic
pla
te m
eets
the
Paci
fic p
late
Th
ese
uniq
ue e
xpos
ures
pro
vide
an e
xcep
tiona
lly
com
plet
e se
ctio
n of
the
stru
ctur
e an
d co
mpo
sitio
n of
bot
h th
e oc
eani
c cr
ust a
nd th
e up
per m
antle
and
pr
ovid
e ev
iden
ce o
f lsquose
a-flo
or s
prea
ding
rsquo and
tect
onic
pr
oces
ses
that
hav
e op
erat
ed fo
r hun
dred
s of
milli
ons
of y
ears
The
geo
logi
cal e
volu
tion
of M
acqu
arie
Isla
nd
bega
n 10
milli
on y
ears
ago
and
con
tinue
s to
day
with
th
e isl
and
expe
rienc
ing
earth
quak
es a
nd a
rapi
d ra
te
of u
plift
all
of w
hich
are
rela
ted
to a
ctive
geo
logi
cal
proc
esse
s al
ong
the
boun
dary
bet
wee
n th
e tw
o pl
ates
Se
quen
ces
from
all
crus
tal l
evel
s d
own
to 6
km
be
low
the
ocea
n flo
or a
re e
xpos
ed a
s a
resu
lt of
til
ting
and
diffe
rent
ial u
plift
on
Mac
quar
ie Is
land
Th
is pr
ovid
es ra
re e
viden
ce fo
r seq
uenc
es th
at a
re
com
mon
from
the
botto
m o
f the
oce
ans
to th
e up
per
man
tle b
ut n
ot s
een
else
whe
re in
sur
face
out
crop
s
The
lack
of d
efor
mat
ion
of th
is ex
pose
d cr
ust i
s hi
ghly
signi
fican
t as
it ex
hibi
ts k
ey in
terre
late
d an
d in
terd
epen
dent
oce
anic
cru
stal
ele
men
ts in
thei
r na
tura
l rel
atio
nshi
p
Mac
quar
ie Is
land
is th
e on
ly op
hiol
ite (a
wel
l-de
velo
ped
and
stud
ied
geol
ogic
al c
ompl
ex)
reco
gnise
d to
hav
e be
en fo
rmed
with
in a
maj
or
ocea
n ba
sin T
he g
eolo
gy o
f the
isla
nd is
ther
efor
e co
nsid
ered
to b
e th
e co
nnec
ting
link
betw
een
the
ophi
olite
s of
con
tinen
tal e
nviro
nmen
ts a
nd th
ose
loca
ted
with
in th
e oc
eani
c cr
ust
Them
e 2
The
pro
perty
is a
n ex
posu
re o
f the
oce
anic
pla
te
boun
dary
bet
wee
n th
e Pa
cific
and
Au
stra
lian
Ind
ian
plat
es e
xpos
ed
with
act
ive fa
ults
and
ong
oing
tect
onic
m
ovem
ents
The
me
4 M
acqu
arie
Is
land
pro
vides
a u
niqu
e ex
ampl
e of
exp
osur
e of
the
ocea
n cr
ust o
f vo
lcan
ic o
rigin
abo
ve th
e se
a le
vel a
nd
of g
eolo
gica
l evid
ence
for s
ea-fl
oor
spre
adin
g
1997
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
86 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 87
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mam
mot
h Ca
ve
Natio
nal P
ark
6M
amm
oth
Cave
pre
sent
s ne
arly
ever
y ty
pe o
f cav
e fo
rmat
ion
know
n G
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es in
volve
d in
thei
r for
mat
ion
cont
inue
Tod
ay t
his
huge
and
co
mpl
ex n
etw
ork
of c
ave
pass
ages
pro
vides
a
clea
r co
mpl
ete
and
acce
ssib
le re
cord
of t
he w
orld
rsquos
geom
orph
ic a
nd c
limat
ic c
hang
es O
utsi
de th
e ca
ve
the
kars
t top
ogra
phy
is s
uper
b w
ith fa
scin
atin
g la
ndsc
apes
and
all
of th
e cl
assi
c fe
atur
es o
f a k
arst
dr
aina
ge s
yste
m v
ast r
echa
rge
area
com
plex
ne
twor
k of
und
ergr
ound
con
duits
sin
k ho
les
cra
cks
fis
sure
s a
nd u
nder
grou
nd ri
vers
and
spr
ings
Them
e 6
The
long
est c
ave
in th
e w
orld
with
590
km
of s
urve
yed
river
pa
ssag
es o
ften
larg
e in
dim
ensi
on
and
gent
ly sl
opin
g T
he k
arst
is
deve
lope
d in
Low
er C
arbo
nife
rous
(M
issi
ssip
pian
) lim
esto
ne a
nd c
ave
evol
utio
n co
mm
ence
d fo
llow
ing
uplif
t an
d ex
posu
re 3
to 4
milli
on y
ears
ag
o E
xten
sive
sin
khol
e pl
ain
at th
e su
rface
Lar
ge s
prin
gs R
ich
trogl
obiti
c fa
una
The
inflo
w m
argi
n of
the
kars
t is
loca
ted
beyo
nd th
e pa
rk b
ound
ary
1981
(vii)
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Mes
sel P
it Fo
ssil
Site
1M
esse
l Pit
Foss
il Si
te is
con
side
red
to b
e th
e si
ngle
be
st s
ite w
hich
con
tribu
tes
to th
e un
ders
tand
ing
of th
e Eo
cene
whe
n m
amm
als
beca
me
firm
ly es
tabl
ishe
d in
all
prin
cipa
l lan
d ec
osys
tem
s T
he
stat
e of
pre
serv
atio
n of
its
foss
ils is
exc
eptio
nal a
nd
allo
ws
for h
igh-
qual
ity s
cien
tific
wor
k
Them
e 1
Mes
sel P
it is
the
riche
st
site
in th
e w
orld
for u
nder
stan
ding
th
e liv
ing
envir
onm
ent o
f the
Eoc
ene
be
twee
n 57
milli
on a
nd 3
6 m
illion
ye
ars
ago
1995
(viii)
Natu
ral
Germ
any
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Mig
uash
a Na
tiona
l Par
k1
Mig
uash
a Na
tiona
l Par
k is
the
mos
t out
stan
ding
fo
ssil
site
in th
e w
orld
from
the
stan
dpoi
nt o
f its
re
pres
enta
tion
of v
erte
brat
e lif
e an
d its
illu
stra
tion
of th
e De
voni
an P
erio
d kn
own
as th
e Ag
e of
Fis
hes
Th
e si
te is
of p
aram
ount
impo
rtanc
e be
caus
e it
has
the
larg
est n
umbe
r and
the
best
-pre
serv
ed fo
ssil
spec
imen
s in
the
wor
ld o
f sar
copt
eryg
ian
fish
whi
ch
gave
rise
to th
e fir
st fo
ur-le
gged
air-
brea
thin
g te
rrest
rial v
erte
brat
es mdash
the
tetra
pods
Them
e 1
Mig
uash
a is
the
outs
tand
ing
foss
il si
te in
the
wor
ld
illust
ratin
g th
e De
voni
an a
s th
e lsquoA
ge
of F
ishe
srsquo a
nd d
ispl
ays
the
high
est
dive
rsity
in th
e w
orld
of t
he lo
be-
finne
d fis
hes
that
gav
e ris
e to
the
first
fo
ur-le
gged
air-
brea
thin
g te
rrest
rial
erte
brat
es mdash
the
tetra
pods
1999
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
86 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 87
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mis
take
n Po
int
1M
ista
ken
Poin
t fos
sils
con
stitu
te a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g re
cord
of a
crit
ical
mile
ston
e in
the
hist
ory
of li
fe
on E
arth
lsquow
hen
life
got b
igrsquo a
fter a
lmos
t thr
ee
billio
n ye
ars
of m
icro
be-d
omin
ated
evo
lutio
n T
he
foss
ils ra
nge
in a
ge fr
om 5
80 to
560
milli
on y
ears
th
e lo
nges
t con
tinuo
us re
cord
of E
diac
ara-
type
m
egaf
ossi
ls a
nyw
here
and
pre
date
by
mor
e th
an
40 m
illion
yea
rs th
e Ca
mbr
ian
expl
osio
n b
eing
the
olde
st fo
ssil
evid
ence
of a
nces
tors
of m
ost m
oder
n an
imal
gro
ups
Mis
take
n Po
int c
onta
ins
the
wor
ldrsquos
ol
dest
-kno
wn
exam
ples
of l
arge
arc
hite
ctur
ally
com
plex
org
anis
ms
incl
udin
g so
ft-bo
died
anc
estra
l an
imal
s E
colo
gica
lly M
ista
ken
Poin
t con
tain
s th
e ol
dest
and
mos
t dive
rse
exam
ples
of E
diac
aran
de
ep-s
ea c
omm
uniti
es in
the
wor
ld th
us p
rese
rvin
g ra
re in
sigh
ts in
to th
e ec
olog
y of
thes
e an
cest
ral
anim
als
and
the
early
col
oniza
tion
of th
e de
ep-s
ea
floor
Oth
er a
ttrib
utes
con
tribu
ting
to th
e pr
oper
tyrsquos
Ou
tsta
ndin
g Un
ivers
al V
alue
incl
ude
the
wor
ldrsquos
fir
st e
xam
ples
of m
etaz
oan
loco
mot
ion
exc
eptio
nal
pote
ntia
l for
radi
omet
ric d
atin
g of
the
asse
mbl
ages
an
d ev
iden
ce fo
r the
role
of a
ncie
nt o
xyge
n le
vels
in
the
regi
onal
and
glo
bal a
ppea
ranc
e of
com
plex
m
ultic
ellu
lar l
ife
Them
e 1
The
se ru
gged
coa
stal
cl
iffs
of d
eep
mar
ine
orig
in d
ate
to
the
mid
dle
of th
e Ed
iaca
ran
Perio
d c
580
-560
milli
on y
ears
ago
The
y re
cord
lsquowhe
n lif
e go
t big
rsquo th
e fir
st
abun
dant
app
eara
nce
of la
rge
bi
olog
ical
ly co
mpl
ex o
rgan
ism
s af
ter
thre
e bi
llion
year
s of
mai
nly
mic
robi
al
evol
utio
n
2016
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Mon
te S
an
Gior
gio
1M
onte
San
Gio
rgio
is th
e sin
gle
best
kno
wn
reco
rd
of m
arin
e lif
e in
the
Tria
ssic
per
iod
and
reco
rds
impo
rtant
rem
ains
of l
ife o
n la
nd a
s w
ell T
he p
rope
rty
has
prod
uced
dive
rse
and
num
erou
s fo
ssils
man
y of
w
hich
sho
w e
xcep
tiona
l com
plet
enes
s an
d de
taile
d pr
eser
vatio
n T
he lo
ng h
istor
y of
stu
dy o
f the
pro
perty
an
d th
e di
scip
lined
man
agem
ent o
f the
reso
urce
hav
e cr
eate
d a
wel
l doc
umen
ted
and
cata
logu
ed b
ody
of
spec
imen
s of
exc
eptio
nal q
ualit
y an
d ar
e th
e ba
sis
for a
rich
ass
ocia
ted
geol
ogic
al li
tera
ture
As
a re
sult
M
onte
San
Gio
rgio
pro
vides
the
prin
cipa
l poi
nt o
f re
fere
nce
rele
vant
to fu
ture
disc
over
ies
of m
arin
e Tr
iass
ic re
mai
ns th
roug
hout
the
wor
ld
Them
e 1
Mon
te S
an G
iorg
io is
re
gard
ed a
s th
e be
st fo
ssil
reco
rd o
f m
arin
e lif
e fro
m th
e Tr
iass
ic P
erio
d (c
25
0ndash20
0 m
illion
yea
rs a
go)
2003
(201
0)(v
iii)Na
tura
lIta
ly
Switz
er-
land
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
88 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 89
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mor
ne T
rois
Pi
tons
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk
4Th
e pr
oper
ty e
ncom
pass
es e
xtra
ordi
nary
and
inta
ct
exam
ples
and
arra
ys o
f geo
mor
phol
ogic
feat
ures
as
a re
sult
of a
ser
ies
of v
olca
nic
erup
tions
The
dist
inct
ive
geol
ogy
and
land
form
s of
Mor
ne Tr
ois
Pito
ns
Natio
nal P
ark
are
com
prise
d of
thre
e m
ajor
type
s of
ge
olog
ical
form
atio
ns v
olca
nic
pile
s g
laci
s slo
pes
and
souf
riere
s T
he p
rope
rty d
ispla
ys a
mag
nific
ent
spec
trum
of v
olca
nic
activ
ity in
the
form
of s
tream
s of
var
ious
col
ors
inte
rspe
rsed
with
fum
arol
es m
ud
pond
s an
d ho
t spr
ings
inc
ludi
ng th
e m
assiv
e Bo
iling
Lake
Ong
oing
geo
-mor
phol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
of
redu
ctio
n ar
e ta
king
pla
ce in
a la
rgel
y un
dist
urbe
d se
tting
of s
tunn
ing
scen
ic v
alue
and
maj
or s
cien
tific
inte
rest
Them
e 4
Sce
nic
volc
anic
feat
ures
of
grea
t sci
entifi
c in
tere
st in
this
nat
iona
l pa
rk a
re c
ente
red
on th
e 1
342
m
high
vol
cano
kno
wn
as M
orne
Tro
is
Pito
ns M
ore
than
50
fum
arol
es
hot s
prin
gs t
hree
fres
hwat
er la
kes
a
lsquoboi
ling
lake
rsquo and
five
vol
cano
es
loca
ted
on th
e pa
rkrsquos
nea
rly 7
000
ha
to
geth
er w
ith th
e ric
hest
bio
dive
rsity
in
the
Less
er A
ntille
s
1997
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Dom
inic
aLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Mos
i-oa-
Tuny
a
Vict
oria
Fal
ls5
3Th
e M
osi-o
a-Tu
nya
Vic
toria
Fal
ls a
nd a
ssoc
iate
d ei
ght s
teep
sid
ed g
orge
s ha
ve b
een
form
ed th
roug
h th
e ch
angi
ng w
ater
fall
posi
tions
ove
r a g
eolo
gica
l tim
e sc
ale
The
gor
ges
are
an o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of ri
ver c
aptu
re a
nd th
e er
osive
forc
es o
f the
wat
er
still
cont
inue
to s
culp
ture
the
hard
bas
alts
The
se
gorg
es ta
ke a
zig
zag
cour
se o
f a d
ista
nce
of a
bout
15
0 km
alo
ng th
e Za
mbe
zi Ri
ver b
elow
the
falls
Se
ven
prev
ious
wat
erfa
lls o
ccup
ied
the
seve
n go
rges
bel
ow th
e pr
esen
t fal
ls a
nd th
e De
vilrsquos
Ca
tara
ct in
Zim
babw
e is
the
star
ting
poin
t for
cut
ting
back
to a
new
wat
erfa
ll In
add
ition
an
aeria
l vie
w
of th
e fa
lls s
how
s po
ssib
le fu
ture
wat
erfa
ll po
sitio
ns
Upst
ream
are
a s
pect
acul
ar s
erie
s of
rive
rine
isla
nds
form
ed d
urin
g th
e on
goin
g ge
olog
ical
an
d ge
omor
phol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
The
pro
perty
is
cha
ract
erize
d by
ban
ded
basa
lt of
anc
ient
lava
flo
w K
alah
ari s
ands
tone
s an
d ch
alce
dony
out
of
whi
ch s
tone
arte
fact
s of
Hom
o ha
bilis
dat
ing
thre
e m
illion
yea
rs s
tone
tool
s of
the
mid
dle
Ston
e Ag
e an
d w
eapo
ns a
dorn
men
ts a
nd d
iggi
ng to
ols
of th
e la
te S
tone
Age
that
indi
cate
occ
upat
ion
by h
unte
r-ga
ther
ers
Them
e 5
3 T
hese
are
am
ong
the
mos
t spe
ctac
ular
wat
erfa
lls in
the
wor
ld T
he Z
ambe
zi Ri
ver
whi
ch is
m
ore
than
2 k
m w
ide
at th
is p
oint
pl
unge
s no
isily
dow
n a
serie
s of
bas
alt
gorg
es a
nd ra
ises
an
iride
scen
t mis
t th
at c
an b
e se
en m
ore
than
20
km
away
The
Mos
i-oa-
Tuny
a V
icto
ria
Falls
is th
e w
orld
rsquos g
reat
est s
heet
of
fallin
g w
ater
and
sig
nific
ant w
orld
wid
e fo
r its
exc
eptio
nal g
eolo
gica
l and
ge
omor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
1989
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Zam
bia
Zi
mba
-bw
e
Afric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
88 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 89
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mou
nt E
tna
4M
ount
Etn
a is
one
of t
he w
orld
rsquos m
ost a
ctive
and
ic
onic
vol
cano
es a
nd a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
ong
oing
geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
and
vol
cani
c la
ndfo
rms
The
stra
tovo
lcan
o is
cha
ract
erize
d by
al
mos
t con
tinuo
us e
rupt
ive a
ctivi
ty fr
om it
s su
mm
it cr
ater
s an
d fa
irly
frequ
ent l
ava
flow
eru
ptio
ns fr
om
crat
ers
and
fissu
res
on it
s fla
nks
Thi
s ex
cept
iona
l vo
lcan
ic a
ctivi
ty h
as b
een
docu
men
ted
by h
uman
s fo
r at l
east
27
00 y
ears
ndash m
akin
g it
one
of th
e w
orld
rsquos lo
nges
t doc
umen
ted
reco
rds
of h
isto
rical
vo
lcan
ism
The
dive
rse
and
acce
ssib
le a
ssem
blag
e of
vol
cani
c fe
atur
es s
uch
as s
umm
it cr
ater
s
cind
er c
ones
lav
a flo
ws
lava
cav
es a
nd th
e Va
lle
de B
ove
depr
essi
on h
ave
mad
e M
ount
Etn
a a
prim
e de
stin
atio
n fo
r res
earc
h an
d ed
ucat
ion
To
day
Mou
nt E
tna
is o
ne o
f the
bes
t-st
udie
d an
d m
onito
red
volc
anoe
s in
the
wor
ld a
nd c
ontin
ues
to
influ
ence
vol
cano
logy
geo
phys
ics
and
othe
r Ear
th
scie
nce
disc
iplin
es M
ount
Etn
arsquos
noto
riety
sci
entifi
c im
porta
nce
and
cul
tura
l and
edu
catio
nal v
alue
are
of
glo
bal s
igni
fican
ce
Them
e 4
Mou
nt E
tna
is th
e hi
ghes
t M
edite
rrane
an is
land
mou
ntai
n an
d on
e of
the
mos
t act
ive s
trato
volc
ano
in
the
wor
ld T
he e
rupt
ive h
isto
ry o
f the
vo
lcan
o ca
n be
trac
ed b
ack
500
000
year
s an
d at
leas
t 27
00 y
ears
of t
his
activ
ity h
as b
een
docu
men
ted
The
al
mos
t con
tinuo
us e
rupt
ive a
ctivi
ty
of M
ount
Etn
a co
ntin
ues
to in
fluen
ce
volc
anol
ogy
geop
hysi
cs a
nd o
ther
Ea
rth s
cien
ce d
isci
plin
es T
he d
ivers
e an
d ac
cess
ible
rang
e of
vol
cani
c fe
atur
es s
uch
as s
umm
it cr
ater
s
cind
er c
ones
lav
a flo
ws
and
the
Valle
de
Bov
e de
pres
sion
hav
e m
ade
the
site
a p
rime
dest
inat
ion
for r
esea
rch
and
educ
atio
n
2013
(viii)
Natu
ral
Italy
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Naha
nni N
atio
nal
Park
53
6In
Nah
anni
Nat
iona
l Par
k th
ere
is e
xcep
tiona
l re
pres
enta
tion
of o
n-go
ing
geol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
no
tabl
y flu
vial e
rosi
on t
ecto
nic
uplif
t fo
ldin
g an
d ca
nyon
dev
elop
men
t w
ind
eros
ion
kar
st a
nd
pseu
do-k
arst
land
form
s a
nd a
var
iety
of h
ot s
prin
gs
The
maj
or g
eolo
gic
and
geom
orph
olog
ic fe
atur
es
prov
ide
a co
mbi
natio
n of
geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
that
ar
e gl
obal
ly un
ique
Them
e 5
3 L
ocat
ed a
long
The
So
uth
Naha
nni R
iver i
s on
e of
the
mos
t spe
ctac
ular
wild
rive
rs in
Nor
th
Amer
ica
this
par
k co
ntai
ns d
eep
cany
ons
and
huge
wat
erfa
lls T
he
geom
orph
olog
y of
the
prop
erty
is
outs
tand
ing
in it
s w
ealth
of f
orm
an
d co
mpl
exity
of e
volu
tion
Flu
vial
proc
esse
s an
d fe
atur
es p
redo
min
ate
W
ithin
the
prop
erty
are
exa
mpl
es o
f al
mos
t eve
ry d
istin
ct c
ateg
ory
of ri
ver
or s
tream
that
is k
now
n G
eolo
gic
and
geom
orph
olog
ic fe
atur
es in
clud
e th
e m
eand
ers
of a
ncie
nt ri
vers
now
ra
ised
hig
h ab
ove
pres
ent r
iver l
evel
s
Them
e 6
Wor
ldrsquos
fore
mos
t exa
mpl
e of
kar
st d
evel
opm
ent i
n co
ld c
limat
e co
nditi
ons
Con
tain
s a
spec
tacu
lar
kars
t lan
dsca
pe i
nclu
ding
pol
jes
ca
ves
and
gor
ges
and
hot
spr
ing
with
larg
e tu
fa m
ound
Lan
dsca
pe is
su
bjec
t to
activ
e fro
st p
roce
sses
1978
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
90 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 91
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Nam
ib S
and
Sea
10Th
e pr
oper
ty re
pres
ents
an
exce
ptio
nal e
xam
ple
of o
ngoi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es in
volvi
ng th
e fo
rmat
ion
of th
e w
orld
rsquos o
nly
exte
nsive
dun
e sy
stem
in a
coa
stal
fog
dese
rt th
roug
h tra
nspo
rt of
mat
eria
l ove
r tho
usan
ds o
f kilo
met
res
by ri
ver
ocea
n cu
rrent
and
win
d A
lthou
gh th
e pr
oper
ty
enco
mpa
sses
onl
y th
e Ae
olia
n el
emen
ts o
f thi
s on
goin
g ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
the
oth
er e
lem
ents
of
the
lsquocon
veyo
r sys
tem
rsquo are
ass
ured
The
dive
rsity
of
the
ever
-cha
ngin
g du
ne fo
rmat
ions
scu
lpte
d by
pr
onou
nced
dai
ly an
d se
ason
al c
hang
es in
dom
inan
t w
ind
dire
ctio
ns is
als
o ex
cept
iona
l at a
glo
bal s
cale
w
ithin
suc
h a
rela
tivel
y sm
all a
rea
Them
e 10
Hos
ts d
ivers
e du
ne
land
scap
es r
epre
sent
ing
an a
lmos
t co
mpl
ete
cata
logu
e of
dun
e ty
pes
(sta
r lin
ear
trans
vers
e b
arch
ans)
as
wel
l as
othe
r des
ert s
urfa
ce fe
atur
es
such
as
inte
rdun
e co
rrido
rs g
rave
l pl
ains
eph
emer
al c
hann
els
and
play
as
2013
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lNa
mib
iaAf
rica
Ngor
ongo
ro
Cons
erva
tion
Area
41
Ngor
ongo
ro c
rate
r is
the
larg
est u
nbro
ken
cald
era
in
the
wor
ld T
he c
rate
r to
geth
er w
ith th
e Ol
mot
i and
Em
paka
ai c
rate
rs a
re p
art o
f the
eas
tern
Rift
Val
ley
who
se v
olca
nism
dat
es b
ack
to th
e la
te M
esoz
oic
ear
ly Ne
ogen
e an
d is
fam
ous
for i
ts g
eolo
gy T
he
prop
erty
als
o in
clud
es L
aeto
li an
d Ol
duva
i Gor
ge
whi
ch c
onta
in a
n im
porta
nt p
alae
onto
logi
cal r
ecor
d re
late
d to
hum
an e
volu
tion
Them
e 4
The
Ngo
rong
oro
Cons
erva
tion
Area
spa
ns v
ast
expa
nses
of h
ighl
and
plai
ns
sava
nna
sav
anna
woo
dlan
ds a
nd
fore
sts
cent
erd
on th
e sp
ecta
cula
r Ng
oron
goro
Cra
ter
Afric
arsquos
larg
est
cald
era
The
me
1 N
goro
ngor
o ha
s yie
lded
a lo
ng s
eque
nce
of e
viden
ce
of h
uman
evo
lutio
n an
d hu
man
-en
viron
men
t dyn
amic
s in
clud
ing
early
ho
min
id fo
otpr
ints
dat
ing
back
36
m
illion
yea
rs
1979
(201
0)(iv
)(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)M
ixed
Unite
d Re
publ
ic
of
Tanz
ania
Afric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
90 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 91
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Papa
h āna
umo-
ku
ākea
42
8Th
e pr
oper
ty p
rovid
es a
n illu
stra
ting
exam
ple
of
isla
nd h
otsp
ot p
rogr
essi
on f
orm
ed a
s a
resu
lt of
a
rela
tivel
y st
atio
nary
hot
spot
and
sta
ble
tect
onic
pl
ate
mov
emen
t Co
mpr
isin
g a
maj
or p
ortio
n of
the
wor
ldrsquos
long
est a
nd o
ldes
t vol
cani
c ch
ain
the
scal
e
dist
inct
ness
and
line
arity
of t
he m
anife
stat
ion
of
thes
e ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
es in
Pap
ahān
aum
okuā
kea
are
unriv
alle
d an
d ha
ve s
hape
d ou
r und
erst
andi
ng
of p
late
tect
onic
s an
d ho
tspo
ts T
he g
eolo
gica
l va
lues
of t
he p
rope
rty a
re d
irect
ly co
nnec
ted
to
the
valu
es in
Haw
airsquoi
Volc
anoe
s Na
tiona
l Par
k an
d W
orld
Her
itage
pro
perty
and
join
tly p
rese
nt a
ver
y si
gnifi
cant
test
imon
y of
hot
spot
vol
cani
sm
Them
e 4
2 P
apah
ānau
mok
uāke
a is
a v
ast a
nd is
olat
ed li
near
clu
ster
of
smal
l lo
w ly
ing
volc
anic
isla
nds
and
atol
ls w
ith th
eir s
urro
undi
ng o
cean
ro
ughl
y 25
0 km
to th
e no
rthw
est o
f th
e m
ain
Haw
aiia
n Ar
chip
elag
o an
d ex
tend
ing
over
som
e 1
930
km T
his
linea
r clu
ster
form
s th
e no
rthw
est
exte
nsio
n of
the
Empe
ror S
eam
ount
Ch
ain
The
me
8 M
uch
of th
e pr
oper
ty
is m
ade
up o
f pel
agic
and
dee
pwat
er
habi
tats
with
not
able
feat
ures
suc
h as
sea
mou
nts
and
subm
erge
d ba
nks
ex
tens
ive c
oral
reef
s la
goon
s an
d 14
km
2 em
erge
nt la
nds
dist
ribut
ed
betw
een
a nu
mbe
r of e
rode
d hi
gh
isla
nds
pin
nacl
es a
toll
isla
nds
and
cays
2010
(iii)(
vi)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Mixe
dUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Phon
g Nh
a-Ke
Ba
ng N
atio
nal
Park
6Ph
ong
Nha-
Ke B
ang
Natio
nal P
ark
is p
art o
f a
larg
er d
isse
cted
pla
teau
whi
ch e
ncom
pass
es th
e Ph
ong
Nha
Ke
Bang
and
Hin
Nam
no k
arst
s T
he
limes
tone
is n
ot c
ontin
uous
and
dem
onst
rate
s co
mpl
ex in
terb
eddi
ng w
ith s
hale
s an
d sa
ndst
ones
Th
is h
as le
d to
a p
artic
ular
ly di
stin
ctive
topo
grap
hy
The
cave
s de
mon
stra
te a
dis
cret
e se
quen
ce o
f ev
ents
lea
ving
behi
nd d
iffer
ent l
evel
s of
anc
ient
ab
ando
ned
pass
ages
evid
ence
of m
ajor
cha
nges
in
the
rout
es o
f und
ergr
ound
rive
rs c
hang
es in
the
solu
tiona
l reg
ime
dep
ositi
on a
nd la
ter r
e-so
lutio
n of
gia
nt s
pele
othe
ms
and
unus
ual f
eatu
res
such
as
sub
-aer
ial s
trom
atol
ites
On
the
surfa
ce t
here
is
a s
triki
ng s
erie
s of
nat
ural
land
scap
es r
angi
ng
from
dee
ply
diss
ecte
d ra
nges
and
pla
teau
x to
an
imm
ense
pol
je T
here
is e
viden
ce o
f at l
east
one
pe
riod
of h
ydro
ther
mal
act
ivity
in th
e ev
olut
ion
of
this
anc
ient
mat
ure
kars
t sys
tem
The
Son
Doo
ng
Cave
firs
t exp
lore
d in
200
9 c
ould
con
tain
the
wor
ldrsquos
larg
est c
ave
pass
age
in te
rms
of d
iam
eter
an
d co
ntin
uity
The
pla
teau
is o
ne o
f the
fine
st
and
mos
t dis
tinct
ive e
xam
ples
of a
com
plex
kar
st
land
form
in S
outh
east
Asi
a an
d th
e pr
oper
ty is
of
grea
t im
porta
nce
for e
nhan
cing
our
und
erst
andi
ng
of th
e ge
olog
ic g
eom
orph
ic a
nd g
eo-c
hron
olog
ical
hi
stor
y of
the
regi
on
Them
e 6
Ext
ensi
ve a
nd c
ompl
ex
kars
t dev
elop
men
t in
diss
ecte
d pl
atea
u en
viron
men
t to
129
0 m
ab
ove
sea
leve
l tha
t con
tinue
s ac
ross
bo
rder
into
Lao
s L
ong
hist
ory
of
kars
t lan
dsca
pe e
volu
tion
pos
sibl
y si
nce
early
Mes
ozoi
c M
ajor
cav
es
and
unde
rgro
und
river
s an
d ex
tens
ive
encl
osed
dep
ress
ions
(pol
je)
2003
(201
5)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Viet
Nam
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Pirin
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk9
The
prin
cipa
l Ear
th s
cien
ce v
alue
s of
the
prop
erty
re
late
to it
s gl
acia
l geo
mor
phol
ogy
dem
onst
rate
d th
roug
h a
rang
e of
feat
ures
incl
udin
g ci
rque
s d
eep
valle
ys a
nd o
ver 7
0 gl
acia
l lak
es T
he m
ount
ains
of
the
prop
erty
sho
w a
var
iety
of f
orm
s an
d ha
ve
been
dev
elop
ed in
sev
eral
diff
eren
t roc
k ty
pes
Fu
nctio
ning
nat
ural
pro
cess
es a
llow
for s
tudy
of t
he
cont
inue
d ev
olut
ion
of th
e la
ndfo
rms
of th
e pr
oper
ty
and
help
to u
nder
stan
d ot
her u
plan
d ar
eas
in th
e re
gion
Them
e 9
The
prin
cipa
l Ear
th s
cien
ce
valu
es o
f the
pro
perty
rela
te to
its
glac
ial g
eom
orph
olog
y de
mon
stra
ted
thro
ugh
a ra
nge
of fe
atur
es in
clud
ing
cirq
ues
dee
p va
lleys
and
ove
r 70
glac
ial l
akes
1983
(201
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)Na
tura
lBu
lgar
iaEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Pito
ns
Man
agem
ent
Area
4Th
e Pi
tons
Man
agem
ent A
rea
cont
ains
the
grea
ter
part
of a
col
laps
ed s
trato
volc
ano
cont
aine
d w
ithin
th
e vo
lcan
ic s
yste
m k
now
n to
geo
logi
sts
as th
e So
ufrie
re V
olca
nic
Cent
re P
rom
inen
t with
in th
e vo
lcan
ic la
ndsc
ape
are
two
rem
nant
vol
cani
c pe
aks
Gr
os P
iton
and
Petit
Pito
n T
he P
itons
occ
ur w
ith a
va
riety
of o
ther
vol
cani
c fe
atur
es in
clud
ing
cum
ulo
dom
es e
xplo
sion
cra
ters
pyr
ocla
stic
dep
osits
(p
umic
e an
d as
h) a
nd la
va fl
ows
Col
lect
ively
thes
e fu
lly il
lust
rate
the
volc
anic
his
tory
of a
n an
desi
tic
com
posi
te v
olca
no a
ssoc
iate
d w
ith c
rust
al p
late
su
bduc
tion
Them
e 4
The
Pito
ns M
anag
emen
t Ar
ea c
onta
ins
a co
llaps
ed
stra
tovo
lcan
o kn
own
as th
e So
ufrie
re
Volc
anic
Cen
tre P
rom
inen
t with
in th
e vo
lcan
ic la
ndsc
ape
are
two
erod
ed
rem
nant
s of
lava
dom
es G
ros
Pito
n an
d Pe
tit P
iton
with
a v
arie
ty o
f oth
er
volc
anic
feat
ures
incl
udin
g cu
mul
o-do
mes
exp
losi
on c
rate
rs p
yroc
last
ic
depo
sits
(pum
ice
and
ash)
and
lava
flo
ws
2004
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Sain
t Lu
cia
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
92 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 93
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Plitv
ice
Lake
s Na
tiona
l Par
k5
6Th
e ke
y ex
traor
dina
ry p
roce
ss w
hich
has
bee
n sh
apin
g an
d co
ntin
ues
to s
hape
the
Plitv
ice
lake
sy
stem
is th
e tu
fa c
reat
ion
whi
ch fo
rms
barri
ers
acro
ss th
e w
ater
cour
se D
ue to
the
char
acte
ristic
s of
kar
st b
ase
the
wat
ers
of P
litvic
e La
kes
are
natu
rally
sup
ersa
tura
ted
with
cal
cium
car
bona
te
Unde
r cer
tain
phy
sico
-che
mic
al a
nd b
iolo
gica
l co
nditi
ons
the
diss
olve
d ca
lciu
m c
arbo
nate
is
depo
site
d on
the
botto
ms
and
mar
gins
of t
he la
kes
as
wel
l as
on o
bsta
cles
in th
e w
ater
cou
rses
Ove
r tim
e th
is p
roce
ss le
ads
to th
e fo
rmat
ion
of p
orou
s
sim
ulta
neou
sly
hard
and
frag
ile li
mes
tone
bar
riers
w
hich
reta
in th
e w
ater
of c
reek
s an
d riv
ers
The
la
ke s
yste
m is
a s
ubje
ct to
con
stan
t cha
nges
larg
ely
due
to th
e dy
nam
ics
of g
row
th a
nd e
rosi
on o
f tuf
a ba
rrier
s A
clo
ser l
ook
at th
e ba
rrier
s re
veal
s th
e ub
iqui
tous
rem
ains
of m
osse
s an
d ot
her t
erre
stria
l an
d aq
uatic
org
anis
ms
inha
bitin
g th
e hi
ghly
spec
ializ
ed h
abita
t Th
e sc
ale
and
inta
ctne
ss o
f th
e tu
fa fo
rmat
ion
phen
omen
a at
Plit
vice
Lake
s am
ount
to a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
a la
rgel
y un
dist
urbe
d on
-goi
ng p
roce
ss E
xten
sive
rese
arch
on
the
form
atio
n a
ge a
nd s
truct
ure
and
ecol
ogic
al
char
acte
ristic
s illu
stra
te th
e m
ajor
sci
entifi
c im
porta
nce
of th
e pr
oper
ty
Them
e 5
6 I
nter
natio
nal t
ype-
site
fo
r tuf
a-da
mm
ed la
kes
Car
bona
te
biol
ith b
arrie
rs c
onfin
e 16
lake
s up
to
08
km
2 in
are
a an
d up
to 4
6 m
de
ep M
ixed
limes
tone
and
dol
omiti
c lim
esto
ne c
atch
men
t are
a
1979
(200
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)Na
tura
lCr
oatia
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Purn
ulul
u Na
tiona
l Par
k3
6Th
e Bu
ngle
Bun
gles
are
by
far
the
mos
t ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
con
e ka
rst i
n sa
ndst
ones
an
ywhe
re in
the
wor
ld a
nd o
we
thei
r exis
tenc
e an
d un
ique
ness
to s
ever
al in
tera
ctin
g ge
olog
ical
bi
olog
ical
ero
sion
al a
nd c
limat
ic p
heno
men
a
The
sand
ston
e ka
rst o
f Pur
nulu
lu N
atio
nal P
ark
is o
f gre
at s
cien
tific
impo
rtanc
e in
dem
onst
ratin
g so
cle
arly
the
proc
ess
of c
one
kars
t for
mat
ion
on s
ands
tone
- a
phe
nom
enon
reco
gnis
ed b
y ge
omor
phol
ogis
ts o
nly
rece
ntly
and
still
not
com
plet
ely
unde
rsto
od T
he B
ungl
e Bu
ngle
Ran
ges
of th
e pa
rk a
lso
disp
lay
to a
n ex
cept
iona
l deg
ree
evid
ence
of g
eom
orph
ic p
roce
sses
of d
isso
lutio
n
wea
ther
ing
and
eros
ion
in th
e ev
olut
ion
of la
ndfo
rms
unde
r a s
avan
nah
clim
atic
regi
me
with
in a
n an
cien
t st
able
sed
imen
tary
land
scap
e
Them
e 3
6 D
isse
cted
san
dsto
ne
plat
form
that
repr
esen
ts a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
qua
rtz
sand
ston
e flu
vioka
rst w
ith b
eehi
ve-
shap
ed h
ills s
epar
ated
by
narro
w
sinu
ous
gorg
es
2003
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Pyreacute
neacutees
- M
ont
Perd
u9
6Th
e ca
lcar
eous
mas
sif o
f Mon
t Per
du p
rese
nts
a se
ries
of c
lass
ic g
eolo
gica
l lan
dfor
ms
such
as
the
deep
ly-in
cise
d ca
nyon
s an
d sp
ecta
cula
r cirq
ues
Th
e re
gion
is d
istin
guis
hed
by it
s lo
catio
n at
the
tect
onic
col
lisio
n po
int b
etw
een
the
Iber
ian
and
wes
t Eur
opea
n pl
ates
The
pro
perty
pre
sent
s an
ex
cept
iona
l geo
logi
cal u
nity
form
ing
a ca
lcar
eous
m
assi
f with
Mon
t Per
du a
t its
cen
tre T
he re
sulti
ng
land
scap
e is
con
side
rabl
y di
ffere
nt o
n th
e no
rther
n sl
opes
(Fra
nce)
and
the
sout
hern
slo
pes
(Spa
in)
Them
e 9
Com
pose
d of
cla
ssic
al
geol
ogic
al la
ndfo
rms
not
ably
deep
ly-in
cise
d ca
nyon
s on
the
sout
hern
Sp
anis
h si
de a
nd s
pect
acul
ar c
irque
w
alls
on
the
north
ern
slop
es w
ithin
Fr
ance
Cen
tred
arou
nd th
e pe
ak o
f M
ont P
erdu
that
rise
s to
33
48 m
Th
eme
6 O
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of
alpi
ne g
laci
ated
kar
st to
33
52 m
with
ex
tens
ive k
arre
nfel
d d
eep
cany
ons
de
ep c
aves
and
sub
terra
nean
rive
r sy
stem
s In
corp
orat
es c
ompl
ete
kars
t sy
stem
s
1997
(199
9)(ii
i)(iv)
(v)
(vii)
(viii)
Mixe
dFr
ance
Sp
ain
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Riacuteo
Plaacutet
ano
Bios
pher
e Re
serv
e
5Th
e pr
oper
ty c
ompr
ises
two
mai
n ge
omor
phol
ogic
al
area
s T
hese
are
the
stee
p m
ount
ain
rang
e ha
rbou
ring
the
head
wat
ers
of R
iacuteo P
laacuteta
no a
nd
the
flat t
o un
dula
ting
coas
tal p
lain
s T
he la
tter i
s co
mpo
sed
of te
rrace
s of
rece
nt m
arin
e se
dim
ents
an
d pa
rtly
unde
rlain
by
a be
lt of
infe
rtile
dee
ply
wea
ther
ed P
leis
toce
ne q
uartz
san
dy g
rave
ls T
he
Riacuteo
Plaacutet
ano
mea
nder
s fo
r som
e 45
km
thro
ugh
the
low
land
s fo
rmin
g ox
-bow
lake
s b
ackw
ater
sw
amps
an
d na
tura
l lev
ees
At a
bout
100
ma
sl
inla
nd
the
foot
hills
beg
in a
brup
tly T
he ru
gged
gra
nite
m
ount
ains
whi
ch ri
se to
Pun
ta P
iedr
a at
14
18
ma
sl
hav
e m
any
stee
p rid
ges
rem
arka
ble
rock
fo
rmat
ions
suc
h as
Pic
o Da
ma
a 1
50 m
pin
nacl
e
and
man
y w
ater
falls
one
reac
hing
150
m in
hei
ght
Two
third
s of
the
Plaacutet
ano
Rive
r run
thro
ugh
a ru
gged
par
t of t
he m
ount
ains
with
long
stre
tche
s of
whi
te w
ater
In
one
cata
ract
in a
dee
p fo
rest
ed
gorg
e th
e riv
er d
isap
pear
s un
der m
assi
ve b
ould
ers
Th
e m
ount
ains
are
par
t of t
he C
ordi
llera
Cen
tral
whi
ch c
orre
spon
ds to
wha
t was
the
Hond
uras
In
terc
ontin
enta
l Dep
ress
ion
dur
ing
the
Cret
aceo
us
Perio
d
Them
e 5
The
pro
perty
con
tain
s ne
arly
the
full
leng
th o
f the
Riacuteo
Pl
aacutetan
o fr
om it
s m
ount
aino
us
head
wat
ers
to it
s m
eand
ers
thro
ugh
flat t
o un
dula
ting
coas
tal p
lain
s
1982
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lHo
ndur
asLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
94 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 95
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Sang
ay N
atio
nal
Park
4Sa
ngay
(a p
erfe
ct c
one-
shap
ed v
olca
no) i
s no
tabl
e gl
obal
ly fo
r its
long
per
iod
of c
ontin
uous
act
ivity
Th
e ar
ea e
xhib
its a
rugg
ed to
pogr
aphy
with
dee
p
stee
p-si
ded
valle
ys a
bund
ant c
liffs
and
man
y ro
cky
jagg
ed p
eaks
A n
umbe
r of l
arge
rive
rs d
rain
ing
east
war
ds in
to th
e Am
azon
Bas
in a
re c
hara
cter
ized
by fa
st a
nd d
ram
atic
var
iatio
ns in
wat
er le
vel
Run-
off i
s ex
trem
ely
rapi
d du
e to
hig
h ra
infa
ll an
d st
eep
slop
es E
rosi
on is
a c
onst
ant d
ange
r al
thou
gh
cont
rolle
d by
thic
k fo
rest
veg
etat
ion
Num
erou
s w
ater
falls
occ
ur e
spec
ially
in th
e ha
ngin
g va
lleys
of
the
glac
ial z
one
alon
g th
e ea
ster
n ed
ge o
f the
Co
rdille
ra
Them
e 4
With
its
outs
tand
ing
natu
ral
beau
ty a
nd tw
o ac
tive
volc
anoe
s th
e pa
rk il
lust
rate
s th
e en
tire
spec
trum
of
eco
syst
ems
rang
ing
from
trop
ical
ra
info
rest
s to
gla
cier
s w
ith s
triki
ng
cont
rast
s be
twee
n th
e sn
owca
pped
pe
aks
and
the
fore
sts
of th
e pl
ains
1983
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lEc
uado
rLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Shar
k Ba
y W
este
rn A
ustr
alia
17
Shar
k Ba
y co
ntai
ns i
n th
e hy
pers
alin
e Ha
mel
in
Pool
the
mos
t dive
rse
and
abun
dant
exa
mpl
es
of s
trom
atol
ites
(har
d d
ome-
shap
ed s
truct
ures
fo
rmed
by
mic
robi
al m
ats)
in th
e w
orld
Ana
logo
us
stru
ctur
es d
omin
ated
mar
ine
ecos
yste
ms
on E
arth
fo
r mor
e th
an 3
000
milli
on y
ears
Th
e st
rom
atol
ites
of H
amel
in P
ool w
ere
the
first
m
oder
n li
ving
exam
ples
to b
e re
cogn
ised
that
ha
ve a
mor
phol
ogic
al d
ivers
ity a
nd a
bund
ance
co
mpa
rabl
e to
thos
e th
at in
habi
ted
Prot
eroz
oic
seas
As
suc
h th
ey a
re o
ne o
f the
wor
ldrsquos
bes
t exa
mpl
es
of a
livin
g an
alog
ue fo
r the
stu
dy o
f the
nat
ure
and
evol
utio
n of
the
Earth
rsquos b
iosp
here
up
until
the
early
Ca
mbr
ian
Th
e W
oora
mel
Sea
gras
s Ba
nk is
als
o of
gre
at
geol
ogic
al in
tere
st d
ue to
the
exte
nsive
dep
osit
of
limes
tone
san
ds a
ssoc
iate
d w
ith th
e ba
nk f
orm
ed
by th
e pr
ecip
itatio
n of
cal
cium
car
bona
te fr
om
hype
rsal
ine
wat
ers
Them
e 1
Abu
ndan
t stro
mat
olite
s (c
olon
ies
of m
icro
bes
that
form
har
d
dom
e-sh
aped
dep
osits
) tha
t are
m
oder
n re
pres
enta
tives
of s
ome
of th
e ol
dest
form
s of
life
on
Earth
The
me
7 T
he W
oora
mel
Sea
gras
s Ba
nk is
of
gre
at g
eolo
gica
l int
eres
t due
to th
e ex
tens
ive d
epos
it of
lim
esto
ne s
ands
as
soci
ated
with
the
bank
for
med
by
the
prec
ipita
tion
of c
alci
um c
arbo
nate
fro
m h
yper
salin
e w
ater
s
1991
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
96 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 97
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Škoc
jan
Cave
s6
The
Škoc
jan
Cave
s an
d th
eir s
urro
undi
ngs
are
the
maj
or lo
calit
ies
for k
arst
topo
grap
hy a
nd a
re th
e pl
ace
whe
re fu
ndam
enta
l ter
ms
such
as
lsquokar
strsquo
and
lsquodol
inersquo
hav
e th
eir o
rigin
Thi
s is
not
onl
y a
stro
ng in
dica
tion
of th
e pr
oper
tyrsquos
impo
rtanc
e fo
r sc
ienc
e b
ut m
ore
spec
ifica
lly o
f its
impo
rtanc
e fo
r th
e hi
stor
y of
Ear
th s
cien
ces
An
impr
essi
ve a
rray
of e
xcep
tiona
l kar
st m
anife
stat
ions
the
resu
lt of
pa
st a
nd p
rese
nt g
eolo
gica
l ge
omor
phol
ogic
al
spel
eolo
gica
l and
hyd
rolo
gica
l pro
cess
es a
re c
lear
ly at
dis
play
for s
cien
tists
and
vis
itors
alik
e w
ithin
a
rela
tivel
y sm
all a
rea
The
hea
rt of
the
prop
erty
the
mai
n ca
ve s
yste
m w
ith th
e un
derg
roun
d st
retc
hes
of th
e Re
ka R
iver
has
been
form
ed in
a th
ick
laye
r of
cre
tace
ous
limes
tone
The
con
stan
tly d
ynam
ic
syst
em is
an
outs
tand
ing
text
book
exa
mpl
e of
co
ntac
t Kar
st w
ith w
ell-d
evel
oped
feat
ures
suc
h as
a
blin
d va
lley
colla
psed
dol
ines
ope
ning
s c
hasm
s an
d ca
ves
Rem
arka
bly
this
geo
logi
cal d
ivers
ity
supp
orts
an
equa
lly fa
scin
atin
g bi
olog
ical
dive
rsity
w
hich
has
impo
rtant
impl
icat
ions
for l
and
and
wat
er
man
agem
ent
Them
e 6
Loc
ated
in th
e lsquoc
lass
ical
rsquo ka
rst o
f Eur
ope
The
pro
perty
co
mpr
ises
a s
inki
ng ri
ver a
t the
end
of
blin
d va
lley
the
expo
sed
cour
se o
f the
un
derg
roun
d riv
er fl
owin
g ac
ross
the
base
of d
eep
colla
pse
depr
essi
ons
an
d a
larg
e riv
er c
ave
with
a h
igh
cany
on p
assa
ge I
t is
repr
esen
tativ
e of
the
inpu
t of a
n al
loge
nic
river
into
a
kars
t sys
tem
1986
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Slov
enia
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
96 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 97
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Sout
h Ch
ina
Kars
t6
The
Sout
h Ch
ina
Kars
t Wor
ld H
erita
ge P
rope
rty
reve
als
the
com
plex
evo
lutio
nary
hist
ory
of o
ne o
f the
w
orld
rsquos m
ost o
utst
andi
ng la
ndsc
apes
Shi
lin a
nd L
ibo
are
glob
al re
fere
nce
area
s fo
r the
kar
st fe
atur
es a
nd
land
scap
es th
at th
ey e
xhib
it T
he s
tone
fore
sts
of S
hilin
de
velo
ped
over
270
milli
on y
ears
dur
ing
four
maj
or
geol
ogica
l tim
e pe
riods
from
the
Perm
ian
to p
rese
nt
illust
ratin
g th
e ep
isodi
c na
ture
of t
he e
volu
tion
of th
ese
kars
t fea
ture
s Li
bo c
onta
ins
carb
onat
e ou
tcro
ps o
f di
ffere
nt a
ges
shap
ed o
ver m
illion
s of
yea
rs b
y er
osive
pr
oces
ses
into
impr
essiv
e Fe
ngco
ng a
nd F
engl
in
kars
ts L
ibo
also
con
tain
s a
com
bina
tion
of n
umer
ous
tall k
arst
pea
ks d
eep
dolin
es s
inkin
g st
ream
s an
d lo
ng ri
ver c
aves
Wul
ong
repr
esen
ts h
igh
inla
nd k
arst
pl
atea
us th
at h
ave
expe
rienc
ed c
onsid
erab
le u
plift
with
gi
ant d
olin
es a
nd b
ridge
s W
ulon
grsquos
land
scap
es c
onta
in
evid
ence
for t
he h
istor
y of
one
of t
he w
orld
rsquos gr
eat
river
sys
tem
s th
e Ya
ngtze
and
its
tribu
tarie
s Hu
anjia
ng
Kars
t is
an e
xten
sion
of th
e Li
bo K
arst
com
pone
nt
Toge
ther
the
two
sites
pro
vide
an o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of fe
ngco
ng k
arst
and
also
pre
serv
e an
d di
spla
y a
rich
dive
rsity
of s
urfa
ce a
nd u
nder
grou
nd k
arst
fe
atur
es G
uilin
Kar
st is
con
sider
ed th
e be
st k
now
n ex
ampl
e of
con
tinen
tal f
engl
in a
nd p
rovid
es a
per
fect
ge
omor
phic
expr
essio
n of
the
end
stag
e of
kar
st
evol
utio
n in
Sou
th C
hina
Gui
lin is
a b
asin
at a
rela
tivel
y lo
w a
ltitud
e an
d re
ceive
s ab
unda
nt a
lloge
nic
(rain
fed)
w
ater
from
sur
roun
ding
hills
lea
ding
to a
fluv
ial
com
pone
nt th
at a
ids
feng
lin d
evel
opm
ent
resu
lting
in
feng
lin a
nd fe
ngco
ng k
arst
sid
e-by
-sid
e ov
er a
larg
e ar
ea S
cient
ific
stud
y of
kar
st d
evel
opm
ent i
n th
e re
gion
ha
s re
sulte
d in
the
gene
ratio
n of
the
lsquoGui
lin m
odel
rsquo of
feng
cong
and
feng
lin k
arst
evo
lutio
n S
hibi
ng K
arst
pr
ovid
es a
spe
ctac
ular
feng
cong
land
scap
e w
hich
is
also
exc
eptio
nal b
ecau
se it
dev
elop
ed in
rela
tivel
y in
solu
ble
dolo
mite
rock
s Sh
ibin
g al
so c
onta
ins
a ra
nge
of m
inor
kar
st fe
atur
es in
cludi
ng k
arre
n tu
fa d
epos
its
and
cave
s Jin
fosh
an K
arst
is a
uni
que
kars
t tab
le
mou
ntai
n su
rroun
ded
by m
assiv
e to
wer
ing
cliffs
It
repr
esen
ts a
pie
ce o
f diss
ecte
d pl
atea
u ka
rst i
sola
ted
from
the
Yunn
an-G
uizh
ou-C
honq
ing
plat
eau
by d
eep
fluvia
l incis
ion
An
ancie
nt p
lana
tion
surfa
ce re
mai
ns o
n th
e su
mm
it w
ith a
n an
cient
wea
ther
ing
crus
t Be
neat
h th
e pl
atea
u su
rface
are
dism
embe
red
horiz
onta
l cav
e sy
stem
s th
at a
ppea
r at h
igh
altit
ude
on c
liff fa
ces
Jin
fosh
an re
cord
s th
e pr
oces
s of
diss
ectio
n of
the
high
el
evat
ion
kars
t pla
teau
and
con
tain
s ev
iden
ce o
f the
re
gion
rsquos in
term
itten
t upl
ift a
nd k
arst
ifica
tion
since
the
Ceno
zoic
It is
a s
uper
lativ
e ty
pe-s
ite o
f a k
arst
tabl
e m
ount
ain
Them
e 6
Sev
en s
ites
of a
ser
ial
prop
erty
that
repr
esen
t kar
st e
volu
tion
in s
outh
ern
Chin
a S
hilin
com
pris
es
ston
e fo
rest
s on
a ro
lling
plat
eau
in
Yunn
an J
info
shan
is a
n is
olat
ed h
igh
plat
eau
with
hug
e ho
rizon
tal c
aves
su
spen
ded
abov
e de
ep s
urro
undi
ng
valle
ys W
ulon
g is
pla
teau
kar
st
with
spe
ctac
ular
tian
keng
nat
ural
br
idge
s de
ep c
aves
and
gor
ges
Sh
ibin
g illu
stra
tes
unus
ual c
one
kars
t de
velo
pmen
t in
dolo
mite
bed
rock
Li
bo h
as e
xten
sive
fore
sted
con
e ka
rst
(feng
cong
and
feng
lin)
polje
s g
orge
s an
d ca
ves
with
Hua
njia
ng b
eing
an
exte
nsio
n of
the
prot
ecte
d ar
ea G
uilin
sh
ows
the
culm
inat
ion
of s
ubtro
pica
l ka
rst d
evel
opm
ent w
ith s
pect
acul
ar
cone
s an
d to
wer
s be
side
the
Rive
r Li
The
se a
reas
pro
vide
type
-site
s fo
r th
eir p
rinci
pal k
arst
feat
ures
2007
(201
4)(v
ii)(v
iii)Na
tura
lCh
ina
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Škoc
jan
Cave
s6
The
Škoc
jan
Cave
s an
d th
eir s
urro
undi
ngs
are
the
maj
or lo
calit
ies
for k
arst
topo
grap
hy a
nd a
re th
e pl
ace
whe
re fu
ndam
enta
l ter
ms
such
as
lsquokar
strsquo
and
lsquodol
inersquo
hav
e th
eir o
rigin
Thi
s is
not
onl
y a
stro
ng in
dica
tion
of th
e pr
oper
tyrsquos
impo
rtanc
e fo
r sc
ienc
e b
ut m
ore
spec
ifica
lly o
f its
impo
rtanc
e fo
r th
e hi
stor
y of
Ear
th s
cien
ces
An
impr
essi
ve a
rray
of e
xcep
tiona
l kar
st m
anife
stat
ions
the
resu
lt of
pa
st a
nd p
rese
nt g
eolo
gica
l ge
omor
phol
ogic
al
spel
eolo
gica
l and
hyd
rolo
gica
l pro
cess
es a
re c
lear
ly at
dis
play
for s
cien
tists
and
vis
itors
alik
e w
ithin
a
rela
tivel
y sm
all a
rea
The
hea
rt of
the
prop
erty
the
mai
n ca
ve s
yste
m w
ith th
e un
derg
roun
d st
retc
hes
of th
e Re
ka R
iver
has
been
form
ed in
a th
ick
laye
r of
cre
tace
ous
limes
tone
The
con
stan
tly d
ynam
ic
syst
em is
an
outs
tand
ing
text
book
exa
mpl
e of
co
ntac
t Kar
st w
ith w
ell-d
evel
oped
feat
ures
suc
h as
a
blin
d va
lley
colla
psed
dol
ines
ope
ning
s c
hasm
s an
d ca
ves
Rem
arka
bly
this
geo
logi
cal d
ivers
ity
supp
orts
an
equa
lly fa
scin
atin
g bi
olog
ical
dive
rsity
w
hich
has
impo
rtant
impl
icat
ions
for l
and
and
wat
er
man
agem
ent
Them
e 6
Loc
ated
in th
e lsquoc
lass
ical
rsquo ka
rst o
f Eur
ope
The
pro
perty
co
mpr
ises
a s
inki
ng ri
ver a
t the
end
of
blin
d va
lley
the
expo
sed
cour
se o
f the
un
derg
roun
d riv
er fl
owin
g ac
ross
the
base
of d
eep
colla
pse
depr
essi
ons
an
d a
larg
e riv
er c
ave
with
a h
igh
cany
on p
assa
ge I
t is
repr
esen
tativ
e of
the
inpu
t of a
n al
loge
nic
river
into
a
kars
t sys
tem
1986
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Slov
enia
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
98 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 99
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Stev
ns K
lint
111
Stev
ns K
lint i
s a
glob
ally
exce
ptio
nal t
estim
ony
to th
e im
pact
of m
eteo
rite
impa
ct o
n th
e hi
stor
y of
life
on
Earth
The
pro
perty
pro
vides
a g
loba
lly
exce
ptio
nal r
epre
sent
atio
n of
the
evid
ence
of t
he
Chixu
lub
met
eorit
e im
pact
that
took
pla
ce a
t the
end
of
the
Cret
aceo
us P
erio
d c
67
milli
on y
ears
ago
Th
is im
pact
is w
idel
y be
lieve
d by
mod
ern
scie
ntis
ts
to h
ave
caus
ed th
e en
d of
the
Age
of th
e Di
nosa
urs
an
d le
d to
the
extin
ctio
n of
mor
e th
an 5
0 o
f life
on
Ear
th T
his
is th
e m
ost r
ecen
t of t
he m
ajor
mas
s ex
tinct
ions
in E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry C
ompa
rativ
e an
alys
is
indi
cate
s th
is is
the
mos
t sig
nific
ant a
nd re
adily
ac
cess
ible
site
of h
undr
eds
avai
labl
e to
see
the
sedi
men
tary
reco
rd o
f the
ash
clo
ud fo
rmed
by
the
met
eorit
e im
pact
the
act
ual s
ite o
f the
impa
ct b
eing
de
ep u
nder
wat
er o
ffsho
re th
e Yu
cata
n pe
nins
ula
In
add
ition
the
pro
perty
has
icon
ic s
cien
tific
impo
rtanc
e as
the
mos
t sig
nific
ant a
nd a
cces
sibl
e of
the
thre
e lo
calit
ies
whe
re th
e ra
dica
l the
ory
for
aste
roid
driv
en e
xtin
ctio
n w
as d
evel
oped
thro
ugh
the
sem
inal
wor
k of
Wal
ter a
nd L
uis
W A
lvare
z w
ith
thei
r co-
wor
kers
Ste
vns
Klin
t is
high
ly si
gnifi
cant
in
term
s of
its
past
pre
sent
and
futu
re c
ontri
butio
n to
sci
ence
esp
ecia
lly p
erta
inin
g to
the
defin
ition
of
and
expl
anat
ion
of th
e Cr
etac
eous
Pal
eoge
ne (K
Pg
) bou
ndar
y Th
e ou
tsta
ndin
g fo
ssil
reco
rd a
t Ste
vns
Klin
t pr
ovid
es a
suc
cess
ion
of th
ree
biot
ic a
ssem
blag
es
incl
udin
g th
e m
ost d
ivers
e en
d-Cr
etac
eous
mar
ine
ecos
yste
m k
now
n T
he m
illion
yea
rs re
cord
ed in
the
rock
at S
tevn
s Kl
int p
rovid
es e
viden
ce o
f a c
limax
pr
e-im
pact
com
mun
ity f
auna
that
sur
vived
a m
ass
extin
ctio
n ev
ent
and
the
subs
eque
nt fa
unal
reco
very
an
d in
crea
sed
biod
ivers
ity fo
llow
ing
this
eve
nt T
he
foss
il re
cord
sho
ws
whi
ch ta
xa b
ecam
e ex
tinct
an
d w
hich
sur
vived
and
reve
als
the
tem
po a
nd
mod
e of
evo
lutio
n of
the
succ
eedi
ng p
ost i
mpa
ct
faun
a th
at d
ivers
ified
to th
e m
arin
e fa
una
of to
day
thus
pro
vidin
g im
porta
nt c
onte
xt fo
r the
mai
n K
Pg
boun
dary
laye
r exp
osed
at S
tevn
s Kl
int
Them
e 11
Bea
rs e
viden
ce o
f the
as
tero
id im
pact
bel
ieve
d to
hav
e ca
used
the
mas
s ex
tinct
ion
that
led
to
the
end
of th
e Ag
e of
the
Dino
saur
s
Icon
ic s
cien
tific
impo
rtanc
e du
e to
its
asso
ciat
ion
with
the
radi
cal t
heor
y fo
r as
tero
id d
riven
ext
inct
ion
The
me
1
An e
xcep
tiona
l fos
sil r
ecor
d is
vis
ible
at
the
prop
erty
sho
win
g th
e co
mpl
ete
succ
essi
on o
f fau
na a
nd m
icro
-fau
na
char
ting
the
reco
very
afte
r the
mas
s ex
tinct
ion
2014
(viii)
Natu
ral
Denm
ark
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
98 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 99
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Swis
s Al
ps
Jung
frau
-Ale
tsch
92
The
prop
erty
pro
vides
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of th
e fo
rmat
ion
of th
e Hi
gh A
lps
resu
lting
from
upl
ift a
nd
com
pres
sion
whi
ch b
egan
20-
40 m
illion
yea
rs a
go
With
in a
n al
titud
e ra
nge
from
809
m to
42
74 m
th
e re
gion
dis
play
s 40
0 m
illion
-yea
r-ol
d cr
ysta
lline
rock
s th
rust
ove
r you
nger
car
bona
te ro
cks
due
to
the
north
war
d dr
ift o
f the
Afri
can
tect
onic
pla
te
Adde
d to
the
dram
atic
reco
rd o
f the
pro
cess
es
of m
ount
ain
build
ing
is a
gre
at a
bund
ance
and
di
vers
ity o
f geo
mor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es s
uch
as
U-sh
aped
gla
cial
val
leys
cirq
ues
hor
n pe
aks
val
ley
glac
iers
and
mor
aine
s T
his
mos
t gla
ciat
ed p
art o
f th
e Al
ps c
onta
ins
the
Alet
sch
glac
ier
the
larg
est a
nd
long
est i
n Eu
rope
whi
ch is
of s
igni
fican
t sci
entifi
c in
tere
st in
the
cont
ext o
f gla
cial
his
tory
and
ong
oing
pr
oces
ses
par
ticul
arly
rela
ted
to c
limat
e ch
ange
Them
e 9
Gla
cial
feat
ures
incl
ude
U-sh
aped
gla
cial
val
leys
cirq
ues
hor
n pe
aks
val
ley
glac
iers
and
mor
aine
s
This
mos
t gla
ciat
ed p
art o
f the
Alp
s co
ntai
ns th
e Al
etsc
h gl
acie
r th
e la
rges
t and
long
est i
n Eu
rope
whi
ch
is o
f sig
nific
ant s
cien
tific
inte
rest
in
the
cont
ext o
f gla
cial
his
tory
and
on
goin
g pr
oces
ses
par
ticul
arly
rela
ted
to c
limat
e ch
ange
The
me
2 T
he
prop
erty
pro
vides
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of th
e fo
rmat
ion
of th
e Hi
gh A
lps
resu
lting
from
upl
ift a
nd
com
pres
sion
whi
ch b
egan
20-
40
milli
on y
ears
ago
With
in a
n al
titud
e ra
nge
from
809
m to
42
74 m
the
re
gion
dis
play
s 40
0 m
illion
-yea
r-ol
d cr
ysta
lline
rock
s th
rust
ove
r you
nger
ca
rbon
ate
rock
s du
e to
the
north
war
d dr
ift o
f the
Afri
can
tect
onic
pla
te
2001
(200
7)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)Na
tura
lSw
itzer
-la
ndEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Swis
s Te
cton
ic
Aren
a Sa
rdon
a2
Earth
rsquos h
isto
ry g
eolo
gica
l and
geo
mor
phic
feat
ures
an
d pr
oces
ses
The
Sw
iss
Tect
onic
Are
na S
ardo
na
prov
ides
an
exce
ptio
nal d
ispl
ay o
f mou
ntai
n bu
ildin
g te
cton
ics
and
has
been
reco
gnis
ed a
s a
key
site
fo
r geo
logi
cal s
cien
ces
sinc
e th
e 18
th c
entu
ry T
he
clea
r exp
osur
e of
the
Glar
us O
verth
rust
is a
key
but
no
t the
onl
y si
gnifi
cant
fea
ture
The
exp
osur
es o
f th
e ro
cks
belo
w a
nd a
bove
this
feat
ure
are
visib
le
in th
ree
dim
ensi
ons
and
take
n to
geth
er h
ave
mad
e su
bsta
ntia
l con
tribu
tions
to th
e un
ders
tand
ing
of
mou
ntai
n bu
ildin
g te
cton
ics
Its
geol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
can
be re
adily
app
reci
ated
by
all v
isito
rs T
he
prop
erty
can
be
diffe
rent
iate
d fro
m o
ther
sim
ilar
site
s by
the
com
bina
tion
of th
e cl
ear e
xpos
ure
of
the
phen
omen
on in
a m
ount
ain
setti
ng i
ts h
isto
ry
of s
tudy
and
its
ongo
ing
cont
ribut
ion
to g
eolo
gica
l sc
ienc
es
Them
e 2
The
Sw
iss
Tect
onic
Are
na
Sard
ona
prov
ides
an
exce
ptio
nal
disp
lay
of m
ount
ain
build
ing
tect
onic
s an
d ha
s be
en re
cogn
ised
as
a ke
y si
te fo
r geo
logi
cal s
cien
ces
sinc
e th
e 18
th c
entu
ry T
he c
lear
exp
osur
e of
th
e Gl
arus
Ove
rthru
st is
a k
ey b
ut
not t
he o
nly
sign
ifica
nt f
eatu
re T
he
expo
sure
s of
the
rock
s be
low
and
ab
ove
this
feat
ure
are
visib
le in
thre
e di
men
sion
s an
d ta
ken
toge
ther
hav
e m
ade
subs
tant
ial c
ontri
butio
ns to
the
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
mou
ntai
n bu
ildin
g te
cton
ics
2008
(viii)
Natu
ral
Switz
er-
land
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
100 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 101
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Tajik
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk (M
ount
ains
of
the
Pam
irs)
92
5Th
e Pa
mir
Mou
ntai
ns a
re a
maj
or c
entre
of
glac
iatio
n on
the
Eura
sian
con
tinen
t and
Taj
ik
Natio
nal P
ark
illust
rate
s w
ithin
one
pro
tect
ed
area
an
outs
tand
ing
juxt
apos
ition
of m
any
high
m
ount
ains
val
ley
glac
iers
and
dee
p riv
er g
orge
s al
ongs
ide
the
cold
con
tinen
tal d
eser
t env
ironm
ent
of th
e hi
gh P
amir
Plat
eau
land
form
s A
n ou
tsta
ndin
g la
ndfo
rm fe
atur
e of
the
prop
erty
rsquos g
eolo
gica
lly
dyna
mic
terra
in is
Lak
e Sa
rez
It w
as c
reat
ed b
y an
ea
rthqu
ake-
gene
rate
d la
ndsl
ide
of a
n es
timat
ed
six
billio
n to
nnes
of m
ater
ial a
nd is
pos
sibl
y th
e yo
unge
st d
eep
wat
er a
lpin
e la
ke in
the
wor
ld I
t is
of in
tern
atio
nal s
cien
tific
and
geom
orph
olog
ical
ha
zard
sig
nific
ance
bec
ause
of t
he o
n-go
ing
geol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
influ
enci
ng it
s st
abilit
y an
d th
e so
rt of
lacu
strin
e ec
osys
tem
whi
ch w
ill de
velo
p ov
er ti
me
Taj
ik N
atio
nal P
ark
furth
erm
ore
offe
rs a
un
ique
opp
ortu
nity
for t
he s
tudy
of p
late
tect
onic
s an
d co
ntin
enta
l sub
duct
ion
phen
omen
a th
ereb
y co
ntrib
utin
g to
our
fund
amen
tal u
nder
stan
ding
of
Earth
bui
ldin
g pr
oces
ses
Them
e 9
The
Pam
ir M
ount
ains
are
a
maj
or c
entre
of g
laci
atio
n on
the
Eura
sian
con
tinen
t and
Taj
ik N
atio
nal
Park
illu
stra
tes
with
in o
ne p
rote
cted
ar
ea a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ju
xtap
ositi
on o
f m
any
high
mou
ntai
ns v
alle
y gl
acie
rs
and
deep
rive
r gor
ges
alon
gsid
e th
e co
ld c
ontin
enta
l des
ert e
nviro
nmen
t of
the
high
Pam
ir Pl
atea
u la
ndfo
rms
Th
eme
2 T
ajik
Nat
iona
l Par
k of
fers
a
uniq
ue o
ppor
tuni
ty fo
r the
stu
dy
of p
late
tect
onic
s an
d co
ntin
enta
l su
bduc
tion
phen
omen
a th
ereb
y co
ntrib
utin
g to
our
fund
amen
tal
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
Ear
th b
uild
ing
proc
esse
s T
hem
e 5
An
outs
tand
ing
land
form
feat
ure
of th
e pr
oper
tyrsquos
ge
olog
ical
ly dy
nam
ic te
rrain
is
Lake
Sar
ez I
t was
cre
ated
by
an
earth
quak
e-ge
nera
ted
land
slid
e of
an
est
imat
ed s
ix bi
llion
tonn
es o
f m
ater
ial a
nd is
pos
sibl
y th
e yo
unge
st
deep
wat
er a
lpin
e la
ke in
the
wor
ld
It is
of i
nter
natio
nal s
cien
tific
and
geom
orph
olog
ical
haz
ard
sign
ifica
nce
beca
use
of th
e on
-goi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pr
oces
ses
influ
enci
ng it
s st
abilit
y an
d th
e so
rt of
lacu
strin
e ec
osys
tem
whi
ch
will
deve
lop
over
tim
e
2013
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Tajik
ista
nAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Tala
man
ca
Rang
e-La
Am
ista
d Re
serv
es
La
Amis
tad
Natio
nal P
ark
9Th
e Ta
lam
anca
Ran
ge is
a v
ery
parti
cula
r sam
ple
of th
e re
cent
geo
logi
cal h
isto
ry o
f the
Cen
tral
Amer
ican
Isth
mus
the
rela
tivel
y na
rrow
stri
p of
land
co
nnec
ting
North
and
Sou
th A
mer
ica
and
sepa
ratin
g th
e Pa
cific
and
Atla
ntic
Oce
ans
The
pro
perty
sho
ws
impr
essi
ve m
arks
of Q
uate
rnar
y gl
acia
l act
ivity
w
hich
has
sha
ped
glac
ial c
irque
s g
laci
al la
kes
and
deep
U-s
hape
d va
lleys
whi
ch c
anno
t be
foun
d an
ywhe
re e
lse
in C
entra
l Am
eric
a
Them
e 9
Qua
tern
ary
glac
ial a
ctivi
ty
has
shap
ed g
laci
al c
irque
s g
laci
al
lake
s an
d de
ep U
-sha
ped
valle
ys
that
can
not b
e fo
und
anyw
here
els
e in
Ce
ntra
l Am
eric
a
1983
(199
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Cost
a Ri
ca
Pana
ma
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
100 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 101
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Tasm
ania
n W
ilder
ness
91
No c
urre
nt re
trosp
ectiv
e st
atem
ent o
f OUV
The
co
ntem
pora
ry in
scrip
tion
is b
ased
on
the
follo
win
g Ea
rth s
cien
ce v
alue
s R
ock
form
atio
ns g
laci
al
depo
sits
ext
ragl
acia
l pro
cess
es a
nd g
laci
o-ka
rst
land
form
s of
his
pro
perty
pro
vide
a re
cord
of m
ajor
st
ages
of E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry a
nd to
geth
er w
ith th
e as
soci
ated
eco
logy
pro
vide
livin
g ev
iden
ce o
f the
pr
evio
us e
xiste
nce
of th
e so
uthe
rn s
uper
cont
inen
t of
Gon
dwan
a an
d its
sub
sequ
ent f
ragm
enta
tion
The
as
soci
ated
pro
cess
es a
re o
ccur
ring
at la
rge
scal
e in
a v
arie
ty o
f und
istu
rbed
env
ironm
ents
pro
vidin
g a
benc
hmar
k ag
ains
t whi
ch th
e ef
fect
s of
hum
an
activ
ities
can
be
mea
sure
d
Them
e 9
1 R
ock
form
atio
ns g
laci
al
depo
sits
ext
ragl
acia
l pro
cess
es a
nd
glac
io-k
arst
land
form
s of
his
pro
perty
pr
ovid
e a
reco
rd o
f maj
or s
tage
s of
Ea
rthrsquos
his
tory
and
toge
ther
with
the
asso
ciat
ed e
colo
gy p
rovid
e liv
ing
evid
ence
of t
he p
revio
us e
xiste
nce
of th
e so
uthe
rn s
uper
cont
inen
t of
Gon
dwan
a an
d its
sub
sequ
ent
fragm
enta
tion
1982
(199
0)(ii
i)(iv)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)
Mixe
dAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Tass
ili n
rsquoAjje
r3
The
geol
ogica
l con
form
atio
n of
Tass
ili nrsquo
Ajje
r inc
lude
s Pr
ecam
bria
n cr
ysta
lline
elem
ents
and
sed
imen
tary
sa
ndst
one
succ
essio
ns o
f gre
at p
aleo
-geo
grap
hica
l an
d pa
leo-
ecol
ogica
l inte
rest
Them
e 3
San
dsto
ne p
late
aus
and
esca
rpm
ents
that
are
hig
hly
diss
ecte
d w
ith a
rang
e of
ero
sion
al fe
atur
es
1982
(i)(ii
i)(vii
)(v
iii)M
ixed
Alge
riaAr
ab
Stat
es
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
102 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 103
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Te W
ahip
ouna
mu
ndash So
uth
Wes
t Ne
w Z
eala
nd
91
2Te
Waumlh
ipou
nam
u - S
outh
Wes
t New
Zea
land
is
cons
ider
ed to
be
the
best
mod
ern
exam
ple
of th
e pr
imitiv
e ta
xa o
f Gon
dwan
alan
d se
en in
mod
ern
ecos
yste
ms
ndash an
d as
suc
h th
e pr
oper
ty is
of g
loba
l sig
nific
ance
The
pro
gres
sive
brea
k-up
of t
he s
outh
ern
supe
r-con
tinen
t of G
ondw
anal
and
is co
nsid
ered
on
e of
the
mos
t im
porta
nt e
vent
s in
the
Earth
rsquos ev
olut
iona
ry h
istor
y Ne
w Z
eala
ndrsquos
sepa
ratio
n be
fore
th
e ap
pear
ance
of m
arsu
pial
s an
d ot
her m
amm
als
and
its lo
ng is
olat
ion
since
wer
e ke
y fa
ctor
s en
ablin
g th
e su
rviva
l of t
he a
ncie
nt G
ondw
anan
bio
ta o
n th
e isl
ands
of
New
Zea
land
to a
gre
ater
deg
ree
than
else
whe
re
The
livin
g re
pres
enta
tives
of t
his
ancie
nt b
iota
inclu
de
fligh
tless
kiw
is c
arni
voro
us la
nd s
nails
14
spec
ies
of
podo
carp
and
gen
era
or b
eech
Th
e So
uth
Wes
t is
also
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of th
e im
pact
of t
he P
leist
ocen
e ep
och
of E
arth
hist
ory
Ice-
carv
ed la
ndfo
rms
crea
ted
by th
ese
lsquoIce
Agersquo
gla
ciers
do
min
ate
the
mou
ntai
n la
nds
and
are
espe
cially
w
ell-p
rese
rved
in th
e ha
rder
plu
toni
c ig
neou
s ro
cks
of F
iord
land
Gla
cier-c
ut fi
ords
lak
es d
eep
U-sh
aped
va
lleys
han
ging
val
leys
cirq
ues
and
ice-s
horn
spu
rs
are
grap
hic
illust
ratio
ns o
f the
pow
erfu
l influ
ence
of
thes
e gl
acie
rs o
n th
e la
ndsc
ape
Dep
ositio
nal
land
form
s of
Ple
istoc
ene
glac
ial o
rigin
are
also
im
porta
nt e
spec
ially
in W
estla
nd w
est o
f the
Alp
ine
Faul
t Ch
rono
logi
cal s
eque
nces
of o
utw
ash
grav
els
and
mor
aine
ridg
es in
ele
gant
cur
ves
and
loop
s ou
tline
the
shap
es o
f bot
h fo
rmer
pie
dmon
t gla
ciers
and
Hol
ocen
e ldquop
ost-g
lacia
lrdquo va
lley
glac
iers
Them
e 9
Sou
th-w
est N
ew Z
eala
nd
is a
lso
an o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of th
e im
pact
of t
he P
leis
toce
ne e
poch
of
Earth
his
tory
Ice
-car
ved
land
form
s cr
eate
d by
thes
e lsquoIc
e Ag
ersquo g
laci
ers
dom
inat
e th
e m
ount
ain
land
s a
nd
are
espe
cial
ly w
ell-p
rese
rved
in th
e ha
rder
plu
toni
c ig
neou
s ro
cks
of
Fior
dlan
d G
laci
er-c
ut fi
ords
lak
es
deep
U-s
hape
d va
lleys
han
ging
va
lleys
cirq
ues
and
ice-
shor
n sp
urs
are
grap
hic
illust
ratio
ns o
f the
po
wer
ful i
nflue
nce
of th
ese
glac
iers
on
the
land
scap
e D
epos
ition
al la
ndfo
rms
of P
leis
toce
ne g
laci
al o
rigin
are
als
o im
porta
nt e
spec
ially
in W
estla
nd
wes
t of t
he A
lpin
e Fa
ult
Chro
nolo
gica
l se
quen
ces
of o
utw
ash
grav
els
and
m
orai
ne ri
dges
in e
lega
nt c
urve
s an
d lo
ops
out
line
the
shap
es o
f bo
th fo
rmer
pie
dmon
t gla
cier
s an
d Ho
loce
ne lsquop
ost-
glac
ialrsquo
valle
y gl
acie
rs
Them
e 1
2 T
he p
rogr
essi
ve b
reak
-up
of t
he s
outh
ern
supe
r-co
ntin
ent o
f Go
ndw
ana
is c
onsi
dere
d on
e of
the
mos
t im
porta
nt e
vent
s in
the
Earth
rsquos
evol
utio
nary
his
tory
New
Zea
land
rsquos
sepa
ratio
n be
fore
the
appe
aran
ce
of m
arsu
pial
s an
d ot
her m
amm
als
an
d its
long
isol
atio
n si
nce
wer
e ke
y fa
ctor
s en
ablin
g th
e su
rviva
l of
the
anci
ent G
ondw
anan
bio
ta o
n th
e is
land
s of
New
Zea
land
to a
gre
ater
de
gree
than
els
ewhe
re
1990
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lNe
w
Zeal
and
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
102 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 103
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Teid
e Na
tiona
l Pa
rk4
Teid
e Na
tiona
l Par
k is
an
exce
ptio
nal e
xam
ple
of a
rela
tivel
y ol
d s
low
mov
ing
geo
logi
cally
co
mpl
ex a
nd m
atur
e vo
lcan
ic s
yste
m I
t is
of g
loba
l im
porta
nce
in p
rovid
ing
dive
rse
evid
ence
of t
he
geol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
that
und
erpi
n th
e ev
olut
ion
of o
cean
ic is
land
s a
nd th
ese
valu
es c
ompl
emen
t th
ose
of e
xistin
g vo
lcan
ic p
rope
rties
on
the
Wor
ld
Herit
age
List
suc
h as
the
Haw
aii V
olca
noes
Na
tiona
l Par
k It
offe
rs a
dive
rse
and
acce
ssib
le
asse
mbl
age
of v
olca
nic
feat
ures
and
land
scap
es in
a
rela
tivel
y lim
ited
area
The
are
a is
a m
ajor
cen
tre
for i
nter
natio
nal r
esea
rch
with
a lo
ng h
isto
ry o
f in
fluen
ce o
n ge
olog
y an
d ge
omor
phol
ogy
espe
cial
ly th
roug
h th
e w
ork
of v
on H
umbo
ldt
von
Buch
and
Ly
ell
whi
ch h
as m
ade
Mou
nt T
eide
a s
igni
fican
t site
in
the
hist
ory
of v
olca
nolo
gy
Them
e 4
Tei
de N
atio
nal P
ark
feat
ures
th
e Te
ide-
Pico
Vie
jo s
trato
volc
ano
that
at
37
18 m
is
the
high
est p
eak
on
Span
ish
soil
Ris
ing
750
0 m
abo
ve
the
ocea
n flo
or i
t is
rega
rded
as
the
wor
ldrsquos
third
-tal
lest
vol
cani
c st
ruct
ure
and
stan
ds in
the
Las
Cana
das
cald
era
Tei
de is
of g
loba
l im
porta
nce
in p
rovid
ing
evid
ence
of t
he g
eolo
gica
l pr
oces
ses
that
und
erpi
n th
e ev
olut
ion
of o
cean
ic is
land
s
2007
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Spai
nEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
The
Dolo
mite
s3
1Th
e Do
lom
ites
are
of in
tern
atio
nal s
igni
fican
ce
for g
eom
orph
olog
y as
the
clas
sic
site
for t
he
deve
lopm
ent o
f mou
ntai
ns in
dol
omiti
c lim
esto
ne
The
area
pre
sent
s a
wid
e ra
nge
of la
ndfo
rms
rela
ted
to e
rosi
on t
ecto
nism
and
gla
ciat
ion
The
qu
antit
y an
d co
ncen
tratio
n of
ext
rem
ely
varie
d lim
esto
ne fo
rmat
ions
is e
xtra
ordi
nary
in a
glo
bal
cont
ext
incl
udin
g pe
aks
tow
ers
pin
nacl
es a
nd
som
e of
the
high
est v
ertic
al ro
ck w
alls
in th
e w
orld
Th
e ge
olog
ical
val
ues
are
also
of i
nter
natio
nal
sign
ifica
nce
not
ably
the
evid
ence
of M
esoz
oic
carb
onat
e pl
atfo
rms
or lsquo
foss
ilized
ato
llsrsquo
parti
cula
rly
in te
rms
of th
e ev
iden
ce th
ey p
rovid
e of
the
evol
utio
n of
the
bio-
cons
truct
ors
afte
r the
Per
mia
nTr
iass
ic b
ound
ary
and
the
pres
erva
tion
of th
e re
latio
nshi
ps b
etw
een
the
reef
s th
ey c
onst
ruct
ed
and
thei
r sur
roun
ding
bas
ins
The
Dol
omite
s al
so
incl
ude
seve
ral i
nter
natio
nally
impo
rtant
type
se
ctio
ns fo
r the
stra
tigra
phy
of th
e Tr
iass
ic P
erio
d
The
scie
ntifi
c va
lues
of t
he p
rope
rty a
re a
lso
supp
orte
d by
the
evid
ence
of a
long
his
tory
of s
tudy
an
d re
cogn
ition
at t
he in
tern
atio
nal l
evel
Tak
en
toge
ther
the
com
bina
tion
of g
eom
orph
olog
ical
an
d ge
olog
ical
val
ues
crea
tes
a pr
oper
ty o
f glo
bal
sign
ifica
nce
Them
e 3
Roc
k-co
ntro
lled
cliff
s an
d pl
atea
us w
ith a
dditi
onal
role
of
glac
iatio
n T
hem
e 1
The
Dol
omite
s co
ntai
n an
out
stan
ding
reco
rd o
f Tr
iass
ic re
ef s
yste
ms
and
thei
r bio
tas
2009
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Italy
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
104 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 105
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Thre
e Pa
ralle
l Ri
vers
of Y
unna
n Pr
otec
ted
Area
s
23
5Th
e pr
oper
ty is
of o
utst
andi
ng v
alue
for d
ispl
ayin
g th
e ge
olog
ical
his
tory
of t
he la
st 5
0 m
illion
yea
rs
asso
ciat
ed w
ith th
e co
llisio
n of
the
Indi
an P
late
with
th
e Eu
rasi
an P
late
the
clo
sure
of t
he a
ncie
nt T
ethy
s Se
a a
nd th
e up
liftin
g of
the
Him
alay
a Ra
nge
and
the
Tibe
tan
Plat
eau
The
se w
ere
maj
or g
eolo
gica
l ev
ents
in th
e ev
olut
ion
of th
e la
nd s
urfa
ce o
f Asi
a an
d th
ey a
re o
n-go
ing
The
dive
rse
rock
type
s w
ithin
th
e pr
oper
ty re
cord
this
his
tory
and
in
addi
tion
th
e ra
nge
of k
arst
gra
nite
mon
olith
and
Dan
xia
sand
ston
e la
ndfo
rms
in th
e al
pine
zon
e in
clud
e so
me
of th
e be
st o
f the
ir ty
pe in
the
mou
ntai
ns o
f th
e w
orld
Them
e 2
The
pro
perty
is o
f ou
tsta
ndin
g va
lue
for d
ispl
ayin
g th
e ge
olog
ical
his
tory
of t
he la
st 5
0 m
illion
ye
ars
asso
ciat
ed w
ith th
e co
llisio
n of
the
Indi
an P
late
with
the
Eura
sian
Pl
ate
the
clos
ure
of th
e an
cien
t Tet
hys
Sea
and
the
uplif
ting
of th
e Hi
mal
aya
Rang
e an
d th
e Ti
beta
n Pl
atea
u
Them
es 3
5 D
eepl
y ca
rved
val
leys
of
maj
or ri
vers
that
pas
s th
roug
h st
eep
gorg
es w
hich
in
plac
es a
re 3
000
m
deep
and
are
bor
dere
d by
gla
ciat
ed
peak
s m
ore
than
60
00 m
hig
h
2003
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lCh
ina
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Tong
ariro
Na
tiona
l Par
k4
No a
ppro
ved
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV B
asis
of
insc
riptio
n ar
e E
arth
rsquos E
volu
tiona
ry H
isto
ry -
The
pa
rk li
es a
t the
sou
th-w
este
rn te
rmin
us o
f a P
acifi
c ch
ain
of v
olca
noes
alig
ned
alon
g a
maj
or te
cton
ic
plat
e bo
unda
ry O
ngoi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es -
Th
e pa
rkrsquos
vol
cano
es c
onta
in a
com
plet
e ra
nge
of
volc
anic
feat
ures
Them
e 4
Ton
garir
o Na
tiona
l Par
k in
clud
es th
ree
activ
e vo
lcan
oes
w
hich
hav
e cu
ltura
l and
relig
ious
si
gnifi
canc
e fo
r the
Mao
ri pe
ople
and
sy
mbo
lize
the
spiri
tual
link
s be
twee
n th
is c
omm
unity
and
its
envir
onm
ent
1990
(199
3)(v
i)(vii
)(v
iii)M
ixed
New
Ze
alan
dAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
104 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 105
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Tran
g An
La
ndsc
ape
Com
plex
6Tr
ang
An is
a s
uper
b ge
olog
ical
pro
perty
that
di
spla
ys i
n a
glob
ally
exce
ptio
nal w
ay t
he fi
nal
stag
es o
f tow
er-k
arst
land
scap
e ev
olut
ion
in a
hu
mid
trop
ical
env
ironm
ent
Deep
dis
sect
ion
of
an u
plift
ed li
mes
tone
mas
sif o
ver a
per
iod
of fi
ve
milli
on y
ears
has
pro
duce
d a
serie
s of
cla
ssic
al
kars
t lan
dfor
ms
incl
udin
g co
nes
tow
ers
enc
lose
d de
pres
sion
s (c
ockp
its)
inte
rior-
drai
ning
val
leys
(p
olje
s) f
oot-
cave
s an
d su
bter
rane
an c
ave
pass
ages
de
cora
ted
with
spe
leot
hem
s T
he p
rese
nce
of
trans
ition
al fo
rms
betw
een
lsquofeng
cong
rsquo kar
st w
ith
ridge
s co
nnec
ting
tow
ers
and
lsquofen
glin
rsquo kar
st w
here
to
wer
s st
and
isol
ated
on
allu
vial p
lain
s is
an
extre
mel
y si
gnifi
cant
feat
ure
of th
e pr
oper
ty T
rang
An
is a
n un
usua
l aut
ogen
ic k
arst
sys
tem
bei
ng
rain
-fed
onl
y an
d hy
drol
ogic
ally
isol
ated
from
rive
rs
in th
e su
rroun
ding
terra
in F
orm
er in
unda
tion
by
the
sea
trans
form
ed th
e m
assi
f int
o an
arc
hipe
lago
fo
r som
e pe
riods
tho
ugh
it is
fully
em
erge
nt o
n la
nd to
day
Fluc
tuat
ions
of s
ea le
vel a
re e
viden
ced
by a
n al
titud
inal
ser
ies
of e
rosi
on n
otch
es in
clif
fs
with
ass
ocia
ted
cave
s w
ave-
cut p
latfo
rms
bea
ch
depo
sits
and
mar
ine
shel
l lay
ers
Them
e 6
Tow
er k
arst
in it
s en
d st
ages
nea
r sea
leve
l Nu
mer
ous
navig
able
foot
-cav
es a
nd e
xten
sive
sw
amp
notc
h an
d m
arin
e no
tch
deve
lopm
ent r
eflec
ting
sea
leve
l ch
ange
s
2014
(v)(v
ii)(v
iii)M
ixed
Viet
Nam
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
106 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 107
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Ulu ṟ
u-Ka
ta T
juṯa
Na
tiona
l Par
k
3No
cur
rent
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV b
ut
the
follo
win
g te
xt re
late
d to
crit
erio
n (v
iii) h
as b
een
deve
lope
d pr
evio
usly
as a
dra
ft th
at w
ill lik
ely
be
cons
ider
ed in
the
futu
re b
ased
on
the
date
of
insc
riptio
n T
he in
selb
ergs
(ste
ep-s
ided
isol
ated
hi
lls ri
sing
abr
uptly
from
the
Earth
) of U
luṟu
and
Kata
Tju
ṯa ar
e ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
es o
f tec
toni
c
geoc
hem
ical
and
geo
mor
phic
pro
cess
es U
luṟu
and
Kata
Tju
ṯa ar
e st
rikin
g ex
ampl
es o
f geo
logi
cal a
nd
eros
iona
l pro
cess
es o
ver t
ime
and
they
refle
ct th
e ag
e a
nd re
lativ
ely
stab
le n
atur
e o
f the
Aus
tralia
n co
ntin
ent
Such
sta
bilit
y at
the
cont
inen
tal l
evel
is
glo
bally
rare
The
geo
logy
of U
luṟu
and
Kata
Tj
u ṯa d
emon
stra
te o
ngoi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es
of re
mar
kabl
e in
tere
st T
he s
ides
of U
luṟu
are
mar
ked
by a
num
ber o
f unu
sual
feat
ures
whi
ch
can
be a
scrib
ed to
diff
erin
g pr
oces
ses
of e
rosi
on
For e
xam
ple
the
feat
ure
know
n as
nga
ltaw
ata
a
cere
mon
ial p
ole
asso
ciat
ed w
ith M
ala
Tjuk
urpa
is
asc
ribed
to s
heet
ing
of m
assi
ve ro
ck p
aral
lel t
o th
e ex
istin
g su
rface
Dur
ing
rain
per
iods
the
runo
ff fro
m U
luṟu
casc
ades
dow
n th
e fis
sure
s fo
rmin
g w
ater
falls
som
e up
to 1
00 m
etre
s hi
gh C
aves
at
the
base
of U
luṟu
are
form
ed b
y a
wid
espr
ead
arid
zo
ne p
roce
ss o
f gra
nula
r dis
inte
grat
ion
know
n as
ca
vern
ous
wea
ther
ing
Them
e 3
Thi
s pa
rk fe
atur
es
inse
lber
gs o
f san
dsto
ne (U
luṟu)
and
co
nglo
mer
ate
(Kat
a Tj
u ṯa) t
hat r
ise
spec
tact
acul
arly
abov
e th
e va
st re
d sa
ndy
plai
n of
cen
tral A
ustra
lia
1987
(199
4)(v
)(vi)(
vii)
(viii)
Mixe
dAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Valleacute
e de
Mai
Na
ture
Res
erve
1Sh
aped
by
geol
ogic
al a
nd b
iolo
gica
l pro
cess
es
that
took
pla
ce m
illion
s of
yea
rs a
go t
he p
rope
rty
is a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
an
earli
er a
nd m
ajor
st
age
in th
e ev
olut
iona
ry h
isto
ry o
f the
wor
ldrsquos
flo
ra I
ts e
colo
gy is
dom
inat
ed b
y en
dem
ic p
alm
s
and
espe
cial
ly by
the
coco
-de-
mer
fam
ous
for i
ts
dist
inct
ively
larg
e do
uble
nut
con
tain
ing
the
larg
est
seed
in th
e pl
ant k
ingd
om T
he V
alleacute
e de
Mai
co
nstit
utes
a li
ving
labo
rato
ry i
llust
ratin
g of
wha
t ot
her t
ropi
cal a
reas
wou
ld h
ave
been
bef
ore
the
adve
nt o
f mor
e ad
vanc
ed p
lant
fam
ilies
Them
e 1
Sta
ted
to c
onst
itute
a li
ving
labo
rato
ry i
llust
ratin
g of
wha
t oth
er
tropi
cal a
reas
wou
ld h
ave
been
bef
ore
the
adve
nt o
f mor
e ad
vanc
ed p
lant
fa
milie
s
1983
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lSe
y-ch
elle
sAf
rica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Vatn
ajoumlk
ull
Natio
nal P
ark
- Dy
nam
ic N
atur
e of
Fire
and
Ice
4 9
The
coex
isten
ce a
nd o
ngoi
ng in
tera
ctio
n of
an
activ
e oc
eani
c rif
t on
land
a m
antle
plu
me
the
atm
osph
ere
and
an ic
e ca
p w
hich
has
var
ied
in s
ize a
nd e
xten
t ov
er th
e pa
st 2
8 m
illion
yea
rs m
ake
the
prop
erty
un
ique
in a
glo
bal c
onte
xt E
arth
sys
tem
inte
ract
ions
ar
e co
nsta
ntly
build
ing
and
resh
apin
g th
e pr
oper
ty
crea
ting
rem
arka
bly
dive
rse
land
scap
es a
nd a
w
ide
varie
ty o
f tec
toni
c v
olca
nic
and
glac
iovo
lcan
ic
feat
ures
Esp
ecia
lly in
tere
stin
g an
d un
ique
in th
is re
gard
are
the
basa
ltic
lava
shi
elds
(Ice
land
shi
elds
) vo
lcan
ic fi
ssur
es a
nd c
one
row
s v
ast fl
ood
lava
s
and
feat
ures
of i
ce d
omin
ant g
laci
o-vo
lcan
ism s
uch
as tu
yas
and
tinda
r In
tere
stin
gly
the
wel
l exp
osed
vo
lcan
ic fe
atur
es o
f the
pro
perty
hav
e be
en u
sed
as a
nalo
gues
for s
imila
r fea
ture
s on
the
plan
et
Mar
s G
eoth
erm
al h
eat a
nd s
ubgl
acia
l eru
ptio
ns
prod
uce
mel
twat
er a
nd jouml
kulh
laup
s th
at m
aint
ain
glob
ally
uniq
ue s
andu
r pla
ins
to th
e no
rth a
nd
sout
h of
the
Vatn
ajoumlk
ull i
ce c
ap a
s w
ell a
s ra
pidl
y ev
olvin
g ca
nyon
s In
add
ition
the
pro
perty
con
tain
s a
dyna
mic
arra
y of
gla
cial
- and
geo
mor
phol
ogic
al
feat
ures
cre
ated
by
expa
ndin
g or
retre
atin
g gl
acie
rs
resp
ondi
ng to
cha
nges
in c
limat
e T
hese
feat
ures
ca
n be
eas
ily a
cces
sed
and
expl
ored
at t
he s
nout
s of
Va
tnaj
oumlkul
lrsquos m
any
outle
t gla
cier
s an
d th
eir f
orel
ands
es
peci
ally
in th
e so
uthe
rn lo
wla
nds
mak
ing
the
prop
erty
a fl
agsh
ip g
laci
al re
sear
ch lo
catio
n
Them
e 4
9 T
his
is a
n ic
onic
vo
lcan
ic re
gion
that
als
o fe
atur
es th
e co
ntin
enta
l drif
ting
curre
ntly
activ
e in
this
par
t of A
tlant
ic O
cean
with
te
n ce
ntra
l vol
cano
es e
ight
of w
hich
ar
e su
bgla
cial
Tw
o of
thes
e ar
e am
ong
the
mos
t act
ive in
Icel
and
The
in
tera
ctio
n be
twee
n vo
lcan
oes
and
the
rifts
that
und
erlie
the
Vatn
ajoumlk
ull
ice
cap
take
s m
any
form
s th
e m
ost
spec
tacu
lar o
f whi
ch is
the
joumlku
lhla
up
ndash a
sudd
en fl
ood
caus
ed b
y th
e br
each
of t
he m
argi
n of
a g
laci
er
durin
g an
eru
ptio
n
2019
(viii)
Natu
ral
Icel
and
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
108 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 109
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Viru
nga
Natio
nal
Park
4Vi
rung
a Na
tiona
l Par
k is
loca
ted
in th
e ce
ntre
of t
he
Albe
rtine
Rift
of t
he G
reat
Rift
Val
ley
In th
e so
uthe
rn
part
of th
e pa
rk t
ecto
nic
activ
ity d
ue to
the
exte
nsio
n of
the
Earth
rsquos cr
ust i
n th
is re
gion
has
cau
sed
the
emer
genc
e of
the
Viru
nga
mas
sif c
ompr
ising
eig
ht
volc
anoe
s s
even
of w
hich
are
loca
ted
tota
lly o
r pa
rtial
ly in
the
park
Am
ong
them
are
the
two
mos
t ac
tive
volc
anoe
s of
Afri
ca ndash
Nya
mur
agira
and
nea
rby
Nyira
gong
o ndash
whi
ch b
etw
een
them
are
resp
onsib
le
for t
wo-
fifth
s of
the
hist
oric
vol
cani
c er
uptio
ns o
n th
e Af
rican
con
tinen
t and
whi
ch a
re c
hara
cter
ized
by th
e ex
trem
e flu
idity
of t
he a
lkal
ine
lava
The
act
ivity
of
Nyira
gong
o is
of w
orld
impo
rtanc
e as
a w
itnes
s to
vo
lcan
ism o
f a la
va la
ke t
he b
otto
m o
f its
cra
ter i
s in
fact
fille
d by
a la
ke o
f qua
si pe
rman
ent l
ava
that
em
ptie
s pe
riodi
cally
with
cat
astro
phic
con
sequ
ence
s fo
r the
loca
l com
mun
ities
The
nor
ther
n se
ctor
of
the
park
incl
udes
abo
ut 2
0 o
f the
mas
sif o
f Mon
ts
Rwen
zori
ndash th
e la
rges
t gla
cial
regi
on o
f Afri
ca a
nd
the
only
true
alpi
ne m
ount
ain
chai
n of
the
cont
inen
t It
bord
ers
the
Rwen
zori
Mou
ntai
ns N
atio
nal P
ark
of
Ugan
da i
nscr
ibed
as
Wor
ld H
erita
ge w
ith w
hich
it
shar
es th
e lsquoP
ic M
argu
erite
rsquo th
ird h
ighe
st s
umm
it of
Af
rica
(51
09 m
)
Them
e 4
The
Viru
nga
mas
sif
com
pris
es e
ight
vol
cano
es s
even
of
whi
ch a
re lo
cate
d to
tally
or
parti
ally
in th
e pa
rk A
mon
g th
em
are
the
two
mos
t act
ive v
olca
noes
of
Afri
ca ndash
Nya
mur
agira
and
nea
rby
Nyira
gong
o ndash
whi
ch b
etw
een
them
ar
e re
spon
sibl
e fo
r tw
o-fif
ths
of th
e hi
stor
ic v
olca
nic
erup
tions
on
the
Afric
an c
ontin
ent a
nd w
hich
are
ch
arac
teriz
ed b
y th
e ex
trem
e flu
idity
of
the
alka
line
lava
The
act
ivity
of
Nyira
gong
o is
of w
orld
impo
rtanc
e as
a w
itnes
s to
vol
cani
sm o
f a la
va
lake
the
bot
tom
of i
ts c
rate
r is
in fa
ct
fille
d by
a la
ke o
f qua
si p
erm
anen
t la
va th
at e
mpt
ies
perio
dica
lly w
ith
cata
stro
phic
con
sequ
ence
s fo
r the
lo
cal c
omm
uniti
es
1979
(vii)
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Dem
-oc
ratic
Re
publ
ic
of th
e Co
ngo
Afric
a
Volc
anoe
s of
Ka
mch
atka
4Th
e ad
ditio
n of
Klu
chev
skoy
Nat
ure
Park
as
the
sixt
h co
mpo
nent
of t
he p
rope
rty fu
rther
add
s to
the
over
all c
over
age
of th
e ra
nge
of K
amch
atka
rsquos n
atur
al
feat
ures
The
add
ition
to th
e si
te c
lear
ly m
eets
cr
iterio
n (v
iii) in
its
own
right
as
an o
utst
andi
ng
exam
ple
of g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es a
nd la
ndfo
rms
and
ther
efor
e co
ntrib
utes
in a
ver
y si
gnifi
cant
way
to th
e ex
pand
ed p
rope
rty a
s a
who
le m
eetin
g cr
iterio
n (v
iii)
Them
e 4
One
of t
he m
ost
outs
tand
ing
volc
anic
regi
ons
in th
e w
orld
with
a h
igh
dens
ity o
f act
ive
volc
anoe
s a
var
iety
of t
ypes
and
a
wid
e ra
nge
of re
late
d fe
atur
es T
he s
ix si
tes
incl
uded
in th
e se
rial p
rope
rty
grou
p to
geth
er th
e m
ajor
ity o
f vol
cani
c fe
atur
es o
f the
Kam
chat
ka p
enin
sula
Th
e in
terp
lay
of a
ctive
vol
cano
es a
nd
glac
iers
form
s a
dyna
mic
land
scap
e of
gr
eat b
eaut
y
1996
(200
1)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Russ
ian
Fede
ra-
tion
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
108 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 109
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Vred
efor
t Dom
e11
Vred
efor
t Dom
e is
the
olde
st l
arge
st a
nd m
ost
deep
ly er
oded
com
plex
met
eorit
e im
pact
stru
ctur
e in
th
e w
orld
It i
s th
e si
te o
f the
wor
ldrsquos
gre
ates
t sin
gle
kn
own
ener
gy re
leas
e ev
ent
It co
ntai
ns h
igh
qual
ity
and
acce
ssib
le g
eolo
gica
l (ou
tcro
p) s
ites
whi
ch
dem
onst
rate
a ra
nge
of g
eolo
gica
l evid
ence
s of
a
com
plex
met
eorit
e im
pact
stru
ctur
e T
he ru
ral a
nd
natu
ral l
ands
cape
s of
the
seria
l pro
perty
hel
p po
rtray
th
e m
agni
tude
of t
he ri
ng s
truct
ures
resu
lting
from
th
e im
pact
The
ser
ial p
rope
rty is
con
side
red
to b
e a
repr
esen
tativ
e sa
mpl
e of
a c
ompl
ex m
eteo
rite
impa
ct s
truct
ure
A c
ompr
ehen
sive
com
para
tive
anal
ysis
with
oth
er c
ompl
ex m
eteo
rite
impa
ct
stru
ctur
es d
emon
stra
ted
that
it is
the
only
exam
ple
on E
arth
pro
vidin
g a
full
geol
ogic
al p
rofil
e of
an
astro
blem
e be
low
the
crat
er fl
oor
ther
eby
enab
ling
rese
arch
into
the
gene
sis
and
deve
lopm
ent o
f an
astro
blem
e im
med
iate
ly po
st im
pact
Them
e 11
The
old
est
larg
est
and
mos
t dee
ply
erod
ed c
ompl
ex
met
eorit
e im
pact
stru
ctur
e in
the
wor
ld T
he s
ite o
f the
wor
ldrsquos
gre
ates
t si
ngle
kno
wn
ener
gy re
leas
e ev
ent
2005
(viii)
Natu
ral
Sout
h Af
rica
Afric
a
Wad
den
Sea
7Th
e W
adde
n Se
a is
a d
epos
ition
al c
oast
line
of
unpa
ralle
led
scal
e an
d di
vers
ity I
t is
dist
inct
ive in
be
ing
alm
ost e
ntire
ly a
tidal
flat
and
bar
rier s
yste
m
with
onl
y m
inor
rive
r infl
uenc
es a
nd a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
the
larg
e-sc
ale
deve
lopm
ent o
f an
intri
cate
and
com
plex
tem
pera
te-c
limat
e sa
ndy
barri
er c
oast
und
er c
ondi
tions
of r
isin
g se
a-le
vel
High
ly dy
nam
ic n
atur
al p
roce
sses
are
uni
nter
rupt
ed
acro
ss th
e va
st m
ajor
ity o
f the
pro
perty
cre
atin
g a
varie
ty o
f diff
eren
t bar
rier i
slan
ds c
hann
els
fla
ts g
ullie
s s
altm
arsh
es a
nd o
ther
coa
stal
and
se
dim
enta
ry fe
atur
es
Them
e 7
The
larg
est u
nbro
ken
syst
em o
f int
ertid
al s
and
and
mud
fla
ts in
the
wor
ld
2009
(201
4)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Denm
ark
Ge
rman
y Ne
ther
-la
nds
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Wad
i Al-H
itan
(Wha
le V
alle
y)1
Wad
i Al-H
itan
is th
e m
ost i
mpo
rtant
site
in th
e w
orld
to
dem
onst
rate
one
of t
he ic
onic
cha
nges
that
mak
e up
the
reco
rd o
f life
on
Earth
the
evo
lutio
n of
the
wha
les
It p
ortra
ys v
ividl
y th
eir f
orm
and
mod
e of
life
du
ring
thei
r tra
nsiti
on fr
om la
nd a
nim
als
to a
mar
ine
exis
tenc
e It
exc
eeds
the
valu
es o
f oth
er c
ompa
rabl
e si
tes
in te
rms
of th
e nu
mbe
r co
ncen
tratio
n an
d qu
ality
of i
ts fo
ssils
and
thei
r acc
essi
bilit
y an
d se
tting
in a
n at
tract
ive a
nd p
rote
cted
land
scap
e
Them
e 1
Wad
i Al-H
itan
is th
e m
ost i
mpo
rtant
site
in th
e w
orld
to
dem
onst
rate
one
of t
he ic
onic
ch
ange
s th
at m
ake
up th
e re
cord
of
life
on
Earth
the
evo
lutio
n of
the
wha
les
durin
g th
eir t
rans
ition
from
la
nd a
nim
als
to a
mar
ine
exis
tenc
e
2005
(viii)
Natu
ral
Egyp
tAr
ab
Stat
es
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
110 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 111
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Wes
t Nor
weg
ian
Fjor
ds ndash
Ge
irang
erfjo
rd
and
Naeligroslash
yfjo
rd
9Th
e W
est N
orw
egia
n Fj
ords
are
cla
ssic
sup
erbl
y de
velo
ped
fjord
s c
onsi
dere
d as
the
type
loca
lity
for
fjord
land
scap
es in
the
wor
ld T
hey
are
com
para
ble
in s
cale
and
qua
lity
to o
ther
exis
ting
fjord
s on
the
Wor
ld H
erita
ge L
ist a
nd a
re d
istin
guis
hed
by th
e cl
imat
e an
d ge
olog
ical
set
ting
The
pro
perty
dis
play
s a
full
rang
e of
the
inne
r seg
men
ts o
f tw
o of
the
wor
ldrsquos
long
est a
nd d
eepe
st fj
ords
and
pro
vides
w
ell-d
evel
oped
exa
mpl
es o
f you
ng a
ctive
gla
ciat
ion
durin
g th
e Pl
eist
ocen
e ic
e ag
e T
he ic
e- a
nd w
ave-
polis
hed
surfa
ces
of th
e st
eep
fjord
sid
es p
rovid
e su
perb
ly ex
pose
d an
d co
ntin
uous
thre
e-di
men
sion
al
sect
ions
thro
ugh
the
bedr
ock
The
reco
rd o
f the
po
stgl
acia
l iso
stat
ic re
boun
d of
the
crus
t and
its
geom
orph
ic e
xpre
ssio
n in
the
fjord
land
scap
e ar
e si
gnifi
cant
and
repr
esen
t key
are
as fo
r the
sc
ient
ific
stud
y of
slo
pe in
stab
ility
and
the
resu
lting
ge
ohaz
ards
Them
e 9
The
pro
perty
dis
play
s a
full
rang
e of
the
inne
r seg
men
ts o
f tw
o of
the
wor
ldrsquos
long
est a
nd d
eepe
st
fjord
s a
nd p
rovid
es w
ell-d
evel
oped
ex
ampl
es o
f you
ng a
ctive
gla
ciat
ion
durin
g th
e Pl
eist
ocen
e ic
e ag
e T
he
ice-
and
wav
e-po
lishe
d su
rface
s of
th
e st
eep
fjord
sid
es p
rovid
e su
perb
ly ex
pose
d an
d co
ntin
uous
thre
e-di
men
sion
al s
ectio
ns th
roug
h th
e be
droc
k T
he re
cord
of t
he p
ostg
laci
al
isos
tatic
rebo
und
of th
e cr
ust a
nd
its g
eom
orph
ic e
xpre
ssio
n in
the
fjord
land
scap
e ar
e si
gnifi
cant
and
re
pres
ent k
ey a
reas
for t
he s
cien
tific
stud
y of
slo
pe in
stab
ility
and
the
resu
lting
geo
haza
rds
2005
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Norw
ayEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Wet
Tro
pics
of
Quee
nsla
nd1
The
Wet
Tro
pics
con
tain
s on
e of
the
mos
t com
plet
e an
d di
vers
e liv
ing
reco
rds
of th
e m
ajor
sta
ges
in
the
evol
utio
n of
land
pla
nts
from
the
very
firs
t pt
erid
ophy
tes
mor
e th
an 2
00 m
illion
yea
rs a
go to
th
e ev
olut
ion
of s
eed-
prod
ucin
g pl
ants
incl
udin
g th
e co
ne-b
earin
g cy
cads
and
sou
ther
n co
nife
rs
(gym
nosp
erm
s) f
ollo
wed
by
the
flow
erin
g pl
ants
(a
ngio
sper
ms)
As
the
Wet
Tro
pics
is th
e la
rges
t par
t of
the
entir
e Au
stra
lasi
an re
gion
whe
re ra
info
rest
s ha
ve p
ersi
sted
con
tinuo
usly
sinc
e Go
ndw
anan
tim
es i
ts li
ving
flora
with
the
high
est c
once
ntra
tion
of p
rimiti
ve a
rcha
ic a
nd re
lict t
axa
know
n is
the
clos
est m
oder
n-da
y co
unte
rpar
t for
Gon
dwan
an
fore
sts
In a
dditi
on a
ll of
Aus
tralia
rsquos u
niqu
e m
arsu
pial
s an
d m
ost o
f its
oth
er a
nim
als
orig
inat
ed
in ra
info
rest
eco
syst
ems
and
the
Wet
Tro
pics
stil
l co
ntai
ns m
any
of th
eir c
lose
st s
urviv
ing
mem
bers
Th
is m
akes
it o
ne o
f the
mos
t im
porta
nt li
ving
reco
rds
of th
e hi
stor
y of
mar
supi
als
as
wel
l as
of
song
bird
s
Them
e 1
The
livin
g pl
ants
in th
is
prop
erty
are
sta
ted
to re
pres
ent
lsquomaj
or s
tage
s in
the
evol
utio
n of
land
pl
ants
fro
m th
e ve
ry fi
rst l
and
plan
ts
to h
ighe
r pla
nts
(Gym
nosp
erm
s an
d An
gios
perm
s)rsquo
1988
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
110 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 111
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Will
andr
a La
kes
Regi
on5
1Th
e Au
stra
lian
geol
ogica
l env
ironm
ent
with
its
low
to
pogr
aphi
c re
lief a
nd lo
w e
nerg
y sy
stem
s is
uniq
ue
in th
e lo
ngev
ity o
f the
land
scap
es it
pre
serv
es a
nd
the
Willa
ndra
Lak
es p
rovid
es a
n ex
cept
iona
l win
dow
in
to c
limat
ic an
d re
late
d en
viron
men
tal c
hang
es o
ver
the
last
100
000
yea
rs T
he W
illand
ra L
akes
lar
gely
unm
odifi
ed s
ince
they
drie
d ou
t som
e 18
500
yea
rs
BP p
rovid
e ex
celle
nt c
ondi
tions
for r
ecor
ding
the
even
ts o
f the
Ple
istoc
ene
Epoc
h a
nd d
emon
stra
te h
ow
non-
glac
iate
d zo
nes
resp
onde
d to
the
maj
or g
lacia
l-in
terg
lacia
l fluc
tuat
ions
Th
e de
mon
stra
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at th
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f the
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rcon
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betw
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land
form
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nesis
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xtin
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pres
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ndm
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arch
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stra
lasia
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illand
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Lake
s Re
gion
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porta
nce
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stig
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riod
whe
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man
s be
cam
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min
ant i
n Au
stra
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nd th
e la
rge
spec
ies
of w
ildlife
be
cam
e ex
tinct
and
rese
arch
con
tinue
s to
elu
cidat
e w
hat r
ole
hum
ans
play
ed in
thes
e ev
ents
Them
e 5
1 W
illand
ra L
akes
pro
vides
an
exc
eptio
nal w
indo
w in
to c
limat
ic
and
rela
ted
envir
onm
enta
l cha
nges
ov
er th
e la
st 1
000
00 y
ears
a p
erio
d of
maj
or c
limat
ic c
hang
es w
hen
hum
ans
beca
me
dom
inan
t in
Aust
ralia
an
d la
rge
spec
ies
of w
ildlif
e be
cam
e ex
tinct
1981
(iii)(
viii)
Mixe
dAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Yello
wst
one
Natio
nal P
ark
4Ye
llow
ston
e is
one
of t
he w
orld
rsquos fo
rem
ost s
ites
for t
he s
tudy
and
app
reci
atio
n of
the
evol
utio
nary
hi
stor
y of
the
Earth
The
par
k ha
s a
glob
ally
unpa
ralle
led
asse
mbl
age
of s
urfic
ial g
eoth
erm
al
activ
ity t
hous
ands
of h
ot s
prin
gs m
udpo
ts a
nd
fum
arol
es a
nd m
ore
than
hal
f of t
he w
orld
rsquos a
ctive
ge
yser
s N
early
150
spe
cies
of f
ossi
l pla
nts
rang
ing
from
sm
all f
erns
and
rush
es u
p to
larg
e Se
quoi
a an
d m
any
othe
r tre
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ecie
s h
ave
been
iden
tified
in th
e pa
rkrsquos
abu
ndan
t fos
sil d
epos
its T
he w
orld
rsquos la
rges
t re
cogn
ized
cald
era
(45
km b
y 75
km
ndash 2
7 m
iles
by
45 m
iles)
is c
onta
ined
with
in th
e pa
rk
Them
e 4
Yel
low
ston
e Na
tiona
l Pa
rk is
the
wor
ldrsquos
firs
t nat
iona
l pa
rk s
et a
side
to p
rese
rve
a w
ide
varie
ty o
f you
ng v
olca
nic
and
rela
ted
hydr
othe
rmal
feat
ures
Yel
low
ston
e co
ntai
ns h
alf o
f all
the
wor
ldrsquos
kno
wn
geot
herm
al fe
atur
es w
ith m
ore
than
10
000
exam
ples
It a
lso
has
the
wor
ldrsquos
larg
est c
once
ntra
tion
of
geys
ers
(mor
e th
an 3
00 g
eyse
rs o
r tw
o th
irds
of a
ll th
ose
on th
e pl
anet
)
1978
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Yose
mite
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk9
Glac
ial a
ctio
n co
mbi
ned
with
the
gran
itic
bedr
ock
has
prod
uced
uni
que
and
pron
ounc
ed la
ndfo
rm
feat
ures
incl
udin
g di
stin
ctive
pol
ishe
d do
me
stru
ctur
es a
s w
ell a
s ha
ngin
g va
lleys
tar
ns
mor
aine
s an
d U-
shap
ed v
alle
ys G
rani
tic la
ndfo
rms
such
as
Half
Dom
e an
d th
e ve
rtica
l wal
ls o
f El
Capi
tan
are
clas
sic
dist
inct
ive re
flect
ions
of g
eolo
gic
hist
ory
No o
ther
are
a po
rtray
s th
e ef
fect
s of
gl
acia
tion
on u
nder
lying
gra
nitic
dom
es a
s w
ell a
s Yo
sem
ite d
oes
Them
e 9
Gla
cial
act
ion
com
bine
d w
ith th
e gr
aniti
c be
droc
k ha
s pr
oduc
ed u
niqu
e an
d pr
onou
nced
la
ndfo
rm fe
atur
es in
clud
ing
dist
inct
ive
polis
hed
dom
e st
ruct
ures
as
wel
l as
hang
ing
valle
ys t
arns
mor
aine
s an
d U-
shap
ed v
alle
ys
1984
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
112 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
From Wells 1996 p 40-41
Annex 2 Contextual framework for World Heritage fossil propertiesContextual framework for World Heritage Fossil Sites 40
Summary Recommendations
RECOMMENDATION 1Choose sites that contain well-preserved fossil accumulations of high species diversity which in combination best document the story of community and environmental change through time
RECOMMENDATION 2The events to be represented in the history of life should where possible encompass the iconography of a tree of life not a ladder of progress
RECOMMENDATION 3Choose fossil Lagerstatten and make provision for expanding the List or substituting sitesfossils to better tell any chapter of the story
RECOMMENDATION 4Separate Precambrian history from Phanerozoic history (the roots from the upper branches of the evolutionary tree respectively) Present Precambrian history as major events such as the origin of life multicellularity etc andPresent Phanerozoic history in terms of communities andor stages in the evolution of major groups
Contextual framework for World Heritage Fossil Sites 41
RECOMMENDATION 5All published Precambrian fossil sites should be reviewed by anexpert panel to select those worthy of evaluation for Heritagelisting This may be best achieved through a panel drawn fromthe international palaeontological societies
RECOMMENDATION 6Phanerozoic sites should be chosen so as to be representative in timeand space of both community structure and selected phylogeneticlineages
RECOMMENDATION 7Any fossil Lagerstatten chosen from the Phanerozoic shouldwherever possible be of high diversity and include significantinvertebrate as well as vertebrate assemblages
RECOMMENDATION 8A condition for granting World Heritage status should makeprovision for curation study and display of any sitefossils
RECOMMENDATION 9Specialists in the major Phanerozoic groups and time periodsshould be consulted to refine and update the indicative list Thismay be best achieved through a panel drawn from theinternational palaeontological societies
Footnote Fossil Lagerstatten A term used by the German palaeontologistAdolf Seilacher to describe exceptionally rich fossil deposits He dividedsuch deposits into two categories (i) Conservation Lagerstatten which aredeposits yielding fossils of exceptional preservation which are notnecessarily abundant (ii) Concentration Lagerstatten yielding highnumbers of fossils The two categories are not necessarily mutuallyexclusive and some sites contain both high numbers and high quality offossils
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 113
From Preparing World Heritage Nominations UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2011 p 42)
Annex 3 IUCN fossil site evaluation checklist
IUCN has undertaken a global thematic study on geological World Heritage (Dingwall et al2005) The study provides further guidance on this criterion and enables further considera-tion of the scope of the World Heritage List in relation to thirteen different thematic groupsof geological properties
EXAMPLE
Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) (Egypt)
Wadi Al-Hitan Whale Valley in the Western Desert ofEgypt contains invaluable fossil remains of the earliestand now extinct suborder of whales ArchaeocetiThese fossils represent one of the major stories of evo-lution the emergence of the whale as an ocean-goingmammal from a previous life as a land-based animalThis is the most important site in the world for thedemonstration of this stage of evolution It portrays
Co
nt
en
ts
Prep
arin
g W
orld
Her
itag
e N
omin
atio
ns bull
Sec
ond
edit
ion
201
1
42
World Heritage background1
copy U
NES
CO
V
eacuteron
ique
Dau
ge
IUCN fossil site evaluation checklist
1 Does the site provide fossils which cover an extended period of geological time ie how wide is the geological window
2 Does the site provide specimens of a limited number of species or whole biotic assemblages ie how rich is the species diversity
3 How unique is the site in yielding fossil specimens for that particular period of geologicaltime ie would this be the rsquotype localityrsquo for study or are there similar areas that are alternatives
4 Are there comparable sites elsewhere that contribute to the understanding of the totalrsquostoryrsquo of that point in timespace ie is a single site nomination sufficient or should a serial nomination be considered
5 Is the site the only main location where major scientific advances were (or are) beingmade that have made a substantial contribution to the understanding of life on Earth
6 What are the prospects for ongoing discoveries at the site
7 How international is the level of interest in the site
8 Are there other features of natural value (eg scenery landform vegetation) associatedwith the site ie does there exist within the adjacent area modern geological or biological processes that relate to the fossil resource
9 What is the state of preservation of specimens yielded from the site
10 Do the fossils yielded provide an understanding of the conservation status of contemporary taxa andor communities ie how relevant is the site in documenting the consequences to modern biota of gradual change through time
Source Wells (1996)
114 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
With permission from Goldscheider et al (2020) red triangles on Figure 18 depicting the locations of World Heritage Properties with karst OUV their numbers referring to the list of World Heritage karst sites
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
5 Australia Purnululu 2003 viiviii Outstanding example of quartz sand-stone fluviokarst with beehive-shaped hills separated by narrow sinuous gorg-es Developed on rocks of Devonian age
Tropical savannah re-gime
9 Canada Nahanni Nation-al Park
1978 viiviii Worldrsquos foremost example of karst development in cold climate condi-tions Contains a spectacular karst landscape including poljes caves and gorges and hot spring with large tufa mound Landscape is subject to active frost processes
Cold continental climate with wide monthly vari-ations in temperature and precipitation Alpine tundra and mountainous taiga environments with discontinuous perma-frost Rich diversity of vegetation and wildlife
10 Canada Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
1984 (1990)
viiviii Includes large areas of limestones and dolomites Outstanding example of glaciokarst terrain Many karren sub-terranean streams springs and caves Columbia Icefield partly overlies and intrudes Castleguard Cave
Located across conti-nental divide between 1036 m to 3954 m Continental cool temper-ate alpine climate with mountain permafrost Rich diversity of vegeta-tion and wildlife
11 China Huanglong 1992 vii Hot springs emerging from carbon-ate rocks have precipitated extensive calcareous travertine deposits along valley floor with numerous rimstone pools Represents depositional output landforms of deeply circulating karst groundwater system
Warm temperate con-tinental alpine environ-ment Forested valleys surrounded by moun-tains to 5000 m
12 China Jiuzhaigou Valley
1992 vii Extensive areas of limestone and do-lomite Carbonate tufa deposits from cold springs have formed a series of tufa-dammed lakes and tufa-coated cascades along valley floor Represents depositional output landforms of shal-low karst groundwater system with significant epikarst water contribution
Warm temperate con-tinental alpine environ-ment Forested valleys surrounded by moun-tains to 4800 m
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 115
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
13 China Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area
1992 vii A mixed quartz sandstone (66) and limestone (33) area most notable for 3100 sandstone pillars and peaks to 200 m high separated by ravines and gorges Limestone part contains about 40 known caves with rich decoration and two natural bridges one of which is 357m high Includes entire Suoxi karst catchment Particularly outstand-ing for its spectacular sandstone fluvio-karst relief
Humid warm temperate climate with deciduous forest Altitude range 450 m to 1264 m
15 China South China Karst
2007 (2014)
vii viii Seven sites of a serial nomination that represent karst evolution in southern China Shilin comprises stone forests on a rolling plateau in Yunnan Jinfos-han is an isolated high plateau with huge horizontal caves suspended above deep surrounding valleys Wu-long is plateau karst with spectacular tiankeng natural bridges deep caves and gorges Shibing illustrates unusual cone karst development in dolomite bedrock Libo has extensive forested cone karst (fengcong and fenglin) poljes gorges and caves with Huanji-ang being an extension of the protect-ed area Guilin shows the culmination of subtropical karst development with spectacular cones and towers beside the River Li These areas provide type-sites for their principal karst features
Continental humid sub-tropical plateau (Shilin Jinfoshan Wulong) to subtropical monsoonal (Shibing Libo Huanji-ang Guilin) Extensive natural forest cover at Libo-Huanjiang
16 Croatia Plitvice Lakes National Park
1979 (2000)
viiviii ix International type-site for tufa-dammed lakes Carbonate biolith barriers confine 16 lakes up to 08 km2 in area and up to 46 m deep Mixed limestone and dolomitic limestone catchment area
Continental humid warm temperate Mixed co-niferous and deciduous forested catchment
22 France Spain
Pyreacuteneacutees - Mont Perdu
1997 (1999)
iii iv v vii viii
Outstanding example of alpine glaci-ated karst to 3352 m with extensive karrenfeld deep canyons deep caves and subterranean river systems Incor-porates complete karst systems
Humid maritime alpine climate to north and drier Mediterranean climate to south with associated complex vegetation zo-nation
23 Greece Meteora 1988 iiiivvvii Sheer towers and pillars 10 to gt100 m high developed in early Tertiary deltaic quartz conglomerate often fluted with closely spaced vertical karren (the tow-ers support almost inaccessible mon-astery buildings) Fluviokarst
Mean altitude 300 m rising to 1000 m Medi-terranean climate
24 Hungary Slovakia
Caves of Ag-gtelek Karst and Slovak Karst
1995 (2000)
viii Area contains 712 caves Variety of cave types including Dobšinskaacute Ice Cave and speleothem forms with stalagmites to 327 m high Surface landscape is a temperate doline karst with some evidence of a prior humid tropical or subtropical influence which has evolved intermittently since the Cretaceous
Continental humid tem-perate
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
116 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
25 Indonesia Lorentz National Park
1999 viii ix x Largest protected area in SE Asia (235M ha) Continuous transect from snow caps (5030 m) to tropical coast Worldrsquos best example of tropical alpine glaciated karst Extensive humid trop-ical karst occurs at lower elevations Huge sinking rivers and springs
From the mountains to the sea Tropical glaci-ated alpine to lowland tropical rainforest
29 Korea Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes
2007 vii viii Oustanding example of vulcanokarst a special style of pseudokarst This in-cludes Geomunoreum lava tubes which are notable for spectacular decoration with carbonate speleothems the car-bonate being derived from overlying calcareous dune sands blown in from the coast
Warm temperate mon-soonal
30 Mada-gascar
Tsingy de Be-maraha Strict Nature Reserve
1990 vii x Extensive areas of very sharp limestone pinnacle karst known locally as lsquotsingyrsquo with joint corridors up to 80 m deep occupied by forest Traversed by river gorges May be the worldrsquos most spec-tacular pinnacled terrain
Tropical seasonally arid
31 Malaysia Gunung Mulu 2000 vii viii ix x
The park has a significant area of karst in Miocene limestone that contains large underground rivers and gt290 km of explored caves including Sarawak Chamber (700 m long 300-400 m wide and up to 100m high) ndash the worldrsquos largest underground room Caves con-tain major speleothem deposits and 15 million year sediment sequences Rich cave biota especially notable for bats and swiftlets Surface features include giant collapse dolines and spectacular razor-sharp pinnacle karst (ca 50 m high)
Humid tropical rainforest with 17 vegetation zones covering altitude range to 2377 m
34 Palau Rock Islands Southern La-goon
2012 iii v vii ix x
A superb example of 445 partly drowned well-karstified coral islands with flooded closed depressions as marine lakes
Western Pacific oceanic tropical humid
35 Philip-pines
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park
1999 vii x Spectacular tropical karst landscape in middle Miocene limestone on Pala-wan Island extending from mountains to the sea Contains polygonal karst towers and polje Major underground river drains directly to the sea lower portions of cave are tidal and navigable for 6 km
Humid tropical rainforest environment Most sig-nificant forest in Palawan Biogeographical Prov-ince
37 Russian Federa-tion
Lena Pillars Nature Park
2012 viii Dolomitic limestone pillars along edges of Lena River and tributaries Pillars were isolated by paleo-dissolution along joints beneath thick gravel cover and are revealed along valley sides by frost processes and fluvial undercutting Karst features include groundwater circulation and small flutes
Worldrsquos most extreme continental climate with permafrost at base of soil extending to depth of several hundred me-tres
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 117
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
38 Russian Federa-tion
Western Cau-casus
1999 vii x A geologically complex region rising to over 3000 m The northern section consists of alpine karst in Triassic lime-stones much of it glaciated Includes glaciokarst features many deep gorges and deep caves Incorporates com-plete karst systems
Temperate to alpine con-tinental climate Largely undisturbed deciduous and coniferous forest and alpine meadows
40 Slovenia Škocjan Caves 1986 vii viii Located in the lsquoclassicalrsquo karst of Eu-rope The property comprises a sink-ing river at the end of blind valley the exposed course of the underground river flowing across the base of deep collapse depressions and a large river cave with a high canyon passage It is representative of the input of an allo-genic river into a karst system
Continental Mediterra-nean climate
42 South Africa
Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa
1999 (2005)
iii vi A cluster of karst sites in Proterozoic dolomite bedrock that contain remains of some of the earliest hominids as well as many other species The caves contain internationally outstanding ex-amples of cave sediments with fossils that were deposited over an interval of several million years into very ancient karst systems
Subtropical High Veldt savannah environment
45 Turkey Hierapo-lis-Pamukkale
1988 iii iv vii Extensive and 200 m high valleyside travertine terrace with rimstone pools formed by carbonate deposition from geothermal water emerging at 59oC Used as a spa since 2nd century BC Possibly the worldrsquos earliest karst tour-ist site still in use Significant human impact
Warm temperate Medi-terranean environment
46 UK Pitcairn Islands
Henderson Island
1988 vii x Raised coral atoll 30 km2 in area with rough karstified lsquomakatearsquo plateau sur-face at about 30 m above sea level with central depression that may have been former lagoon Island is bounded by 15 m high cliffs and fringing reef to 200 m wide Limestone considered late Ter-tiary in age An outstanding example of early phase of karstification with intact natural processes but scientifically unevaluated Some caves
Tropical humid maritime climate supporting thick cover of trees and dense undergrowth The only raised and forested atoll with its ecology intact
48 USA Mammoth Cave National Park
1981 vii viii x The longest cave in the world with 590 km of surveyed river passages often large in dimension and gently sloping The karst is developed in Lower Car-boniferous (Mississippian) limestone and cave evolution commenced fol-lowing uplift and exposure three to four million years ago Extensive sinkhole plain at the surface Large springs Rich troglobitic fauna The inflow margin of the karst is located beyond the Park boundary
Humid warm temperate continental climate De-ciduous forest cover
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
118 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
49 USA Carlsbad Cav-erns National Park
1995 vii viii Huge caverns extensively decorated with speleothems are a major feature of the park The 81 known caves mainly occur in uplifted Permian reef lime-stones Outstanding karst extends into neighbouring Guadalupe National Park The regionrsquos caves provide the worldrsquos foremost example of evolution by sul-phuric acid dissolution which occurred progressively between 12 and four million years ago Surface topography on back-reef dolomites and limestones is dominated by dry valleys High bio-diversity including about 1 million bat population
Subtropical semi-arid continental climate
50 Venezu-ela
Canaima Na-tional Park
1994 vii viii ix x
The most outstanding example in the world of cave development in quartzite (Precambrian age) Caves occur to 108 km long and 383 m deep En-closed depressions and stream-sinks on plateau (tepuy) surface around 2650 m Springs emerge in tepuy walls A fluviokarst landscape
Humid tropical upland rainforest environment
51 Viet Nam Ha Long Bay 1994 (2000)
vii viii The worldrsquos most extensive and best- known example of tropical tower karst invaded by the sea The Park area includes about 775 islands some with caves Incorporates areas of fengcong and fenglin karst Significant human impact from surrounding development
Humid tropical mon-soonal environment
52 Viet Nam Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
2003 (2015)
viii Extensive and complex karst develop-ment in dissected plateau environment to 1290 m above sea level that con-tinues across border into Laos Long history of karst landscape evolution possibly since early Mesozoic Major caves and underground rivers and ex-tensive enclosed depressions (polje)
Humid tropical mon-soonal environment with largely undisturbed ev-ergreen primary forest Rich biodiversity
53 Viet Nam Trang An Land-scape Complex
2014 v vii viii Tower karst in its end stages near sea level Numerous navigable foot-caves and extensive swamp notch and ma-rine notch development reflecting sea level changes
Humid tropical mon-soonal environment in coastal context
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
Geological W
orld Heritage A revised global framew
ork for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
IUCN
INTERNATIONAL UNIONFOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE
WORLD HEADQUARTERSRue Mauverney 281196 Gland SwitzerlandTel +41 22 999 0000Fax +41 22 999 0002wwwiucnorg
Geological World Heritage A revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage ConventionPatrick J Mc Keever and Guy M NarbonneWith contributions by Ulrika Aringberg Loviacutesa Aacutesbjoumlrnsdoacutettir Joseacute Brilha Tom Casadevall Tove Damholt Piotr Migoń S Felix Toteu Paul Williams and Kyung Sik Woo
Geological World Heritage A revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage ConventionPatrick J Mc Keever and Guy M Narbonne
With contributions by Ulrika Aringberg Loviacutesa Aacutesbjoumlrnsdoacutettir Joseacute Brilha Tom Casadevall Tove Damholt Piotr Migoń S Felix Toteu Paul Williams and Kyung Sik Woo
The designation of geographical entities in this book and the presentation of the material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN or other participating organisations concerning the legal status of any country territory or area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries
The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN or other participating organisations
IUCN is pleased to acknowledge the support of its Framework Partners who provide core funding Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland Government of France and the French Development Agency (AFD) the Ministry of Environment Republic of Korea the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the United States Department of State
This publication has been made possible in part by funding from the Cultural Heritage Administration Republic of Korea
Published by IUCN Gland Switzerland
Produced by IUCN World Heritage Programme
Copyright copy 2021 IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorised without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged
Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder
Recommended citation Mc Keever PJ and Narbonne GM (2021) Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Gland Switzerland IUCN
ISBN 978-2-8317-2141-5 (PDF)
DOI httpsdoiorg102305IUCNCH202112en
Cover photo Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina) copy Philipp Schinz
Layout by Guilder Design Dublin Ireland (wwwguilderdesigncom)
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | iii
Contents
Executive summary iv
List of acronyms v
Acknowledgements vi
Introduction 1
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life 6
Theme 2 Tectonic systems 11
Theme 3 Erosional systems 16
Theme 4 Volcanic systems 20
Theme 5 River lake and delta systems 24
Theme 6 Cave and karst systems 28
Theme 7 Coastal systems 32
Theme 8 Marine systems 36
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems 38
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systems 42
Theme 11 Meteorite impacts 45
Comparative analysis 49
Integrity 50
Protection and management 50
Boundaries 50
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks51
Conclusions 58
References 60
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties 62
Annex 2 Contextual framework for World Heritage fossil properties 112
Annex 3 IUCN fossil site evaluation checklist 113
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world 114
iv | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Executive summary
In 2005 IUCN published a report entitled Geological World Heritage A Global Framework (Dingwall et al 2005) httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode12797 The aim of that report was to discuss and advise on the role of the World Heritage Convention in recognising and protecting geological and geomorphological heritage By using a thematic approach the 2005 report aimed to assist States Parties in undertaking global comparative analyses of properties prior to and as part of new nominations under
criterion (viii) assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors to identify possible gaps in coverage of the World Heritage List assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors in their evaluation of new nominations of properties under criterion (viii)
(to be outstanding examples representing major stages of Earthrsquos history including the record of life significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphic or physiographic feature)
The report identified 13 themes and since its publication an additional 22 geological and geomorphological properties have been inscribed on the World Heritage List under criterion (viii)
Furthermore in 2015 UNESCO adopted the new International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) which recognises a new site-level designation the UNESCO Global Geopark which are territories of internationally significant geological heritage As of June 2021 there are 169 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 44 countries
Since 2005 several of the themes identified in Geological World Heritage A Global Framework have been subject to substantial individual studies The UNESCO World Heritage Committee in both 2013 and 2014 requested IUCN to revise its thematic study on geological sites to refine the proposed 13 themes articulate the threshold of Outstanding Universal Value and clarify the difference between the criterion (viii) of the World Heritage selection criteria and Geoparks status (noting that at that time Geoparks were not a UNESCO designation)
Accordingly the aim of the present study is to fully revise and update the 2005 report and to look at the potential impact of the new UNESCO Global Geopark designation on future inscriptions to the World Heritage List under criterion (viii) Central to this task is a discussion on the concept of Outstanding Universal Value and reiteration that not all sites of significance can be included on the World Heritage List This aim of the report has been achieved through a thorough review of the 2005 report and in particular the thematic approach to geology that the report used This review has led to the proposal of a rationalised set of 11 themes to guide the application of criterion (viii) For each of the 11 themes this report analyses what each theme covers what was listed as World Heritage by 2005 and since 2005 whether the advice available at the present is sufficient for each theme how well each theme is now represented on the World Heritage list including geographical representation and finally tries to identify if there are any key issues that this study has uncovered This report also examines the processes of comparative analysis and questions of site integrity in relation to properties listed for geological and geomorphological values
Finally this report looks in detail at the differences and similarities between geological World Heritage Properties recognised under criterion (viii) and UNESCO Global Geoparks It examines each designation and presents a pathway to help States Parties Member States to determine whether one of these two UNESCO designations might be appropriate for any possible new territories and in particular to distinguish sites with the potential for inscription on the World Heritage List
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | v
List of acronyms
GGN Global Geoparks Network
IGCP International Geoscience Programme
IGGP International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
OUV Outstanding Universal Value
UGGp UNESCO Global Geopark
UNESCO United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization
vi | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Tim Badman Peter Shadie Kristof Vandenberghe Guy Martini and Marie-Luise Frey for their valuable comments and advice The inputs from the independent peer reviewers of the whole text Jonathan Larwood and Gabi Schneider are much appreciated Thanks are also due to Niall OrsquoLaoghaire of Guilder Design for design and layout and to Ulrika Aringberg Sarina van der Ploeg Ceacutelia Zwahlen and staff of the IUCN World Heritage Programme for their support in the production process This publication could not have been possible without the generous financial support of the Cultural Heritage Administration of the Republic of Korea Guy Narbonne is grateful for support through a Queenrsquos University Research Chair IUCN thanks the study authors as well as all the chapter authors and reviewers named above for their extensive work to contribute to producing this study The contributions of the photographers and illustrators is also acknowledged with thanks
KeywordsWorld Heritage UNESCO Global Geoparks Criterion (viii) Outstanding Universal Value Global comparative analysis History of planet Earth and the evolution of life Tectonic systems Erosional systems Volcanic systems River lake and delta systems Cave and karst systems Coastal systems Marine systems Glacial and periglacial systems Desert and semi-desert systems Meteorite impacts
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 1
In 2005 IUCN published a report entitled Geological World Heritage A Global Framework (Dingwall et al 2005) and hereinafter referred to as lsquothe 2005 reportrsquo The aim of that report was to discuss and advise on the role of the World Heritage Convention (hereinafter referred to as lsquothe Conventionrsquo) in recognising and protecting geological and geomorphological heritage By using a thematic approach the 2005 report aimed to assist States Parties in undertaking global comparative
analyses of properties prior to and as part of new nominations under criterion (viii)
assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors to identify possible gaps in coverage of the World Heritage List
assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors in their evaluation of new nominations of properties under criterion (viii) (to be outstanding examples representing major stages of Earthrsquos history including the record of life significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphic or physiographic feature)
Since the publication of the 2005 report an additional 22 properties have been inscribed on the World Heritage List using criterion (viii) which is used to recognise geological and geomorphological properties under the Convention This brings the total number of geological World Heritage Properties (December 2020) to 93 Furthermore in 2015 UNESCO adopted the new International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) which recognises a new site-level designation the UNESCO Global Geopark which are territories of internationally significant geological heritage As of June 2021 there are 169 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 44 countries Additionally since 2005 several of the themes identified in the 2005 report have been subject to substantial individual studies
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee in both 2013 and 2014 requested IUCN to revise its 2005 thematic study on geological sites the Geological World Heritage A Global Framework to refine the proposed 13 themes articulate the threshold of Outstanding Universal Value and clarify the
Introduction
Figure 1 The Giantrsquos Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Property (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) The Giantrsquos Causeway lies at the foot of basalt cliffs along the sea coast on the edge of the Antrim plateau in Northern Ireland It is made up of some 40000 massive black basalt columns sticking out of the sea The dramatic sight has inspired legends of giants striding over the sea to Scotland Geological studies of these formations over the last 300 years have greatly contributed to the development of the Earth sciences and show that this striking landscape was caused by volcanic activity during the Palaeogene some 50ndash60 million years ago copy Tourism Northern Ireland
2 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
difference between the criterion (viii) of the World Heritage and Geoparks However at that time Geoparks were not designated by UNESCO That changed in 2015 when UNESCO adopted the new designation of UNESCO Global Geopark and all pre-existing Global Geoparks became UNESCO Global Geoparks
Accordingly the aim of the present study is to fully revise and update the 2005 report and to look at the potential impact of the new UNESCO Global Geopark designation on future inscriptions to the World Heritage List under criterion (viii) Central to this is a discussion on the concept of Outstanding Universal Value and a reiteration that not all sites of significance can make it onto the World Heritage List This has been followed by a thorough review of the 2005 report in particular the thematic approach to geology that the report used The report identified 13 themes The review has reduced this number to 11 themes some of them are the same as in the 2005 reports there is one new theme and some of the 2005 themes have been re-named andor combined
Finally with the approval of the UNESCO Global Geopark designation this study provides a framework for assessing which designation World Heritage or UNESCO Global Geopark might be appropriate when considering geological and geomorphological sites for international recognition
However as stated before outlining the revised thematic study it is essential to examine closely the idea of Outstanding Universal Value which is the core concept behind any inscription to the World Heritage List
Outstanding Universal ValueAccording to the latest version of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention published by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in 2019
ldquoThe cultural and natural heritage is among the priceless and irreplaceable assets not only of each nation but of humanity as a whole The loss through deterioration or disappearance of any of these most prized assets constitutes an impoverishment of the heritage of all the peoples of the world Parts of this heritage because of their exceptional qualities can be considered to be of lsquoOutstanding Universal Valuersquo and as such worthy of special protection against the dangers which increasingly threaten themrdquo
But what exactly is lsquoOutstanding Universal Valuersquo or OUV and how can it be defined in the context of geological heritage A series of criteria and conditions have been developed to evaluate OUV Six criteria (i ndash vi) cover cultural properties while criteria (vii) ndash (x) cover natural properties (see below) Of course a nomination can include both cultural and natural criteria The guidelines also state that for a property to be deemed of OUV it must also meet the conditions of integrity andor authenticity and must have an adequate protection and management
system to ensure its safeguarding It is therefore clear from the Operational Guidelines (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019) that OUV is a three-pronged statement where a World Heritage Property must fulfil one or more criteria (criterion (viii) for geological properties) it must fulfil the conditions of integrity and it must be adequately protected and managed The full ten criteria areCriterion (i) - to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius
Criterion (ii) - to exhibit an important interchange of human values over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world on developments in architecture or technology monumental arts town-planning or landscape design
Criterion (iii) - to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared
Criterion (iv) - to be an outstanding example of a type of building architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history
Criterion (v) - to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement land-use or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures) or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change
Criterion (vi) - to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions with ideas or with beliefs with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance (The World Heritage Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria)
Criterion (vii) - to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance
Criterion (viii) - to be outstanding examples representing major stages of Earthrsquos history including the record of life significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphic or physiographic features
Criterion (ix) - to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial fresh water coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals
Criterion (x) - to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation
Fulfilling Criterion (viii) a revised thematic approachA key phrase from the Operational Guidelines (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019) states that ldquo[t]he Convention is not intended to ensure the protection of all properties of great interest importance or value but only for a select list of the most outstanding of these from an international viewpointrdquo Furthermore ldquo[i]t is not to be assumed that a property of national andor regional importance will automatically be
Introduction
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 3
inscribed on the World Heritage Listrdquo This is the first key point to bear in mind Just because a site may be of regional or national significance it does not mean that it is of OUV The site must be absolutely exceptional at the global level in what it contains or displays and among the priceless and irreplaceable assets of humanity as a whole
The most fundamental part of the nomination process is clarifying if a property could be considered to have OUV Until potential OUV and the attributes conveying this value has been defined it is not possible to develop other essential aspects of the nomination including the comparative analysis the definition of boundaries and the protection and management which should reflect the extent and character of the attributes that convey the value
The 2005 report identified 13 themes to assist in determining whether a World Heritage Property fulfils the terms of criterion (viii) Based on consideration of the effectiveness of the implementation of these themes and based on review by the study and chapter authors this report has reorganised the approach to geological World Heritage in relation to a reorganised list of 11 themes The study has also reviewed and classified all existing geological World Heritage Properties considering their OUV in relation to these 11 themes (Annex 1) Many properties contain features relevant to more than one theme but for brevity the list of lsquoancillary themesrsquo in Annex 1 only includes significant contributions that warranted mention in the Statement of OUV published on the World Heritage website Furthermore it was apparent that the OUV of five properties cover two primary themes Therefore the 93 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) are listed 98 times under the 11 primary themes In all of these themes States Parties must ask themselves if their proposed site really does display or contain something so internationally exceptional that is of true global significance
The 11 themes identified in this report are
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of lifeTheme 1 documents major events in Earth history and the fossil record of life It combines two related themes from the 2005 report Theme 4 lsquoStratigraphic Properties ‒ Rock sequences that provide a record of key Earth history eventsrsquo and Theme 5 lsquoFossil Properties ‒ The record of life on Earth represented in the fossil recordrsquo
Theme 2 Tectonic systemsThe Tectonic systems theme includes the lsquoTectonic and structural featuresrsquo and the lsquoMountain systemsrsquo themes as defined in the 2005 report This merger was justified by the fact that tectonics is the process that governs the movement of Earthrsquos tectonic plates at their boundaries as well as heat energy and material transfer from the Earthrsquos interior towards the surface and vice-versa seafloor spreading coupled with subduction rifting mountain building volcanoes faults earthquakes erosion etc are direct or indirect expressions of tectonic processes However with a view of providing a meaningful representation to the general public we have restricted the scope of the lsquoTectonic systemsrsquo theme to mountain ranges convergent plate boundaries (subduction
zones) divergent plate boundaries (ocean ridges) sliding plate boundaries (transform zones) continental rifting valleys and cratonic shields while keeping lsquoVolcanic systemsrsquo and lsquoErosional systemsrsquo as separate themes
Theme 3 Erosional systemsThe theme lsquoErosional systemsrsquo was not explicitly present in the 2005 report One might argue that it is the equivalent of the lsquoMountain systemsrsquo with partial overlap with the lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo but there were already a number of World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) which were neither mountains nor located in drylands but were erosional in nature Additionally a significant number of properties were inscribed in recognition of their scenic beauty (criterion (vii)) although their justifications clearly highlighted geomorphological features and processes more in line with criterion (viii) The relevance of lsquoErosional systemsrsquo for criterion (viii) is twofold First erosional systems show ldquosignificant on-going geological [in fact geomorphological] processes in the development of landformsrdquo and secondly these processes may produce ldquosignificant geomorphological or physiographical featuresrdquo
Theme 4 Volcanic systemsVolcanoes are true wonders of the planet they are central to the formation evolution and sustenance of biological systems they form some of our deepest and most significant cultural attachments to the land and they attract large numbers of visitors for their aesthetic appeal The theme Volcanic systems was originally included in the 2005 report as Theme 2 Furthermore volcanic systems were the subject of the 2009 volcano thematic study by Wood (2009) In 2019 IUCN published an updated report on World Heritage Volcanoes (Casadevall et al 2019) which we draw on here for this discussion
Theme 5 River lake and delta systemsThe theme covers fluvial lacustrine and deltaic landscapes and their associated features These are systems resulting from large-scale fluvial processes which have formed and influenced the development of valleys flood plains river corridors wetlands lakes and deltas along with instream features and morphology (Ferrier amp Jenkins 2010) Spectacular features such as waterfalls are also included under this theme The theme includes foremost alluvial landscapes and depositional features while erosional features such as river canyons are covered primarily by Theme 3 In terms of deltas this theme only covers the special cases of inland and inverted deltas while coastal deltas are covered within Theme 7 There is also some overlap with Theme 9 as many important fluvial lacustrine and deltaic processes and landforms occur in glacial landscapes The River lake and delta systems theme is equivalent to the lsquoFluvial lacustrine and deltaic systemsrsquo theme from the 2005 report The main driving process for the formation of all inland waters is the hydrological cycle Water evaporates from the oceans and precipitates over the continents where it flows back to the sea along rivers and streams reworking large amounts of sediments and forming some of our most familiar fluvial landforms Some of the water resides in wetlands or lakes for many years or in ice caps for
Introduction
4 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
thousands or millions of years (Moss 2010)
Theme 6 Cave and karst systemsThe theme covers systems developed predominantly by the process of dissolution of soluble rocks This mainly involves carbonate rocks (limestone dolomite marble) and evaporite rocks (gypsum salt) In these terrains drainage disappears in enclosed depressions rivers sink underground and caves are signature landforms Some sandstone landscapes are also included because these rocks can become relatively soluble under subtropical and tropical conditions Natural processes involved in the development of Caves and karst systems are explained by Ford amp Williams (2007 2011) and Palmer (2007)
Theme 7 Coastal systemsCoastal systems refer to physical processes and physiographical features present in the coastal zone The coastal zone is the boundary between land and sea a highly dynamic interface between geological and oceanographical features and including atmospheric (weather and climate) processes and how these are affected by land and sea (Abdulla et al 2013) But the interface - the shoreline - is mobile because land can be uplifted or subside and sea level can rise or fall Hence coastal landscapes landforms and sediments develop along a moving interface between land and sea as well as over long periods of time The zone over which this interaction plays out can be kilometres wide and so landforms produced by coastal processes can be found well inland well above sea level kilometres offshore and well below present sea level In many places coastal landforms are also influenced by ancient antecedent topography
Theme 8 Marine systemsMarine systems includes seafloor and submarine features coral islands reefs and oceanic islands The theme encompasses ldquosignificant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphological featuresrdquo found in the shallow and deep marine areas This theme comprises the former Theme 9 of the 2005 report lsquoReefs atolls and oceanic islandsrsquo but additionally includes the wide range of ongoing processes and geological features of marine areas including physical chemical and biological processes tectonic settings and sedimentary environments including continental shelf and slope basin floors abyssal plains oceanic trenches submarine ridges
Marine areas cover 70 of the Earth surface most of which is in deep marine areas In recent years there have been a number of advances in the study of the submarine environment including extensive mapping of the seafloor which has
produced a plethora of new information on the marine systems in the deep marine areas
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems This theme includes geological processes landscape and geomorphological features developed by past or present glacial and periglacial systems Theme 9 is equivalent to the former two themes 10 lsquoGlaciers and ice capsrsquo and 11 lsquoIce Agesrsquo described in the 2005 report The new theme Theme 9 includes 17 of the World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) for their OUV (primary elements)
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systemsThe theme lsquoDesert and semi-desert systemsrsquo present in the 2005 report as lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo emphasises specific environments rather than a particular surface process or group of processes However in order to minimise overlaps within the present framework and to make it as clear as possible this category is understood as primarily designed to cover aeolian processes and landforms as well as features produced by intermittent runoff and evaporation Thus it includes landscape features such as dunes and dune fields of various types and sizes yardangs deflation hollows wadis and playas
Theme 11 Meteorite impactsThe theme of Meteorite impacts includes features produced by the impacts of meteors comets asteroids and other extra-terrestrial objects with the Earth including both physical structures formed by extra-terrestrial impacts such as impact craters as well as major effects caused by them such as mass extinction Impacts by and accretion of extra-terrestrial bodies was the fundamental process by which the Earth grew to its current size It was also a dominant geological process throughout the early history of the Solar System and a variety of possible effects have been ascribed to impacts on Earth including the origin of the Earthrsquos moon the contribution to the Earthrsquos quantity of volatile gases and effects on the evolution of early life In more recent geological time at least one mass extinction event is linked to global effects caused by a major impact event (eg Osinski amp Pierazzo 2012)
Identifying potential Outstanding Universal ValueConsidering that uniqueness does not automatically equate with OUV the essential first step is thus to identify any value(s) of a site fulfilling criterion (viii) and thus with the potential to justify OUV of the proposed property For this process it is important to set out all geological values of the site
Map out all geological values of the proposed propery
Organise values according to the 11 themes of criterion viii
Identify overlap between values of the proposed property and gaps of the WHL
Write a brief synthesis defining value(s) and attributes filling gaps of the WHL
Perform comparative analysis based on value attributes and integrity
Figure 2 Flow chart summarising the process that should be undertaken when assessing if a site or place demonstrates OUV
Introduction
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 5
and evaluate these based on the 11 themes presented in this report in order to clarify if and how these values could potentially address one or more gaps on the World Heritage List Subsequently a definition of the values proposed to fulfil the criterion and a description of the attributes that convey this value should be set out in a relatively short text This will then form the basis for undertaking a rigorous global comparative analysis and in the event that this demonstrates a strong case for OUV will be the basis for a proposed Statement of OUV to be included in the nomination of the property (Figure 2)
To nominate a site to the World Heritage List it must first have been included on a State Partyrsquos Tentative List Tentative List are lists of sites that the States Parties consider to be of OUV and that they therefore consider suitable for inscription on the World Heritage List
Thematic studyBefore continuing with a discussion of the comparative analysis process the following section will look closely at the 11 themes identified for this report As in the 2005 report the 11 themes provide a basis upon which nominated candidate World Heritage Properties (using criterion (viii)) can be assessed regarding their OUV from the viewpoint of science and conservation It is also intended that the 11 themes will guide national and regional advisors to assess the relative importance of sites and for IUCN to assess nominations and offer advice to interested parties
In particular in revising the themes specific questions were askedWhat does the theme cover
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this theme
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distribution
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)
Introduction
6 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverTheme 1 documents major events in Earth history and the fossil record of life It combines two related themes from the 2005 report Theme 4 lsquoStratigraphic Properties ‒ Rock sequences that provide a record of key Earth history eventslsquo and Theme 5 lsquoFossil Properties ‒ The record of life on Earth represented in the fossil recordrsquo
Theme 1 is the sole theme for 18 World Heritage Properties and is an important ancillary element of the OUV for six additional properties (Table 1 Annex 1) Fossils are abundant and important in several other World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) such as Gros Morne National Park (Canada) and Yellowstone National Park (United States of America) but are less significant than other features that define the OUV in these properties
The over-riding message from the combined properties representing Theme 1 is the co-evolution of the Earth and life ‒ the recognition that the major tectonic oceanographic atmospheric cryogenic and astronomical events and processes that have affected our planet over geological timescales have also profoundly influenced the evolution
and ecology of life on Earth and that some major events in biological evolution have profoundly changed the Earthrsquos surface and atmosphere Theme 1 World Heritage Properties include the conditions for early life on the primitive Earth more than three billion years ago (Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa)) the oldest large and complex multicellular life (Mistaken Point (Canada)) the development of marine animal life in the Cambrian explosion (Burgess Shale in Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (Canada) Chengjiang Fossil Site (China)) the Devonian and Carboniferous lsquoterrestrial revolutionrsquo of land plants that dramatically increased atmospheric oxygen and led to the proliferation of life on land and in freshwater rivers and lakes (Miguasha National Park Joggins Fossil Cliffs both in Canada) and abundant evidence of climatic control on the Cenozoic evolution of mammals (Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte) (Australia)) and early hominids (Lake Turkana National Parks (Kenya))
Properties in Theme 1 contain an outstanding record of the diversity of fossil life In addition to the shells and bones that characterise Phanerozoic fossil assemblages worldwide several properties (Burgess Shale in Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Chengjiang Fossil Site Messel Pit Fossil Site Mistaken
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of lifeGuy M Narbonne and Patrick J Mc Keever
Figure 3 Monte San Giorgio (Italy amp Switzerland) is regarded as the best fossil record of marine life from the Triassic Period (245ndash230 million years ago) Source Woudloper Wikimedia Commons
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 7
Point) are famous as Fossil Lagerstaumltten in which soft tissues were exquisitely preserved Fossil plants and terrestrial arthropods such as insects are abundant in most properties at least partly deposited in freshwater or terrestrial settings (Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte) Dinosaur Provincial Park Dorset and East Devon Coast Ischigualasto Talampaya Natural Parks Joggins Fossil Cliffs Messel Pit Fossil Site Miguasha National Park) and even in some properties originating in marginal or fully marine settings (Monte San Giorgio Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley)) Trace fossils the fossilised tracks trails and burrows of mobile animals are present in most Theme 1 properties and provide evidence of animal behaviour thousands to hundreds of millions of years ago Microfossils are preserved in nearly all Theme 1 fossil sites including Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains which dates back 36 to 325 billion years ago shortly after the origin of microscopic life on our planet
Most of the properties that achieved World Heritage recognition prior to 1995 were inscribed in combination with other natural or cultural OUV criteria commonly (iii) (vii) (ix) or (x) Since 1995 most properties in Theme 1 have been inscribed solely under criterion (viii)
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005At the time of the publication of the 2005 report 14 properties had been inscribed onto the World Heritage List under criterion (viii) and under the former Themes 4 (Stratigraphic Properties) and 5 (Fossil Properties) They included for example Dinosaur Provincial Park (Canada) Shark Bay Western Australia (Australia) Messel Pit Fossil Site (Germany) and the Dorset and East Devon Coast (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) (Table 1 Annex 1)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since 2005 an additional four properties have been inscribed onto the World Heritage List which either totally or partially fall under this new Theme 1 and the former Themes 4 and 5 The new properties are Joggins Fossil Cliffs (Canada) Chengjiang Fossil Site (China) Mistaken Point (Canada) and Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa)
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themePublication of an IUCN-commissioned report Earthrsquos geological history A contextual framework for assessment of World
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 1
Date Inscribed(extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 1 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Dinosaur Provincial Park Canada 1979 Grand Canyon National Park United States of America
1979
Great Smoky Mountains National Park United States of America
1983 Ngorongoro Conservation Area United Re-public of Tanzania
1979 (2010)
Valleacutee de Mai Nature Reserve Seychelles 1983 Willandra Lakes Region Australia 1981
Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Canada 1984 (1990) Tasmanian Wilderness Australia 1982 (1989)
Wet Tropics of Queensland Australia 1988 Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Australia 1986 (1994)
Shark Bay Western Australia Australia 1991 Te Wahipounamu ndash South West New Zealand New Zealand
1990
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte) Australia
1994 The Dolomites Italy 2009
Messel Pit Fossil Site Germany 1995 Stevns Klint Denmark 2014
Lake Turkana National Parks Kenya 1997 (2001)
Miguasha National Park Canada 1999
Ischigualasto Talampaya Natural Parks Argen-tina
2000
Dorset and East Devon Coast United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2001
Monte San Giorgio Italy and Switzerland 2003 (2010)
Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) Egypt 2005
Joggins Fossil Cliffs Canada 2008
Chengjiang Fossil Site China 2012
Mistaken Point Canada 2016
Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains South Africa 2018
Table 1 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 1 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life
8 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Heritage fossil site nominations (Wells 1996) provided a key framework for this analysis Wellsrsquo recommendations slightly modified and printed in UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2011 p 42 and Annex 3 of this report) shaped all subsequent nominations and decisions in Theme 1 and have been emulated by other themes Wellsrsquo proposed separation between pre-Cambrian and Phanerozoic properties (Recommendation 4) has become somewhat blurred since 2005 with most recently inscribed Theme 1 properties emphasising OUV as both a landmark in biological evolution and as an important step in the evolution of the Earth system and his recommendations 5 and 9 about the need to constitute expert panels ldquoto select properties worthy of evaluation for Heritage listingrdquo were not implemented All recent nominations in Theme 1 have used a similar lsquobest practicersquo method for the comparative analysis of fossil properties (IUCN 2016 p 56-57 Thomas and Narbonne 2015 p 59-69) In summary the thematic guidance for this theme is good but requires regular attention to ensure it remains relevant and effective
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionWorld Heritage Properties representing Theme 1 are present on every inhabited continent There is excellent temporal coverage of the Phanerozoic the eon of Earth history characterised by abundant visible fossils with seventeen World Heritage fossil properties (Table 1 Figure 5 Annex 1) Many geological periods host a site the Cambrian and Triassic each contain multiple properties that reflect different biotopes (eg terrestrial versus marine) and preservational modes (eg Lagerstaumltten versus
mainly skeletal remains) during that time The most significant remaining gaps are at the interface between palaeontology and global change over geological timescales especially the mass extinction events that were a primary control on global diversity throughout the Phanerozoic (Raup amp Sepkoski 1982 Fan et al 2020) The terminal Cretaceous extinction that exterminated 50 of animal species including dinosaurs is superbly reflected in the fossil record at Stevns Klint (Denmark) but the equally profound Palaeozoic extinctions at the end of the Ordovician Devonian and Permian are not yet represented in any World Heritage Property Other Phanerozoic intervals of extreme global change and extinction (eg Mesozoic Ocean Anoxic Events Palaeocene ndash Eocene Thermal Maximum event) could also be considered Cenozoic (mainly Pleistocene and modern) glaciation processes and products are well covered in Theme 9 but ancient glacial events in deep time (eg the Carboniferous-Permian Gondwana glaciations and the Neoproterozoic and Paleoproterozoic lsquoSnowballrsquo glaciations) profoundly affected the evolution of life and could usefully be described in Theme 1 Ichnology where animal track properties can yield behavioural information that cannot be preserved in shells and bones is represented for example in the hominid tracksite at Laetoli in Ngorongoro Conservation Area (United Republic of Tanzania) A number of previous World Heritage nominations based solely on dinosaur footprints have been deemed inadequate to show OUV However a coherent transnational nomination of exceptional sites demonstrating a compelling reason for global significance and OUV might be considered
Figure 4 Messel Pit Fossil Site (Germany) is the richest site in the world for understanding the living environment of the Eocene between 57 million and 36 million years ago copy LimesMedia Tim Schnarr Source UNESCO
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 9
In contrast with the abundance of World Heritage fossil properties in Phanerozoic strata the Hadean Archean and Proterozoic eons that collectively comprise the first four billion years of Earth evolution (85 of Earth history) contain only two recently inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Properties located at nearly opposite ends of the pre-Cambrian timescale (Figure 5 left hand column Annex 1) Additional major events in pre-Cambrian evolution not included in any World Heritage fossil property include the earliest diverse signs of life 35 billion years ago the Great Oxidation Event (24 to 18 billion years ago) that transformed the chemistry of the Earthrsquos surface and made eukaryotes possible rsquoSnowball Earthrsquo the nearly total freezing of the entire Earth surface 720-635 million years ago that ultimately led to the appearance of animals and
the diverse Ediacara biota that postdated Mistaken Point life and immediately preceded the Cambrian explosion of shelly animals
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)Several Theme 1 properties inscribed between 1983‒1991 used criteria that differ from modern usage Four properties inscribed under criterion (viii) - Great Smoky Mountains National
1 httpsstratigraphyorgICSchartChronostratChart2021-05pdf
PHAN
ERO
ZOIC
PRO
TERO
ZOIC
ARC
HEA
NH
ADEA
N
Present
0541
25
40
46
Billi
ons
of y
ears
bef
ore
the
pres
ent
Eon
Mistaken Point
Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains
Geological timethrough Earth history
CEN
OZO
ICM
ESO
ZOIC
PALE
OZO
IC
EraNeogene
Paleogene
Cretaceous
Jurassic
Triassic
Permian
Carboniferous
Devonian
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian
Period
Phanerozoic Geological Time
World HeritageFossil Sites
Mill
ions
of y
ears
bef
ore
the
pres
ent
0
66
251
541Chengjiang Fossil Site
Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (incl Burgess Shale)
Miguasha National Park
Joggins Fossil Cliffs
Monte San Giorgio
IschigualastoTalampaya National Parks
Dorset and East Devon Coast
Dinosaur Provincial Park Messel Pit Fossil Site
Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley)
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte)
Lake Turkana National Parks
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte)
Figure 5 Temporal distribution of UNESCO Fossil Properties (Theme 1) Modified from Thomas and Narbonne 2015 Fig 34 Formal stratigraphic names and dates are from the International Chronostratigraphic Chart (May 2021)1
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life
10 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Park (United States of America) Wet Tropics of Queensland (Australia) Valleacutee de Mai Nature Reserve (Seychelles) and Shark Bay Western Australia (Australia) ndash do not contain fossil assemblages of OUV but are regarded as providing modern living analogues for ancient biotopes and biological constructions thousands to billions of years old This view is not presently followed and since 1991 all criterion (viii) properties in Theme 1 have been inscribed on the basis of outstanding fossil assemblages and events in the deep-time record of life and environments Modern sedimentary environments exemplified in properties such as the Wadden Sea (intertidal sand and mud flats) Great Barrier Reef (shallow-marine carbonate sediments including reefs) Namib Sand Sea (aeolian dunes) Nahanni National Park and Riacuteo Plaacutetano Biosphere Reserve (rivers) form the key to interpreting process sedimentology in deep time but are not in and of themselves major events in Earth history and the fossil record of life
There is some overlap with criterion (iii) to ldquobear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilisation which is living or which has disappearedrdquo for properties containing early hominid fossils The hominid fossil properties Archaeological Site of Atapuerca (Spain) Sangiran Early Man Site (Indonesia) and Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa (South Africa) are inscribed under criterion (iii) whereas hominid fossils in Ngorongoro Conservation Area (United Republic of Tanzania) and Lake Turkana National Parks (Kenya) are inscribed under criterion (viii) The hominid record at Willandra Lakes Region (Australia) is inscribed under criterion (iii) but its geology including giant marsupial fossils is inscribed under criterion (viii) This overlap between criterion (iii) and criterion (viii) in properties preserving the record of fossil hominids partly reflects the background of the nomination of these properties and also partly reflects the timescale of hominid evolution over the past seven million years
Finally palaeontology has a huge appeal throughout society worldwide Fossil properties (Theme 1) provide an opportunity for the public to see outstanding fossil assemblages in the context of the inter-relationship between global change and the evolution of life over geologic timescales Evidence of past global change can help to inform the public about potential processes effects and magnitudes of present and future global change This will be enhanced as States Parties nominate new sites that fill the identified gaps in global extinction events and major environmental and climatic events in the deep-time record of life on Earth
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 11
What does the theme coverThe Tectonic systems theme includes the lsquoTectonic and structural featuresrsquo and the lsquoMountain systemsrsquo themes as defined in the 2005 report This merger was justified by the fact that tectonics is the process that governs the movement of Earthrsquos tectonic plates at their boundaries as well as heat energy and material transfer from the Earthrsquos interior towards the surface and vice-versa seafloor spreading coupled with subduction rifting mountain building volcanoes faults earthquakes erosion etc are direct or indirect expressions of tectonic processes However with a view of providing a meaningful representation to the general public we have restricted the scope of the lsquoTectonic systemsrsquo theme to mountain ranges convergent plate boundaries (subduction zones) divergent plate boundaries (ocean ridges) sliding plate boundaries (transform zones) continental rifting valleys and cratonic shields while keeping lsquoVolcanic systemsrsquo and lsquoErosional systemsrsquo as separate themes
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005Utilising the current Themes eight properties of the 71 properties inscribed on the World Heritage List by 2005 had
gained their recognition mainly or solely under Theme 2 (Table 2 Annex 1) Several other mountain systems such as the Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) were recognised under criterion (vii)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Based on the new theme proposed here two properties were inscribed since 2005 mainly because of tectonic features while three additional properties utilise Theme 2 as an important ancillary theme in their inscription (Table 2 Annex 1)
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThere is no separate thematic study on this theme and the scope of inscriptions shows both limited geographical balance and that there is considerable confusion in the potential application of this theme and confusion with other manifestations of tectonism (such as volcanoes) The two newly inscribed properties since 2005 are both associated tectonically with the Alpine orogeny in western Europe which does not fulfil the geographical diversification requested in
Theme 2 Tectonic systemsTom Casadevall and S Felix Toteu
Figure 6 Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) (Tajikistan) offers a unique opportunity for the study of plate tectonics and continental subduction phenomena thereby contributing to our fundamental understanding of Earth building processes copy Kasirov K Source UNESCO
12 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
2005 However the three recent properties for which Theme 2 is an ancillary theme are regionally diverse Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains in Africa Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) in Central Asia and Papahānaumokuākea in the central Pacific Ocean
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionIn total the geographical distribution is as follow Europe amp North America 4 Asia amp Pacific 5 Latin America amp Caribbean 1 Generally there is a weak representation worldwide and especially in Africa and the Arab States of the tectonic theme considering the many past and modern tectonic processes that have shaped the landscape around the world
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)Like most aspects of the geological sciences no theme is truly separate from other themes The 11 themes in this report are not silos Perhaps the greatest demonstration of this is the link between tectonic systems and volcanic systems Volcanic systems mostly appear at the boundaries of tectonic plates where tectonic systems are also actively being formed Of the 12 World Heritage Properties identified in Annex 1 has having been inscribed primarily for volcanic systems all but four are intimately associated with active tectonic boundaries Two other properties are associated with volcanic hotspots one with recent though no longer active volcanism Only one
property is associated with volcanism in deeper geological time (Giantrsquos Causeway and Causeway Coast United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Figure 1)) For the sake of this report Theme 4 refers specifically to features associated with the extrusion of magma and the features created while Theme 2 refers to non-volcanic features associated with the interaction of tectonic plates both in the present and in the geological past
The Plate Tectonic Map of the world (Figure 7) combined with the World Physical Map (Figure 8) reveals the potential for a more balanced distribution of tectonic features worldwide States Parties in various regions where these prominent tectonic features appear should be encouraged to review their Tentative List to include new properties In this regard many countries in all regions of the world have potential for World Heritage Properties ranging from mountain range to rift valley systems properties Countries in Asia amp Pacific can enrich their inscribed properties or Tentative List with outstanding sites witnessing tectonics features at subduction zones as well as at oceanic trenches and collision zones For example Kermadec Islands and Marine Reserve which is currently on the Tentative List of New Zealand under criterion (viii) was shaped by the subduction of the Pacific Plate under the Indo-Australian Plate with the Kermadec Trench being one of Earthrsquos deepest oceanic trenches reaching a depth of 10047 m The Andean mountain chain of South America the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and the Cascade volcanic range of North America are notable examples of subduction zone tectonics and yet have no volcanic or tectonic features listed under criterion (viii) (Casadevall et al 2019) This represents an important gap for World Heritage Properties in the Americas Outstanding examples of ocean floor spreading are the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 2
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 2 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Australia 1986 (1994) Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Canada 1984 (1990)
Galaacutepagos Islands Ecuador 1978 (2001) Te Wahipounamu ndash South West New Zealand New Zealand
1990
Gros Morne National Park Canada 1987 Canaima National Park Venezuela 1994
Lake Baikal Russian Federation 1996 Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch Switzerland 2001 (2007)
Heard and McDonald Islands Australia 1997 Papahānaumokuākea United States of Amer-ica
2010
Macquarie Island Australia 1997 Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) Tajikistan
2013
Lorentz National Park Indonesia 1999 Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains South Africa 2018
Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas China
2003
Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona Switzerland 2008
Chaicircne des Puys - Limagne fault tectonic arena France
2018
Table 2 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 2 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 2 Tectonic systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 13
Figure 7 Plate tectonic map of the World copy United States National Park Service
Figure 8 World Physical Map copy National Centers for Environmental Information National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Theme 2 Tectonic systems
14 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
and East Pacific Rise that have produced extensive valley systems Portugal has already considered a portion of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that includes the Azores in its Tentative List in 2017 Indeed there are very few countries that can add more about tectonic features telling the history of ocean floor spreading the exceptions being Iceland which lies on the mid-Atlantic Ridge and the countries around the Red Sea
On the continents the East African Rift Valley and the Baikal Rift Zone are Earthrsquos two prominent continental rift valley systems The two branches of the East African Rift are relayed to the north through the Afar Triangle to the Red Sea Rift and the Gulf of Aden Each of these rift systems is unique each telling in its own way the story of the early stage of continental break and drift However none of them host World Heritage inscribed under criterion (viii) for tectonic features although they host other properties inscribed under other criteria Examples are Lake Baikal (Russian Federation) inscribed in 1996 under criteria (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x) Kilimanjaro National Park (United Republic of Tanzania) Mount Kenya National Park Natural Forest (Kenya) and Lake Malawi National Park (Malawi) inscribed under criteria (vii) (ix) andor (x) or Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) Lake Turkana National Parks (Kenya) both inscribed under criteria (vii) (viii) (ix) andor (x)
The Cameroon Line running from Atlantic Ocean to Lake Chad through the Gulf of Guinea is another unique tectonic feature of the African region and is the only example on Earth of an
active intraplate alignment of tectonic-related volcanoes and intrusive massifs synchronously developed on both the oceanic and the continental crusts and linked to a common mantle source The scientific debates around its origin can ultimately reveal how the interaction and energy transfer between the asthenosphere and lithosphere contribute to shaping our planet The Cameroon Line is a unifying geological and biological gift linking many nations in Central Africa and telling an important part of the autobiography of the continent (from about 70 million years) from geological biological and socio-cultural perspectives (Anderson amp de Wit 2008 Henriques amp Neto 2015 Toteu et al 2010) The IUCN World Heritage Volcanoes report of 2019 sees the Cameroon Line as worthy of consideration in the Tentative List of States Parties (Casadevall et al 2019)
Despite the fact that tectonic processes cause major changes on the Earthrsquos surface they are poorly represented in the list of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List or even on the Tentative Lists The cause of this might be the poor capacity of States Parties or the fact that some expressions of tectonic processes such as volcanoes or erosion surfaces already constitute individual geological themes However the huge scale of some of the features (eg rift valleys alpine ranges oceanic trenches) also makes them politically and financially difficult to promote It is also important to stress that the geological community have not done enough to demonstrate the prominent role geological processes have
Figure 9 Lorentz National Park (Indonesia) The geology and landforms of Lorentz National Park display graphic evidence of Earthsrsquo history Located at the meeting point of two colliding continental plates the area has a complex geology with ongoing mountain formation as well as major sculpting by glaciation and shoreline accretion The dominating mountain range is a direct product of the collision between the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates copy Raiyani Muharramah Source Shutterstockcom
Theme 2 Tectonic systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 15
played in shaping the landscape of the Earth in impacting the development of biodiversity and the culture of people This transpires well in the case of Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) mentioned previously which was inscribed on the World Heritage List under criterion (vii) despite the fact that the site description clearly recognises the importance of mountain building (ie lsquotectonicrsquo process) Clearly States Parties must be encouraged to focus on and expose the geological processes that generated the appropriate environment for development of so many biological and cultural properties today inscribed on the World Heritage List In this regard all mountain ranges around the world especially the Alpine Himalayan and Andean collisional belts and rift valleys have produced a variety of ecosystems that have favoured the development of rich biological and cultural diversities There is today a need to see beyond these end-products and make the tectonic processes themselves more visible
Considering that most tectonic features on the Earthrsquos surface appear as linear and transnational features (eg major faults ocean ridges mountain belts rift and associated volcanoes) it might be necessary and more efficient for States Parties individually or as group to look into serial nominations as a mechanism that can associate different properties generated from the same tectonic process However one challenge may be the disparities (infrastructure human resource and policies) that may exist between States Parties with as a consequence difficulty of preparing and implementing coherent and robust management plan for the inscribed property At the opposite it might be easier for one country having a specific tectonic feature that has generated several other outstanding geological biological andor cultural features to manage a property inscribed under serial nomination
Theme 2 Tectonic systems
16 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThe theme lsquoErosional systemsrsquo was not explicitly present in the 2005 report One might argue that it is the equivalent of the lsquoMountain systemsrsquo with partial overlap with the lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo but there were already a number of World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) which were neither mountains nor located in drylands but were erosional in nature Additionally a significant number of properties were inscribed in recognition of their scenic beauty (criterion (vii)) although their justifications clearly highlighted geomorphological features and processes more in line with criterion (viii) The relevance of lsquoErosional systemsrsquo for criterion (viii) is twofold First erosional systems show ldquosignificant on-going geological (in fact geomorphological) processes in the development of landformsrdquo and secondly these processes may produce ldquosignificant geomorphological or physiographical featuresrdquo
Erosional systems are understood as including landscapes and landforms produced by the combined action of various surface processes that are not covered by the specialised Themes 6 lsquoCave and karst systemsrsquo 7 lsquoCoastal systemsrsquo 9 lsquoGlacial and periglacial systemsrsquo and 10 lsquoDesert and semi-
desert systemsrsquo elsewhere in this report Volcanic systems (Theme 4) in turn are predominantly constructional Thus from the process-based perspective erosional systems are shaped by (a) weathering (b) mass movements of various kind (c) slope runoff (d) fluvial erosion and e) non-karstic subsurface processes such as piping Among them weathering mass movements and fluvial erosion are the most important agents of shaping the land surface All these processes lead to deposition of material eroded from elsewhere allowing depositional forms such as talus and alluvial fans to locally dominate the landscape (eg in the valley floors) Nevertheless erosion in the broad sense is the primary factor behind the scenery In parallel to the above the meaning of erosional systems may be also explained by products ie landscapes and landforms produced by the processes listed above At the regional scale these systems include non-glaciated mountains plateaus and escarpments strongly dissected uplands including badlands inselberg landscapes peneplains and solitary elevations isolated by erosional lowering of the surrounding terrains Characteristic medium-size landforms within erosional systems include rock cities and ruiniform relief tors (crags) rock cliffs gully networks canyons and landform assemblages produced by landslides and piping
Theme 3 Erosional systemsPiotr Migoń
Figure 10 Canaima National Park (Venezuela) The tabular hills and high escarpments of Canaima display significant karstic erosion of quartzites copy Natalino Russo La Venta
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 17
Erosional systems are not limited to any specific bedrock type although by virtue of strength some rock types tend to support distinctive often spectacular erosional systems more often than others do Moreover these systems appear and develop in different ways depending on rock type Therefore to account for the diversity of landforms and controls and to facilitate comparative analyses it is useful to consider several distinctive rock-controlled erosional systems such as granite landscapes sandstone and conglomerate landscapes mudstone and tuff badlands as well as ancient volcanic terrains which may be plateaus or pointed elevations (necks)
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005At the time of the 2005 report though not identified as such at the time six World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) fit the descriptive definition of Erosional systems adopted in the new thematic approach of this study and a further five properties relate to Erosional systems as an ancillary theme (Table 3 Annex 1)
In addition the effects of long-term erosion are evident in several other properties inscribed under criterion (viii) although these may be also be represented under other themes1 Tasmanian Wilderness Australia (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x)
ndash mountainous landscapes with dissected terrains and plateaus (classified as lsquoGlacial and periglacial systemsrsquo Theme 9)
2 Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Australia (viii) (ix) and (x) ndash part of Great Escarpment
3 Dinosaur Provincial Park Canada (vii) (viii) ndash chiefly paleontological site (Theme 1) but also an excellent example of badland topography
4 Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Canada (vii) (viii) ndash fossil site (Theme 1) with diverse mountainous topography including widespread glacial features
5 Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas China (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x) ndash deeply carved valleys of major rivers within mountainous setting
6 Great Smoky Mountains National Park United States of America (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x) ndash dissected mountainous terrain non-glacial
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since the 2005 report an additional three properties have been inscribed under criterion (viii) because of their erosional features1 China Danxia China (vii) and (viii)ndash diverse erosional
topographies on continental red beds predominantly sandstone and conglomerate
2 The Dolomites Italy (vii) and (viii) ndash rock-controlled cliffs and plateaus with additional role of glaciation
3 Lena Pillars Nature Park Russian Federation (viii) ndash rock formations due to differential erosion along riverside margins
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThere has been no supplementary advice to date on this newly proposed theme Reasons for not inscribing the localities listed above are probably complex but it certainly has to be observed that many of these inscriptions predate the year 2000 reflecting contemporaneous focus on scenic values rather than geodiversity and geoheritage In some instances at least insufficient scientific understanding may have been an additional factor for not considering criterion
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 3
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 3 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Grand Canyon National Park United States of America
1979 Nahanni National Park Canada 1978
Durmitor National Park Montenegro 1980 (2005) Great Smoky Mountains National Park United States of America
1983
Tassili nrsquoAjjer Algeria 1982 Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Australia 1986 (1994)
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park Australia 1987 (1994) Mosi-oa-Tunya Victoria Falls Zambia Zimba-bwe
1989
Canaima National Park Venezuela 1994 Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas China
2003
Purnululu National Park Australia 2003
The Dolomites Italy 2009
China Danxia China 2010
Lena Pillars Nature Park Russian Federation 2012
Table 3 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 3 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 3 Erosional systems
18 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
(viii) In this context it is worth mentioning that post-2005 scholarly monographs on granite landscapes and sandstone landscapes published by leading academic publishing houses may now provide much better scientific background for nominations under criterion (viii)
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionErosional systems are currently represented by about 35 properties with 29 of them inscribed under criteria (vii) andor (viii) Among them distinctive sandstone and conglomerate erosional landscapes from plateaus to inselbergs are fairly well represented ndash 12 properties including six under criterion (viii) However the majority of them occurs in drylands (eight cases including three in north Africa and three in Australia) and only two were established in humid terrains Three properties represent granite landscapes all in China and representing similar topography none inscribed explicitly under criterion (viii) Three properties cover ancient volcanic terrains mostly plateaus Great Escarpments and badlands are represented by two examples each Finally five properties may be classified as mountainous landscapes with no specific connection to any particular rock type Overlap with glacial and periglacial systems is evident in some of these properties The Dolomites (Italy) and Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation) are distinctive individual cases Thus whereas overall representation of erosional systems may seem adequate there are significant gaps both thematic and geographical
Considering the diversity of erosional systems the following missing themes may be identified erosional landscapes developed on clastic rocks mainly
sandstone and conglomerates in semi-humid and humid areas to counterbalance an over-representation of those in arid and semi-arid terrains They are likely to develop by a different suite of dominant processes than their arid counterparts
granite topographies are evidently under-represented especially if criterion (viii) alone is considered Existing properties are all mountainous and all from one region (east China) whereas inselberg landscapes domed mountains uplands (plateaus) with tors spectacular boulder fields are missing
badlands are another under-represented type of erosional system especially given lithological diversity of badlands Mudrocks and cemented gravel deposits are known to host spectacular badland landscapes
entirely non-glacial mountain systems are poorly represented and there is a room for nominations which would emphasise complexity and integrity of mountain systems preferably on lithologically diverse bedrock
In terms of geographical coverage properties inscribed principally under Theme 3 occur in Europe and North America (4) Asia and the Pacific (3) and one each in Arab States and Latin America and the Caribbean Sub-Saharan Africa is represented by only one property but which is not inscribed explicitly under criterion (viii) High latitudes are another
Figure 11 Tassili nrsquoAjjer (Algeria) The sandstone plateaux and escarpments of Tassili nrsquoAjjer are highly dissected with a range of erosional features copy Mohammed Beddiaf Source UNESCO
Theme 3 Erosional systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 19
geographical gap (two properties only one under criterion (vii)) where it may be assumed that cold-climate processes will produce erosional systems different from those in low latitudes whether humid or arid Some of these gaps may be filled by re-nominating some of existing World Heritage Properties adding criterion (viii) to the cultural criteria used before
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)Impressive erosional landscapes may be found within World Heritage Properties inscribed under criteria (ix) and (x) (eg Greater Blue Mountains Area (Australia) and Western Ghats (India)) or solely under criteria pertinent to cultural heritage (eg tall granite domes which form the stage for Rio de Janeiro Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea (Brazil) as well as the Serra da Capivara National Park (Brazil) the Matobo Hills (Zimbabwe) Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Libya) or Group of Monuments at Hampi (India)) An emerging point here is that the coverage of erosional systems by existing World Heritage Properties is much larger than the examination under criterion (viii) alone would suggest Consequently gap analyses should consider these properties as well
Additionally in a few examples criterion (viii) was proposed to justify inscription but was not accepted (eg Mount Sanqingshan National Park (China) (vii) and Wadi Rum Protected Area (Jordan) (iii) (v) and (vii)) In other cases criterion (viii) could have been used but was not proposed possibly because the nominated property did not readily fit any of the 13 Earth science themes proposed by the 2005 report In fact an equally large number of properties representing excellent examples of erosional systems have been inscribed under criterion (vii) not (viii) even if the OUV statements relate directly to the effects of on-going erosion and significant landforms produced by it These properties include1 Kakadu National Park Australia (i) (vi) (vii) (ix) and (x) ndash
dissected sandstone plateau and escarpments2 Ennedi Massif Natural and Cultural Landscape Chad
(iii) (vii) and (ix) ndash sandstone plateaus canyons and rock arches
3 Mount Taishan China (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) and (vii) ndash granite mountainous terrain
4 Mount Huangshan China (ii) (vii) and (ix) ndash granite mountainous terrain
5 Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area China (vii) ndash intricately dissected sandstone and limestone upland with multitude of tall rock towers and spires
6 Mount Sanqingshan National Park China (vii) ndash granite mountainous terrain
7 Simien National Park Ethiopia (vii) and (x) ndash dissected lava plateau
8 Meteora Greece (i) (ii) (iv) (v) and (vii) ndash isolated residual hills carved out of conglomerate
9 Wadi Rum Protected Area Jordan (iii) (v) and (vii) ndash sandstone massifs and rock arches
10 Maloti-Drakensberg Park Lesotho and South Africa (i) (iii) (vii) and (ix) ndash Great Escarpment capped by basaltic lavas
11 Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) Mali (v) and (vii) ndash plateau cliffs and plains in sandstone rocks
12 Air and Teacuteneacutereacute Natural Reserves Niger (vii) (ix) and (x) ndash residual volcanic massifs
13 Putorana Plateau Russian Federation (vii) and ix) ndash ancient lava plateau
14 Goumlreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia Turkey (i) (iii) (v) and (vii) ndash strongly eroded tuffs and lacustrine deposits multiple hoodoos and badland landscape
Theme 3 Erosional systems
20 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverVolcanoes are widely understood by the public as wonders of the planet they are central to the formation evolution and sustenance of biological systems they form some of our deepest and most significant cultural attachments to the land and they attract large numbers of visitors for their aesthetic appeal The theme Volcanic systems was recognised in the 2005 report (numbered as Theme 2) Furthermore volcanic systems were the subject of the 2009 volcano thematic study by Wood (2009) In 2019 IUCN published an updated report on World Heritage Volcanoes (Casadevall et al 2019) which we draw on here for this discussion
This study continues to consider Volcanic systems as a distinct theme Most geological themes encompass millions or billions of years of Earth history The Volcanic systems theme includes volcanoes and volcanic features found on Earth in both the marine and terrestrial environments While these features can be from any period of Earth history from the oldest volcanic rocks (42 billion years old) to the youngest eruptions the majority of volcanic properties by their nature typically only
preserve the most recent geological time frames Active volcanoes encompass those active in the Holocene Epoch (the last 11700 years) The distinctive attributes of volcanic properties are of geoheritage value but significantly they also frequently demonstrate associated aspects of cultural spiritual biological aesthetic and educational value Thus in a number of cases volcanic areas may be protected as World Heritage solely for these other attributes without direct recognition of the volcanic geoheritage as being the basis of OUV (Casadevall et al 2019)
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005Volcanic landscapes are among the most recognisable properties on the World Heritage List Of 1211 World Heritage Properties in 2019 83 (74) have significant volcanic features (Casadevall et al 2019) However of these only 26 properties have been inscribed under criterion (viii) Utilising the current themes 14 properties inscribed on the List by 2005 had gained their recognition mainly or solely under the present Theme 4 (Table 4 Annex 1)
Theme 4 Volcanic systemsTom Casadevall
Figure 12 Volcanoes of Kamchatka (Russian Federation) Kamchatka is one of the most outstanding volcanic regions in the world with a high density of active volcanoes a variety of types and a wide range of related features The six sites included in the serial designation group together the majority of volcanic features of the Kamchatka peninsula The interplay of active volcanoes and glaciers forms a dynamic landscape of great beauty copy UNESCO
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 21
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since the 2005 report an additional five volcanic properties have been inscribed under criterion (viii) primarily utilising Theme 4 (Table 4 Annex 1) Three of these inscriptions were added following the volcano thematic study of 2009 (Wood 2009) Furthermore since 2005 (and 2009) two nominations of volcanic properties were advanced but were not recommended for inscription as volcano-related World Heritage (Wudalianchi Scenic Spots (China) and Chaicircne des Puys ndash Limagne fault tectonic arena (France) the latter was ultimately inscribed in 2018 for its tectonic features)
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThe World Heritage Volcanoes report Casadevall et al (2019) provides revised comprehensive and up to date advice to States Parties on the application of criterion (viii) to volcanic properties and replaces the 2005 study as the definitive thematic guidance going forward The advice includes the use
of the classification system and feature identification presented in this study to the nomination of volcanic properties under criterion (viii) including a checklist that can also be used by the reviewers of the nomination The advice also describes a method for developing a comprehensive global comparative analysis to support the application for Listing in relation to volcanic systems this being a point that has been problematic in a number of nominations and is central to the application and review process in establishing the potential for OUV
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionAs noted above there are now 83 properties on the World Heritage List with significant volcanic values Of these 19 are volcanic properties where Theme 4 provides the primary rationale under criterion (viii) and two additional properties have used it as an ancillary rationale Within these 21 properties there are many important gaps in geographical distribution as well as gaps in their distribution by geo-tectonic setting The
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Princi-pally Under Theme 4
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 4 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Yellowstone National Park United States of America
1978 El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Bio-sphere Reserve Mexico
2013
Galaacutepagos Islands Ecuador 1978 (2001) Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains South Africa 2018
Ngorongoro Conservation Area United Repub-lic of Tanzania
1979 (2010)
Virunga National Park Democratic Republic of the Congo
1979
Sangay National Park Ecuador 1983
Giantrsquos Causeway and Causeway Coast United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
1986
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park United States of America
1987
Tongariro National Park New Zealand 1990 (1993)
Volcanoes of Kamchatka Russian Federation 1996 (2001)
Heard and McDonald Islands Australia 1997
Macquarie Island Australia 1997
Morne Trois Pitons National Park Dominica 1997
Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) Italy 2000
Pitons Management Area Saint Lucia 2004
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes Republic of Korea
2007
Teide National Park Spain 2007
Papahānaumokuākea United States of America 2010
Mount Etna Italy 2013
Vatnajoumlkull National Park - dynamic nature of fire and ice Iceland
2019
Table 4 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 4 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 4 Volcanic systems
22 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
regional distribution of volcanic properties is Europe and North America (8) Asia and Pacific (4) Africa (2) and Latin America and the Caribbean (5)
The 2019 volcano theme study outlines a series of recommendations to fill the thematic and geographical gaps on the World Heritage List The southwestern Pacific island arcs are noted as unrepresented on the List The Andes of western South America is the most prominent example of continental arc volcanism and yet is poorly represented For divergent margin properties the Great Rift Valley of Africa and its northern continuation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are poorly or not represented Submarine volcanic systems are dominantly rift systems and are not represented Volcanism in back arc basins is unrepresented although there are outstanding examples in Argentina and the southwest Pacific Collision zones are not represented The two ancient volcanic terrains on the current List contain no continental flood basalts ring dykes or subvolcanic feeder and storage systems despite the importance of these terrains in creating and remaking the early continents and as components of most of the planetrsquos major mass extinctions Previously identified gaps in Archean granite-greenstone belts and komatiites and in modern mid-Atlantic Ridge volcanism have been addressed by Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa inscribed in 2018) and Vatnajoumlkull National Park - dynamic nature of fire and ice (Iceland inscribed in 2019)
Other under-represented aspects of Theme 4 include large caldera forming volcanic systems stratovolcanoes found in
several critical subduction zone environments (eg Andean and Cascadian zones Indonesia-Philippine-Japanese subduction zones) and submarine volcanic features and volcanic rift systems Conversely monogenetic volcanic fields and basaltic volcanism should now be considered as well or fully represented on the List
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)No discussion of the global volcanic estate would be complete without mention of volcanism in the marine environment Purely submarine volcanic features are not included on the World Heritage List primarily because many of these features occur under what is known as the lsquoHigh Seasrsquo where no State Party has legal jurisdiction However 70 of the Earthrsquos surface is covered by water and is effectively a submarine environment and much of the Earthrsquos active tectonism including spreading centres ridges transform faults and subduction-related trenches are submarine Bathymetric studies of the sea floor have revealed that this vast area is dotted with volcanoes which recent studies (Hillier amp Watts 2007 Wessel et al 2010 Kim amp Wessel 2011) estimate could number over three million 39000 of which rise to more than 1000 m above the ocean
Figure 13 Ngorongoro Conservation Area (United Republic of Tanzania) The Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans vast expanses of highland plains savannah savannah woodlands and forests centred on the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater Africarsquos largest caldera copy Patrick Mc Keever
Theme 4 Volcanic systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 23
floor With the increase in seafloor mining and other potentially destructive practices some of these volcanic terrains are at risk
Several marine reserves include areas of submarine volcanism and hydrothermal vent activity but by and large the volcanic features in these submarine environments are not adequately represented on the World Heritage List The World Heritage Convention does not currently address areas beyond national jurisdiction (Abdulla et al 2013 Freestone et al 2016)
One impediment to managing and protecting properties in the submarine environments is that often there are no States Parties to claim jurisdiction and management responsibility over most of them Thus such properties fall more appropriately under lsquoLaw of the Searsquo jurisprudence However several submarine volcanoes representing submarine extensions of terrestrial volcanic systems (Loihi USA and Oshima Japan) do fall within territorial jurisdictions The UNESCOIUCN publication World Heritage on the High Seas An Idea Whose Time Has Come (Freestone et al 2016) discusses this topic primarily from the perspective of biological World Heritage but many of the concepts therein also apply to geological World Heritage
Casadevall et al (2019) considers the absence of submarine volcanism from the World Heritage List to be a substantial gap in representation of the Earthrsquos volcanic systems However they also recognise that filling this gap will depend upon additional international agreement and governance frameworks and this represents a further reason to explore the extension of the application of the World Heritage Convention to the High Seas
World Heritage Volcanoes (Casadevall et al 2019) found that a significant number of volcanic properties on the World Heritage List are listed under other criteria than criterion (viii) In part this reflects the important cultural and historical values often assigned to volcanic features and eruptions by communities which may have witnessed eruptions or live in or on volcanic edifices which have attained a notable role in these cultures In addition a number of volcanic areas have important endemic plant communities with high degrees of biodiversity Thus many volcanic landscapes have been inscribed for their biodiversity under criteria (ix) and (x)
Theme 4 Volcanic systems
24 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThe theme covers fluvial lacustrine and deltaic landscapes and their associated features These are systems resulting from large-scale fluvial processes which have formed and influenced the development of valleys flood plains river corridors wetlands lakes and deltas along with instream features and morphology (Ferrier amp Jenkins 2010) The theme includes foremost alluvial landscapes and depositional features while erosional features such as river canyons are covered primarily by Theme 3 However spectacular features such as waterfalls are included under this theme In terms of deltas this theme only covers the special cases of inland and inverted deltas while coastal deltas are covered within Theme 7 There is also some overlap with Theme 9 as many important fluvial lacustrine and deltaic processes and landforms occur in glacial landscapes The River lake and delta systems theme is equivalent to the lsquoFluvial lacustrine and deltaic systemsrsquo theme from the 2005 report
The main driving process for the formation of all inland waters is the hydrological cycle Water evaporates from the oceans
and precipitates over the continents where it flows back to the sea along rivers and streams reworking large amounts of sediments and forming some of our most familiar fluvial landforms Some of the water resides in wetlands or lakes for many years or in ice caps for thousands or millions of years (Moss 2010)
River processes shape the Earthrsquos surface while responding to sudden events (earthquakes volcanic eruptions mega floods) and or progressive change (continental uplift change in climate and precipitation) Climate and precipitation are the main factors influencing the dynamics and evolution of river systems with this history embedded into relict forms and features The fluvial geomorphology of rivers adjusts both to varying flow patterns and vegetation cover During drier geological periods vegetation cover and sediment transport decreases and rivers transform into new types Examples of this are underfit streams which have channels set in valleys formed by much larger river systems during wetter periods (Fryirs amp Brierley 2012) Apart from recording past climate events rivers also demonstrate a huge diversity of types
Theme 5 River lake and delta systemsUlrika Aringberg
Figure 14 Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia) The waters flowing over the limestone and dolomites have over thousands of years deposited travertine barriers creating natural dams which in turn have created a series of beautiful lakes caves and waterfalls These geological processes continue today copy Ko Hon Chiu Vincent Source UNESCO
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 25
processes and physiographic features For example natural floodplains contain a high complexity of various physical features such as meander bends levees cutbanks pointbars relict channels oxbow lakes ponds islands channel braiding alluvial fans inland deltas swamps and marshes
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005In the 2005 report it was noted that there were 71 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) Using the present themes the principal attributes of the OUV of six properties are assigned to the lsquoFluvial lacustrine and deltaic systemsrsquo theme One of these Everglades National Park (United States of America) share its main theme with Theme 7 (Coastal systems) Up to 2005 another three properties had ancillary attributes of OUV assigned to Theme 5 (Table 5 Annex 1)
Evidently many properties on the World Heritage List demonstrate significant values related to the River lake and delta systems theme but are inscribed under criteria other than criterion (viii) In this updated review about 30 properties inscribed under criteria other than (viii) prior to 2005 were found to demonstrate values of Theme 5 The statements of OUV for some of these properties (for example Pantanal Conservation Area (Brazil) and Mana Pools National Park Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas (Zimbabwe)) are directly linked to significant fluvial lacustrine and deltaic forms and processes and contain examples of some of the worldrsquos most prominent systems relating to this theme
Several World Heritage Properties contain the full length of rivers or the majority of their lengths and catchments for example Kakadu National Park (Australia) but only the Riacuteo Plaacutetano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras) is inscribed under criterion (viii)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since 2005 no properties have been inscribed on the World Heritage List with their principal attributes of OUV assigned to the River lake and delta systems theme and only one property
(Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) (Tajikistan)) utilises Theme 5 as an ancillary theme in its statement of OUV Among properties inscribed after 2005 under criteria other than criterion (viii) ten are identified to demonstrate significant values directly related to Theme 5 Among these are one of the worldrsquos most important inland deltas the Okavango Delta (Botswana) and the saline hyper-saline and freshwater Lakes of Ounianga (Chad) It is clear that many more properties on the World Heritage List other than those inscribed under criterion (viii) demonstrate significant and even outstanding river lake and delta systems values
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThere is one early study (Thorsell et al 1997) on wetland and marine areas on the World Heritage List which also provides a list of 41 prospective sites with potential OUV Some of these have now been inscribed (for example Pantanal Conservation Area (Brazil) Landscapes of Dauria (Mongolia and Russian Federation) and Okavango Delta (Botswana)) however only a few such as Wadden Sea (Denmark Germany and Netherlands) (see Theme 7) under criterion (viii) World Heritage Properties with OUV under Theme 5 are still poorly represented on the World Heritage List Conversely although some of the worldrsquos most prominent properties under this theme are inscribed their attributes and values have not been recognised as OUV under criterion (viii) Some reasons might be previously vague descriptions of the theme unawareness that the OUV of river lake and delta systems are recognised under criterion (viii) and inadequate scientific understanding or recognition of these systems This lack of recognition requires attention As no properties have been inscribed under Theme 5 since 2005 this clearly shows that additional upstream support and a gap analysis on the theme are needed to address this discrepancy
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionThe theme is clearly under-represented among properties inscribed under criterion (viii) Presently only six properties have been recognised for their OUV as river lake and delta systems
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 5
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 5 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Nahanni National Park Canada 1978 Canaima National Park Venezuela 1994
Everglades National Park United States of America
1979 Lake Baikal Russian Federation 1996
Plitvice Lakes National Park Croatia 1979 (2000) Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas China
2003
Willandra Lakes Region Australia 1981 Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) Tajikistan
2013
Riacuteo Plaacutetano Biosphere Reserve Honduras 1982
Mosi-oa-Tunya Victoria Falls Zambia Zimba-bwe
1989
Table 5 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 5 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 5 River lake and delta systems
26 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Despite having three of the largest and most important inland deltas already inscribed on the World Heritage List (Wood Buffalo National Park (Canada) the Okavango Delta (Botswana) and The Ahwar of Southern Iraq Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities (Iraq)) none of these properties were inscribed under criterion (viii) or recognised for their extremely important and valuable deltaic processes Likewise although the World Heritage Properties of Iguazu National Park (Argentina) and Iguaccedilu National Park (Brazil) conserve the largest and one of the most spectacular waterfall systems in the world this has not been recognised as a value under criterion (viii)
Terrestrial fossil properties inscribed under Theme 1 notably Miguasha National Park (Devonian) Joggins Fossil Cliffs (Carboniferous) and Dinosaur Provincial Park (Cretaceous) all in Canada occur in well studied fluvial lacustrine and deltaic deposits but this is not included as part of their OUV
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any lsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)Freshwater is fundamental to life on Earth and hydromorphological processes have shaped much of the
Earthrsquos surface as we see it today The importance of river (and other freshwater) systems for the evolution of life on land and human societal development is unparalleled The characteristics of freshwater bodies are highly determined by the climate and their relict forms and sediment archives are therefore also of immense importance for understanding past climatic events and changes Until now only Willandra Lakes Region (Australia) has been inscribed for its OUV of showing past major changes in Earthrsquos climate history and evolution
Large rivers cover long distances and vast areas and it is often not feasible to include the whole catchment within a World Heritage nomination Designation of OUV attributes such as the worldrsquos longest river or highest discharge river is difficult to achieve but could be done through serial properties and or transboundary nominations To cover the lsquobig storiesrsquo we should focus on the few natural rivers left and the textbook examples of alluvial and depositional features as well as past climatic records that these systems demonstrate Large relatively intact meandering systems can still be found in the Amazon and Congo basins as well as in northern Siberia and China while extensive braided river systems are found in North America New Zealandrsquos South Island and the Himalayas The flow of many rives has been impeded by human activity and natural free-flowing rivers2 are now confined to the Arctic (Canada and Russian Federation) and the Amazon and Congo basins as well as
Figure 15 Nahanni National Park (Canada) Located along the South Nahanni River this property is one of the most spectacular wild rivers in North America The park contains deep canyons and huge waterfalls The geomorphology of the property is outstanding in its wealth of form and complexity of evolution The park hosts the Worldrsquos foremost example of karst development in cold climate conditions but fluvial processes and features predominate Within the property are examples of almost every known characteristic of rivers Geological and geomorphological features include the abandoned meanders of ancient rivers now raised high above present river levels copy Ko Hon Chiu Vincent Source UNESCO
Theme 5 River lake and delta systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 27
a few examples in for example Australia and Papua New Guinea (Grill et al 2019 WWF 2019)
Theme 5 is highly relevant for other criteria and as discussed earlier some of the worldrsquos most outstanding river lake and delta systems are inscribed under criteria other than criterion (viii) Of greatest importance is undeniably that these properties and their physical biological and evolutionary processes are now protected for future generations however it would be an advantage if they were also recognised for their OUV under criterion (viii) Freshwater systems contain some of the most threatened habitats on the planet and are losing biodiversity twice as fast as any terrestrial or marine systems Despite only covering about 1 of the terrestrial surface these systems support about one-third of all known vertebrate species (Dye et al 2019) River lake and delta systems often present exceptional natural beauty significant on-going ecological and biological processes and contain significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity and threatened species and are therefore highly relevant for all the other natural (including some of the cultural) criteria
Lastly it should be noted that there are particularly important links to be made in application of this theme through connections to the implementation of the 1971 Ramsar Convention which allows for the recognition of wetlands of international importance IUCN and the Ramsar Convention Secretariat have frequently collaborated on implementation including the joint work on the only thematic study on this theme (from 1997) However the clear need for further thematic advice could be advanced by IUCN in conjunction with Ramsar
2 Free Flowing Rivers 2019 - httpfreeflowingriverorg
Theme 5 River lake and delta systems
28 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThe theme covers systems developed predominantly by the process of dissolution of soluble rocks This mainly involves carbonate rocks (limestone dolomite marble) and evaporite rocks (gypsum salt) In these terrains drainage disappears in enclosed depressions rivers sink underground and caves are signature landforms Some sandstone landscapes are also included because these rocks can become relatively soluble under subtropical and tropical conditions Natural processes involved in the development of caves and karst systems are explained by Ford amp Williams (2007 2011) and Palmer (2007)
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005At the time of the 2005 report 45 properties with internationally significant cave and karst features had been inscribed on the World Heritage List Amongst these were 25 considered to have outstanding karst features yet only eight were recognised as having OUV primarily under Theme 6 with an additional seven properties using it as an ancillary theme (Table 6 Annex 1) One additional property with OUV was lava pseudokarst recognised under criterion (viii) and having karst-like cave
decorations developed within lava tubes formed through volcanic processes
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005By 2019 the number of properties with internationally significant cave and karst features on the World Heritage List had increased by two properties that adopt karst as their main theme and a further two that utilise it as an ancillary theme (Table 6 Annex 1) It is evident that the outstanding cave and karst qualities of several properties were not appreciated either by some parties responsible for considering these nominations This points to the need for more upstream advice to assist in the recognition of significant karst values before nominations are made Sometimes the most appropriate nomination configuration (single areaserial nominationtransnational nomination) was not identified at the time of inscription and so adjustments have needed to be made to boundaries some years later
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThe 2005 report contained excellent and focused advice and enabled States Parties to achieve a global overview regarding
Theme 6 Cave and karst systemsPaul Williams and Kyung Sik Woo
Figure 16 Škocjan Caves (Slovenia) Located in the lsquoclassicalrsquo karst of Europe the property comprises a sinking river at the end of blind valley the exposed course of the underground river flowing across the base of deep collapse depressions and a large river cave with a high canyon passage It is representative of the input of an allogenic river into a karst system copy LimesMedia Tim Schnarr Source UNESCO
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 29
the protection of geological World Heritage and the contribution that they might make In addition to the 2005 report in 2008 IUCN published a separate report on World Heritage Caves and Karst a Thematic Study which was a global review of karst World Heritage Properties (Williams 2008) That thematic review of Caves and Karst was noted by several States Parties and encouraged a cautious consideration of the appropriateness or otherwise of possible nominations (Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation) in 2012 and the Trang An Landscape Complex (Viet Nam) in 2014) and stimulated a new entry on the Tentative List (Salt Domes of Iran 2017) The net effect of both reports was probably to encourage a total of about ten new inscriptions in this theme However there has been no progress regarding nominations in relation to gypsum karst The 2008 study remains current and appropriate in guiding towards the completion of the World Heritage List under this theme of criterion (viii)
The 2008 thematic review pointed out that the World Heritage Committee had noted in 2007 [Decision 31 COM 8B13]
ldquohellip that karst systems (including caves) are relatively well represented on the World Heritage List Worldwide there are a large number of protected karst landscapes with caves and at a detailed level every one of these can assert that it is in some way unique Therefore in the interests of maintaining the credibility of the World Heritage List IUCN considers that there is increasingly limited scope for recommending further karst nominations for inclusion on the World Heritage List In particular IUCN recommends that the World Heritage Committee should consider indicating clearly to States Parties that further karst nominations should only be promoted where
There is a very clear basis for identifying major and distinctive features of outstanding universal value that has been verified by a thorough global comparative analysis
The basis for claiming outstanding universal value is a significant and distinctive feature of demonstrable and widespread significance and not one of many narrow and specialized features that are exhibited within karst terrains IUCN recommends that States Parties considering karst nominations carry out an initial global comparative analysis prior to proceeding with the development of a full nomination in order to minimize the possibilities of promoting a nomination that will not meet the requirements of the World Heritage Convention including those concerning the conditions of integrityrdquo
This advice was taken seriously by States Parties and is undoubtedly responsible for a reduction in the rate of nomination of cave and karst properties Furthermore this theme illustrates in the nomination of the South China Karst (China) a particularly important example of the recognition of OUV through a serial approach by assembling in a thoroughly planned process the most outstanding examples of karst sites that illustrate one of the two great karst regions of Earth This is a model that has also been recommended in the thematic study in the Dinaric Karst the other of those two great regions
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionThe theme is well represented on the World Heritage List (Annex 1) and has a wide but unevenly distributed geographical distribution Two points are significant here
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 6
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 6 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Mammoth Cave National Park United States of America
1981 Nahanni National Park Canada 1978
Škocjan Caves Slovenia 1986 Plitvice Lakes National Park Croatia 1979 (2000)
Ha Long Bay Viet Nam 1994 (2000) Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Canada 1984 (1990)
Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst Hungary Slovakia
1995 (2000) Canaima National Park Venezuela 1994
Carlsbad Caverns National Park United States of America
1995 Pyreacuteneacutees - Mont Perdu France Spain 1997 (1999)
Desembarco del Granma National Park Cuba 1999 Lorentz National Park Indonesia 1999
Gunung Mulu National Park Malaysia 2000 Purnululu National Park Australia 2003
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Viet Nam 2003 (2015) Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes Republic of Korea
2007
South China Karst China 2007 (2014) Lena Pillars Nature Park Russian Federation 2012
Trang An Landscape Complex Viet Nam 2014
Table 6 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 6 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 6 Cave and karst systems
30 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Firstly the global distribution of karst rocks is the first determinant of where cave and karst World Heritage Properties can be located hence the properties shown on Figure 18 are mapped against a background of outcrops of carbonate and evaporite rocks (Goldscheider et al 2020) These rocks are distributed unevenly and the world distribution of evaporites is also uneven Thus we cannot expect an even global distribution of karst properties
Secondly cave and karst development depend on the operation of chemical processes driven by water and its temperature Rainfall is the primary driver but the rate of dissolution is enhanced if it is also warm Hence limestone locations that are wet warm and forested have excellent caves and karst which accounts for where most caves and karst World Heritage Properties are found However global climates change over time so important palaeokarst is sometimes found in places that were once wet but under modern conditions are inimical to karst and cave evolution This is the case in many temperate to subtropical arid lands where caves acting as Naturersquos vaults contain rich histories of more benign environments and climates in the past Some cold properties of the subarctic were also once warmer and have palaeokarst features developed during past milder humid conditions
The 2008 thematic review of caves and karst identified significant gaps in the geographical distribution of karst World
Heritage Properties and pointed to a gap in semi-arid and periglacial environments Only one inscription Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation) has since contributed to filling that gap Central Asia the Middle East Africa and South America remain seriously under-represented It was also pointed out that an important gap exists in the representation of evaporite terrains (salt and gypsum) This remains the case Also despite Shibing Karst in China being a dolomite terrain a gap remains regarding well-developed caves in dolomite
One lsquobig storyrsquo that is unrepresented but to which caves and karst can contribute is that of climates of the past Palaeokarst properties that contain important stories about past conditions on Earth are not explicitly represented on the World Heritage List although several World Heritage karst properties contain caves with excellent palaeoclimate archives Global climate is never static and while ice caps and seafloor sediments contain major climate archives the continents are under-represented Between the poles the best source of terrestrial palaeoclimate records is caves (they are also one of the best sources of hominid remains) Further cave records are also very much easier to date than other archives For example caves in the arid Nullarbor Plains of Australia have yielded mid-Pliocene speleothems containing pollen indicative of a past forested environment in association with rare mega-faunal remains The arid cave and karst properties of Central Asia and Africa could hold evidence of similar stories A cave in the island of
Figure 17 South China Karst (China) Seven sites of a serial nomination that represent karst evolution in southern China includes Shilin (stone forests on a rolling plateau in Yunnan) Jinfoshan (an isolated high plateau with huge horizontal caves suspended above deep surrounding valleys) Wulong (plateau karst with spectacular tiankeng natural bridges deep caves and gorges) Shibing (unusual cone karst development in dolomite bedrock) Libo (extensive forested cone karst (fengcong and fenglin) poljes gorges and caves with Huanjiang being an extension of the protected area) Guilin (the culmination of subtropical karst development with spectacular cones and towers beside the River Li) These areas provide type-sites for their principal karst features copy IUCN Jim Thorsell
Theme 6 Cave and karst systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 31
Mallorca Spain has yielded a precisely dated history of sea level change in the mid-Pliocene at a time when the Earthrsquos temperatures were two or three degrees higher than present Thick guano deposits in caves have never been investigated in detail for their palaeoecological record although they have long been recognised as sources of minerals
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)The key issue to emerge from this review is that many properties nominated for other reasons contain excellent caves and karst (Annex 1) Consequently important karst areas are being conserved on the coat-tails of other criteria This is an advantage for conservation but it would still be worth formally recognising the OUV of karst when it exists To amend a nomination by adding a new criterion after inscription would require the State Party to expend more resources that might be better used elsewhere but IUCN could better address this issue by helping to identify possibly unrecognised OUV at the pre-nomination stage
Figure 18 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world (with permission from Goldscheider et al 2020) with red triangles depicting the locations of World Heritage Properties with karst OUV their numbers referring to the list of World Heritage karst sites (see Annex 4) copy Goldscheider et al (2020)
Theme 6 Cave and karst systems
32 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverCoastal systems refer to physical processes and physiographical features present in the coastal zone The coastal zone is the boundary between land and sea a highly dynamic interface between geological and oceanographical features and including atmospheric (weather and climate) processes and how these are affected by land and sea (Abdulla et al 2013) But the interface - the shoreline - is mobile because land can be uplifted or subside and sea level can rise or fall Hence coastal landscapes landforms and sediments develop along a moving interface between land and sea as well as over long periods of time The zone over which this interaction plays out can be kilometres wide and so landforms produced by coastal processes can be found well inland well above sea level kilometres offshore and well below present sea level In many places coastal landforms are also influenced by ancient antecedent topography The operation of physical processes in coastal environments is explained by Woodroffe et al (2011) and Bird (2004) provides a geomorphological classification of coastal landscapes
Coastal processes were classified into 13 categories in the 2005 report It stated that coastal processes can display
ldquosignificant on-going geological processes in the development of landformsrdquo and ldquosignificant geomorphological or physiographical featuresrdquo for criterion (viii) Coastal processes have also been classified worldwide into 62 coastal provinces (from the coastline to 200 m depth) (Spalding 2012 UNESCO 2016)
Waves tides and wind dominate coastal processes and rivers deliver sediment to the coast These activities lead to the development of coastal landforms that vary according to whether processes play out on hard rocky coasts or on relatively soft mobile sand and gravel coasts So on the one hand we find cliffs headlands reefs coral lagoons and blue-holes rias and fjords while on the other we see beaches dunes sand spits and barriers dune lakes tidal-flats deltas and estuaries Marine canyons may also extend offshore sometimes for hundreds of kilometres The coast also supports rich ecosystems including salt marshes mangroves seagrass coral reefs and salt-tolerant coastal forests and shrub fields
Due to rapid sea-level rise since the last glaciation drowned coasts (characterised by rias fjords and estuaries) are very
Theme 7 Coastal systemsKyung Sik Woo
Figure 19 Fraser Island (Australia) Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world The combination of shifting sand-dunes tropical rainforests and lakes makes it an exceptional property copy IUCN Ceacutelia Zwahlen
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 33
common around the world Post-glacial sea level stabilised close to its present position about 6000 years ago Since that time sea level has varied by less than two metres depending on location but sometimes the migration of shoreline position is also driven by on-going tectonics Thus in some places sea level has the illusion of falling because the land is rising This can result in a staircase of marine terraces as in the Desembarco del Granma National Park (Cuba) In other places such as glaciated parts of northern continents shoreline regression (retreat) is driven by recovery of the land after being depressed under the weight of enormously thick ice sheets Elsewhere huge amounts of sediment deposition by large rivers may cause the land to subside and the sea to transgress thus giving the impression that sea level is rising
Carbonate coasts and sediments tend to increase towards the tropics but can be constrained by large inputs of muddy sediment In carbonate-dominated coasts a clear distinction can be made between tropical to subtropical coral reef-dominated systems and temperate carbonate shell-sand systems Carbonate beaches and tidal flats are especially found in low latitude regions where they tend to be controlled by carbonate production rates of shallow marine organisms as well as by physical hydraulic energy Broad tidal flats composed of carbonates (called sabkha) are present in arid coastal areas Stromatolites (calcareous microbial growths) are another significant feature of low latitude carbonate coasts (Shark Bay Western Australia (Australia))
Where clastic sediments are dominant different types of coastal landforms can develop according to the balance between tidal and wave energy Wave-dominated coasts are represented by beach barrier island and lagoon systems Tidal flats develop along more sheltered low energy coasts with abundant terrestrial sediment supply Coastal deltas and deltaic plains also form where rivers discharge abundant sediment
Many coastal features may be assessed as having OUV due to the great variety of interacting processes involved in their formation and the wide array of hard and soft coast landforms that result The coastal zone is also affected by the discharge of rivers and thereby may be influenced by phenomena that
may occur thousands of kilometres inland away from the coastal zone itself (eg Everglades National Park (United States of America)) Finally by virtue of the concentration of human populations in the coastal zone as well as in the basins of many rivers coastal zones are among the most threatened globally human impact affecting the integrity of many coastal features although in some places there may be sustainable relationships between geodiversity biodiversity and associated cultural activities
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005Using the themes recognised in this report three properties with coastal zone OUV were inscribed on the World Heritage List by 2005 with another six properties that exhibit coastal processes as an ancillary theme (Table 7 Annex 1)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005The only property listed under this theme since 2005 is the Wadden Sea (Denmark Germany and Netherlands) which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2009 and extended in 2014 This property demonstrates geological and geomorphological components of barrier islands beaches tidal flats and ongoing coastal processes which are strongly associated with the paths of migratory birds between Eurasia and Africa
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeConsidering that only one property has been inscribed under this theme since 2005 it can be concluded that the 2005 report was not very effective in stimulating the World Heritage nomination of coastal systems which as a result remain poorly represented on the World Heritage List in terms of recognition under criterion (viii)
Abdulla et al (2013) provided a global analysis of marine World Heritage Properties for all natural criteria They identified and mapped 27 coastal and 24 pelagic provinces representing over 50 of all provinces Around 44 (27) of all 62 coastal provinces and 65 (24) of all 37 pelagic provinces are completely unrepresented (0 properties) on the World Heritage List For another 31 (19) of coastal provinces and 30
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 7
Date Inscribed(extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 7 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Everglades National Park United States of America
1979 Galaacutepagos Islands Ecuador 1978 (2001)
Gulf of Porto Calanche of Piana Gulf of Girola-ta Scandola Reserve France
1983 Great Barrier Reef Australia 1981
Fraser Island Australia 1992 Shark Bay Western Australia Australia 1991
Wadden Sea Denmark Germany Netherlands 2009 (2014) Ha Long Bay Viet Nam 1994 (2000)
Desembarco del Granma National Park Cuba 1999
Dorset and East Devon Coast United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2001
Table 7 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 7 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 7 Coastal systems
34 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
(11) of pelagic provinces it is likely that the small area (lt1) covered by existing World Heritage Properties is not adequate to include all features of potential OUV in the province They suggested that the properties and dynamics of seawater and the ocean itself can represent the OUV Apart from ecosystem processes specific to coastal and marine systems in criterion (ix) and references to coastal and marine geological processes and themes in criterion (viii) the physical and chemical nature of seawater and ocean water bodies have not been considered and these are fundamental to the biological processes and species that are the subject of criteria (ix) and (x) (Abdulla et al 2013)
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionThe geographical distribution of existing coastal system World Heritage Properties inadequately reflects the widespread occurrence of coastal properties of global importance There is no case of a lsquocoastal systemrsquo that is fully or over-represented Evidently as with some other themes (such as Theme 6) there are many properties located in coastal areas that are included on the World Heritage List under criteria other than criterion (viii) It has been beyond the scope of the present study to undertake an analysis of that coverage (and the extent to which outstanding coastal geoheritage is covered in such properties) The need to provide updated thematic advice in this area should also consider this aspect of the recognition of coastal systems of OUV under criterion (viii)
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)The prevailing lsquobig storyrsquo to be addressed is sea level rise associated with climatic change Sea level change is a natural process that has been going on for billions of years but the current particularly rapid rate of rise is exacerbated by human activity via the warming effect of greenhouse gases So there is scope for selecting some further World Heritage Properties that contain clear evidence for sea level change and demonstrate the consequences of such changes whether natural or human-induced One of the clearest and scientifically most well-known sites from which the history of Quaternary sea level change has been revealed is found in a series of uplifted coral reefs in Papua New Guinea a Tentative List property referred to as lsquoHuon Terraces ndash Stairway to the Pastrsquo Climate change is also associated with a greater incidence of extreme storm events and these are often particularly manifest along the coast where geological evidence may be left that shows the nature and magnitude of the event (eg cyclones) which may be disastrous from a human perspective Strong physical sedimentary records of both sediments and rocks can be displayed as tempestites tsunamiites and rhodoid deposits in coast zones These records help in understanding the geological history (magnitude and frequency) of natural disasters
Figure 20 Wadden Sea (Denmark Germany and Netherlands) The largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world copy IUCN Wendy Strahm
Theme 7 Coastal systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 35
Unlike most other geological properties under different themes coastal (also marine) systems cannot be physically separated from adjacent areas because strong process connections are present due to the combined effects of climate waves tide and fluvial discharge Also human activities (coastal protection aquaculture and fisheries) are heavily involved in most areas and traditional fisheries have sometimes become part of geological and ecological systems in coastal regions This kind of human involvement in the coastal zone has already been recognised by Abdulla et al (2013) In many coastal zones there are areas where geodiversity underpins biodiversity because organisms living or visiting the coastal zone are dependent upon the food resources in the substrates that are directly associated with geological and oceanographical processes
Coastal System
Dynamic ongoingprocess associated
with surroundingcoastal landform
Coastal landform sedimentary
deposit with surroundingantecedent landform
Special deposit
bull Wave-dominatedbull Tide-dominatedbull Wave- and tide- combined processed
bull Siliciclastic landform barrier island beach amp dune delta (fan delta) tidal environmentbull Carbonate landform beach amp dune tidal environment (eg sabhka) frining reef and lagoon stromatolite rhodolite etcbull Others marine terrace mangrove swamp
bull Event deposits tempestite seismite tsunamitebull Placer depositsbull Special relationship between geodiversity and biodiversity
Figure 21 Coastal Classification copy Kyung Sik Woo
Theme 7 Coastal systems
36 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverMarine systems includes seafloor and submarine features coral islands reefs and oceanic islands The theme encompasses ldquosignificant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphological featuresrdquo found in the shallow and deep marine areas
This theme comprises the former Theme 9 of the 2005 report lsquoReefs atolls and oceanic islandsrsquo but additionally includes the wide range of ongoing processes and geological features of marine areas including physical chemical and biological processes tectonic settings and sedimentary environments including continental shelf and slope basin floors abyssal plains oceanic trenches submarine ridges
Marine areas cover 70 of the Earth surface most of which is in deep marine areas In recent years there have been a number of advances in the study of the submarine environment including extensive mapping of the seafloor which has produced a plethora of new information on the marine systems in the deep marine areas
The theme of Marine systems will have some overlap with other themes such as lsquoTectonic systemsrsquo eg oceanic ridges andor the theme of lsquoVolcanic systemsrsquo eg volcanic islands as well as the theme of lsquoRiver lake and delta systemsrsquo andor lsquoCoastal systemsrsquo
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005Marine systems were not defined in the 2005 report and only the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) and the Galaacutepagos Islands (Ecuador) were listed with primary features under the then theme of lsquoReefs atolls and oceanic islandsrsquo Shark Bay Western Australia (Australia) was inscribed in 1991 and recognised especially for its stromatolites under criterion (viii)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005No properties that use Theme 8 as a primary theme have been inscribed since 2005 Papahānaumokuākea in the mid-Pacific Ocean addresses Theme 8 as an ancillary theme (Table 8 Annex 1) and the fossil Triassic reefs and atolls of The Dolomites (Italy) are listed as ancillary values under Theme 1
Theme 8 Marine systemsTom Casadevall Tove Damholt and Kyung Sik Woo
Figure 22 Great Barrier Reef (Australia) The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) forms the worldrsquos largest coral reef ecosystem ranging from inshore fringing reefs to mid-shelf reefs and exposed outer reefs including examples of all stages of reef development The processes of geological and geomorphological evolution are well represented linking continental islands coral cays and reefs The varied seascapes and landscapes that occur today have been moulded by changing climates and sea levels and the erosive power of wind and water over long time periods One-third of the GBR lies beyond the seaward edge of the shallower reefs this area comprises continental slope and deep oceanic waters and abyssal plains copy Wise Hok Wai Lum Source Wikimedia Commons
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 37
Evidently a number of atolls and reefs are inscribed under other natural criteria than criterion (viii) and a full evaluation of the representation of these features on the World Heritage List would have to take this into consideration important amongst these is the Ningaloo Coast (Australia) inscribed under criteria (vii) and (x) but having one of the worldrsquos longest near-shore coral reefs All other marine features than oceanic islands atolls and reefs are apparently very poorly represented or missing indicating a substantial gap in the representation of marine features on the World Heritage List
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeWhile this is a newly defined theme given that only one inscription was made since 2005 that falls under the former theme of lsquoReefs atolls and oceanic islandsrsquo it is clear that the 2005 report did not provide the stimulus to States Parties in relation to the application of criterion (viiI)
As noted in the previous Theme (Coastal systems) Abdulla et al (2013) remains an important broader thematic reference for the listing of marine World Heritage There appears to be a need to provide further specific guidance on the positioning of criterion (viii) in relation to the current and future recognition of marine World Heritage
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionGiven the small number of criterion (viii) World Heritage Properties currently listed in relation to the Marine systems theme it is difficult to assess the question of equitable geographical distribution Some notable marine environments such as the Indian Ocean the Polar Regions and most of the Atlantic Ocean currently lack any properties inscribed under criterion (viii) on the World Heritage List however the extent of coverage by properties listed under other themes needs to be considered in assessing representation
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)As this is a newly defined theme and as most of the deep marine environments have not been included previously on the World Heritage List it is reasonable to say that many of the lsquobig storiesrsquo of the geoheritage of Marine systems remain to be revealed within the World Heritage List
There are likely to be number of missing elements under criterion (viii) related to most of the overall features included in the theme Features recommended by Abdulla et al (2013) complemented by biogenic features to include the atolls and reefs are as follows plates and tectonic features hotspot seamounts vents seeps and other hydrogeological features sedimentary processes (clastic processes and products) biogenic features (atolls reefs etc)
As the scope of the present report does not allow for a thorough study on the means to respond to the lsquobig storiesrsquo it is recommended that a thematic study and gap analysis for the theme of Marine systems under criterion (viii) be undertaken to identify the missing elements for future listings In considering such a study including the recommendations of Abdulla et al (2013) it is important to note that some of these aspects can also be taken forward in relation to the application of other themes (for instance see the discussion of marine volcanism in Theme 4)
One example of a lsquobig storyrsquo that is at present only touched on in a limited and incomplete fashion is the submarine expression of plate tectonic boundaries ndash spreading centres subduction zones and expressions of hot spots One could envision for example a serial property nomination to encompass key elements of the Mid-Atlantic Rift system which collectively would tell the story of this major Earth tectonic feature (but noting the link to implementation of Themes 2 and 4) Another topic missing on the World Heritage List is the marine sedimentary systems of canyons channels and submarine fans telling the story of on-going processes acting at giant scale in the deep marine
The importance of including marine natural heritage on the World Heritage List has been recognised in a number of recent reports from IUCN (Abdulla et al 2013 Freestone et al 2016 Casadevall et al 2019) As noted in these reports a key issue relates to who has jurisdiction to propose manage and protect areas of the deep marine environment These environments cover half of the Earthrsquos surface most of which lies beyond the jurisdiction of nations However and as mentioned under the lsquoVolcanic systemsrsquo theme the plethora of recent deep sea floor mapping and exploration has revealed a variety of seafloor features and environments which may merit protection from threats due to mineral resource exploitation disposal of wastes from human activity such as mining dredging for seafoods etc This represents a further reason to explore the extension of the application of the World Heritage Convention to the High Seas
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 8
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 8 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Great Barrier Reef Australia 1981 Galaacutepagos Islands Ecuador 1978 (2001)
Papahānaumokuākea United States of America 2010
Table 8 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 8 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 8 Marine systems
38 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThis theme includes geological processes landscape and geomorphological features developed by past or present glacial and periglacial systems Theme 9 is equivalent to the former two themes 10 lsquoGlaciers and ice capsrsquo and 11 lsquoIce Agesrsquo described in the 2005 report The new theme Theme 9 includes 17 of the World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) for their OUV (primary elements)
Glacier and glacial landscapes are often described as being of the most outstanding and spectacular natural beauty and several World Heritage Properties have been inscribed under criterion (vii) for example Mount Kenya National ParkNatural Forest (Kenya) Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) and Waterton Glacier International Peace Park (Canada and United States of America) The glacial landscape represents diverse glacial landforms and geomorphic or physiographic features both at a large and small scale created by glacial processes such as erosion and deposition Present day glaciers and ice caps are mainly found in high northern and southern latitudes and in high mountain ranges Their existence is dependent
upon a cold climate and precipitation The glaciers mass balance being the difference between accumulation of snow in the winter and ablation of ice during summer are recorded globally and used as an indication of climate change
Glaciers are in broad sense classified into two main types warm-based or temperate glaciers and cold-based or polar glaciers but in between are variations of intermediate thermal glaciers for example sub-polar glaciers The thermal condition of the glaciers together with ice thickness and gravity due to sub-glacial topography and type of bedrock are one of the factors that affects their dynamics and simultaneously the magnitude of erosion and carving There are several different types of glaciers Large continental masses of glacial ice are called ice sheets such as those covering Antarctica and Greenland Ice caps are smaller usually less than 50000 square kilometres and are mainly found in polar and sub-polar regions eg Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice (Iceland) Mountain glaciers develop in high mountains regions and include smaller cirque glaciers in bowl-shaped eroded landforms Valley glaciers and outlet glaciers are the
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systemsLoviacutesa Aacutesbjoumlrnsdoacutettir
Figure 23 Ilulissat Icefjord (Denmark) The Ilulissat Icefjord is an outstanding example of a stage in the Earthrsquos history the last ice age of the Quaternary Period The ice-stream is one of the fastest (40 m per day) and most active in the world Its annual calving of over 46 km3 of ice accounts for 10 of the production of all Greenland calf ice more than any other glacier outside Antarctica The property has significantly added to the understanding of ice-cap glaciology climate change and related geomorphic processes copy Ko Hon Chiu Vincent Source UNESCO
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 39
flowing or streaming part of mountain glaciers or ice caps They become piedmont glaciers when they spread out entering flat land but are called tidewater glaciers when reaching out into the sea Rock glaciers are slow moving glaciers with variable amounts of ice involved which are covered with rock and debris preventing the ice from melting
Diverse glacial landforms and glacial landscapes are created by erosional and depositional processes in different glacial environments The main environments are glacial glacio-fluvial glacio-lacustrine and glacio-marine In glacial environments older glacial landforms and features are often eroded or covered by younger glacial erosion and deposits
Periglacial systems are found in cold climate regions where permafrost and freeze-thaw processes are the dominant factors effecting the environment These processes develop characteristic and diverse landform in periglacial environments for example patterned ground palsas and pingos Permafrost is defined as a ground material (soil rock ice or organic material) that remains at or below 0degC for at least two consecutive years Its main characteristic is the permanently frozen conditions of ground water and vapour within the
sediments and bedrocks affected by the cold climate At the surface is the active layer often about one metre thick that seasonally and repeatedly freezes and thaws Permafrost exists in large areas of non-glacial environments in the polar regions but it also occurs (to a lesser extent) as mountain permafrost in many of the higher mountain areas in the world and as subsea permafrost in the continental shelves of the Arctic Ocean Global warming in the past decades has caused changes in the glacial and periglacial environments and is an on-going condition which may have unforeseen consequences in the future
The description for the theme lsquoIce Agesrsquo in the 2005 report is good and valid It includes global patterns of continental icesheet expansion and recession isostasy sea-level changes and associated biogeographic records
The major Ice Ages in the Earthrsquos history are The Huronian (24-21 billion years ago) The Cryogenian (720-635 million years ago) The Early Palaeozoic (460-420 million years ago) the
Andean-Saharan Ice Age
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 9
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 9 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Kluane Wrangell-St Elias Glacier Bay Tatshenshini-Alsek Canada and United States of America
1979 (1992 1994)
Gros Morne National Park Canada 1987
Los Glaciares National Park Argentina 1981 Heard and McDonald Islands Australia 1997
Tasmanian Wilderness Australia 1982 (1989)
Pirin National Park Bulgaria 1983 (2010)
Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves La Amistad National Park Costa Rica Panama
1983 (1990)
Yosemite National Park United States of America
1984
Huascaraacuten National Park Peru 1985
Te Wahipounamu ndash South West New Zealand New Zealand
1990
Laponian Area Sweden 1996
Pyreacuteneacutees - Mont Perdu France Spain 1997 (1999)
High Coast Kvarken Archipelago Finland Sweden
2000 (2006)
Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch Switzerland 2001 (2007)
Ilulissat Icefjord Denmark 2004
West Norwegian Fjords ndash Geirangerfjord and Naeligroslashyfjord Norway
2005
Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) Tajikistan
2013
Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice Iceland
2019
Table 9 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 9 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems
40 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
The Late Palaeozoic (360-260 million years ago) the Karoo Ice Age
The Cenozoic (28 million-10000 years ago) the Quaternary Ice Age
The Quaternary Ice Age is a rather well-documented event in the Earthrsquos history especially in the Northern Hemisphere but that is not the case with the older Ice Ages However geological records of glacial deposits and erosion relative sea level changes fossil records and chemical elements are evidence of colder climate condition effecting the palaeoenvironment long before the last Ice Age
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005By 2005 14 properties had been inscribed on the World Heritage List under Theme 9 and two additional properties inscribed with ancillary elements under this theme (Table 9 Annex 1) The 14 properties are divided between sites with present glaciers and active glacial processes and sites without glaciers but including glacial landscapes and features from the Pleistocene Epoch Only one property under Theme 9 Laponian Area (Sweden) mention the periglacial processes of freeze-thaw
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since 2005 two properties have been inscribed solely or jointly with other themes 1) Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) (Tajikistan) which is at the centre of glaciation on the
Eurasian continent and 2) Vatnajoumlkull National Park (Iceland) for the lsquodynamic nature of fire and icersquo with OUV for two Themes 9 and 4
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeIn the 2005 report the thematic advice provides clarity on the elements of criterion (viii) were divided into four parts and defined with a list of processes landforms and features recognised within each part The two themes at the time (lsquoGlaciers and ice capsrsquo and lsquoIce Agesrsquo) was clearly described The reason that only two inscriptions have been assigned for Theme 9 since 2005 can partly be explained by the relatively high number of inscriptions related to this theme before 2005 A number of potentially relevant properties were also inscribed under criterion (vii) A recent inventory of glaciers inside World Heritage Properties independent of criteria inscriptions gave the result of 46 properties with notable glaciers within their boundaries (Bosson et al 2019) In 2020 at least seven sites on the Tentative Lists of States Parties are described as being glacial and periglacial systems
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionTheme 9 is relatively well represented but with an uneven geographical distribution Europe and North America (11 properties) Asia and Pacific (four properties) and Latin America and the Caribbean (three properties) The theme has not yet
Figure 24 Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina) Significant process of glaciation as well as of geological geomorphological and physiographical phenomena caused by the ongoing advance and retreat of the glaciations that took place during the Pleistocene epoch in the Quaternary period and the neoglaciations corresponding to the current epoch or Holocene copy Philipp Schinz Source UNESCO
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 41
been used for inscription of properties in the Arab States and Africa but this reflects the geography of the planet
Periglacial systems are under-represented on the World Heritage List even though permafrost regions extend over 25 of the Earthrsquos terrestrial areas Large permafrost areas exist in northern Canada Alaska (USA) Russian Federation and China Periglacial system are in properties inscribed under others themes for example Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation) and are also found in World Heritage Properties inscribed for criterion (vii) and biodiversity eg Putorana Plateau (Russian Federation)
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)The key issue for Theme 9 is the changing climate globally In the past decade we have witnessed that glaciers are retreating fast and periglacial areas are thawing Bosson et al (2019) provides an inventory based on the newest available data on glaciers in 2017 and glacier evolution modelling for 46 World Heritage glaciers sites The results predict that by the year 2100 more than 80 of the ice volume of glaciers in 2017 is expected to have melted in 20 or 41 sites according to the models low or high emission scenario Glacier lsquoextinctionrsquo or disappearance is forecasted in eight to 21 World Heritage Properties In the research it is also pointed out that this decline in World Heritage glaciers will strongly affect the integrity and value of many of these sites and can even be a threat to their OUV
The lsquobig storiesrsquo of the major Ice Ages in Earthrsquos history are their causes and effects Does the rock record hold any evidence of the likely causes of these Ice Ages How are these Ice Ages represented in geological formations and erosions How do they represent changes in palaeoclimates palaeoenvironments atmospheric composition changes in tectonic or changes in the fossil record It is clear that inscription of older Ice Ages can be complex and it will have a strong interplay with other themes To cover some of these topics inscription as a serial or transboundary properties could be considered
Theme 9 has the characteristic of interacting with many other themes under criterion (viii) and with other criteria as well Glacial and periglacial systems are common under criterion (vii) but are also found under criteria (ix) and (x) as the theme creates a foundation for a specific ecological environment biological diversity and habitats
Multibeam surveys of the sea floor have revealed glacial landforms that provide additional information on terrestrial glaciation It is not unlikely that in the near future a new technology will reveal geological properties of OUV for Theme 9 and other themes of criterion (viii)
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems
42 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThe theme Desert and semi-desert systems is presented in the 2005 report as lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo and emphasises specific environments rather than a particular surface process or group of processes However in order to minimise overlaps within the present framework and to make it as clear as possible this category is understood as primarily designed to cover aeolian processes and landforms as well as features produced by intermittent runoff and evaporation Thus it includes landscape features such as dunes and dune fields of various types and sizes yardangs deflation hollows wadis and playas
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005The 2005 report mentioned that four properties had OUV under this lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo theme (Willandra Lakes Region (Australia) Tassili nrsquoAjjer (Algeria) Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park (Australia) and Purnululu National Park (Australia) but none had actually been inscribed under that theme (Table 10 Annex 1)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005The current representation of desert and semi-desert systems among World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion
(viii) is very limited There are only three such properties all inscribed after the 2005 report El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve
(Mexico) ndash includes part of the Sonoran Desert with star dunes and linear dunes of considerable height This property also includes significant volcanic features
Namib Sand Sea (Namibia) ndash hosts diverse dune landscapes representing an almost complete catalogue of dune types (star linear transverse barchans) as well as other desert surface features such as interdune corridors gravel plains ephemeral channels and playas
Lut Desert (Iran) ndash includes classic locality of yardangs developed on a massive scale as well as gravel plains and dune fields
There are several additional World Heritage Properties relevant to the theme but inscribed under criteria other than criterion (viii) However justifications of inscription show that landscape features produced by desert environmental processes were considered crucial for the OUV of these properties These are1 Air and Teacuteneacutereacute Natural Reserves (Niger) (vii) (ix) and (x) ndash
include dune fields surrounding residual volcanic massifs in the hyper-arid environment
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systemsPiotr Migoń
Figure 25 Lut Desert (Iran) The Lut Desert is a classic locality of yardangs developed on a massive scale as well as gravel plains and dune fields copy Paul Williams
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 43
2 Lakes of Ounianga (Chad) (vii) ndash a group of lakes within an otherwise hyper-arid environment fed by groundwater and surrounded by dunes and desert pavements filling surface depressions formed by aeolian erosion (deflation)
3 Okavango Delta (Botswana) (vii) (ix) and (x) ndash overlapping with Theme 5 (River lake and delta systems) it also represents geomorphic features resulting from specific hydrological functioning of drylands with considerable seasonal variations in runoff
Furthermore as with other themes there are many more properties included on the World Heritage List within arid and semi-arid environments but listed for values not related to desert geomorphology (such as Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) (Egypt) which is listed for its spectacular fossils but in a diverse natural desert landscape
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeDesert and semi-desert systems have been the subject of a thematic study commissioned by IUCN (Goudie amp Seely 2011) This study comprehensively covered desert environments identifying various geomorphological features present in the worldrsquos deserts whether directly formed by dry climate processes or not but also indicating three unique subjects for drylands (a) wind processes and landforms (b) weathering processes forms and surface materials specifically different types of near-surface crusts and (c) fossil lakes and other pluvial evidence The latter is particularly important in the context of climate change over geological timescales providing evidence of drastic shifts in climate especially during the Quaternary It needs to be noted that five out of the six World Heritage Properties listed above were inscribed after the thematic study was published although work towards their nominations may have started earlier
Goudie amp Seely (2011) also noted several World Heritage Properties located in deserts which contain representative desert surface features although not of OUV and inscribed under different natural and cultural criteria Among them properties inscribed in recognition of rock art are particularly relevant as this rock art often provides evidence of drastic climate change experienced in recent Earth history They also found several properties on the Tentative List which illustrate desert processes with a few having been inscribed in the following years
This 2011 thematic advice remains relevant and effective as a basis for guiding future application of criterion (viii) under this theme
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionThe current representation of desert and semi-desert systems is relatively modest although the actual number of properties located in arid and semi-arid areas is much higher Many however were inscribed as outstanding examples of erosional systems and palaeontological properties as well as for rock art (as Cultural World Heritage) rather than for aeolian or other specifically dry climate processes Among the six properties listed above four are located in Africa whereas Asia and North America are represented by one property each This low number stands in stark contrast to the area covered by worldrsquos deserts and semi-deserts estimated by Goudie amp Seely (2011) for one third of the total continental area Evident geographical gaps are deserts of Middle East Central and East Asia Australia as well as the semi-desert areas of South America The vastness of the Sahara and the diversity of the North American drylands also offers potential for identification of further features of OUV
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any lsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)In terms of diversity of desert processes and landforms the majority of properties illustrate depositional effects of aeolian processes being focused on dune landscapes Star and linear dunes are highlighted whereas other dunes types such as transverse dune fields and barchans are less exposed Effects of aeolian erosion (deflation) are emphasised in one case only (Lut Desert (Iran)) and there is the scope for further investigation and nominations Desert lakes and playas (former lake basins including seasonal lakes) whether in inland or coastal locations (sabkhas) are clearly under-represented Another gap is complex desert geomorphological systems which would explicitly integrate erosional transitional and depositional features into one system addressing the condition of integrity Two variants may be distinguished here (a) aeolian systems from deflation surfaces (playas stony deserts wind-moulded bedrock outcrops) to dune fields (b) runoff-evaporation systems from channel networks in the higher ground to seasonal lakes and playas The theme of desert landscapes as evidence of climate change is definitely worth exploration both for existing properties (including those inscribed under cultural criteria) and potential properties It may be linked with cultural World Heritage
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 10
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 10 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Bio-sphere Reserve Mexico
2013
Namib Sand Sea Namibia 2013
Lut Desert Iran 2016
Table 10 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 10 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systems
44 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
as the sensitivity of dry environments to climate change often contributed to rises and falls of ancient civilisations which have left tangible evidence (abandoned settlements relict cultural landscapes) Rapidly increasing literature on this subject will provide solid scientific background for further action
In the dual context of desert and semi-desert systems and climate change a theme of loess deposits (wind-blown silt) is identified as completely missing from the World Heritage List Loess with associated palaeosols (buried soils) is an important carrier of palaeoenvironmental information which in suitable settings covers the entire Quaternary Period providing a unique terrestrial record of climate change The thickness of continuous loess may exceed 100 m and is often well exposed In certain localities loess is linked with distinctive features of surface erosion (gully networks escarpments) illustrating on-going geological (geomorphological) processes and significant geomorphic formations Supporting fertile soils loess areas have been inhabited and turned into agricultural land early in the human history As a consequence they are rich in archaeological evidence often of unique value The potential of loess deposits and landscapes may be explored in East and Central Asia Central and Eastern Europe in particular but loess deposits occur on all continents
Thus whilst the specific guidance for the application of criterion (viii) remains relevant it may be that deserts would benefit from a greater connection of the recognition of geoheritage to the wider recognition of cultural and natural World Heritage
Figure 26 Namib Sand Sea (Namibia) This property hosts diverse dune landscapes representing an almost complete catalogue of dune types (star linear transverse barchans) as well as other desert surface features such as interdune corridors gravel plains ephemeral channels and playas copy Ko Hon Chiu Vincent Source UNESCO
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 45
What does the theme coverThe theme of Meteorite impacts includes features produced by the impacts of meteors comets asteroids and other extra-terrestrial objects with the Earth including both physical structures formed by extra-terrestrial impacts such as impact craters as well as major effects caused by them such as mass extinction Impacts by and accretion of extra-terrestrial bodies was the fundamental process by which the Earth grew to its current size It was also a dominant geological process throughout the early history of the Solar System and a variety of possible effects have been ascribed to impacts on Earth including the origin of the Earthrsquos moon the contribution to the Earthrsquos quantity of volatile gases and effects on the evolution of early life In more recent geological time at least one mass extinction event is linked to global effects caused by a major impact event (eg Osinski amp Pierazzo 2012)
Most of the physical structures formed by impacts of extra-terrestrial bodies on Earth have been obliterated by later geological processes and only a few of the more than 190 impact craters3 that have been identified still display the characteristic crater morphology with an annular depression surrounded by an elevated crater rim
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005At the time of the publication of the 2005 report only one property had been inscribed on the World Heritage List under this theme Vredefort Dome (South Africa) which is the oldest largest and most deeply eroded complex meteorite impact structure in the world (Table 11 Annex 1) It is the site of the worldrsquos greatest single known energy release event and contains high quality and accessible geological (outcrop) properties which demonstrate a range of geological evidences of a complex meteorite impact structure
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005In 2014 Stevns Klint (Denmark) was inscribed under this theme The property bears evidence of the asteroid impact believed to have caused the mass extinction that led to the end of the Age of the Dinosaurs and has iconic scientific importance due to its association with the radical theory for asteroid driven extinction In 2014 decision 38 COM 8B10 of the World Heritage Committee followed the recommendation of IUCN and considered ldquothat this nomination can be regarded as completing the recognition of the phenomenon of asteroid impact and its impact on the history of life on Earth on the
Theme 11 Meteorite impactsTove Damholt
Figure 27 Vredefort Dome (South Africa) The Vredefort Dome is the oldest largest and most deeply eroded complex meteorite impact structure in the world and the site of the worldrsquos greatest single known energy release event copy OUR PLACE The World Source UNESCO
3 Earth Impact Database 2019 - httpwwwpasscnetEarthImpactDatabaseNew20website_05-2018Indexhtml
46 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
World Heritage Listrdquo The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa) an Archean property inscribed under several themes (Theme 1 2 4 and 11) contains several thin beds interpreted as meteorite fall-back breccia reflecting the massive bombardments of the early Earth
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeIn the 2005 report the lsquoMeteorite impactrsquo theme is described as ldquophysical evidence of meteorite impacts (astroblemes) and major changes that have resulted from them such as extinctionsrdquo This led to the nomination and inscription of Stevns Klint (Denmark) in 2014 This theme has not been seen as requiring a separate thematic study
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionAs mentioned there are only two properties on the World Heritage List that represent meteorite impacts one in Africa and one in Europe plus one property in Africa that contains meteorite fall-back spherules Further it should be noted again that following the nomination of the Stevns Klint (Denmark) in 2014 it can be considered that this theme is now fully represented on the World Heritage List regardless of geographical distribution
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any lsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)The theme is well represented considering the more limited scope compared to the other themes recognised within criterion (viii) This is particularly the case with regards to the very old and very large physical features related to impacts by extra-terrestrial bodies by the eroded crater of Vredefort Dome supplemented by the fall back breccia of the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (both in South Africa) Stevns Klint (Denmark) forms an equally strong representation of the effect of an extra-terrestrial impact on the record of life on Earth It is remarkable however that the list does not include the feature that is most spectacular and easily understandable to everyone a well-preserved impact crater with a clearly visible annular depression surrounded by an elevated crater rim The lsquobig storiesrsquo of the theme are thus regarded as fully covered except for the representation of a crater structure clearly visible to the untrained eye and recognised as such to a wide public
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 11
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 11 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Vredefort Dome South Africa 2005 Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains South Africa 2018
Stevns Klint Demark 2014
Table 11 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 11 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Figure 28 Stevns Klint (Denmark) The Stevns Klint bears evidence of the asteroid impact believed to have caused the mass extinction that led to the end of the Age of the Dinosaurs It is of iconic scientific importance due to its association with the radical theory for asteroid driven extinction copy Jacob Lautrup Source UNESCO
Theme 11 Meteorite impacts
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 47
As mentioned previously apart from justifying OUV any World Heritage nomination must also include a full and detailed comparative analysis the definition of boundaries meet the conditions of integrity and demonstrate adequate long-term protection and management which should reflect the extent and character of the attributes that convey the OUV To assist in the assessment of OUV it is necessary to perform a global comparative analysis with other sites and areas (including those already inscribed on the World Heritage List) across the world that contain or display similar elements The following three cases are examples of how the building of a comparative analysis was done for recently designated World Heritage Properties nominated under criterion (viii) Collectively these three examples show some commonalities that extend across all 11 themes in geological World Heritage (Figure 2) including the overarching need to identify a gap in attributes of OUV among all existing World Heritage Properties before beginning the nomination the utility of creating a formal list of required and desired criteria to permit equal comparisons among all relevant sites worldwide and the value of a rigorous scoring system to rank individual sites
relative to these previously defined criteria At the same time these examples also show that some aspects of each theme are unique to that theme and thus require some individuality in the criteria for comparisons It is recommended to consider these but also to contact IUCN beforehand in order to establish an effective comparative analysis methodology
Theme 1 Mistaken Point CanadaFor the past two decades all nominations under Theme 1 have used a similar lsquobest practicersquo method for the comparative analysis of fossil sites as illustrated by the analysis of Mistaken Point (IUCN 2016 p 56-57 Thomas and Narbonne 2015 p 59-69) The evaluation started with a comparison of Mistaken Point with all World Heritage fossil sites none of which contained any part of the OUV proposed for Mistaken Point
Evaluation of all Ediacaran fossil sites worldwide was aided by comparative work undertaken by two international Ediacaran fossil experts who analysed all 109 sites worldwide where Ediacaran fossils had been reported identifying 84 sites they regarded as valid and then further distilling this list to 13 sites
Figure 29 Mistaken Point (Canada) These rugged coastal cliffs of deep marine origin date to the middle of the Ediacaran Period 580-560 million years ago They record lsquowhen life got bigrsquo the first abundant appearance of large biologically complex organisms after three billion years of mainly microbial evolution copy Mistaken Point Ambassadors Inc Barrett amp MacKay Photography Source UNESCO
Comparative analysis
48 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
on five continents with sufficient age certainty and fossil diversity to potentially justify OUV These 13 sites were then assessed on the basis of 12 criteria reflecting the ten questions on the lsquoIUCN fossil site evaluation checklistrsquo (Annex 2) that critically assessed the record of fossil diversity at the site the nature and quality of the fossil archive at the site and the permanence (integrity) and scientific impact of the site (Figure 30) The 13 short-listed Ediacaran sites were then assessed as objectively as possible under these 12 criteria typically using numerical subcategories such as stratigraphic thickness number of fossils described number of fossil species recognised and number of scientific papers documenting the site for ranking within each criterion The short-listed sites were then ranked numerically from 1 to 13 within each criterion and the results were summed to produce a matrix for global comparative analysis A final test of the comparative matrix was to critically compare the ranking (both overall and in each specific criterion) of all 13 sites with the Statement of OUV of the nominated site as representing the ldquooutstanding record of a critical milestone in the history of life on Earth lsquowhen life got bigrsquo after almost three billion years of microbe-dominated evolutionrdquo (Thomas and Narbonne 2015 Fig 36)
Theme 4 Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice IcelandVolcanic systems have recently received a high degree of attention with comprehensive global reviews of all inscribed World Heritage Properties that display volcanic features as part of their OUV (Wood 2009 Casadevall et al 2019) These reviews have provided excellent summations of the breadth of volcanic features preserved in World Heritage Properties worldwide but also reveal some significant volcanic features and processes not represented in any World Heritage Property
The inscription of Icelandrsquos Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice (VPN) property on the World Heritage List in 2019 filled a major gap in the coverage of volcanic systems ndash the volcanic systems that produce a mid-ocean ridge Iceland
is the only part of the actively spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge that is above sea level The comparative analysis for the VPN nomi-nation was with 13 sites six of them World Heritage Properties plus seven other prominent sites which have similar tectonic glacio-volcanic volcanic andor glaciological processes From this comparative analysis it was clear that VPN stood out as being by far the most diverse site in terms of the types of landforms related to volcanism and glacio-volcanism No pro-perty inscribed on the World Heritage List presented active ice dominant glacio-volcanism or glacio-volcanic landforms such as Tuya and Tindar ridges Moacuteberg (hyaloclastite) formations joumlkulhlaup and Sandur or glacial outwash plains In the compa-rative analysis the volcanic fields of Antarctica came close to the VPN in diversity but they had lower levels of Holocene vol-canic activity and many are in areas that are difficult to access (Baldursson et al 2018)
The IUCN evaluation report for VPN (IUCN 2019) concluded
ldquoThe property comprises an entire system where magma and the lithosphere are incessantly interacting with the cryosphere hydrosphere and atmosphere to create extremely dynamic and diverse geological processes and landforms that are currently underrepresented or not found on the World Heritage Listrdquo
Theme 11 Stevns Klint DenmarkThe mass extinction at the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary represents the latest and by far best understood and most publicised of the five major faunal turnovers (mass extinction events) that punctuated the Phanerozoic history of life on Earth (Raup amp Sepkoski 1982 Fan et al 2020) It was also the first mass extinction event that was demonstrably related to an extra-terrestrial impact (Alvarez et al 1980) Recognising that this event was not already represented on the World Heritage List Stevns Klint was proposed for adoption as representing a lsquomajor stage in Earthrsquos history including the record of lifersquo thus fulfilling criterion (viii)
CATEGORY 1Fossil record of Ediacara-typesoft-bodied macrofossil deiversity
CATEGORY 2Nature and quality of the fossil archive
CATEGORY 3Permanence (integrity) and scientific impact of the site
1 Number of Ediacara-type macrofossil genera (sensu lato) known from the site
2 Higher level diversity3 Number of Ediacaran macrofossil specimens of lsquoanimal-like characterrsquo estimated to be visible and in situ at the site4 Wider evolutionary signifiance
5 Quality of preserved Ediacara-type preservation
6 Exposed stratigraphic thickness
7 Geochronological constraints
8 Age of the fossil assemblages
9 Range of major depositional environments represented at the site
10 Degree of site investigation
11 Ease of access to the site
12 Permanence of the site
Figure 30 Summary of the criteria assessed in the Global Comparative Analysis of Ediacaran fossil properties Modified from Thomas and Narbonne 2015 Table 32
Comparative analysis
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 49
The comparative analysis used an existing database (KTbase) of more than 500 sites marking the CretaceousminusPalaeogene boundary (Damholt amp Surlyk 2012) and was performed in two stages
First three prerequisites were defined to ensure that all sites examined in further detail comprised the key attributes telling the complete story of the biotic turnover across the CretaceousminusPalaeogene boundary layer and included traces of the extra-terrestrial impact
Completeness across the boundary including the latest Cretaceous and the earliest Palaeogene strata in order to represent the entire event the nature of the mass extinction and the subsequent recovery of life after the extinction
Well studied and described allowing comparison
Boundary layer lithologically different from the underly-ing Cretaceous sediments and the overlying Palaeogene sediments and including the characteristic enrichment in iridium and other rare elements
These three criteria reduced the number of relevant sites to 17 (Damholt amp Surlyk 2012)
In order to compare the 17 sites fulfilling the prerequisites with respect to their potential as a World Heritage Property an additional number of issues were subsequently studied in detail under a second set of criteria (Soslashrensen 2010)
The nature and quality of the rock section itself The site should be of high quali-ty and permanency and contain a clearly defined stratigraphic section
bull Visibility of the boundary layer
bull Lateral extent of exposure
bull Quality of exposure
Fossil record of biodiversityThe site should contain high fossil diversity representing the broadest possible range of major taxonomic groups
bull Fossil diversity
Scientific impact of siteThe site should have high quality for scientific studies
bull Scientific impactbull Accessibility of the
site
The 17 short-listed Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary sites were assessed as objectively as possible under the defined criteria using numerical subcategories such as visibility of boundary layer lateral extent quality of exposure presence of major biotic groups and number of scientific papers documenting the site for ranking within each criterion The results were summed to produce a matrix for global comparative analysis
Finally the ranking found in the numerical comparative analysis was critically compared with the Statement of OUV of the nominated property as an outstanding example of the most spectacular global mass extinction event in the history of Earth (Damholt amp Surlyk 2012)
Figure 31 Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice (Iceland) This is an iconic volcanic region that also features the continental drifting currently active in this part of Atlantic Ocean with ten central volcanoes eight of which are subglacial Two of these are among the most active in Iceland The interaction between volcanoes and the rifts that underlie the Vatnajoumlkull ice cap takes many forms the most spectacular of which is the joumlkulhlaup ndash a sudden flood caused by the breach of the margin of a glacier copy THORNorvarethur Aacuternason Source UNESCO
Comparative analysis
50 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
IntegrityWhile the principles of authenticity apply only to properties being nominated under criteria (i) ndash (vi) the concept of integrity applies to all nominations including those under criterion (viii) Integrity is a measure of the wholeness or intactness of the heritage of the proposed property Specifically it must include all elements needed to express its OUV it must be of adequate size to ensure the complete representation of the features and processes that convey the propertyrsquos significance and it should not be suffering from any adverse effects of development andor neglect For all properties nominated under criteria (vii) ndash (x) bio-physical processes and landform features should be relatively intact However it is recognised that no area is totally pristine and that all natural areas are in a dynamic state and to some extent involve contact with people For criterion (viii) the Operational Guidelines (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019) state that proposed properties
ldquohellipshould contain all or most of the key inter-related and interdependent elements in their natural relationships For example an rsquoice agersquo area would meet the conditions of integrity if it includes the snow field the glacier itself and samples of cutting patterns deposition and colonization (eg striations moraines pioneer stages of plant succession etc) in the case of volcanoes the magmatic series should be complete and all or most of the varieties of effusive rocks and types of eruptions be representedrdquo
Within this general context other aspects of integrity are most-ly specific to the theme and property under consideration For example a fossil property under Theme 1 should contain a high abundance and diversity of well-preserved fossils that remain in situ in the rock for observation and future study and fossils that have been removed for scientific purposes should be reposited in a curated museum collection The permanence of the fossil record at the property is also an important feature of its integrity
Protection and management Once a property is inscribed onto the World Heritage List it is necessary that the State Party ensures the conditions and integrity of the property are sustained or even enhanced To achieve this all properties must have adequate long-term legislative regulatory institutional and or traditional protection and management to ensure their safeguarding The property should be protected from social economic and other pressures that might negatively impact the propertyrsquos OUV
BoundariesThe delineation of boundaries is an essential requirement in the establishment of the effective protection of a property For properties nominated under criteria (vii) ndash (x) boundaries should reflect the spatial requirements of habitats species processes or phenomena that provide the basis for their inscription on the World Heritage List The boundaries should include sufficient areas immediately adjacent to the area of OUV in order to protect the propertyrsquos heritage values from direct effects of human encroachments and impacts of resource use outside of the nominated area (a buffer zone) More information on protection and management and boundaries can be found in the Operational Guidelines (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019)
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 51
The following section addresses the explicit request from the World Heritage Committee for guidance on the relationship between geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
The lsquoConvention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritagersquo was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 17th session in November 1972 It was done in response to the observation that cultural and natural heritage were becoming increasingly threatened with destruction not only by traditional causes of decay but also by changing social and economic conditions It also considered that parts of the cultural and natural heritage are of outstanding interest and therefore need to be preserved as part of the World Heritage of humankind as a whole At the time of adoption the Convention stated that natural heritage included ldquogeological and physiographical formationsrdquo Subsequently the concept of OUV was defined and ten criteria were established to help States Parties decide whether proposed World Heritage Properties could fulfil the concept of OUV Before 2004 natural criterion (i) stated ldquobe outstanding examples representing major stages of Earthrsquos history including the record of life significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphic or physiographic featuresrdquo With the re-organising of the criteria in 2004 natural criterion (i) became criterion (viii) although the definition remained unchanged Presently (June 2021) 93 properties are inscribed on the World Heritage List either under criterion (viii) alone or in combination with one or more other criteria representing approximately 8 of all properties on the list
The latest version of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention published in 2019 mentions that since the adoption of the Convention in 1972 the international community has embraced the concept of lsquosustainable developmentrsquo and notes that the protection and conservation of the natural and cultural heritage constitute a significant contribution to sustainable development It also encourages States Parties to mainstream into their programmes and activities related to the Convention the principles of the relevant policies adopted by the World Heritage Committee the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention and the UNESCO Governing Bodies These include the document Policy for the Integration of a Sustainable Development Perspective into the Processes of the World Heritage Convention and the UNESCO policy on engaging with indigenous peoples as well as other related policies and documents including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and international human rights standards However the definitions of World Heritage and OUV and the ten criteria that support these definitions still make no reference to sustainable development Furthermore some properties
are so fragile remote scientifically specific or they simply have no host human communities that they cannot contribute to sustainable development The important thing is of course that they fulfil one or more of the ten criteria to demonstrate that they have OUV
Starting in the late 1980rsquos and 1990rsquos various areas in Europe were developing programmes of sustainable development based on geological heritage In 1994 Reacuteserve Geacuteologique de Haute Provence (France) Vulkaneifel (the Gerolstein area of the Eifel district in Germany) and the Museum of the Petrified Forest on Lesvos Island Greece joined together to apply for funding under the European Unionrsquos community-led LEADER programme to further develop this concept of using an arearsquos geological heritage to promote the sustainable development of the communities who live there They were joined by the Maestrazgo Cultural Park in Spain and together in 2000 they jointly launched the fledging European Geoparks Network with each area branding itself as a European Geopark As originally defined a European Geopark is a territory which includes a particular geological heritage and a sustainable territorial development strategy supported by a European program to promote development It must have clearly defined boundaries and sufficient surface area for true territorial economic development A European Geopark should have an active role in the economic development of its territory through enhancement of a general image linked to the geological heritage and the development of geotourism It should also have direct impact on the territory by influencing its inhabitants living conditions and environment The objective is to enable the inhabitants to re-appropriate the values of the territoryrsquos heritage and actively participate in the territoryrsquos cultural revitalisation as a whole Also significantly all European Geoparks were obliged to be part of a network of cooperation the European Geoparks Network By early 2004 the European Geoparks Network had expanded to include 17 European Geoparks
At the same time Geoparks also began to be created in China However here the early focus was to define sites and areas important from a geological science perspective only rather than using that heritage for promoting sustainable development On February 13 2004 alongside the annual meeting in UNESCO of the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) eight Chinese Geoparks and the 17 European Geoparks were brought together to create the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and the 25 European and Chinese Geoparks were rebranded as Global Geoparks under the auspices of UNESCO and using the approach of using geological heritage for promoting sustainable development The Global Geoparks and the GGN were then formally launched in June 2004 in Beijing China at the inaugural International
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
52 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Conference on Geoparks The 2005 report noted that ldquohellipthe World Heritage List is never likely to include more than 150 properties of primary geological or geomorphological interestrdquo and that the ldquonecessarily selective nature of World Heritage cannot therefore be regarded as adequate for recognising the full range of globally selective geological propertiesrdquo By the time the 2005 report was published there were 32 Global Geoparks and it was noted that the UNESCO Geoparks Program could be a viable alternative model to World Heritage for recognising protecting other geological sites However there was no UNESCO Geoparks Program at that time and there was no formal legal link to UNESCO
Nevertheless Global Geoparks increasingly spread to other areas of the world Starting in 2013 at the request of its Member States UNESCO through the establishment of a working group began to explore ways of formalising the link between Global Geoparks and the Organisation This resulted in the adoption in November 2015 by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 38th session of a new programme the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) which allowed for the creation of a new UNESCO site designation the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) Following approval from 33 individual Member States which hosted the then existing 120 Global Geoparks these areas were automatically re-designated as UGGprsquos Presently (June 2021) there are 169 UGGprsquos in 44 Member States all linked together through the GGN4
With the drafting and adoption of a set of Statutes and Operational Guidelines for the new IGGP (UNESCO 2015) a UNESCO Global Geopark was officially defined as a
ldquohellipsingle unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection education and sustainable development The international geological significance of a UNESCO Global Geopark is determined by scientific professionals as part of a lsquoUNESCO Global Geopark Evaluation Teamrsquo who make a globally comparative assessment based on the peer-reviewed published research conducted on geological sites within the area UNESCO Global Geoparks use geological heritage in connection with all other aspects of that arearsquos natural and cultural heritage to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society in the context of the dynamic planet we all live onrdquo
To support this definition a set of seven criteria were also adopted(i) UNESCO Global Geoparks must be single unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection education research and sustainable development A UNESCO Global Geopark must have a clearly defined border be of adequate size to fulfil its functions and contain geological
heritage of international significance as independently verified by scientific professionals
(ii) UNESCO Global Geoparks should use that heritage in connection with all other aspects of that arearsquos natural and cultural heritage to promote awareness of key issues facing society in the context of the dynamic planet we all live on including but not limited to increasing knowledge and understanding of geoprocesses geohazards climate change the need for the sustainable use of Earthrsquos natural resources the evolution of life and the empowerment of indigenous peoples
(iii) UNESCO Global Geoparks should be areas with a management body having legal existence recognized under national legislation The management bodies should be appropriately equipped to adequately address the area of the UNESCO Global Geopark in its entirety
(iv) In the case where an applying area overlaps with another UNESCO designated site such as a World Heritage Site or Biosphere Reserve the request must be clearly justified and evidence must be provided for how UNESCO Global Geopark status will add value by being both independently branded and in synergy with the other designations
(v) UNESCO Global Geoparks should actively involve local communities and indigenous peoples as key stakeholders in the Geopark In partnership with local communities a co-management plan needs to be drafted and implemented that provides for the social and economic needs of local populations protects the landscape in which they live and conserves their cultural identity It is recommended that all relevant local and regional actors and authorities be represented in the management of a UNESCO Global Geopark Local and indigenous knowledge practice and management systems should be included alongside science in the planning and management of the area
(vi) UNESCO Global Geoparks are encouraged to share their experience and advice and to undertake joint projects within the GGN Membership of GGN is obligatory
(vii) A UNESCO Global Geopark must respect local and national laws relating to the protection of geological heritage The defining geological heritage sites within a UNESCO Global Geopark must be legally protected in advance of any application At the same time a UNESCO Global Geopark should be used as leverage for promoting the protection of geological heritage locally and nationally The management body must not participate directly in the sale of geological objects such as fossils minerals polished rocks and ornamental rocks of the type normally found in so-called lsquorockshopsrsquo within the UNESCO Global Geopark (regardless of their origin) and should actively discourage unsustainable trade in geological materials as a whole Where clearly justified as a responsible activity and as part of delivering the most effective and sustainable means of site management it may permit sustainable collecting of geological materials for scientific and educational purposes from naturally renewable sites within
4 List of UNESCO Global Geoparks - httpwwwunescoorgnewennatural-sciencesenvironmentearth-sciencesunesco-global-geoparkslist-of-unesco-global-geoparks
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 53
the UNESCO Global Geopark Trade of geological materials based on such a system may be tolerated in exceptional circumstances provided it is clearly and publicly explained justified and monitored as the best option for the Global Geopark in relation to local circumstances Such circumstances will be subject to approval by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council on a case by case basis
As can be seen the main and important differences between geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks include that the former are defined by the concept of OUV while the latter are defined by having lsquosites and landscapes of international geological significancersquo While OUV is defined as a combination of fulfilling one or more of the World Heritage criteria site integrity and having a management plan for UGGprsquos international geological significance is independently assessed by the International Union for Geological Sciences (IUGS) Through their global network IUGS ask independent geological researchers on whether the areasrsquo geological values have attracted international scientific researchers whose results have been published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals If the application is deemed by IUGS as not having international value then the application is stopped
Additionally the concept of sustainable development is an integral part of the definition of a UGGp and the involvement of local communities is one of the criteria that helps support
the definition Furthermore while UGGprsquos can just like World Heritage Properties be transnational they cannot be serial in nature as a UGGp is defined as a single unified geographical area Finally a UGGp must include people within its boundaries as per criterion (v) of the definition and there is no zonation such as can exist for World Heritage Properties (eg buffer zones)
Legally the two designations also differ The Statutes and Operational Guidelines of the IGGP do not constitute an intergovernmental convention such as the lsquoWorld Heritage Conventionrsquo and decisions involving new designations and revalidation (the 4-yearly periodic review all UGGprsquos are subject to) are taken by a body of individuals the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council which is appointed by the Director General of UNESCO on the basis of their expertise in Geoparks but who are not representatives of their respective States or any other affiliated entity This is in contrast to the equivalent body for World Heritage the World Heritage Committee which consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties that are signatories to the Convention The aforementioned system of periodic review for UGGprsquos revalidation also differs to that operated through the World Heritage Convention the periodic review During revalidation progress reports submitted by the UGGp are analysed and this is followed by a site visit that thoroughly investigates not only whether the area is still functioning as a UGGp but significantly what improvements have been made particularly in regard to sustainable
Figure 32 Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geoparks (Greece) One of the remits of UNESCO Global Geoparks is to promote awareness of geohazards On Lesvos Island the Geopark authorities teach school children how to act in the event of an earthquake When this earthquake hit the village of Vrisa in 2017 pupils in the local school were in class While the school was destroyed all children escaped unharmed copy Patrick Mc Keever
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
54 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
development community involvement and networking activities through the GGN The result of this process can be that the area has made sufficient progress meaning it can maintain its designation as a UGGp for an additional four years after which this process is repeated (the so-called green card) If however it is deemed that not enough progress has been made or one or more other issues have been identified (perhaps for example problems in management or visibility) then a two year warning is issued (the so-called yellow card) A list of recommendations are given to the UGGp and a two year period is allowed for their implantation after which another full revalidation exercise is undertake At this stage if it is considered that not enough progress has been made then the area loses its designation as a UGGp (the so-called red card) A red card is not necessarily the end of the story however as the area when its management body feels it is ready can re-apply following the normal procedure Several Geoparks that previously were given red card have re-applied and have been re-designated as UGGprsquos
While the two UNESCO designations have different remits and foci the two are not mutually exclusive There are several UGGprsquos that include within their boundaries one or more World Heritage Properties (cultural natural and mixed) there are some UGGprsquos that have subsequently either partially or wholly been inscribed onto the World Heritage List There are also some geological World Heritage Properties that have
subsequently been incorporated into a UGGp (eg Messel Pit Fossil Site World Heritage Property in Germany is now a site within the much larger Bergstraszlige-Odenwald UGGp)
When a Member State of UNESCO or a State Party to the World Heritage Convention is pondering whether to apply for an area within its territory to be designated as a geological World Heritage Property or as a UGGp the key questions they should ask is why do they want that designation and what is it they hope to achieve by obtaining it The following figures (34 and 35) are aimed at helping countries decide
Figure 33 Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark (Northern Ireland amp Republic of Ireland) Protection of internationally important geological environments is also part of the remit of UNESCO Global Geoparks Cuilcagh Mountain holds one of the largest expanses of blanket bog in Europe Erosion of the bog for example by increased numbers of walkers leads to increased rain runoff into the Marble Arch Caves To assist in the protection of both the bog and the caves the Geopark authorities built a walkway for ramblers The wooden walkway has become a huge success and has attracted tens of thousands more walkers to the area but still ensuring protection of the environment while economically benefitting the sustainable tourism industry of the Geopark copy Tourism Ireland
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 55
World Heritage Property Unesco Global Geopark
Who Can Apply Any country that has signed the World Heritage Convention Such countries are known as States Parties
Any country that is a member of UNESCO
Geological Values Must fulfil criterion (viii) and demonstrate OUV
Must have sites and landscapes of international geological significance
Who Decides On Geological Value Recommendation made by IUCN Decision made by World Heritage Committee
International Union of Geological Sciences make decision If they say lsquonorsquo the application is halted
Role Of National Government The nomination of a property for inscription on the World Heritage List is prepared by a State Party to the World Heritage Convention
Notice of intent to apply and the application sent by the national organisation that has official relations with UNESCO eg national commission
Tentative List Obligatory Recommended
National Committees Not required Recommended
Submission Only a property already on the World Heritage Tentative List may be submitted by the State Party to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre as a new World Heritage nomination
Through the national organisation that has official relations with UNESCO eg national commission
Serial Properties Sites Yes No Must be a single unified area
Other Values Can be submitted under any other natural or cultural criteria so long as it can demonstrate OUV under each criterion
Obligatory to link the geological values with other natural cultural and intangible values
Maximum Size None While there is no maximum size it needs to be manageable by a single management authority
Minimum Size Must be of adequate size to ensure the complete representation of the features and processes which convey the propertyrsquos significance and OUV
Cannot be a single site and must be of sufficient size to realise sustainable economic development
Management Body Obligatory Obligatory
Overlap With Other Unesco Designations
Yes Yes but the reasons must be detailed in the application and the management body of any other designation must support the UGGp application
Local Community Involvement Recommended where appropriate Obligatory
Areas With No Human Population Yes No
Selling Of Geological Material In So-Called rsquoRock Shopsrsquo
Yes Not permitted by any organisation selling such material that is linked to the management body
Networking With Other Sites In The Same Designation
No Obligatory All UGGprsquos must be members of the Global Geoparks Network
Cost Of Application Process World Heritage Properties need an established protection and management regime that meets the World Heritage standard but the cost of running such very much depends on site-specific characteristics
Costs associated with the nomination varies
Area must demonstrate it is acting as a de-facto UGGp at the time of application including employing staff operational activities visibility etc Costs associated with this varies Costs associated with creation of application dossier also vary but normally less that WHS applications
Figure 34 A compilation of common questions comparing geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
56 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
World Heritage Property Unesco Global Geopark
Cost Of Site Assessment Costs borne by the nominating State Party
Costs borne by the applying area
Annual Fee None A fee of 1500euro is payable annually to the GGN of which 1000USD is donated to UNESCO
Application Timeline Sites need to have been inscribed on the Tentative List for at least 12 months before being nominated
Nomination process from voluntary draft deadline takes a minimumn of 22 months
Minimum of approximately 18 months At the time of application the candidate area must be acting as a de-facto Geopark for at least one year
Decision Making Process By the intergovernmental World Heritage Committee
By the international UNESCO Global Geopark Council Final endorsement is by the Executive Board of UNESCO
Review Process Every six years States Parties submit periodic reports for examination by the World Heritage Committee
The state of conservation of specific World Heritage Properties that are under threat is reported by the State Party and analysed by the Advisory Bodies
Four year revalidation process using a traffic light system of green (four year renewal) yellow (two year renewal) and red (delisting)
Expectation For Results Regarding Sustainable Development
States Parties to the World Heritage Convention have the responsibility to contribute to and comply with the sustainable development objectives including gender equality in the World Heritage processes and in their heritage conservation and management systems
Obligatory and assessed during the revalidation process
Figure 34 A compilation of common questions comparing geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 57
Figure 35 A Decision Tree aimed at further assisting countries decide whether to seek designation for an area as a geological World Heritage Property or a UNESCO Global Geoparks
ValuesDoes the site have OUV
Is the site of international geological significance
Scoping study on the potential for demonstrating OUV and or initialcomparative analysis of the site in
its wider global context
UGGp NONE Independentassessment
needed
IntegrityDoes the site satisfy the conditions for integrity
Is it a serial site Does the site include people within its boundaries and
is of sufficient area for territorial economic development
Assessment of conditions for integrity as outlined in sect88 and
sect93 of the World Heritage Operational Guidelines
Lead and managementIs the lead and management at state level
Are local communities indigenous peoples actively involved
Timeline for application processTime available
Sites need to be inscribed on the Tentative List
min 12 months before nominatedNomination process from voluntary
deadline for draft nominations takes min 22 months
Min 18 months
WH or UGGp
Yes No Donrsquot know
Yes No Donrsquot know
Yes No Donrsquot know
Yes No
WH or UGGpWH
Yes No
NONEUGGp
Yes No
WH
Yes No
NONEUGGp
Long Less
UGGp
WH
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
58 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
As was stated at the outset of this report the 2005 report entitled Geological World Heritage A Global Framework aimed to discuss and advise on the role of the World Heritage Convention in recognising and protecting geological and geomorphological heritage By using a thematic approach the 2005 report aimed to assist States Parties in undertaking global comparative
analyses of properties prior to and as part of new nominations under criterion (viii)
assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors to identify possible gaps in coverage of the World Heritage List
assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors in their evaluation of new nominations of properties under criterion (viii)
The remit of the present report is to fully revise and update the 2005 report and to look at the potential impact of the new UNESCO Global Geopark designation on future inscriptions to the World Heritage List under criterion (viii)
As with the 2005 report this report also emphasises the fundamental nature of demonstrating OUV before any nomination to the World Heritage List should be made It must be further emphasised that the World Heritage List is very selective and just because a site may be the best of its type nationally or even on a continental scale it does not automatically follow that it has the necessary OUV to be inscribed onto the World Heritage List Only the best sites on a global scale should be inscribed
Before starting the process of considering a possible nomination (and preferably before addition of a possible site to the national Tentative List that guides possible World Heritage nominations) consideration should be given to the reason for seeking a nomination What is it the State Party wants to achieve by a nomination At this stage consideration should be given to assessing whether the UNESCO Global Geopark designation may be a more appropriate option to consider The decision tree in the previous section (Figure 35) can help with this assessment
Whether the decision is to press ahead with a World Heritage nomination or an application to become a UNESCO
Conclusions
Figure 36 Grand Canyon National Park (United States of America) Carved out by the Colorado River the Grand Canyon (nearly 1500 m deep) is the most spectacular gorge in the world Located in the state of Arizona it cuts across the Grand Canyon National Park and its horizontal strata retrace the geological history of the past two billion years copy US National Park Service
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 59
Global Geopark all the geological values of the site under consideration must be analysed For a World Heritage nomination the site must demonstrate OUV For a UNESCO Global Geopark application the proposed site or landscape must demonstrate geological heritage of international value
To assist with the analysis in relation to possible World Heritage nominations the 11 themes described in this report should be used to organise the information needed to consider the geological values of the proposed site Overlaps between the geological values of the proposed site and gaps in the World Heritage List should be identified to ensure that these values are not already well represented If the values overlap with identified gaps in the List a brief synthesis defining these values and the attributes should be compiled as the basis for further analysis
Finally to ensure the proposed site really can demonstrate OUV a thorough and detailed comparative analysis should be undertaken based on its geological values attributes and integrity to demonstrate that the site has the exceptional level of global significance that could justify its inclusion on the World Heritage List and fully meet the requirements set out in the World Heritage Conventionrsquos Operational Guidelines
Only once this has been done and the State Party can fully demonstrate that the site has the necessary potential to demonstrate OUV should the preparation of a full nomination to the World Heritage List be considered Throughout this process IUCN is available to respond to questions and advice of States Parties considering World Heritage nominations and welcomes further questions on the recommendations put forward in the present study
Conclusions
60 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Abdulla A Obura D Bertzky B and Shi Y (2013) Marine Natural Heritage and the World Heritage List Interpretation of World Heritage criteria in marine systems analysis of biogeographic representation of sites and a roadmap for addressing gaps Gland Switzerland IUCN httpswwwiucnorgnode21147
Alvarez LW Alvarez W Asaro F and Michel HV (1980) Extraterrestrial cause for the CretaceousndashTertiary Extinction Science 208(4448) pp1095ndash1108 httpsdoiorg101126science20844481095
Anderson JM and de Wit M (2008) Africa Alive Corridors A continental network of earth life and cultural heritage Geobulletin of the Geological Society of South Africa December 2008 pp 11ndash25
Baldursson S Guethnason J Hannesdoacutettir H and Thoacuteretharson T (2018) Nomination of Vatnajoumlkull National Park for inclusion in the World Heritage List Reykjaviacutek Vatnajoumlkull National Park httpswhcunescoorgdocument166300
Bird EC (2004) lsquoCoastal Classificationrsquo In AS Goudie (ed) Encyclopaedia of Geomorphology Routledge London vol 1 p 165-168
Bosson J‐B Huss M and Osipova E (2019) Disappearing World Heritage glaciers as a keystone of nature conservation in a changing climate Earthrsquos Future 7 469ndash479 httpsdoi org1010292018EF001139
Casadevall T Tormey D and Roberts J (2019) World Heritage Volcanoes Classification gap analysis and recommendations for future listings Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsdoiorg102305IUCNCH201907en
Damholt T and Surlyk F (2012) Nomination of Stevns Klint for inclusion in the World Heritage List St Heddinge Denmark Oslashstsjaeligllands Museum
Dingwall P Weighell T and Badman T (2005) Geological World Heritage A Global Framework Gland Switzerland IUCN httpswwwiucnorgcontentgeological-world-heritage-a-global-framework
Dye BJ et al (2019) Heritage Dammed Water Infrastructure Impacts on World Heritage Properties and Free Flowing Rivers Civil Society Report to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and Parties of the World Heritage Convention Moscow Rivers without Boundaries and World Heritage Watch httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode48506
Fan J-X et al (2020) A high-resolution summary of Cambrian to Early Triassic marine invertebrate biodiversity Science 367(6475) pp272ndash277 httpsdoiorg101126scienceaax4953
Ferrier RC and Jenkins A (eds) (2010) Handbook of catchment management Chichester Wiley-Blackwell httpsdoiorg1010029781444307672
Ford DC and Williams PW (2007) Karst Hydrogeology and Geomorphology Chichester Wiley
Ford DC and Williams PW (2011) lsquoGeomorphology underground the study of karst and karst processesrsquo In KJ Gregory and AS Goudie (eds) The SAGE Handbook of Geomorphology London SAGE Publications
Freestone D Laffoley D Douvere F and Badman T (2016) World Heritage in the High Seas An Idea Whose Time Has Come World Heritage Report 44 UNESCO and IUCN
Fryirs KA and Brierley GJ (2012) Geomorphic analysis of river systems an approach to reading the landscape John Wiley amp Sons
Goldscheider N et al (2020) Global distribution of carbonate rocks and karst water resources Hydrogeology Journal 28 1661-1677 httpsdoiorg101007s10040-020-02139-5
Goudie A and Seely M (2011) World Heritage Desert Landscapes Potential Priorities for the Recognition of Desert Landscapes and Geomorphological Sites on the World Heritage List Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode9818
Grill G et al (2019) Mapping the worldrsquos free-flowing rivers Nature 569(7755) p215 httpsdoiorg101038s41586-019-1111-9
Henriques MH and Neto K (2015) Geoheritage at the Equator Selected Geoproperties of Sao Tome Island (Cameron Line Central Africa) Sustainability v 7 pp 648-667 httpsdoiorg103390su7010648
Hillier JK and Watts AB (2007) Global distribution of seamounts from ship-track bathymetry data Geophys Res Lett 34 L13304 httpsdoiorg1010292007GL029874
References
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 61
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (2016) lsquoWorld Heritage Nomination ndash IUCN Technical Evaluation Mistaken Point (Canada)rsquo In IUCN World Heritage Evaluations 2016 IUCN Evaluations of nominations of natural and mixed properties to the WHL WHC1640COMINF8B2 Gland Switzerland IUCN pp53-62 httpswhcunescoorgdocument152802
IUCN (2019) lsquoWorld Heritage Nomination ndash IUCN Technical Evaluation Vatnajoumlkull National Park (Iceland)rsquo In IUCN World Heritage Evaluations 2019 IUCN Evaluations of nominations of natural and mixed properties to the World Heritage List WHC1943COMINF8B2 Gland Switzerland IUCN pp42-51 httpswhcunescoorgdocument176191
Kim S and Wessel P (2011) New global seamount census from altimetry-derived gravity data Geophysical Journal International 186 615-631 httpsdoiorg101111j1365-246X201105076x
Moss B (2010) Ecology of fresh waters a view for the twenty-first century John Wiley amp Sons
Osinski GR and Pierazzo E (2012) Impact Cratering Processes and Products John Wiley amp Sons
Palmer AN (2007) Cave Geology Dayton Ohio Cave Books
Raup DM and Sepkoski JJ (1982) Mass extinctions in the marine fossil record Science 215(4539) pp1501-1503 httpsdoiorg101126science21545391501
Soslashrensen AM (2010) Comparative analysis of KT boundary sites for inclusion in the World Heritage List Report Oslashstsjaeligllands Museum
Spalding MD (2012) Marine World Heritage Towards a representative balanced and credible World Heritage List UNESCO World Heritage Centre Paris Online whcunescoorguploadsactivitiesdocumentsactivity-13-24pdf
Thomas R and Narbonne GM (2015) Mistaken Point Nomination for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List Newfoundland and Labrador Canada Parks and Natural Areas Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation and Mistaken Point Ambassadors Inc httpswhcunescoorguploadsnominations1497pdf
Thorsell JW Levy RF and Sigaty T (1997) A global overview of wetland and marine protected areas on the World Heritage list Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode7359
Toteu SF Anderson JM and De Wit M (2010) lsquoAfrica Alive Corridorsrsquo Forging a new future for the people of Africa Journal of African Earth Sciences 58 pp692ndash715 httpsdoiorg101016jjafrearsci201008011
United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2015) The Statutes and Operational Guidelines of the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme IGGP2015ST
UNESCO (2016) The future of the World Heritage convention for marine conservation UNESCO World Heritage paper 45
UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2011) Preparing World Heritage Nominations 2nd ed A World Heritage Resource Manual Paris France
UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2019) Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention WHC1901 10 July 2019 Paris France
Wessel P Sandwell DT and Kim S (2010) The Global Seamount Census Oceanography 23 24-33
Wells RT (1996) Earthrsquos Geological History A Contextual Framework for Assessment of World Heritage Fossil Site Nominations IUCN Natural Heritage Programme Working Paper 1 Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode7357
Williams P (2008) World Heritage Caves and Karst A Thematic Study Gland Switzerland IUCN httpswwwiucnorgcontentworld-heritage-caves-and-karst-a-thematic-study
Wood C (2009) World Heritage Volcanoes Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode9486
Woodroffe CD Cowell PJ and Dickson ME (2011) lsquoCoastal Environmentsrsquo In KJ Gregory and AS Goudie (eds) The SAGE Handbook of Geomorphology London SAGE Publications
World Heritage Committee (2014) Decision 38 COM 8B10 Stevns Klint (Denmark) In Report of decisions of the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee (Doha 2014) Paris France UNESCO World Heritage Centre httpswhcunescoorgendecisions6095
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) (2019) New study in Nature Just one-third of the worldrsquos longest rivers remain free-flowing 8 May 2019 Gland Switzerland WWF httpswwfpandaorgwwf_newspress_releases346815New-Study-in-Nature-Just-One-Third-of-the-Worlds-Longest-Rivers-Remain-Free-Flowing
References
62 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 63
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Aust
ralia
n Fo
ssil
Mam
mal
Site
s (R
iver
slei
gh
Nara
coor
te)
1Ri
vers
leig
h pr
ovid
es e
xcep
tiona
l an
d in
man
y ca
ses
uniq
ue m
amm
al a
ssem
blag
es fr
om th
e Ol
igoc
ene
to M
ioce
ne s
pann
ing
from
10-
30 m
illion
ye
ars
ago
The
se a
ssem
blag
es d
ocum
ent c
hang
es
in h
abita
t fro
m h
umid
low
land
rain
fore
st to
dry
eu
calyp
t for
ests
and
woo
dlan
ds a
nd p
rovid
e th
e fir
st fo
ssil
reco
rd fo
r man
y di
stin
ctive
gro
ups
of
livin
g m
amm
als
such
as
the
mar
supi
al m
oles
and
fe
athe
r-ta
iled
poss
ums
The
ass
embl
ages
reco
vere
d fro
m th
e ca
ves
at N
arac
oorte
Vic
toria
Fos
sil C
ave
pres
erve
an
outs
tand
ing
reco
rd o
f mor
e re
cent
te
rrest
rial v
erte
brat
e lif
e T
hese
ope
n a
win
dow
into
a
sign
ifica
nt p
erio
d of
Ear
thrsquos
his
tory
from
the
mid
-Pl
eist
ocen
e to
pre
sent
(530
000
yea
rs a
go to
toda
y)
a pe
riod
char
acte
rised
by
grea
t clim
atic
cha
nges
Them
e 1
Rive
rsle
igh
and
Nara
coor
te
are
a su
perb
illu
stra
tion
of k
ey s
tage
s in
the
Ceno
zoic
evo
lutio
n of
Aus
tralia
rsquos
uniq
ue fa
una
1994
(viii)
(ix)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Barb
erto
n M
akho
njw
a M
ount
ains
12
4 1
1De
cisi
on 4
2 CO
M 8
B5
stat
es T
he p
rope
rty
cont
ains
the
best
mos
t dive
rse
and
outs
tand
ing
exam
ples
of r
ock
outc
rops
from
the
Arch
aean
sta
ge
of E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry I
ts ro
cks
have
reve
aled
the
earli
est
reco
rd o
f sin
gle-
celle
d lif
e fo
rms
as w
ell a
s th
e ea
rlies
t and
mos
t sig
nific
ant g
eom
orph
ic fe
atur
es
incl
udin
g de
taile
d ev
iden
ce o
f the
pro
cess
es
invo
lved
in th
e ev
olut
ion
of th
e or
igin
ally
oxyg
en-f
ree
ocea
ns a
nd a
tmos
pher
e a
nd c
reat
ion
of th
e fir
st
cont
inen
tal l
andf
orm
sTh
e pr
oper
ty is
a tr
uly
uniq
ue re
mna
nt o
f the
an
cien
t Ear
thrsquos
cru
st c
onta
inin
g am
ong
the
olde
st
and
undo
ubte
dly
the
best
-pre
serv
ed s
eque
nce
of
volc
anic
and
sed
imen
tary
rock
s on
Ear
th T
hese
hi
ghly
acce
ssib
le a
ncie
nt e
xpos
ures
pre
sent
a
cont
inuo
us 3
40 m
illion
yea
r seq
uenc
e of
rock
s
star
ting
3600
milli
on y
ears
ago
The
ir ph
ysic
al a
nd
chem
ical
cha
ract
eris
tics
prov
ide
an u
npar
alle
led
sour
ce o
f sci
entifi
c in
form
atio
n ab
out t
he e
arly
Earth
The
out
stan
ding
val
ue o
f the
se ro
cks
lies
in
the
larg
e nu
mbe
r of s
ites
and
feat
ures
that
whe
n co
mbi
ned
pro
vide
a un
ique
and
as
yet o
nly
parti
ally
expl
ored
sci
entifi
c re
sour
ce
Them
e 1
One
of t
he w
orld
rsquos
olde
st g
eolo
gica
l stru
ctur
es d
atin
g ba
ck 3
6 to
32
5 bi
llion
year
s ag
o
pres
ervin
g th
e en
viron
men
t for
the
early
evo
lutio
n of
life
The
me
2 A
n Ar
chea
n gr
anite
-gre
enst
one
belt
that
re
cord
s co
ntin
ent-
build
ing
on th
e ea
rly E
arth
The
me
4 K
omat
iites
the
ho
ttest
lava
s th
at h
ave
ever
flow
ed
on o
ur p
lane
t w
ere
first
reco
gnize
d in
th
is s
ite T
hem
e 11
Sph
erul
e be
ds
of m
olte
n ro
ck d
ropl
ets
from
a p
erio
d of
inte
nse
met
eorit
e bo
mba
rdm
ent
whi
ch p
rovid
e ev
iden
ce o
f som
e of
the
earli
est l
arge
met
eorit
e im
pact
eve
nts
2018
(viii)
Natu
ral
Sout
h Af
rica
Afric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties Guy M Narbonne and Joseacute Brilha
62 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 63
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Cana
dian
Roc
ky
Mou
ntai
n Pa
rks
12
6Th
e Bu
rges
s Sh
ale
is o
ne o
f the
mos
t sig
nific
ant
foss
il ar
eas
in th
e w
orld
Exq
uisi
tely
pres
erve
d fo
ssils
reco
rd a
dive
rse
abu
ndan
t mar
ine
com
mun
ity d
omin
ated
by
soft-
bodi
ed o
rgan
ism
s
Orig
inat
ing
soon
afte
r the
rapi
d un
fold
ing
of a
nim
al
life
abou
t 540
milli
on y
ears
ago
the
Bur
gess
Sha
le
foss
ils p
rovid
e ke
y ev
iden
ce o
f the
his
tory
and
ear
ly ev
olut
ion
of m
ost a
nim
al g
roup
s kn
own
toda
y an
d yie
ld a
mor
e co
mpl
ete
view
of l
ife in
the
sea
than
an
y ot
her s
ite fo
r tha
t tim
e pe
riod
The
sev
en p
arks
of
the
Cana
dian
Roc
kies
are
a c
lass
ic re
pres
enta
tion
of s
igni
fican
t and
on-
goin
g gl
acia
l pro
cess
es a
long
th
e co
ntin
enta
l divi
de o
n hi
ghly
faul
ted
fold
ed a
nd
uplif
ted
sedi
men
tary
rock
s
Them
e 1
The
Bur
gess
Sha
le
insc
ribed
as
a UN
ESCO
Wor
ld H
erita
ge
Prop
erty
in 1
980
for i
ts w
orld
-ren
own
foss
ils o
f Cam
bria
n so
ft-bo
died
m
arin
e an
imal
s is
now
incl
uded
in
this
pro
perty
The
me
2 T
he
cont
iguo
us n
atio
nal p
arks
of B
anff
Ja
sper
Koo
tena
y an
d Yo
ho a
s w
ell a
s th
e M
ount
Rob
son
Mou
nt A
ssin
iboi
ne
and
Ham
ber p
rovin
cial
par
k fo
rms
a st
rikin
g m
ount
ain
land
scap
e T
hem
e 6
Incl
udes
larg
e ar
eas
of li
mes
tone
s an
d do
lom
ites
Out
stan
ding
exa
mpl
e of
gla
ciok
arst
terra
in M
any
karre
n
subt
erra
nean
stre
ams
spr
ings
and
ca
ves
Col
umbi
a Ic
efiel
d pa
rtly
over
lies
and
intru
des
Cast
legu
ard
Cave
1984
(199
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)Na
tura
lCa
nada
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Cana
ima
Natio
nal
Park
32
5 6
No a
ppro
ved
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV
but t
he in
scrip
tion
refe
renc
es th
e fo
llow
ing
Earth
sc
ienc
e va
lues
Thr
ee d
iffer
ent e
rosi
on s
urfa
ces
are
to b
e fo
und
with
in th
e pa
rk T
he o
ldes
t roc
ks
are
Prec
ambr
ian
and
aro
und
170
0 m
illion
yea
rs
old
are
som
e of
the
olde
st o
n th
e pl
anet
Abo
ve
thes
e ar
e yo
unge
r for
mat
ions
whi
ch h
ave
been
w
eath
ered
into
mou
ntai
ns b
y 50
0 m
illion
yea
rs o
f er
osio
n T
he g
eolo
gy p
rovid
es e
viden
ce th
at S
outh
Am
eric
a an
d Af
rica
once
form
ed p
art o
f a s
ingl
e co
ntin
ent
The
prop
erty
dis
play
s a
dist
inct
ive a
nd
outs
tand
ing
tepu
i lan
dsca
pe w
hich
is s
till e
volvi
ng
in re
spon
se to
nat
ural
pro
cess
es a
t lar
ge s
cale
Th
e la
ndsc
ape
also
dem
onst
rate
s th
e in
tera
ctio
n of
th
e in
dige
nous
Pem
oacuten w
ith th
e en
viron
men
t bot
h be
caus
e of
the
grea
t use
the
Pem
oacuten m
ake
of th
e pa
rkrsquos
nat
ural
reso
urce
s an
d be
caus
e of
the
way
the
park
rsquos la
ndsc
ape
and
vege
tatio
n ha
s be
en s
hape
d by
the
Pem
oacuten
Them
e 3
Tab
ular
hills
and
hig
h es
carp
men
ts w
ith s
igni
fican
t kar
stic
er
osio
n of
qua
rtzite
s T
hem
e 2
Ro
ughl
y 65
o
f the
par
k is
cov
ered
by
tabl
e m
ount
ain
(tepu
i) fo
rmat
ions
Th
eme
5 A
ngel
Fal
ls in
Can
aim
a Na
tinal
Par
k is
the
high
est w
ater
falls
in
the
wor
ld T
hem
e 6
The
mos
t ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e in
the
wor
ld
of c
ave
deve
lopm
ent i
n qu
artz
ite
(Pre
cam
bria
n ag
e) C
aves
occ
ur
to 1
08
km lo
ng a
nd 3
83 m
dee
p
Encl
osed
dep
ress
ions
and
stre
am-
sink
s on
pla
teau
(tep
uy) s
urfa
ce
arou
nd 2
650
m S
prin
gs e
mer
ge in
te
puy
wal
ls A
fluv
ioka
rst l
ands
cape
1994
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lVe
nezu
-el
aLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
64 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 65
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Carls
bad
Cave
rns
Natio
nal P
ark
6Ca
rlsba
d Ca
vern
s Na
tiona
l Par
k is
one
of th
e fe
w p
lace
s in
the
wor
ld w
here
on-
goin
g ge
olog
ic
proc
esse
s ar
e m
ost a
ppar
ent a
nd ra
re s
pele
othe
ms
cont
inue
to fo
rm e
nabl
ing
scie
ntist
s to
stu
dy
geol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
in a
virt
ually
und
istur
bed
envir
onm
ent
Thes
e sp
eleo
them
s in
clud
e he
lictit
es
form
ing
unde
rwat
er c
alci
te a
nd g
ypsu
m s
pele
othe
ms
an
d an
ast
onish
ing
colle
ctio
n of
lsquobio
them
srsquo c
ave
form
atio
ns a
ssist
ed in
thei
r for
mat
ion
by b
acte
ria
Rese
arch
ers
can
stud
y bo
th th
e Ca
pita
n re
efrsquos
insid
e th
roug
h ca
ve p
assa
ges
that
pen
etra
te in
and
thro
ugh
it as
wel
l as
erod
ed c
anyo
n-ex
pose
d cr
oss
sect
ions
ou
tsid
e
Them
e 6
Hug
e ca
vern
s ex
tens
ively
deco
rate
d w
ith s
pele
othe
ms
are
a m
ajor
fe
atur
e of
the
park
The
81
know
n ca
ves
mai
nly
occu
r in
uplift
ed P
erm
ian
reef
lim
esto
nes
Outs
tand
ing
kars
t ext
ends
in
to n
eigh
bour
ing
Guad
alup
e Na
tiona
l Pa
rk T
he re
gion
rsquos ca
ves
prov
ide
the
wor
ldrsquos
fore
mos
t exa
mpl
e of
evo
lutio
n by
sul
phur
ic ac
id d
issol
utio
n w
hich
oc
curre
d pr
ogre
ssive
ly be
twee
n 12
and
4
milli
on y
ears
ago
Sur
face
topo
grap
hy
on b
ackr
eef d
olom
ites
and
limes
tone
s is
dom
inat
ed b
y dr
y va
lleys
Hig
h bi
odive
rsity
inc
ludi
ng a
bout
1 m
illion
bat
po
pula
tion
1995
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Cave
s of
Agg
tele
k Ka
rst a
nd S
lova
k Ka
rst
6Th
e pr
oper
ty C
aves
of A
ggte
lek
Kars
t and
Slo
vak
Kars
t w
hile
typi
cal o
f man
y ka
rst l
ocal
ities
in
Euro
pe i
s di
stin
ctive
in it
s gr
eat n
umbe
r (w
ith 7
12
reco
rded
at t
ime
of in
scrip
tion)
of d
iffer
ent t
ypes
of
cav
es fo
und
in a
con
cent
rate
d ar
ea G
eolo
gica
l pr
oces
ses
caus
ing
kars
t fea
ture
s to
be
burie
d by
se
dim
ent a
nd th
en la
ter r
eact
ivate
d or
exh
umed
pr
ovid
e ev
iden
ce p
erta
inin
g to
the
geol
ogic
his
tory
of
the
last
tens
of m
illion
s of
yea
rs R
elic
ts o
f pr
e-Pl
eist
ocen
e ka
rst (
ie m
ore
than
abo
ut 2
m
illion
yea
rs o
ld) a
re v
ery
dist
inct
in th
e ar
ea a
nd
man
y of
them
sho
w e
viden
ce fo
r sub
-tro
pica
l and
tro
pica
l clim
ate
form
s T
hese
incl
ude
roun
ded
hills
th
at a
re re
licts
of t
ropi
cal k
arst
late
r mod
ified
by
Plei
stoc
ene
perig
laci
al w
eath
erin
g T
his
suite
of
pale
okar
st fe
atur
es s
how
ing
a co
mbi
natio
n of
bot
h tro
pica
l and
gla
cial
clim
ates
is
very
unu
sual
and
is
prob
ably
bette
r doc
umen
ted
in th
e Sl
ovak
Kar
st th
an
anyw
here
els
e in
the
wor
ld
Them
e 6
Are
a co
ntai
ns 7
12 c
aves
Va
riety
of c
ave
type
s in
clud
ing
Dobš
insk
aacute Ic
e Ca
ve a
nd s
pele
othe
m
form
s w
ith s
tala
gmite
s to
32
7 m
hig
h S
urfa
ce la
ndsc
ape
is a
te
mpe
rate
dol
ine
kars
t with
som
e ev
iden
ce o
f a p
rior h
umid
trop
ical
or
sub
tropi
cal i
nflue
nce
whi
ch h
as
evol
ved
inte
rmitt
ently
sin
ce th
e Cr
etac
eous
1995
(200
0)(v
iii)Na
tura
lHu
ngar
y Sl
ovak
iaEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
64 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 65
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Chaicirc
ne d
es P
uys
- Li
mag
ne fa
ult
tect
onic
are
na
2Co
ntin
enta
l drif
t m
anife
sted
thro
ugh
plat
e te
cton
ics
is
an
esse
ntia
l par
adig
m fo
r the
his
tory
of t
he E
arth
as
it e
xpla
ins
the
curre
nt m
ake-
up o
f oce
ans
and
cont
inen
ts a
nd th
eir p
ast a
nd fu
ture
mov
emen
ts
The
prop
erty
is a
n ex
cept
iona
l illu
stra
tion
of th
e ph
enom
enon
of c
ontin
enta
l bre
ak-u
p o
r rift
ing
w
hich
is o
ne o
f the
five
maj
or s
tage
s of
pla
te
tect
onic
s T
he C
haicircn
e de
s Pu
ys -
Lim
agne
faul
t te
cton
ic a
rena
pre
sent
s a
coin
cide
nt v
iew
of a
ll th
e re
pres
enta
tive
proc
esse
s of
con
tinen
tal b
reak
-up
and
reve
als
thei
r int
rinsi
c lin
ks T
he g
eolo
gica
l fo
rmat
ions
of t
he p
rope
rty a
nd th
eir s
peci
fic la
yout
illu
stra
te w
ith c
larit
y th
is p
lane
t-w
ide
proc
ess
and
its
effe
cts
on a
larg
e an
d sm
all s
cale
on
the
land
scap
e
This
con
cent
ratio
n ha
s a
dem
onst
rate
d gl
obal
si
gnifi
canc
e in
term
s of
its
com
plet
enes
s d
ensi
ty
and
expr
essi
on a
nd h
as c
ontri
bute
d to
the
site
rsquos
prom
inen
ce s
ince
the
18th
cen
tury
for t
he s
tudy
of
clas
sica
l geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
Them
e 2
Situ
ated
in th
e ce
ntre
of
Fran
ce t
he p
rope
rty c
ompr
ises
the
long
Lim
agne
faul
t th
e al
ignm
ents
of
the
Chaicirc
ne d
es P
uys
volc
anoe
s an
d th
e in
verte
d re
lief o
f the
Mon
tagn
e de
la
Ser
re I
t is
an e
mbl
emat
ic s
egm
ent
of th
e W
est E
urop
ean
Rift
cre
ated
in
the
afte
rmat
h of
the
form
atio
n of
th
e Al
ps 3
5 m
illion
yea
rs a
go T
he
geol
ogic
al fe
atur
es o
f the
pro
perty
de
mon
stra
te h
ow th
e co
ntin
enta
l cru
st
crac
ks t
hen
colla
pses
allo
win
g de
ep
mag
ma
to ri
se a
nd c
ause
upl
iftin
g at
the
surfa
ce T
he p
rope
rty is
an
exce
ptio
nal i
llust
ratio
n of
con
tinen
tal
brea
k-up
ndash o
r rift
ing
ndash w
hich
is o
ne
of th
e fiv
e m
ajor
sta
ges
of p
late
te
cton
ics
2018
(viii)
Natu
ral
Fran
ceEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
66 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 67
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Chen
gjia
ng F
ossi
l Si
te1
The
Chen
gjia
ng F
ossil
Site
pre
sent
s an
exc
eptio
nal
reco
rd o
f the
rapi
d di
vers
ifica
tion
of lif
e on
Ear
th d
urin
g th
e ea
rly C
ambr
ian
Perio
d 5
30 m
illion
yea
rs b
efor
e pr
esen
t In
this
geol
ogica
lly s
hort
inte
rval
alm
ost a
ll m
ajor
gro
ups
of a
nim
als
had
thei
r orig
ins
The
prop
erty
is
a gl
obal
ly ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
a m
ajor
sta
ge
in th
e hi
stor
y of
life
repr
esen
ting
a pa
laeo
biol
ogica
l w
indo
w o
f gre
at s
igni
fican
ce
The
exce
ptio
nal p
alae
onto
logi
cal e
viden
ce o
f the
Ch
engj
iang
Fos
sil S
ite is
unr
ivalle
d fo
r its
rich
spe
cies
dive
rsity
To
date
at l
east
16
phyla
plu
s a
varie
ty o
f en
igm
atic
grou
ps a
nd a
bout
196
spe
cies
have
bee
n do
cum
ente
d Ta
xa re
cove
red
rang
e fro
m a
lgae
thr
ough
sp
onge
s an
d cn
idar
ians
to n
umer
ous
bila
teria
n ph
yla
inclu
ding
the
earli
est k
now
n ch
orda
tes
The
earli
est
know
n sp
ecim
ens
of s
ever
al p
hyla
suc
h as
cni
daria
ns
cten
opho
res
pria
pulid
s an
d ve
rtebr
ates
occ
ur h
ere
M
any
of th
e ta
xa re
pres
ent t
he s
tem
gro
ups
to e
xtan
t ph
yla a
nd th
row
light
on
char
acte
ristic
s th
at d
istin
guish
m
ajor
taxo
nom
ic gr
oups
Th
e pr
oper
ty d
ispla
ys e
xcel
lent
qua
lity o
f fos
sil
pres
erva
tion
inclu
ding
the
soft
and
hard
tiss
ues
of
anim
als
with
har
d sk
elet
ons
alon
g w
ith a
wid
e ar
ray
of
orga
nism
s th
at w
ere
entir
ely
soft-
bodi
ed a
nd th
eref
ore
rela
tivel
y un
repr
esen
ted
in th
e fo
ssil r
ecor
d A
lmos
t all
of th
e so
ft-bo
died
spe
cies
are
unkn
own
else
whe
re
Fine
-sca
le d
etai
led
pres
erva
tion
inclu
des
feat
ures
as
the
alim
enta
ry s
yste
ms
of a
nim
als
for e
xam
ple
of th
e ar
thro
pod
Nara
oia
and
the
delic
ate
gills
of t
he
enig
mat
ic Yu
nnan
ozoo
n T
he s
edim
ents
of C
heng
jiang
pr
ovid
e w
hat a
re c
urre
ntly
the
olde
st k
now
n fo
ssil
chor
date
s th
e ph
ylum
to w
hich
all v
erte
brat
es b
elon
g
The
foss
ils a
nd ro
cks
of th
e Ch
engj
iang
Fos
sil S
ite
toge
ther
pre
sent
a c
ompl
ete
reco
rd o
f an
early
Ca
mbr
ian
mar
ine
com
mun
ity I
t is
one
of th
e ea
rlies
t re
cord
s of
a c
ompl
ex m
arin
e ec
osys
tem
with
food
w
ebs
capp
ed b
y so
phist
icate
d pr
edat
ors
Mor
eove
r it
dem
onst
rate
s th
at c
ompl
ex c
omm
unity
stru
ctur
es h
ad
deve
lope
d ve
ry e
arly
in th
e Ca
mbr
ian
dive
rsifi
catio
n of
an
imal
life
and
pro
vides
evid
ence
of a
wid
e ra
nge
of
ecol
ogica
l nich
es T
he p
rope
rty th
us p
rovid
es a
uni
que
win
dow
of u
nder
stan
ding
into
the
stru
ctur
e of
ear
ly Ca
mbr
ian
com
mun
ities
Them
e 1
Che
ngjia
ngrsquos
foss
ils p
rese
nt
the
mos
t com
plet
e re
cord
of a
n ea
rly
Cam
bria
n m
arin
e co
mm
unity
with
ex
cept
iona
lly p
rese
rved
sof
t-bo
died
an
d sh
elly
foss
ils c
ompr
isin
g m
ore
than
200
spe
cies
repr
esen
ting
at le
ast
sixt
een
phyla
of e
arly
anim
als
2012
(viii)
Natu
ral
Chin
aAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
66 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 67
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Chin
a Da
nxia
3Ch
ina
Danx
ia c
onta
ins
a w
ide
varie
ty o
f wel
l-de
velo
ped
red-
beds
land
form
s su
ch a
s pe
aks
to
wer
s m
esas
cue
stas
clif
fs v
alle
ys c
aves
and
ar
ches
Bei
ng s
hape
d by
bot
h en
doge
nous
forc
es
(incl
udin
g up
lift)
and
exog
enou
s fo
rces
(inc
ludi
ng
wea
ther
ing
and
eros
ion)
Chi
na D
anxia
pro
vides
a
rang
e of
diff
eren
t asp
ects
of t
he p
heno
men
on
of p
hysi
cal l
ands
cape
dev
elop
ed fr
om c
ontin
enta
l (te
rrest
rial)
redd
ish
cong
lom
erat
e an
d sa
ndst
one
in
a w
arm
hum
id m
onso
on c
limat
e il
lust
ratin
g bo
th
the
rang
e of
land
form
s in
rela
tion
to th
e fo
rces
and
pr
oces
ses
that
form
ed th
em T
he c
ompo
nent
par
ts
repr
esen
t the
bes
t exa
mpl
es o
f lsquole
ast e
rode
drsquo to
lsquom
ost e
rode
drsquo D
anxia
land
form
s d
ispl
ayin
g a
clea
r la
ndfo
rm s
eque
nce
from
lsquoyou
ngrsquo t
hrou
gh lsquom
atur
ersquo to
lsquoo
ld a
gersquo
and
with
eac
h co
mpo
nent
par
t dis
play
ing
char
acte
ristic
geo
mor
phol
ogic
feat
ures
of a
give
n st
age
Them
e 3
Dive
rse
eros
iona
l to
pogr
aphi
es o
n co
ntin
enta
l red
be
ds p
redo
min
antly
san
dsto
ne a
nd
cong
lom
erat
e
2010
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Chin
aAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Dese
mba
rco
del
Gran
ma
Natio
nal
Park
67
The
uplif
ted
mar
ine
terra
ces
of D
esem
barc
o de
l Gr
anm
a Na
tiona
l Par
k (D
GNP)
and
the
cont
inui
ng
deve
lopm
ent o
f kar
st to
pogr
aphy
and
feat
ures
are
a
glob
ally
sign
ifica
nt il
lust
ratio
n of
geo
mor
phol
ogic
an
d ph
ysio
grap
hic
feat
ures
and
ong
oing
geo
logi
cal
proc
esse
s D
GNP
disp
lays
a ra
re re
lief f
orm
ed b
y th
e co
mbi
natio
n of
tect
onic
mov
emen
ts in
the
still
activ
e co
ntac
t zon
e be
twee
n tw
o te
cton
ic p
late
s an
d th
e ef
fect
s of
pas
t sea
leve
l cha
nge
in re
spon
se
to c
limat
e flu
ctua
tions
The
kar
st fo
rms
incl
ude
esca
rpm
ents
clif
fs c
ave
syst
ems
rive
r can
yons
and
la
rge
sink
hole
s kn
own
as d
olin
es in
mos
t dive
rse
size
s an
d sh
apes
Them
e 6
7 S
pect
acul
ar s
tairc
ase
of u
plift
ed c
oral
terra
ces
arou
nd
Cabo
Cru
z th
at s
uppo
rt on
goin
g de
velo
pmen
t of k
arst
land
form
s
Terra
ces
exte
nd fr
om -
180
m
offs
hore
to 4
60 m
inla
nd a
nd re
flect
a
com
bina
tion
of te
cton
ic a
nd
glac
io-e
usta
tic p
roce
sses
Exc
elle
nt
exam
ples
of l
ittor
al k
arst
Rel
ative
ly re
cent
upl
ift h
as p
erm
itted
the
com
men
cem
ent o
f kar
stifi
catio
n
1999
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cuba
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
68 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 69
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Dino
saur
Pr
ovin
cial
Par
k1
The
prop
erty
is o
utst
andi
ng in
the
num
ber a
nd
varie
ty o
f hig
h qu
ality
spe
cim
ens
repr
esen
ting
ever
y kn
own
grou
p of
Cre
tace
ous
dino
saur
s T
he d
ivers
ity
affo
rds
exce
llent
opp
ortu
nitie
s fo
r pal
eont
olog
y th
at is
bot
h co
mpa
rativ
e an
d ch
rono
logi
cal
Over
35
0 ar
ticul
ated
spe
cim
ens
from
the
Oldm
an a
nd
Dino
saur
Par
k fo
rmat
ions
incl
udin
g m
ore
than
15
0 co
mpl
ete
skel
eton
s no
w re
side
in m
ore
than
30
maj
or m
useu
ms
In a
dditi
on to
the
sign
ifica
nt
num
ber o
f hig
h qu
ality
spe
cim
ens
the
prop
erty
co
ntai
ns a
com
plet
e as
sem
blag
e of
non
-din
osau
rian
foss
il m
ater
ial o
fferin
g an
unp
aral
lele
d op
portu
nity
fo
r the
stu
dy o
f the
Lat
e Cr
etac
eous
pal
eo-
ecos
yste
m
Them
e 1
Din
osau
r Pro
vinci
al P
ark
cont
ains
som
e of
the
mos
t im
porta
nt
foss
il di
scov
erie
s ev
er m
ade
from
th
e Cr
etac
eous
in
parti
cula
r abo
ut
35 s
peci
es o
f din
osau
rs d
atin
g ba
ck
som
e 75
milli
on y
ears
1979
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Dors
et a
nd E
ast
Devo
n Co
ast
17
The
coas
tal e
xpos
ures
alo
ng th
e Do
rset
and
Ea
st D
evon
coa
st p
rovid
e an
alm
ost c
ontin
uous
se
quen
ce o
f Tria
ssic
Jur
assi
c an
d Cr
etac
eous
ro
ck fo
rmat
ions
spa
nnin
g th
e M
esoz
oic
Era
and
docu
men
t app
roxim
atel
y 18
5 m
illion
yea
rs o
f Ear
thrsquos
hi
stor
y Th
e pr
oper
ty in
clud
es a
rang
e of
glo
bally
si
gnifi
cant
foss
il lo
calit
ies
- bo
th v
erte
brat
e an
d in
verte
brat
e m
arin
e an
d te
rrest
rial -
whi
ch h
ave
prod
uced
wel
l pre
serv
ed a
nd d
ivers
e ev
iden
ce
of li
fe d
urin
g M
esoz
oic
times
It a
lso
cont
ains
te
xtbo
ok e
xem
plar
s of
coa
stal
geo
mor
phol
ogic
al
feat
ures
lan
dfor
ms
and
proc
esse
s R
enow
ned
for i
ts
cont
ribut
ion
to E
arth
sci
ence
inve
stig
atio
ns fo
r ove
r 30
0 ye
ars
the
Dors
et a
nd E
ast D
evon
coa
st h
as
help
ed fo
ster
maj
or c
ontri
butio
ns to
man
y as
pect
s of
geo
logy
pal
aeon
tolo
gy a
nd g
eom
orph
olog
y an
d ha
s co
ntin
uing
sig
nific
ance
as
a hi
gh q
ualit
y te
achi
ng t
rain
ing
and
rese
arch
reso
urce
for t
he
Earth
sci
ence
s
Them
e 1
Sup
erb
coas
tal e
xpos
ures
pr
ovid
e an
alm
ost c
ontin
uous
se
quen
ce o
f Tria
ssic
Jur
assi
c an
d Cr
etac
eous
rock
form
atio
ns s
pann
ing
the
Mes
ozoi
c Er
a an
d do
cum
ent
appr
oxim
atel
y 18
5 m
illion
yea
rs
of E
arth
his
tory
The
me
7 It
als
o co
ntai
ns te
xtbo
ok e
xem
plar
s of
co
asta
l geo
mor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
land
form
s an
d pr
oces
ses
2001
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d Ki
ngdo
m
of G
reat
Br
itain
an
d No
rther
n Ire
land
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
68 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 69
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Durm
itor N
atio
nal
Park
3Du
rmito
r Nat
iona
l Par
k ha
rbou
rs a
wea
lth o
f ge
olog
ical
and
geo
mor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es o
f maj
or
scie
ntifi
c in
tere
st w
hich
hav
e be
en s
hapi
ng th
e la
ndsc
ape
suc
h as
the
man
y re
mar
kabl
e Ka
rst
phen
omen
a T
he d
omin
ant g
eolo
gica
l fea
ture
s ar
e ve
ry th
ick
ofte
n sa
vage
ly co
ntor
ted
limes
tone
fo
rmat
ions
of t
he M
iddl
e an
d Up
per T
riass
ic U
pper
Ju
rass
ic a
nd U
pper
Cre
tace
ous
thou
gh m
ore
rece
nt ro
cks
are
also
pre
sent
One
par
ticul
arity
is
the
so-c
alle
d Du
rmito
r Flys
ch a
term
use
d fo
r te
cton
ic la
yers
incl
ined
at a
n an
gle
of 9
0 de
gree
s in
the
Durm
itor M
assi
f Th
e sh
eer w
alls
of t
he m
any
cany
ons
and
in p
artic
ular
tho
se o
f the
spe
ctac
ular
Ta
ra R
iver G
orge
of m
ore
than
60
km a
re n
ot o
nly
fund
amen
tal l
ands
cape
feat
ures
of t
he p
ark
but a
lso
expo
se m
agni
ficen
t roc
k fo
rmat
ions
Les
s kn
own
but n
o le
ss fa
scin
atin
g is
the
unde
rgro
und
wor
ld
of th
e pr
oper
ty It
incl
udes
Mon
tene
grorsquo
s de
epes
t ca
ve a
nd s
ubte
rrane
an ri
vers
dra
inin
g so
me
of th
e gl
acia
l lak
es I
n pa
rticu
lar
the
lsquoIce
Cave
rsquo is
a vis
ually
st
unni
ng a
nd a
rare
relic
t of p
ast g
laci
atio
n
Them
e 3
Thi
s br
eath
taki
ng n
atio
nal
park
was
form
ed b
y gl
acie
rs a
nd is
tra
vers
ed b
y riv
ers
and
unde
rgro
und
stre
ams
The
Tar
a Ri
ver c
anyo
n w
hich
ha
s th
e de
epes
t gor
ges
in E
urop
e
1980
(200
5)(v
ii)(v
iii)(x
)Na
tura
lM
onte
ne-
gro
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
El P
inac
ate
and
Gran
Des
iert
o de
Al
tar B
iosp
here
Re
serv
e
104
The
prop
erty
rsquos d
eser
t and
vol
cani
c la
ndfo
rms
prov
ide
an e
xcep
tiona
l com
bina
tion
of fe
atur
es o
f gr
eat s
cien
tific
inte
rest
The
vas
t sea
of s
and
dune
s th
at s
urro
unds
the
volc
anic
shi
eld
is c
onsi
dere
d th
e la
rges
t and
mos
t act
ive d
une
syst
em in
Nor
th
Amer
ica
It in
clud
es a
dive
rse
rang
e of
dun
es th
at
are
near
ly un
dist
urbe
d a
nd in
clud
e sp
ecta
cula
r an
d ve
ry la
rge
star
-sha
ped
dune
s th
at o
ccur
bo
th s
ingl
y an
d in
long
ridg
es u
p to
48k
m in
le
ngth
The
vol
cani
c ex
posu
res
prov
ide
impo
rtant
co
mpl
emen
tary
geo
logi
cal v
alue
s a
nd th
e de
sert
envir
onm
ent a
ssur
es a
dra
mat
ic d
ispl
ay o
f a s
erie
s of
impr
essi
ve la
rge
crat
ers
and
mor
e th
an 4
00
cind
er c
ones
lav
a flo
ws
and
lava
tube
s T
aken
to
geth
er th
e co
mbi
natio
n of
Ear
th s
cien
ce fe
atur
es
is a
n im
pres
sive
labo
rato
ry fo
r geo
logi
cal a
nd
geom
orph
olog
ical
stu
dies
Them
e 10
The
pro
perty
incl
udes
par
t of
the
Sono
ran
Dese
rt w
ith s
tar d
unes
an
d lin
ear d
unes
of c
onsi
dera
ble
heig
ht T
hem
e 4
The
714
566
ha
prop
erty
com
pris
es tw
o di
stin
ct p
arts
th
e do
rman
t vol
cani
c Pi
naca
te S
hiel
d of
bla
ck a
nd re
d la
va fl
ows
and
mor
e th
an 4
00 m
onog
enet
ic c
inde
r con
es
and
maa
rs o
f Hol
ocen
e ag
e
2013
(vii)
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Mex
ico
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Ever
glad
es
Natio
nal P
ark
5 7
The
Ever
glad
es is
a v
ast
near
ly fla
t se
abed
that
was
su
bmer
ged
at th
e en
d of
the
last
Ice
Age
Its
limes
tone
su
bstra
te is
one
of t
he m
ost a
ctive
are
as o
f mod
ern
carb
onat
e se
dim
enta
tion
Them
e 5
7 A
rive
r of g
rass
flow
ing
impe
rcep
tibly
from
the
hint
erla
nd in
to
the
sea
1979
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
70 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 71
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Fras
er Is
land
7Th
e pr
oper
ty re
pres
ents
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of
signi
fican
t ong
oing
geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
incl
udin
g lo
ngsh
ore
drift
The
imm
ense
san
d du
nes
are
part
of th
e lo
nges
t and
mos
t com
plet
e ag
e se
quen
ce
of c
oast
al d
une
syst
ems
in th
e w
orld
and
are
stil
l ev
olvin
g T
he s
uper
impo
sitio
n of
act
ive p
arab
olic
du
nes
on re
mna
nts
of o
lder
dun
es d
epos
ited
durin
g pe
riods
of l
ow s
ea le
vel
whi
ch a
re s
tabi
lised
by
tow
erin
g ra
info
rest
s at
ele
vatio
ns o
f up
to 2
40 m
is
cons
ider
ed u
niqu
e F
rase
r Isla
nd a
lso h
as a
var
iety
of
fres
hwat
er d
une
lake
s w
hich
are
exc
eptio
nal i
n te
rms
of n
umbe
r di
vers
ity a
nd a
ge T
he d
ynam
ic
inte
rrela
tions
hip
betw
een
the
coas
tal d
une
sand
m
ass
aqu
ifer h
ydro
logy
and
the
fresh
wat
er d
une
lake
s pr
ovid
es a
seq
uenc
e of
lake
form
atio
n bo
th
spat
ially
and
tem
pora
lly
The
proc
ess
of s
oil f
orm
atio
n on
the
islan
d is
also
un
ique
sin
ce a
s a
resu
lt of
the
succ
essiv
e ov
erla
ying
of d
une
syst
ems
a c
hron
oseq
uenc
e of
pod
zol
deve
lopm
ent f
rom
the
youn
ger d
une
syst
ems
on th
e ea
st to
the
olde
st s
yste
ms
on th
e w
est c
hang
e fro
m
rudi
men
tary
pro
files
less
than
05
m th
ick
to g
iant
fo
rms
mor
e th
an 2
5 m
thic
k T
he la
tter f
ar e
xcee
ds
know
n de
pths
of p
odzo
ls an
ywhe
re e
lse in
the
wor
ld
and
has
a di
rect
influ
ence
on
plan
t suc
cess
ion
w
ith th
e ol
der d
une
syst
ems
caus
ing
retro
gres
sive
succ
essio
n w
hen
the
soil
horiz
on b
ecom
es to
o de
ep
to p
rovid
e nu
tritio
n fo
r tal
l for
est s
peci
es
Them
e 7
Fra
ser I
slan
d is
the
larg
est s
and
isla
nd in
the
wor
ld T
he
com
bina
tion
of s
hifti
ng s
and-
dune
s
tropi
cal r
ainf
ores
ts a
nd la
kes
mak
es it
an
exc
eptio
nal s
ite
1992
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
70 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 71
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Galaacute
pago
s Is
land
s2
47
8Th
e ar
chip
elag
oacutes
geol
ogy
begi
ns a
t the
sea
floo
r and
em
erge
s ab
ove
sea
leve
l whe
re b
iolo
gica
l pro
cess
es
cont
inue
Thr
ee m
ajor
tect
onic
plat
esmdash
Nazc
a C
ocos
an
d Pa
cificmdash
mee
t at t
he b
asis
of th
e oc
ean
whi
ch
is of
sig
nific
ant g
eolo
gica
l inte
rest
In
com
paris
on
with
mos
t oce
anic
arch
ipel
agos
the
Gal
aacutepag
os a
re
very
you
ng w
ith th
e la
rges
t and
you
nges
t isla
nds
Isa
bela
and
Fer
nand
ina
with
less
than
one
milli
on
year
s of
exis
tenc
e a
nd th
e ol
dest
isla
nds
Espa
ntildeola
an
d Sa
n Cr
istoacuteb
al s
omew
here
bet
wee
n th
ree
to fi
ve
milli
on y
ears
The
pro
perty
dem
onst
rate
s th
e ev
olut
ion
of th
e yo
unge
r vol
cani
c ar
eas
in th
e w
est a
nd th
e ol
der i
sland
s in
the
east
On-
goin
g ge
olog
ical a
nd
geom
orph
olog
ical p
roce
sses
inc
ludi
ng re
cent
vol
cani
c er
uptio
ns s
mal
l sei
smic
mov
emen
ts a
nd e
rosio
n pr
ovid
e ke
y in
sight
s to
the
puzz
le o
f the
orig
in o
f the
Ga
laacutepa
gos
Islan
ds A
lmos
t no
othe
r site
in th
e w
orld
of
fers
pro
tect
ion
of s
uch
a co
mpl
ete
cont
inuu
m o
f ge
olog
ical a
nd g
eom
orph
olog
ical f
eatu
res
Them
e 2
4 S
ituat
ed in
the
Paci
fic
Ocea
n so
me
100
0 km
from
the
Sout
h Am
eric
an c
ontin
ent
thes
e 19
is
land
s an
d th
e su
rroun
ding
mar
ine
rese
rve
have
bee
n ca
lled
a un
ique
lsquoli
ving
mus
eum
and
sho
wca
se o
f ev
olut
ionrsquo
Ong
oing
sei
smic
and
vo
lcan
ic a
ctivi
ty re
flect
s th
e pr
oces
ses
that
form
ed th
e is
land
s T
hem
e 7
8
The
arc
hipe
lago
acutes g
eolo
gy b
egin
s at
the
sea
floor
and
em
erge
s ab
ove
sea
leve
l
1978
(200
1)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Ecua
dor
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Gian
trsquos C
ause
way
an
d Ca
usew
ay
Coas
t
4Th
e ge
olog
ical
act
ivity
of t
he C
enoz
oic
Era
is c
lear
ly illu
stra
ted
by th
e su
cces
sion
of t
he la
va fl
ows
and
inte
rbas
altic
bed
s w
hich
are
in e
viden
ce o
n th
e Ca
usew
ay C
oast
Int
erpr
etat
ion
of th
e su
cces
sion
ha
s al
low
ed a
det
aile
d an
alys
is o
f Ter
tiary
eve
nts
in
the
North
Atla
ntic
The
ext
rem
ely
regu
lar c
olum
nar
join
ting
of th
e Th
olei
itic
basa
lts is
a s
pect
acul
ar
feat
ure
whi
ch is
dis
play
ed in
exe
mpl
ary
fash
ion
at th
e Gi
antrsquos
Cau
sew
ay T
he C
ause
way
itse
lf is
a
uniq
ue fo
rmat
ion
and
a su
perla
tive
horiz
onta
l se
ctio
n th
roug
h co
lum
nar b
asal
t lav
as
Them
e 4
The
Gia
ntrsquos
Cau
sew
ay li
es
at th
e fo
ot o
f the
bas
alt c
liffs
alo
ng th
e se
a co
ast o
n th
e ed
ge o
f the
Ant
rim
plat
eau
in N
orth
ern
Irela
nd I
t is
mad
e up
of s
ome
400
00 m
assi
ve b
lack
ba
salt
colu
mns
stic
king
out
of t
he
sea
The
dra
mat
ic s
ight
has
insp
ired
lege
nds
of g
iant
s st
ridin
g ov
er th
e se
a to
Sco
tland
Geo
logi
cal s
tudi
es
of th
ese
form
atio
ns o
ver t
he la
st 3
00
year
s ha
ve g
reat
ly co
ntrib
uted
to th
e de
velo
pmen
t of t
he E
arth
sci
ence
s
and
show
that
this
stri
king
land
scap
e w
as c
ause
d by
vol
cani
c ac
tivity
dur
ing
the
Pale
ogen
e s
ome
50ndash6
0 m
illion
ye
ars
ago
1986
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d Ki
ngdo
m
of G
reat
Br
itain
an
d No
rther
n Ire
land
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
72 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 73
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Gond
wan
a Ra
info
rest
s of
Au
stra
lia
21
3Th
e Go
ndw
ana
Rain
fore
sts
prov
ides
out
stan
ding
ex
ampl
es o
f sig
nific
ant o
ngoi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es
Whe
n Au
stra
lia s
epar
ated
from
Ant
arct
ica fo
llow
ing
the
brea
kup
of G
ondw
ana
new
con
tinen
tal m
argi
ns
deve
lope
d T
he m
argi
n w
hich
form
ed a
long
Aus
tralia
rsquos ea
ster
n ed
ge is
cha
ract
erise
d by
an
asym
met
rical
m
argi
nal s
wel
l tha
t run
s pa
ralle
l to
the
coas
tline
the
eros
ion
of w
hich
has
resu
lted
in th
e Gr
eat D
ivide
and
th
e Gr
eat E
scar
pmen
t Th
is ea
ster
n co
ntin
enta
l mar
gin
expe
rienc
ed v
olca
nicit
y du
ring
the
Ceno
zoic
Era
as
the
Aust
ralia
n co
ntin
enta
l pla
te m
oved
ove
r one
of t
he
plan
etrsquos
hot s
pots
Vol
cano
es e
rupt
ed in
seq
uenc
e al
ong
the
east
coa
st re
sultin
g in
the
Twee
d F
ocal
Pea
k
Ebor
and
Bar
ringt
on v
olca
nic
shie
lds
This
sequ
ence
of
volca
nos
is sig
nific
ant a
s it
enab
les
the
datin
g of
the
geom
orph
ic ev
olut
ion
of e
aste
rn A
ustra
lia th
roug
h th
e st
udy
of th
e in
tera
ctio
n of
thes
e vo
lcani
c re
mna
nts
with
th
e ea
ster
n hi
ghla
nds
Them
e 2
1 3
The
Gon
dwan
a Ra
info
rest
s pr
ovid
es o
utst
andi
ng
exam
ples
of s
igni
fican
t ong
oing
ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
es W
hen
Aust
ralia
se
para
ted
from
Ant
arct
ica
follo
win
g th
e br
eaku
p of
Gon
dwan
a n
ew
cont
inen
tal m
argi
ns d
evel
oped
The
m
argi
n w
hich
form
ed a
long
Aus
tralia
rsquos
east
ern
edge
is c
hara
cter
ised
by
an
asym
met
rical
mar
gina
l sw
ell t
hat r
uns
para
llel t
o th
e co
astli
ne t
he e
rosi
on o
f w
hich
has
resu
lted
in th
e Gr
eat D
ivide
an
d th
e Gr
eat E
scar
pmen
t
1986
(199
4)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Gran
d Ca
nyon
Na
tiona
l Par
k3
1W
ithin
par
k bo
unda
ries
the
geol
ogic
reco
rd s
pans
al
l fou
r era
s of
the
Earth
rsquos e
volu
tiona
ry h
isto
ry f
rom
th
e Pr
ecam
bria
n to
the
Ceno
zoic
The
Pre
cam
bria
n an
d Pa
leoz
oic
porti
ons
of th
is re
cord
are
par
ticul
arly
wel
l exp
osed
in c
anyo
n w
alls
and
incl
ude
a ric
h fo
ssil
asse
mbl
age
Num
erou
s ca
ves
shel
ter f
ossi
ls
and
anim
al re
mai
ns th
at e
xten
d th
e pa
leon
tolo
gica
l re
cord
into
the
Plei
stoc
ene
Them
e 3
Car
ved
out b
y th
e Co
lora
do
Rive
r th
e Gr
and
Cany
on (n
early
15
00
m d
eep)
was
form
ed d
urin
g 6
milli
on
year
s of
geo
logi
c ac
tivity
and
ero
sion
by
the
Colo
rado
Rive
r on
the
upra
ised
Ea
rthrsquos
cru
st T
hem
e 1
Its
horiz
onta
l st
rata
retra
ce th
e ge
olog
ical
his
tory
of
the
past
2 b
illion
yea
rs
1979
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
72 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 73
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Grea
t Bar
rier R
eef
87
The
GBR
ext
endi
ng 2
000
km
alo
ng Q
ueen
slan
drsquos
coas
t is
a g
loba
lly o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of a
n ec
osys
tem
that
has
evo
lved
over
mille
nnia
The
ar
ea h
as b
een
expo
sed
and
flood
ed b
y at
leas
t fou
r gl
acia
l and
inte
rgla
cial
cyc
les
and
ove
r the
pas
t 15
000
yea
rs re
efs
have
gro
wn
on th
e co
ntin
enta
l sh
elf
Durin
g gl
acia
l per
iods
sea
leve
ls d
ropp
ed e
xpos
ing
the
reef
s as
flat
-top
ped
hills
of e
rode
d lim
esto
ne
Larg
e riv
ers
mea
nder
ed b
etw
een
thes
e hi
lls a
nd th
e co
astli
ne e
xten
ded
furth
er e
ast
Durin
g in
terg
laci
al
perio
ds r
isin
g se
a le
vels
cau
sed
the
form
atio
n of
co
ntin
enta
l isl
ands
cor
al c
ays
and
new
pha
ses
of
cora
l gro
wth
Thi
s en
viron
men
tal h
isto
ry c
an b
e se
en
in c
ores
of o
ld m
assi
ve c
oral
s
Toda
y th
e GB
R fo
rms
the
wor
ldrsquos
larg
est c
oral
reef
ec
osys
tem
ran
ging
from
insh
ore
fring
ing
reef
s to
m
id-s
helf
reef
s a
nd e
xpos
ed o
uter
reef
s in
clud
ing
exam
ples
of a
ll st
ages
of r
eef d
evel
opm
ent
The
proc
esse
s of
geo
logi
cal a
nd g
eom
orph
olog
ical
ev
olut
ion
are
wel
l rep
rese
nted
lin
king
con
tinen
tal
isla
nds
cor
al c
ays
and
reef
s T
he v
arie
d se
asca
pes
and
land
scap
es th
at o
ccur
toda
y ha
ve b
een
mou
lded
by
chan
ging
clim
ates
and
sea
leve
ls a
nd
the
eros
ive p
ower
of w
ind
and
wat
er o
ver l
ong
time
perio
ds
One-
third
of t
he G
BR li
es b
eyon
d th
e se
awar
d ed
ge o
f the
sha
llow
er re
efs
this
are
a co
mpr
ises
co
ntin
enta
l slo
pe a
nd d
eep
ocea
nic
wat
ers
and
abys
sal p
lain
s
Them
e 8
7 T
he G
BR fo
rms
the
wor
ldrsquos
larg
est c
oral
reef
eco
syst
em
rang
ing
from
insh
ore
fring
ing
reef
s to
m
id-s
helf
reef
s a
nd e
xpos
ed o
uter
re
efs
incl
udin
g ex
ampl
es o
f all
stag
es
of re
ef d
evel
opm
ent
The
proc
esse
s of
geo
logi
cal a
nd g
eom
orph
olog
ical
ev
olut
ion
are
wel
l rep
rese
nted
lin
king
co
ntin
enta
l isl
ands
cor
al c
ays
and
reef
s T
he v
arie
d se
asca
pes
and
land
scap
es th
at o
ccur
toda
y ha
ve
been
mou
lded
by
chan
ging
clim
ates
an
d se
a le
vels
and
the
eros
ive
pow
er o
f win
d an
d w
ater
ove
r lon
g tim
e pe
riods
One
-thi
rd o
f the
GBR
lie
s be
yond
the
seaw
ard
edge
of t
he
shal
low
er re
efs
this
are
a co
mpr
ises
co
ntin
enta
l slo
pe a
nd d
eep
ocea
nic
wat
ers
and
abys
sal p
lain
s
1981
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Grea
t Sm
oky
Mou
ntai
ns
Natio
nal P
ark
13
Grea
t Sm
oky
Mou
ntai
ns N
atio
nal P
ark
is o
f wor
ld
impo
rtanc
e as
the
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of th
e di
vers
e Ar
cto-
Terti
ary
geofl
ora
era
pro
vidin
g an
in
dica
tion
of w
hat t
he la
te P
leis
toce
ne fl
ora
look
ed
like
befo
re re
cent
hum
an im
pact
s
Them
e 1
Sta
ted
to b
e an
out
stan
ding
ex
ampl
e of
the
dive
rse
Arct
o-Te
rtiar
y ge
oflor
a er
a p
rovid
ing
an in
dica
tion
of
wha
t the
late
Ple
isto
cene
flor
a lo
oked
lik
e be
fore
Rec
ent h
uman
impa
cts
Th
eme
3 N
on-g
laci
al d
isse
cted
m
ount
aino
us te
rrain
1983
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
74 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 75
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Gros
Mor
ne
Natio
nal P
ark
29
The
rock
s of
Gro
s M
orne
Nat
iona
l Par
k co
llect
ively
pres
ent a
n in
tern
atio
nally
sig
nific
ant i
llust
ratio
n of
th
e pr
oces
s of
con
tinen
tal d
rift a
long
the
east
ern
coas
t of N
orth
Am
eric
a an
d co
ntrib
ute
grea
tly to
th
e bo
dy o
f kno
wle
dge
and
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
pla
te
tect
onic
s an
d th
e ge
olog
ical
evo
lutio
n of
anc
ient
m
ount
ain
belts
In
glac
ier-
scou
red
high
land
s an
d sp
ecta
cula
r fjo
rds
gla
ciat
ion
has
mad
e vis
ible
the
park
rsquos m
any
geol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
Them
e 2
Thi
s pa
rk s
ituat
ed o
n th
e w
est c
oast
of t
he is
land
of
New
foun
dlan
d pr
ovid
es a
rare
ex
ampl
e of
the
proc
ess
of c
ontin
enta
l dr
ift w
here
dee
p oc
ean
crus
t and
th
e ro
cks
of th
e Ea
rthrsquos
man
tle li
e ex
pose
d T
hem
e 9
Ple
isto
cene
gl
acia
l act
ion
has
resu
lted
in s
ome
spec
tacu
lar s
cene
ry w
ith c
oast
al
low
land
alp
ine
plat
eau
fjor
ds g
laci
al
valle
ys s
heer
clif
fs w
ater
falls
and
m
any
pris
tine
lake
s
1987
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Gulf
of P
orto
Ca
lanc
he o
f Pi
ana
Gul
f of
Giro
lata
Sc
ando
la R
eser
ve
7No
cur
rent
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV b
ut th
e in
scrip
tion
in 1
983
is b
ased
on
lsquodra
mat
ic g
eolo
gica
l la
ndfo
rmsrsquo
and
refe
rs to
Cyc
les
of e
rosi
on a
nd
reju
vena
tion
have
cre
ated
hig
h cl
iffs
of re
d po
rphy
ry
rhyo
liths
and
bas
altic
pilla
rs c
onsi
dera
bly
erod
ed b
y w
ave
actio
n T
hus
the
area
has
a v
arie
d an
d ru
gged
re
lief o
n m
arin
e an
d sh
ore
habi
tats
The
jagg
ed a
nd
shee
r clif
fs c
onta
in m
any
grot
tos
and
are
flank
ed b
y nu
mer
ous
stac
ks a
nd a
lmos
t ina
cces
sibl
e is
lets
and
co
ves
such
as
Tuar
a T
he c
ombi
natio
n of
the
red
cliff
s s
ome
900
m h
igh
san
d be
ache
s h
eadl
ands
su
ch a
s Ca
pe O
sani
and
the
Peni
nsul
a of
Elb
o a
nd
the
trans
pare
nt s
ea m
ake
the
area
exc
eptio
nally
be
autif
ul
Them
e 7
The
mar
ine
area
of t
he
prop
erty
par
ticul
arly
in th
e Sc
ando
la
natu
re re
serv
e is
rem
arka
ble
for i
ts
wea
lth o
f alg
ae T
he te
rraci
ng o
f livi
ng
form
s is
ver
y re
pres
enta
tive
of th
e M
edite
rrane
an c
oast
al e
nviro
nmen
t th
e lsquop
avem
entrsquo
of L
ithop
hyllu
m (a
lga)
le
ads
to a
bed
of P
osid
onia
whi
ch
can
be u
p to
35
m d
eep
Rem
arka
ble
cora
lligen
ous
stru
ctur
es fo
rm u
p to
th
e ed
ge o
f the
con
tinen
tal s
helf
1983
(vii)
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Fran
ceEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
74 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 75
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Gunu
ng M
ulu
Natio
nal P
ark
6Th
e pa
rk is
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of m
ajor
ch
ange
s in
the
Earth
rsquos h
isto
ry T
hree
maj
or ro
ck
form
atio
ns a
re e
viden
t th
e M
ulu
Form
atio
n of
Pa
leoc
ene
and
Eoce
ne s
hale
rsquos a
nd s
ands
tone
ris
ing
to 2
376
m a
t the
sum
mit
of G
unun
g M
ulu
th
e 1
5 km
thic
k M
elin
au L
imes
tone
form
atio
n of
Up
per E
ocen
e O
ligoc
ene
and
Low
er M
ioce
ne r
isin
g to
16
82 m
at G
unun
g Ap
i an
d th
e M
ioce
ne S
etap
Sh
ale
form
atio
n ou
tcro
ppin
g as
a g
entle
line
of h
ills
to th
e w
est
Maj
or u
plift
that
occ
urre
d du
ring
the
late
Pl
ioce
ne to
Ple
isto
cene
is w
ell r
epre
sent
ed in
the
295
km o
f exp
lore
d ca
ves
as a
ser
ies
of m
ajor
cav
e le
vels
The
sur
face
and
und
ergr
ound
geo
mor
phol
ogy
and
hydr
olog
y re
veal
sig
nific
ant i
nfor
mat
ion
on
the
tect
onic
and
clim
atic
evo
lutio
n of
Bor
neo
The
se
quen
ce o
f ter
rest
rial a
lluvia
l dep
osits
pro
vides
an
impo
rtant
reco
rd o
f gla
cial
ndash in
terg
laci
al c
ycle
s w
ith th
e se
ries
of u
plift
ed c
aves
rang
ing
from
28
m
to o
ver 3
00 m
abo
ve s
ea le
vel a
re a
t lea
st 2
to 3
m
illion
yea
rs o
ld i
ndic
atin
g up
lift r
ates
of a
bout
19
cm p
er 1
000
yea
rs
Them
e 6
The
par
k ha
s a
sign
ifica
nt
area
of k
arst
in M
ioce
ne li
mes
tone
th
at c
onta
ins
larg
e un
derg
roun
d riv
ers
and
gt29
0 km
of e
xplo
red
cave
s
incl
udin
g Sa
raw
ak C
ham
ber (
700
m lo
ng 3
00-4
00 m
wid
e an
d up
to
100
m h
igh)
ndash th
e w
orld
rsquos la
rges
t un
derg
roun
d ro
om C
aves
con
tain
m
ajor
spe
leot
hem
dep
osits
and
15
m
illion
yea
r sed
imen
t seq
uenc
es
Rich
cav
e bi
ota
esp
ecia
lly n
otab
le fo
r ba
ts a
nd s
wift
lets
Su
rface
feat
ures
in
clud
e gi
ant c
olla
pse
dolin
es a
nd
spec
tacu
lar r
azor
-sha
rp p
inna
cle
kars
t (c
a 50
m h
igh)
2000
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lM
alay
sia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Ha L
ong
Bay
67
As th
e m
ost e
xten
sive
and
best
kno
wn
exam
ple
of
mar
ine-
inva
ded
tow
er k
arst
in th
e w
orld
Ha
Long
Ba
y is
one
of th
e w
orld
rsquos m
ost i
mpo
rtant
are
as o
f Fe
ngco
ng (c
lust
ers
of c
onic
al p
eaks
) and
Fen
glin
(is
olat
ed to
wer
feat
ures
) kar
st A
bund
ant l
akes
oc
cupy
ing
drow
ned
dolin
es a
re o
ne o
f the
dist
inct
ive
feat
ures
of t
he F
enco
ng k
arst
with
som
e ap
pear
ing
to b
e tid
al P
osse
ssin
g a
trem
endo
us d
ivers
ity o
f ca
ves
and
othe
r lan
dfor
ms
deriv
ed fr
om th
e un
usua
l ge
omor
phol
ogic
al p
roce
ss o
f mar
ine
inva
ded
tow
er
kars
t the
cav
es a
re o
f thr
ee m
ain
type
s re
mna
nts
of p
hrea
tic c
aves
old
kar
stic
foot
cav
es a
nd m
arin
e no
tch
cave
s T
he p
rope
rty a
lso d
ispla
ys th
e fu
ll ra
nge
of k
arst
form
atio
n pr
oces
ses
on a
ver
y la
rge
scal
e an
d ov
er a
ver
y lo
ng p
erio
d of
geo
logi
cal t
ime
pos
sess
ing
the
mos
t com
plet
e an
d ex
tens
ive e
xzam
ple
of it
s ty
pe
in th
e w
orld
and
pro
vidin
g a
uniq
ue a
nd e
xten
sive
rese
rvoi
r of d
ata
for t
he fu
ture
und
erst
andi
ng o
f ge
oclim
atic
hist
ory
and
the
natu
re o
f kar
st p
roce
sses
in
a c
ompl
ex e
nviro
nmen
t
Them
e 6
7 T
he w
orld
rsquos m
ost
exte
nsive
and
bes
t- k
now
n ex
ampl
e of
trop
ical
tow
er k
arst
inva
ded
by th
e se
a In
corp
orat
es a
reas
of f
engc
ong
and
feng
lin k
arst
1994
(200
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)Na
tura
lVi
et N
amAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
76 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 77
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Haw
aii V
olca
noes
Na
tiona
l Par
k4
This
pro
perty
is a
uni
que
exam
ple
of s
igni
fican
t is
land
bui
ldin
g th
roug
h on
goin
g vo
lcan
ic p
roce
sses
It
repr
esen
ts th
e m
ost r
ecen
t act
ivity
in th
e co
ntin
uing
pro
cess
of t
he g
eolo
gic
orig
in a
nd
chan
ge o
f the
Haw
aiia
n Ar
chip
elag
o T
he p
ark
cont
ains
sig
nific
ant p
arts
of t
wo
of th
e w
orld
rsquos m
ost
activ
e an
d be
st u
nder
stoo
d vo
lcan
oes
Kila
uea
and
Mau
na L
oa T
he v
olca
no M
auna
Loa
mea
sure
d fro
m th
e oc
ean
floor
is
the
grea
test
vol
cani
c m
ass
on E
arth
Them
e 4
Thi
s pr
oper
ty c
onta
ins
two
of th
e m
ost a
ctive
vol
cano
es in
the
wor
ld M
auna
Loa
(41
70 m
hig
h) a
nd
Kila
uea
(12
50 m
hig
h) b
oth
of w
hich
to
wer
ove
r the
Pac
ific
Ocea
n V
olca
nic
erup
tions
hav
e cr
eate
d a
cons
tant
ly ch
angi
ng la
ndsc
ape
and
the
lava
flo
ws
reve
al s
urpr
isin
g ge
olog
ical
fo
rmat
ions
1987
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Hear
d an
d M
cDon
ald
Isla
nds
2 4
9Th
e is
land
s co
ntai
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
es o
f si
gnifi
cant
on-
goin
g ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
es o
ccur
ring
in a
n es
sent
ially
und
istu
rbed
env
ironm
ent
parti
cula
rly p
hysi
cal p
roce
sses
whi
ch p
rovid
e an
un
ders
tand
ing
of th
e ro
le o
f cru
stal
pla
tes
in th
e fo
rmat
ion
of o
cean
bas
ins
and
cont
inen
ts a
nd o
f at
mos
pher
ic a
nd o
cean
ic w
arm
ing
The
isla
nds
are
dist
inct
ive a
mon
g oc
eani
c is
land
s in
bei
ng fo
unde
d up
on a
maj
or s
ubm
arin
e pl
atea
u w
hich
in th
is c
ase
defle
cts
Anta
rctic
circ
umpo
lar w
ater
s no
rthw
ards
w
ith s
triki
ng c
onse
quen
ces
for g
eom
orph
olog
ical
pr
oces
ses
The
y al
so o
ffer a
n ac
tive
exam
ple
of p
lum
e vo
lcan
ism
pro
vidin
g di
rect
geo
logi
cal
evid
ence
of t
he a
ctio
n of
the
long
est o
pera
tiona
l pl
ume
syst
em k
now
n in
the
wor
ld T
his
incl
udes
in
form
atio
n ab
out p
lum
e in
tera
ctio
n w
ith o
verly
ing
crus
tal p
late
s a
s w
ell a
s in
sigh
ts in
to m
antle
plu
me
com
posi
tion
due
to th
e w
ides
t ran
ge o
f iso
topi
c co
mpo
sitio
ns o
f stro
ntiu
m n
eody
miu
m l
ead
and
heliu
m k
now
n fro
m a
ny o
cean
ic is
land
vol
cano
sy
stem
Big
Ben
on
Hear
d Is
land
is th
e on
ly kn
own
cont
inuo
usly
activ
e vo
lcan
o on
a s
ub-A
ntar
ctic
is
land
whe
reas
the
volc
ano
on M
acDo
nald
Isla
nd
rece
ntly
beca
me
activ
e ag
ain
afte
r a 7
500
0 ye
ar
perio
d of
dor
man
cy i
ncre
asin
g si
gnifi
cant
ly in
size
si
nce
insc
riptio
n
Hear
d Is
land
rsquos re
lativ
ely
shal
low
and
fast
-flow
ing
glac
iers
resp
ond
quic
kly
to c
limat
e ch
ange
fa
ster
than
any
gla
cier
s el
sew
here
mak
ing
them
pa
rticu
larly
impo
rtant
in m
onito
ring
clim
ate
chan
ge
They
hav
e flu
ctua
ted
dram
atic
ally
in re
cent
dec
ades
an
d ha
ve re
treat
ed s
igni
fican
tly
Them
e 2
4 H
eard
Isla
nd a
nd
McD
onal
d Is
land
s ar
e th
e on
ly vo
lcan
ical
ly ac
tive
suba
ntar
ctic
is
land
s T
he is
land
s ar
e di
stin
ctive
am
ong
ocea
nic
isla
nds
in b
eing
fo
unde
d up
on a
maj
or s
ubm
arin
e pl
atea
u w
hich
in th
is c
ase
defle
cts
Anta
rctic
circ
umpo
lar w
ater
s no
rthw
ards
The
y al
so o
ffer a
n ac
tive
exam
ple
of p
lum
e vo
lcan
ism
pr
ovid
ing
dire
ct g
eolo
gica
l evid
ence
of
the
actio
n of
the
long
est o
pera
tiona
l pl
ume
syst
em k
now
n in
the
wor
ld
Them
e 9
Hea
rd Is
land
rsquos re
lativ
ely
shal
low
and
fast
-flow
ing
glac
iers
re
spon
d qu
ickl
y to
clim
ate
chan
ge
fast
er th
an a
ny g
laci
ers
else
whe
re
mak
ing
them
par
ticul
arly
impo
rtant
in
mon
itorin
g cl
imat
e ch
ange
The
y ha
ve fl
uctu
ated
dra
mat
ical
ly in
re
cent
dec
ades
and
hav
e re
treat
ed
sign
ifica
ntly
1997
(viii)
(ix)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
76 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 77
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
High
Coa
st
Kva
rken
Ar
chip
elag
o
9Th
e Hi
gh C
oast
Kva
rken
Arc
hipe
lago
is o
f ex
cept
iona
l geo
logi
cal v
alue
for t
wo
mai
n re
ason
s
Firs
t bo
th a
reas
hav
e so
me
of th
e hi
ghes
t rat
es
of is
osta
tic u
plift
in th
e w
orld
mea
ning
that
the
land
stil
l con
tinue
s to
rise
in e
leva
tion
follo
win
g th
e re
treat
of t
he la
st in
land
ice
shee
t w
ith a
roun
d 29
0 m
of l
and
uplif
t rec
orde
d ov
er th
e pa
st 1
050
0 ye
ars
The
upl
ift is
ong
oing
and
is a
ssoc
iate
d w
ith
maj
or c
hang
es in
the
wat
er b
odie
s in
pos
t-gl
acia
l tim
es T
his
phen
omen
on w
as fi
rst r
ecog
nize
d an
d st
udie
d he
re m
akin
g th
e pr
oper
ty a
key
are
a fo
r un
ders
tand
ing
the
proc
esse
s of
cru
stal
resp
onse
to
the
mel
ting
of th
e co
ntin
enta
l ice
she
et S
econ
d
the
Kvar
ken
Arch
ipel
ago
with
its
560
0 is
land
s an
d su
rroun
ding
sea
pos
sess
es a
dis
tinct
ive a
rray
of
glac
ial d
epos
ition
al fo
rmat
ions
suc
h as
De
Geer
m
orai
nes
whi
ch a
dd to
the
varie
ty o
f gla
cial
land
- an
d se
asca
pe fe
atur
es in
the
regi
on I
t is
a gl
obal
ex
cept
iona
l and
dive
rse
area
for s
tudy
ing
mor
aine
ar
chip
elag
os T
he H
igh
Coas
t and
the
Kvar
ken
Arch
ipel
ago
repr
esen
t com
plem
enta
ry e
xam
ples
of
post
-gla
cial
upl
iftin
g la
ndsc
apes
Them
e 9
Bot
h ar
eas
have
som
e of
th
e hi
ghes
t rat
es o
f iso
stat
ic u
plift
in
the
wor
ld m
eani
ng th
at th
e la
nd
still
cont
inue
s to
rise
in e
leva
tion
follo
win
g th
e re
treat
of t
he la
st in
land
ic
e sh
eet
with
aro
und
290
m o
f lan
d up
lift r
ecor
ded
over
the
past
10
500
year
s T
he u
plift
is o
ngoi
ng a
nd is
as
soci
ated
with
maj
or c
hang
es in
the
wat
er b
odie
s in
pos
t-gl
acia
l tim
es
[] a
key
are
a fo
r und
erst
andi
ng th
e pr
oces
ses
of c
rust
al re
spon
se to
the
mel
ting
of th
e co
ntin
enta
l ice
she
et
[] t
he K
vark
en A
rchi
pela
go w
ith
its 5
600
isla
nds
and
surro
undi
ng
sea
pos
sess
es a
dis
tinct
ive a
rray
of g
laci
al d
epos
ition
al fo
rmat
ions
su
ch a
s De
Gee
r mor
aine
s w
hich
ad
d to
the
varie
ty o
f gla
cial
land
- an
d se
asca
pe fe
atur
es in
the
regi
on I
t is
a gl
obal
exc
eptio
nal a
nd d
ivers
e ar
ea
for s
tudy
ing
mor
aine
arc
hipe
lago
s
The
High
Coa
st a
nd th
e Kv
arke
n Ar
chip
elag
o re
pres
ent c
ompl
emen
tary
ex
ampl
es o
f pos
t-gl
acia
l upl
iftin
g la
ndsc
apes
2000
(200
6)(v
iii)Na
tura
lFi
nlan
d
Swed
enEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
78 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 79
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Huas
caraacute
n Na
tiona
l Par
k9
Huas
caraacute
n is
loca
ted
in th
e Hi
gh A
ndes
and
incl
udes
hi
gh p
late
aus
of P
una
gras
slan
ds w
here
60
00
m p
eaks
and
gla
cier
s fo
rm a
glo
bally
not
able
m
ount
aino
us re
gion
inc
ludi
ng o
ver 6
00 g
laci
ers
al
mos
t 300
lake
s an
d 41
trib
utar
ies
of th
ree
impo
rtant
rive
rs t
he S
anta
Pat
ivilc
a an
d M
aran
on
Unde
rlyin
g th
e ex
cept
iona
l lan
dsca
pe o
f Hua
scar
an
Natio
nal P
ark
is a
bro
ad s
pect
rum
of r
emar
kabl
e on
goin
g ge
olog
ical
feat
ures
and
pro
cess
es
shap
ing
the
impr
essi
ve g
eom
orph
olog
y Th
e ar
earsquos
ge
olog
ical
his
tory
and
stru
ctur
es a
re v
ery
com
plex
w
ith s
erra
ted
peak
s an
d th
e ru
gged
topo
grap
hy
orig
inat
e fro
m th
e up
liftin
g of
Mes
ozoi
c se
dim
ents
w
hich
wer
e se
vere
ly fo
lded
and
faul
ted
by c
ompl
ex
tect
onic
act
ivity
at t
he e
nd o
f the
Cre
tace
ous
Perio
d an
d su
bjec
t to
volc
anis
m in
the
Plio
cene
an
d Pl
eist
ocen
e ep
ochs
To
this
day
ther
e is
stro
ng
seis
mic
act
ivity
in th
e ar
ea m
ajor
ear
thqu
akes
su
ch a
s in
194
5 1
962
and
1970
ser
ving
as c
ruel
re
min
ders
Gla
ciat
ion
is a
maj
or e
lem
ent i
n th
e ge
omor
phol
ogy
and
hydr
olog
y of
the
prop
erty
It is
es
timat
ed th
at a
s m
uch
a qu
arte
r of t
he v
olum
e of
gl
acia
l ice
in th
e Co
rdille
ra m
ay h
ave
disa
ppea
red
sinc
e th
e la
te 1
960s
a p
roce
ss w
hich
is li
kely
to
furth
er c
hang
e th
e vis
ual f
ace
of H
uasc
araacuten
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk
Them
e 9
Loc
ated
in th
e Hi
gh A
ndes
an
d in
clud
es h
igh
plat
eaus
of P
una
gras
slan
ds w
here
60
00 m
pea
ks
and
glac
iers
form
a g
loba
lly n
otab
le
mou
ntai
nous
regi
on i
nclu
ding
ove
r 60
0 gl
acie
rs a
lmos
t 300
lake
s an
d 41
trib
utar
ies
of th
ree
impo
rtant
rive
rs
the
Sant
a P
ativi
lca
and
Mar
anon
1985
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Peru
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Ilulis
sat I
cefjo
rd9
The
Ilulis
sat I
cefjo
rd is
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of
a st
age
in th
e Ea
rthrsquos
his
tory
the
last
ice
age
of
the
Quat
erna
ry P
erio
d T
he ic
e-st
ream
is o
ne o
f the
fa
stes
t (40
m p
er d
ay) a
nd m
ost a
ctive
in th
e w
orld
Its
ann
ual c
alvin
g of
ove
r 46
km3
of ic
e ac
coun
ts
for 1
0 o
f the
pro
duct
ion
of a
ll Gr
eenl
and
calf
ice
m
ore
than
any
oth
er g
laci
er o
utsi
de A
ntar
ctic
a T
he
glac
ier h
as b
een
the
obje
ct o
f sci
entifi
c at
tent
ion
for 2
50 y
ears
and
alo
ng w
ith it
s re
lativ
e ea
se
of a
cces
sibi
lity
has
sign
ifica
ntly
adde
d to
the
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
ice-
cap
glac
iolo
gy c
limat
e ch
ange
an
d re
late
d ge
omor
phic
pro
cess
es
Them
e 9
The
Ilul
issa
t Ice
fjord
is
an o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of a
sta
ge
in th
e Ea
rthrsquos
his
tory
the
last
ice
age
of th
e Qu
ater
nary
Per
iod
The
ic
e-st
ream
is o
ne o
f the
fast
est (
40
m p
er d
ay) a
nd m
ost a
ctive
in th
e w
orld
Its
ann
ual c
alvin
g of
ove
r 46
km3
of ic
e ac
coun
ts fo
r 10
of t
he
prod
uctio
n of
all
Gree
nlan
d ca
lf ic
e
mor
e th
an a
ny o
ther
gla
cier
out
side
An
tarc
tica
[]
has
sig
nific
antly
add
ed
to th
e un
ders
tand
ing
of ic
e-ca
p gl
acio
logy
clim
ate
chan
ge a
nd re
late
d ge
omor
phic
pro
cess
es
2004
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Denm
ark
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
78 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 79
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Isch
igua
last
o T
alam
paya
Na
tura
l Par
ks
1Th
e pr
oper
ty o
f Isc
higu
alas
to-T
alam
paya
Nat
ural
Pa
rks
is o
f ext
raor
dina
ry s
cien
tific
impo
rtanc
e
prov
idin
g a
com
plet
e se
quen
ce o
f fos
silif
erou
s co
ntin
enta
l sed
imen
ts re
pres
entin
g th
e Tr
iass
ic
Perio
d of
geo
logi
cal h
isto
ry (c
250
-200
milli
on
year
s be
fore
pre
sent
) an
d re
veal
ing
the
evol
utio
n of
ve
rtebr
ate
life
and
the
natu
re o
f pal
aeoe
nviro
nmen
ts
in th
e Tr
iass
ic th
at u
sher
ed in
the
lsquoAge
of t
he
Dino
saur
srsquo
Exte
ndin
g ov
er th
e Is
chig
uala
sto-
Villa
Uni
oacuten
sedi
men
tary
bas
in t
he d
ram
atic
nat
ural
land
scap
e of
the
prop
erty
exp
oses
six
geol
ogic
al fo
rmat
ions
th
at c
lear
ly an
d ex
cept
iona
lly d
ocum
ent t
he m
ajor
st
age
of E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry fr
om th
e ev
olut
ion
from
the
mam
mal
anc
esto
rs in
the
Early
Tria
ssic
to th
e ris
e of
din
osau
r dom
inan
ce d
urin
g th
e Tr
iass
ic T
he ri
ch
dive
rsity
of f
ossi
ls in
clud
es s
ome
56 k
now
n ge
nera
an
d m
any
mor
e sp
ecie
s of
ver
tebr
ates
inc
ludi
ng
but n
ot li
mite
d to
fish
am
phib
ians
and
a g
reat
va
riety
of r
eptil
es a
nd d
irect
mam
mal
ian
ance
stor
s
incl
udin
g th
e ea
rly d
inos
aur
Eora
ptor
and
at l
east
10
0 sp
ecie
s of
pla
nts
toge
ther
with
abu
ndan
t em
phas
is o
f the
env
ironm
ents
of t
he ti
me
Tog
ethe
r th
ese
rem
ains
pro
vide
a un
ique
win
dow
on
life
in
the
Tria
ssic
Per
iod
with
man
y ne
w d
isco
verie
s st
ill to
be
mad
e
Them
e 1
Isch
igua
last
o T
alam
paya
Na
tura
l Par
ks c
onta
in th
e m
ost
com
plet
e co
ntin
enta
l fos
sil r
ecor
d kn
own
from
the
Tria
ssic
Per
iod
(c 2
50-2
00 m
illion
yea
rs a
go)
Six
geol
ogic
al fo
rmat
ions
con
tain
fo
ssils
of a
wid
e ra
nge
of a
nces
tors
of
mam
mal
s d
inos
aurs
and
pla
nts
reve
alin
g th
e ev
olut
ion
of v
erte
brat
es
and
the
natu
re o
f pal
aeoe
nviro
nmen
ts
in th
e Tr
iass
ic P
erio
d
2000
(viii)
Natu
ral
Arge
ntin
aLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Isol
e Eo
lie
(Aeo
lian
Isla
nds)
4Th
e is
land
srsquo v
olca
nic
land
form
s re
pres
ent c
lass
ic
feat
ures
in th
e co
ntin
uing
stu
dy o
f vol
cano
logy
w
orld
-wid
e W
ith th
eir s
cien
tific
stud
y fro
m a
t lea
st
the
18th
Cen
tury
the
isla
nds
have
pro
vided
two
of
the
type
s of
eru
ptio
ns (V
ulca
nian
and
Stro
mbo
lian)
to
vul
cano
logy
and
geo
logy
text
book
s an
d so
ha
ve fe
atur
ed p
rom
inen
tly in
the
educ
atio
n of
all
geos
cien
tists
for o
ver 2
00 y
ears
The
y co
ntin
ue
to p
rovid
e a
rich
field
for v
olca
nolo
gica
l stu
dies
of
on-g
oing
geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
in th
e de
velo
pmen
t of
land
form
s
Them
e 4
The
Aeo
lian
Isla
nds
prov
ide
an o
utst
andi
ng re
cord
of v
olca
nic
isla
nd-b
uild
ing
and
dest
ruct
ion
and
on
goin
g vo
lcan
ic p
heno
men
a S
tudi
ed
sinc
e at
leas
t the
18t
h ce
ntur
y th
e is
land
s ha
ve p
rovid
ed th
e sc
ienc
e of
vul
cano
logy
with
exa
mpl
es o
f tw
o ty
pes
of e
rupt
ion
(Vul
cani
an a
nd
Stro
mbo
lian)
2000
(viii)
Natu
ral
Italy
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
80 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 81
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Jeju
Vol
cani
c Is
land
and
Lav
a Tu
bes
46
Jeju
has
a d
istin
ctive
val
ue a
s on
e of
the
few
la
rge
shie
ld v
olca
noes
in th
e w
orld
bui
lt ov
er a
ho
t spo
t on
a st
atio
nary
con
tinen
tal c
rust
pla
te I
t is
dis
tingu
ishe
d by
the
Geom
unor
eum
lava
tube
sy
stem
whi
ch is
the
mos
t im
pres
sive
and
sig
nific
ant
serie
s of
pro
tect
ed la
va tu
be c
aves
in th
e w
orld
and
in
clud
es a
spe
ctac
ular
arra
y of
sec
onda
ry c
arbo
nate
sp
eleo
them
s (s
tala
ctite
s an
d ot
her d
ecor
atio
ns)
with
an
abu
ndan
ce a
nd d
ivers
ity u
nkno
wn
else
whe
re
with
in a
lava
cav
e T
he S
eong
san
Ilchu
lbon
g tu
ff co
ne h
as e
xcep
tiona
l exp
osur
es o
f its
stru
ctur
al a
nd
sedi
men
tolo
gica
l cha
ract
eris
tics
mak
ing
it a
wor
ld-
clas
s lo
catio
n fo
r und
erst
andi
ng S
urts
eyan
-typ
e vo
lcan
ic e
rupt
ions
Them
e 4
Jej
u Vo
lcan
ic Is
land
and
La
va T
ubes
incl
udes
Geo
mun
oreu
m
rega
rded
as
the
fines
t lav
a tu
be
syst
em o
f cav
es a
nyw
here
with
its
mul
ticol
oure
d ca
rbon
ate
roof
s an
d flo
ors
and
dar
k-co
lour
ed la
va
wal
ls t
he fo
rtres
s-lik
e Se
ongs
an
Ilchu
lbon
g tu
ff co
ne r
isin
g ou
t of t
he
ocea
n a
dra
mat
ic la
ndsc
ape
and
M
ount
Hal
la t
he h
ighe
st in
Kor
ea
with
its
wat
erfa
lls m
ulti-
shap
ed
rock
form
atio
ns a
nd la
ke-fi
lled
crat
er T
hem
e 6
Out
stan
ding
ex
ampl
e of
vul
cano
kars
t a
spec
ial
style
of p
seud
okar
st T
his
incl
udes
Ge
omun
oreu
m la
va tu
bes
whi
ch a
re
nota
ble
for s
pect
acul
ar d
ecor
atio
n w
ith c
arbo
nate
spe
leot
hem
s th
e ca
rbon
ate
bein
g de
rived
from
ov
erlyi
ng c
alca
reou
s du
ne s
ands
bl
own
in fr
om th
e co
ast
2007
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Repu
blic
of
Kor
eaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Jogg
ins
Foss
il Cl
iffs
1Ea
rthrsquos
his
tory
geo
logi
cal a
nd g
eom
orph
ic fe
atur
es
and
proc
esse
s T
he lsquog
rand
exp
osur
ersquo o
f roc
ks a
t Jo
ggin
s Fo
ssil
Cliff
s co
ntai
ns th
e be
st a
nd m
ost
com
plet
e kn
own
foss
il re
cord
of t
erre
stria
l life
in
the
icon
ic lsquoC
oal A
gersquo
the
Penn
sylva
nian
Sub
perio
d of
the
Carb
onife
rous
Per
iod
in E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry T
he
prop
erty
bea
rs w
itnes
s to
the
first
rept
iles
in E
arth
hi
stor
y w
hich
are
the
earli
est r
epre
sent
ative
s of
th
e am
niot
es a
gro
up o
f ani
mal
s th
at in
clud
es
rept
iles
din
osau
rs b
irds
and
mam
mal
s U
prig
ht
foss
il tre
es a
re p
rese
rved
at a
ser
ies
of le
vels
in th
e cl
iffs
toge
ther
with
ani
mal
pla
nt a
nd tr
ace
foss
ils
that
pro
vide
envir
onm
enta
l con
text
and
ena
ble
a co
mpl
ete
reco
nstru
ctio
n to
be
mad
e of
the
exte
nsive
fo
ssil
fore
sts
that
dom
inat
ed la
nd a
t thi
s tim
e a
nd
are
now
the
sour
ce o
f mos
t of t
he w
orld
rsquos c
oal
depo
sits
The
pro
perty
has
pla
yed
a vit
al ro
le in
the
deve
lopm
ent o
f sem
inal
geo
logi
cal a
nd e
volu
tiona
ry
prin
cipl
es i
nclu
ding
thro
ugh
the
wor
k of
Sir
Char
les
Lyel
l and
Cha
rles
Darw
in f
or w
hich
the
site
has
be
en re
ferre
d to
as
the
lsquocoa
l age
Gal
aacutepag
osrsquo
Them
e 1
The
Jog
gins
Fos
sil C
liffs
ha
ve b
een
desc
ribed
as
the
lsquocoa
l age
Ga
laacutepa
gosrsquo
due
to th
eir w
ealth
of
foss
ils fr
om th
e Ca
rbon
ifero
us P
erio
d (c
360
to 3
00 m
illion
yea
rs a
go) a
nd
repr
esen
t the
mos
t com
plet
e kn
own
foss
il re
cord
of t
erre
stria
l life
from
th
at ti
me
2008
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
80 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 81
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Klua
ne
Wra
ngel
l-St
Elia
s G
laci
er B
ay
Tats
hens
hini
-Al
sek
9Th
ese
tect
onic
ally
activ
e jo
int s
ites
feat
ure
cont
inuo
us m
ount
ain
build
ing
and
cont
ain
outs
tand
ing
exam
ples
of m
ajor
ong
oing
geo
logi
c an
d gl
acia
l pro
cess
es O
ver 2
00 g
laci
ers
in th
e ic
e-co
vere
d ce
ntra
l pla
teau
com
bine
to fo
rm s
ome
of th
e w
orld
rsquos la
rges
t and
long
est g
laci
ers
sev
eral
of
whi
ch s
tretc
h to
the
sea
The
pro
perty
dis
play
s a
broa
d ra
nge
of g
laci
al p
roce
sses
inc
ludi
ng
wor
ld-c
lass
dep
ositi
onal
feat
ures
and
cla
ssic
ex
ampl
es o
f mor
aine
s h
angi
ng v
alle
ys a
nd o
ther
ge
omor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
Them
e 9
Ove
r 200
gla
cier
s in
the
ice-
cove
red
cent
ral p
late
au c
ombi
ne
to fo
rm s
ome
of th
e w
orld
rsquos la
rges
t an
d lo
nges
t gla
cier
s s
ever
al o
f whi
ch
stre
tch
to th
e se
a T
he p
rope
rty
disp
lays
a b
road
rang
e of
gla
cial
pr
oces
ses
incl
udin
g w
orld
-cla
ss
depo
sitio
nal f
eatu
res
and
clas
sic
exam
ples
of m
orai
nes
han
ging
va
lleys
and
oth
er g
eom
orph
olog
ical
fe
atur
es
1979
(199
2
1994
)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Cana
da
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Lake
Bai
kal
25
No a
ppro
ved
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV B
asis
of
insc
riptio
n is
The
geo
logi
cal r
ift s
yste
m w
hich
ga
ve ri
se to
Lak
e Ba
ikal
was
form
ed in
the
Mes
ozoi
c Er
a L
ake
Baik
al is
thus
the
olde
st la
ke in
the
wor
ld
as w
ell a
s th
e de
epes
t Va
rious
tect
onic
forc
es a
re
still
on-g
oing
as
evid
ence
d in
rece
nt th
erm
al v
ents
in
the
dept
hs o
f the
lake
Them
e 2
The
geo
logi
cal r
ift s
yste
m
whi
ch g
ave
rise
to L
ake
Baik
al w
as
form
ed in
the
Mes
ozoi
c Er
a V
ario
us
tect
onic
forc
es a
re s
till o
n-go
ing
as
evid
ence
d in
rece
nt th
erm
al v
ents
in
the
dept
hs o
f the
lake
The
me
5 T
he
prop
erty
incl
udes
Lak
e Ba
ikal
itse
lf
the
deep
est i
n w
orld
and
con
tain
ing
20
of a
ll fre
sh ru
nnin
g w
ater
on
the
plan
et
1996
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lRu
ssia
n Fe
dera
-tio
n
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Lake
Tur
kana
Na
tiona
l Par
ks1
The
geol
ogy
and
foss
il re
cord
repr
esen
ts m
ajor
st
ages
of t
he E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry i
nclu
ding
reco
rds
of
life
repr
esen
ted
by h
omin
id d
isco
verie
s p
rese
nce
of re
cent
geo
logi
cal p
roce
ss re
pres
ente
d by
vo
lcan
ic e
rosi
onal
and
sed
imen
tary
land
form
s
This
pro
perty
rsquos m
ain
geol
ogic
al fe
atur
es s
tem
from
th
e Pl
ioce
ne to
Hol
ocen
e ep
ochs
(c 4
milli
on to
10
000
yea
rs o
ld)
It ha
s be
en v
ery
valu
able
in th
e re
cons
truct
ion
of th
e pa
leo-
envir
onm
ent o
f the
en
tire
Lake
Tur
kana
Bas
in T
he K
obi F
ora
depo
sits
co
ntai
n pr
e-hu
man
mam
mal
ian
mol
lusc
an a
nd
othe
r fos
sil r
emai
ns a
nd h
ave
cont
ribut
ed m
ore
to
the
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
hum
an a
nces
try a
nd p
aleo
-en
viron
men
t tha
n an
y ot
her s
ite in
the
wor
ld
Them
e 1
The
Koo
bi F
ora
depo
sits
ric
h in
mam
mal
ian
mol
lusc
an a
nd
othe
r fos
sil r
emai
ns h
ave
cont
ribut
ed
mor
e to
the
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
pal
eo-
envir
onm
ents
than
any
oth
er s
ite o
n th
e co
ntin
ent
1997
(200
1)(v
iii)(x
)Na
tura
lKe
nya
Afric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
82 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 83
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Lapo
nian
Are
a9
The
Lapo
nian
Are
a co
ntai
ns a
ll th
e pr
oces
ses
asso
ciat
ed w
ith g
laci
al a
ctivi
ty s
uch
as U
-sha
ped
valle
ys m
orai
nes
talu
s sl
opes
dru
mlin
s p
rese
nce
of la
rge
erra
tics
and
rapi
dly
flow
ing
glac
ial s
tream
s
It ha
s ex
celle
nt e
xam
ples
of i
ce a
nd fr
ost a
ctio
n in
a
tund
ra s
ettin
g in
clud
ing
form
atio
n of
pol
ygon
s an
d an
are
a of
spe
ctac
ular
ly co
llaps
ing
and
grow
ing
pals
a m
ound
s G
laci
al ri
vers
orig
inat
ing
in th
e sn
owfie
lds
cont
inue
to c
ut th
roug
h be
droc
k L
arge
un
vege
tate
d ar
eas
illust
rate
the
phen
omen
on o
f w
eath
erin
g T
he p
rope
rty a
lso
cont
ains
a re
cord
of
hum
ans
bein
g pa
rt of
thes
e ec
osys
tem
s fo
r sev
en
thou
sand
yea
rs
Them
e 9
Con
tain
s al
l the
pro
cess
es
asso
ciat
ed w
ith g
laci
al a
ctivi
ty s
uch
as U
-sha
ped
valle
ys m
orai
nes
talu
s sl
opes
dru
mlin
s p
rese
nce
of la
rge
erra
tics
and
rapi
dly
flow
ing
glac
ial
stre
ams
It h
as e
xcel
lent
exa
mpl
es o
f ic
e an
d fro
st a
ctio
n in
a tu
ndra
set
ting
incl
udin
g fo
rmat
ion
of p
olyg
ons
and
an a
rea
of s
pect
acul
arly
colla
psin
g an
d gr
owin
g pa
lsa
mou
nds
Gla
cial
riv
ers
orig
inat
ing
in th
e sn
owfie
lds
cont
inue
to c
ut th
roug
h be
droc
k
1996
(iii)(
v)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)M
ixed
Swed
enEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Lena
Pill
ars
Natu
re P
ark
36
The
Lena
Pilla
rs N
atur
e Pa
rk d
ispl
ays
two
feat
ures
of
sig
nific
ant i
nter
natio
nal i
nter
est i
n re
latio
n to
the
Earth
sci
ence
s T
he la
rge
cryo
geni
cally
m
odifi
ed p
illars
in th
e re
gion
are
the
mos
t not
able
pi
llar l
ands
cape
of t
heir
kind
kno
wn
whi
lst t
he
inte
rnat
iona
lly re
now
ned
and
impo
rtant
exp
osur
es
of C
ambr
ian
rock
s pr
ovid
e a
seco
nd a
nd im
porta
nt
supp
ortin
g se
t of v
alue
s
Them
e 3
Len
a Pi
llars
Nat
ure
Park
is
mar
ked
by s
pect
acul
ar ro
ck p
illars
up
to 1
00 m
hig
h th
at fo
rmed
due
to
diffe
rent
ial e
rosio
n al
ong
the
bank
s of
th
e Le
na R
iver
Them
e 6
Pilla
rs w
ere
isola
ted
by p
aleo
-diss
olut
ion
alon
g jo
ints
ben
eath
thick
gra
vel c
over
and
ar
e re
veal
ed a
long
val
ley
sides
by
frost
pr
oces
ses
and
fluvia
l und
ercu
tting
Kar
st
feat
ures
inclu
de g
roun
dwat
er c
ircul
atio
n an
d sm
all fl
utes
2012
(viii)
Natu
ral
Russ
ian
Fede
ra-
tion
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
82 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 83
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Lore
ntz
Natio
nal
Park
26
The
geol
ogy
and
land
form
s of
Lor
entz
Nat
iona
l Par
k di
spla
y gr
aphi
c ev
iden
ce o
f Ear
thrsquos
his
tory
Loc
ated
at
the
mee
ting
poin
t of t
wo
collid
ing
cont
inen
tal
plat
es t
he a
rea
has
a co
mpl
ex g
eolo
gy w
ith o
ngoi
ng
mou
ntai
n fo
rmat
ion
as w
ell a
s m
ajor
scu
lptin
g by
gl
acia
tion
and
shor
elin
e ac
cret
ion
The
dom
inat
ing
mou
ntai
n ra
nge
is a
dire
ct p
rodu
ct o
f the
col
lisio
n be
twee
n th
e Au
stra
lian
and
Paci
fic te
cton
ic p
late
s an
d th
e pr
oper
ty c
onta
ins
the
high
est p
oint
s of
th
e m
ount
ains
of P
apua
New
Gui
nea
and
the
only
rem
aini
ng g
laci
ers
on th
e is
land
The
re is
als
o cl
ear
evid
ence
of p
ost g
laci
al s
hore
lines
Gr
aphi
cally
illu
stra
ting
the
geom
orph
olog
ical
effe
ct
of th
e la
st g
laci
al a
nd p
ost-
glac
ial p
erio
ds t
he
mou
ntai
ns s
how
all
the
clas
sica
l gla
cial
land
form
s in
clud
ing
lake
s an
d m
orai
nes
Fur
ther
mor
e th
ere
are
five
smal
l rem
nant
gla
cier
s W
hile
all
five
glac
iers
are
retre
atin
g ra
pidl
y un
der p
rese
nt c
limat
ic
cond
ition
s n
o ot
her t
ropi
cal g
laci
er fi
elds
in th
e w
orld
exh
ibit
glac
ial e
volu
tion
as w
ell a
s th
ose
in L
oren
tz N
atio
nal P
ark
The
re is
als
o no
bet
ter
exam
ple
in th
e w
orld
of t
he c
ombi
ned
effe
ct o
f co
llisio
n of
tect
onic
pla
tes
and
the
seco
ndar
y m
ajor
sc
ulpt
ing
by g
laci
al a
nd p
ost-
glac
ial e
vent
s
Them
e 2
The
geo
logy
and
land
form
s of
Lor
entz
Nat
iona
l Par
k di
spla
y gr
aphi
c ev
iden
ce o
f Ear
thsrsquo
his
tory
Lo
cate
d at
the
mee
ting
poin
t of
two
collid
ing
cont
inen
tal p
late
s th
e ar
ea h
as a
com
plex
geo
logy
with
on
goin
g m
ount
ain
form
atio
n as
wel
l as
maj
or s
culp
ting
by g
laci
atio
n an
d sh
orel
ine
accr
etio
n T
he d
omin
atin
g m
ount
ain
rang
e is
a d
irect
pro
duct
of
the
collis
ion
betw
een
the
Aust
ralia
n an
d Pa
cific
tect
onic
pla
tes
Them
e 6
Wor
ldrsquos
bes
t exa
mpl
e of
trop
ical
al
pine
gla
ciat
ed k
arst
Ext
ensi
ve
hum
id tr
opic
al k
arst
occ
urs
at lo
wer
el
evat
ions
Hug
e si
nkin
g riv
ers
and
sprin
gs
1999
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lIn
done
sia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Los
Glac
iare
s Na
tiona
l Par
k9
Los
Glac
iare
s Na
tiona
l Par
k is
an e
xcel
lent
exa
mpl
e of
the
signi
fican
t pro
cess
of g
laci
atio
n a
s w
ell
as o
f geo
logi
cal
geom
orph
ic a
nd p
hysio
grap
hic
phen
omen
a ca
used
by
the
ongo
ing
adva
nce
and
retre
at o
f the
gla
ciat
ions
that
took
pla
ce d
urin
g th
e Pl
eist
ocen
e Ep
och
of th
e Qu
ater
nary
Per
iod
and
the
neog
laci
atio
ns c
orre
spon
ding
to th
e cu
rrent
epo
ch
or H
oloc
ene
The
se e
vent
s ha
ve m
odel
led
ndash an
d co
ntin
ue to
mod
el th
e la
ndsc
ape
of th
e ar
ea a
nd
may
be
reco
gnise
d by
the
lacu
strin
e ba
sins
of
glac
ial o
rigin
the
mor
aine
sys
tem
s de
posit
ed o
n th
e pl
atea
ux o
r by
mor
e re
cent
sys
tem
s pe
rtain
ing
to th
e cu
rrent
val
leys
and
the
man
y la
rge
glac
ier t
ongu
es
fed
by th
e Ic
e Fi
elds
of t
he A
ndes
The
pro
perty
also
pr
ovid
es fe
rtile
gro
und
for s
cien
tific
rese
arch
on
clim
ate
chan
ge
Them
e 9
Sig
nific
ant p
roce
ss o
f gl
acia
tion
as
wel
l as
of g
eolo
gica
l ge
omor
phic
and
phy
siog
raph
ic
phen
omen
a ca
used
by
the
ongo
ing
adva
nce
and
retre
at o
f the
gla
ciat
ions
th
at to
ok p
lace
dur
ing
the
Plei
stoc
ene
Epoc
h of
the
Quat
erna
ry P
erio
d a
nd
the
neog
laci
atio
ns c
orre
spon
ding
to
the
curre
nt e
poch
or H
oloc
ene
La
cust
rine
basi
ns o
f gla
cial
orig
in t
he
mor
aine
sys
tem
s de
posi
ted
on th
e pl
atea
ux o
r by
mor
e re
cent
sys
tem
s pe
rtain
ing
to th
e cu
rrent
val
leys
and
th
e m
any
larg
e gl
acie
r ton
gues
fed
by
the
Ice
Fiel
ds o
f the
And
es
1981
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Arge
ntin
aLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Lut D
eser
t10
The
prop
erty
repr
esen
ts a
n ex
cept
iona
l exa
mpl
e of
on
goin
g ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
es re
late
d to
ero
sion
al
and
depo
sitio
nal f
eatu
res
in a
hot
des
ert
The
yard
ang
kal
ut la
ndfo
rms
are
wid
ely
cons
ider
ed
the
best
-exp
ress
ed in
the
wor
ld in
term
s of
ext
ent
unbr
oken
con
tinui
ty a
nd h
eigh
t Th
e Lu
t san
d-se
as
are
amon
gst t
he b
est d
evel
oped
act
ive d
une
field
s in
the
wor
ld d
ispl
ayin
g a
wid
e va
riety
of d
une
type
s (c
resc
entic
ridg
es s
tar d
unes
com
plex
line
ar
dune
s fu
nnel
-sha
ped
dune
s) w
ith d
unes
am
ongs
t th
e hi
ghes
t obs
erve
d an
ywhe
re o
n ou
r pla
net
Nebk
ha d
une
field
s (d
unes
form
ed a
roun
d pl
ants
) ar
e w
ides
prea
d w
ith th
ose
at L
ut a
s hi
gh a
s an
y m
easu
red
else
whe
re E
vapo
rite
(sal
t) la
ndfo
rms
are
disp
laye
d in
wid
e va
riety
incl
udin
g w
hite
sa
lt-cr
uste
d cr
ysta
lline
river
beds
sal
t pan
s (p
laya
) w
ith p
olyg
onal
ly fra
ctur
ed c
rust
s p
ress
ure-
indu
ced
tepe
e-fra
ctur
ed s
alt c
rust
s g
ypsu
m d
omes
sm
all
salt
ping
os (o
r blis
ters
) an
d sa
lt ka
rren
Oth
er
dry-
land
land
form
s in
clud
e ex
tens
ive h
amad
a (s
tony
des
ert p
avem
ents
or r
eg) u
sual
ly lo
cate
d on
ped
imen
t sur
face
s w
ith w
ind
face
ted
ston
es
(ven
tifac
ts)
gullie
d ba
dlan
ds a
nd a
lluvia
l fan
s (b
ajad
a)
Them
e 10
Cla
ssic
loca
lity
of
yard
angs
dev
elop
ed o
n a
mas
sive
sc
ale
as
wel
l as
grav
el p
lain
s an
d du
ne fi
elds
2016
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Iran
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
84 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 85
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mac
quar
ie Is
land
2 4
Mac
quar
ie Is
land
and
its
outly
ing
islet
s ar
e ge
olog
ical
ly un
ique
in b
eing
the
only
plac
e on
Ear
th
whe
re ro
cks
from
the
Earth
rsquos m
antle
are
bei
ng
activ
ely
expo
sed
abov
e se
a le
vel T
he is
land
is th
e ex
pose
d cr
est o
f the
und
erse
a M
acqu
arie
Rid
ge
raise
d to
its
pres
ent p
ositi
on w
here
the
Indo
-Au
stra
lian
tect
onic
pla
te m
eets
the
Paci
fic p
late
Th
ese
uniq
ue e
xpos
ures
pro
vide
an e
xcep
tiona
lly
com
plet
e se
ctio
n of
the
stru
ctur
e an
d co
mpo
sitio
n of
bot
h th
e oc
eani
c cr
ust a
nd th
e up
per m
antle
and
pr
ovid
e ev
iden
ce o
f lsquose
a-flo
or s
prea
ding
rsquo and
tect
onic
pr
oces
ses
that
hav
e op
erat
ed fo
r hun
dred
s of
milli
ons
of y
ears
The
geo
logi
cal e
volu
tion
of M
acqu
arie
Isla
nd
bega
n 10
milli
on y
ears
ago
and
con
tinue
s to
day
with
th
e isl
and
expe
rienc
ing
earth
quak
es a
nd a
rapi
d ra
te
of u
plift
all
of w
hich
are
rela
ted
to a
ctive
geo
logi
cal
proc
esse
s al
ong
the
boun
dary
bet
wee
n th
e tw
o pl
ates
Se
quen
ces
from
all
crus
tal l
evel
s d
own
to 6
km
be
low
the
ocea
n flo
or a
re e
xpos
ed a
s a
resu
lt of
til
ting
and
diffe
rent
ial u
plift
on
Mac
quar
ie Is
land
Th
is pr
ovid
es ra
re e
viden
ce fo
r seq
uenc
es th
at a
re
com
mon
from
the
botto
m o
f the
oce
ans
to th
e up
per
man
tle b
ut n
ot s
een
else
whe
re in
sur
face
out
crop
s
The
lack
of d
efor
mat
ion
of th
is ex
pose
d cr
ust i
s hi
ghly
signi
fican
t as
it ex
hibi
ts k
ey in
terre
late
d an
d in
terd
epen
dent
oce
anic
cru
stal
ele
men
ts in
thei
r na
tura
l rel
atio
nshi
p
Mac
quar
ie Is
land
is th
e on
ly op
hiol
ite (a
wel
l-de
velo
ped
and
stud
ied
geol
ogic
al c
ompl
ex)
reco
gnise
d to
hav
e be
en fo
rmed
with
in a
maj
or
ocea
n ba
sin T
he g
eolo
gy o
f the
isla
nd is
ther
efor
e co
nsid
ered
to b
e th
e co
nnec
ting
link
betw
een
the
ophi
olite
s of
con
tinen
tal e
nviro
nmen
ts a
nd th
ose
loca
ted
with
in th
e oc
eani
c cr
ust
Them
e 2
The
pro
perty
is a
n ex
posu
re o
f the
oce
anic
pla
te
boun
dary
bet
wee
n th
e Pa
cific
and
Au
stra
lian
Ind
ian
plat
es e
xpos
ed
with
act
ive fa
ults
and
ong
oing
tect
onic
m
ovem
ents
The
me
4 M
acqu
arie
Is
land
pro
vides
a u
niqu
e ex
ampl
e of
exp
osur
e of
the
ocea
n cr
ust o
f vo
lcan
ic o
rigin
abo
ve th
e se
a le
vel a
nd
of g
eolo
gica
l evid
ence
for s
ea-fl
oor
spre
adin
g
1997
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
86 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 87
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mam
mot
h Ca
ve
Natio
nal P
ark
6M
amm
oth
Cave
pre
sent
s ne
arly
ever
y ty
pe o
f cav
e fo
rmat
ion
know
n G
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es in
volve
d in
thei
r for
mat
ion
cont
inue
Tod
ay t
his
huge
and
co
mpl
ex n
etw
ork
of c
ave
pass
ages
pro
vides
a
clea
r co
mpl
ete
and
acce
ssib
le re
cord
of t
he w
orld
rsquos
geom
orph
ic a
nd c
limat
ic c
hang
es O
utsi
de th
e ca
ve
the
kars
t top
ogra
phy
is s
uper
b w
ith fa
scin
atin
g la
ndsc
apes
and
all
of th
e cl
assi
c fe
atur
es o
f a k
arst
dr
aina
ge s
yste
m v
ast r
echa
rge
area
com
plex
ne
twor
k of
und
ergr
ound
con
duits
sin
k ho
les
cra
cks
fis
sure
s a
nd u
nder
grou
nd ri
vers
and
spr
ings
Them
e 6
The
long
est c
ave
in th
e w
orld
with
590
km
of s
urve
yed
river
pa
ssag
es o
ften
larg
e in
dim
ensi
on
and
gent
ly sl
opin
g T
he k
arst
is
deve
lope
d in
Low
er C
arbo
nife
rous
(M
issi
ssip
pian
) lim
esto
ne a
nd c
ave
evol
utio
n co
mm
ence
d fo
llow
ing
uplif
t an
d ex
posu
re 3
to 4
milli
on y
ears
ag
o E
xten
sive
sin
khol
e pl
ain
at th
e su
rface
Lar
ge s
prin
gs R
ich
trogl
obiti
c fa
una
The
inflo
w m
argi
n of
the
kars
t is
loca
ted
beyo
nd th
e pa
rk b
ound
ary
1981
(vii)
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Mes
sel P
it Fo
ssil
Site
1M
esse
l Pit
Foss
il Si
te is
con
side
red
to b
e th
e si
ngle
be
st s
ite w
hich
con
tribu
tes
to th
e un
ders
tand
ing
of th
e Eo
cene
whe
n m
amm
als
beca
me
firm
ly es
tabl
ishe
d in
all
prin
cipa
l lan
d ec
osys
tem
s T
he
stat
e of
pre
serv
atio
n of
its
foss
ils is
exc
eptio
nal a
nd
allo
ws
for h
igh-
qual
ity s
cien
tific
wor
k
Them
e 1
Mes
sel P
it is
the
riche
st
site
in th
e w
orld
for u
nder
stan
ding
th
e liv
ing
envir
onm
ent o
f the
Eoc
ene
be
twee
n 57
milli
on a
nd 3
6 m
illion
ye
ars
ago
1995
(viii)
Natu
ral
Germ
any
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Mig
uash
a Na
tiona
l Par
k1
Mig
uash
a Na
tiona
l Par
k is
the
mos
t out
stan
ding
fo
ssil
site
in th
e w
orld
from
the
stan
dpoi
nt o
f its
re
pres
enta
tion
of v
erte
brat
e lif
e an
d its
illu
stra
tion
of th
e De
voni
an P
erio
d kn
own
as th
e Ag
e of
Fis
hes
Th
e si
te is
of p
aram
ount
impo
rtanc
e be
caus
e it
has
the
larg
est n
umbe
r and
the
best
-pre
serv
ed fo
ssil
spec
imen
s in
the
wor
ld o
f sar
copt
eryg
ian
fish
whi
ch
gave
rise
to th
e fir
st fo
ur-le
gged
air-
brea
thin
g te
rrest
rial v
erte
brat
es mdash
the
tetra
pods
Them
e 1
Mig
uash
a is
the
outs
tand
ing
foss
il si
te in
the
wor
ld
illust
ratin
g th
e De
voni
an a
s th
e lsquoA
ge
of F
ishe
srsquo a
nd d
ispl
ays
the
high
est
dive
rsity
in th
e w
orld
of t
he lo
be-
finne
d fis
hes
that
gav
e ris
e to
the
first
fo
ur-le
gged
air-
brea
thin
g te
rrest
rial
erte
brat
es mdash
the
tetra
pods
1999
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
86 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 87
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mis
take
n Po
int
1M
ista
ken
Poin
t fos
sils
con
stitu
te a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g re
cord
of a
crit
ical
mile
ston
e in
the
hist
ory
of li
fe
on E
arth
lsquow
hen
life
got b
igrsquo a
fter a
lmos
t thr
ee
billio
n ye
ars
of m
icro
be-d
omin
ated
evo
lutio
n T
he
foss
ils ra
nge
in a
ge fr
om 5
80 to
560
milli
on y
ears
th
e lo
nges
t con
tinuo
us re
cord
of E
diac
ara-
type
m
egaf
ossi
ls a
nyw
here
and
pre
date
by
mor
e th
an
40 m
illion
yea
rs th
e Ca
mbr
ian
expl
osio
n b
eing
the
olde
st fo
ssil
evid
ence
of a
nces
tors
of m
ost m
oder
n an
imal
gro
ups
Mis
take
n Po
int c
onta
ins
the
wor
ldrsquos
ol
dest
-kno
wn
exam
ples
of l
arge
arc
hite
ctur
ally
com
plex
org
anis
ms
incl
udin
g so
ft-bo
died
anc
estra
l an
imal
s E
colo
gica
lly M
ista
ken
Poin
t con
tain
s th
e ol
dest
and
mos
t dive
rse
exam
ples
of E
diac
aran
de
ep-s
ea c
omm
uniti
es in
the
wor
ld th
us p
rese
rvin
g ra
re in
sigh
ts in
to th
e ec
olog
y of
thes
e an
cest
ral
anim
als
and
the
early
col
oniza
tion
of th
e de
ep-s
ea
floor
Oth
er a
ttrib
utes
con
tribu
ting
to th
e pr
oper
tyrsquos
Ou
tsta
ndin
g Un
ivers
al V
alue
incl
ude
the
wor
ldrsquos
fir
st e
xam
ples
of m
etaz
oan
loco
mot
ion
exc
eptio
nal
pote
ntia
l for
radi
omet
ric d
atin
g of
the
asse
mbl
ages
an
d ev
iden
ce fo
r the
role
of a
ncie
nt o
xyge
n le
vels
in
the
regi
onal
and
glo
bal a
ppea
ranc
e of
com
plex
m
ultic
ellu
lar l
ife
Them
e 1
The
se ru
gged
coa
stal
cl
iffs
of d
eep
mar
ine
orig
in d
ate
to
the
mid
dle
of th
e Ed
iaca
ran
Perio
d c
580
-560
milli
on y
ears
ago
The
y re
cord
lsquowhe
n lif
e go
t big
rsquo th
e fir
st
abun
dant
app
eara
nce
of la
rge
bi
olog
ical
ly co
mpl
ex o
rgan
ism
s af
ter
thre
e bi
llion
year
s of
mai
nly
mic
robi
al
evol
utio
n
2016
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Mon
te S
an
Gior
gio
1M
onte
San
Gio
rgio
is th
e sin
gle
best
kno
wn
reco
rd
of m
arin
e lif
e in
the
Tria
ssic
per
iod
and
reco
rds
impo
rtant
rem
ains
of l
ife o
n la
nd a
s w
ell T
he p
rope
rty
has
prod
uced
dive
rse
and
num
erou
s fo
ssils
man
y of
w
hich
sho
w e
xcep
tiona
l com
plet
enes
s an
d de
taile
d pr
eser
vatio
n T
he lo
ng h
istor
y of
stu
dy o
f the
pro
perty
an
d th
e di
scip
lined
man
agem
ent o
f the
reso
urce
hav
e cr
eate
d a
wel
l doc
umen
ted
and
cata
logu
ed b
ody
of
spec
imen
s of
exc
eptio
nal q
ualit
y an
d ar
e th
e ba
sis
for a
rich
ass
ocia
ted
geol
ogic
al li
tera
ture
As
a re
sult
M
onte
San
Gio
rgio
pro
vides
the
prin
cipa
l poi
nt o
f re
fere
nce
rele
vant
to fu
ture
disc
over
ies
of m
arin
e Tr
iass
ic re
mai
ns th
roug
hout
the
wor
ld
Them
e 1
Mon
te S
an G
iorg
io is
re
gard
ed a
s th
e be
st fo
ssil
reco
rd o
f m
arin
e lif
e fro
m th
e Tr
iass
ic P
erio
d (c
25
0ndash20
0 m
illion
yea
rs a
go)
2003
(201
0)(v
iii)Na
tura
lIta
ly
Switz
er-
land
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
88 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 89
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mor
ne T
rois
Pi
tons
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk
4Th
e pr
oper
ty e
ncom
pass
es e
xtra
ordi
nary
and
inta
ct
exam
ples
and
arra
ys o
f geo
mor
phol
ogic
feat
ures
as
a re
sult
of a
ser
ies
of v
olca
nic
erup
tions
The
dist
inct
ive
geol
ogy
and
land
form
s of
Mor
ne Tr
ois
Pito
ns
Natio
nal P
ark
are
com
prise
d of
thre
e m
ajor
type
s of
ge
olog
ical
form
atio
ns v
olca
nic
pile
s g
laci
s slo
pes
and
souf
riere
s T
he p
rope
rty d
ispla
ys a
mag
nific
ent
spec
trum
of v
olca
nic
activ
ity in
the
form
of s
tream
s of
var
ious
col
ors
inte
rspe
rsed
with
fum
arol
es m
ud
pond
s an
d ho
t spr
ings
inc
ludi
ng th
e m
assiv
e Bo
iling
Lake
Ong
oing
geo
-mor
phol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
of
redu
ctio
n ar
e ta
king
pla
ce in
a la
rgel
y un
dist
urbe
d se
tting
of s
tunn
ing
scen
ic v
alue
and
maj
or s
cien
tific
inte
rest
Them
e 4
Sce
nic
volc
anic
feat
ures
of
grea
t sci
entifi
c in
tere
st in
this
nat
iona
l pa
rk a
re c
ente
red
on th
e 1
342
m
high
vol
cano
kno
wn
as M
orne
Tro
is
Pito
ns M
ore
than
50
fum
arol
es
hot s
prin
gs t
hree
fres
hwat
er la
kes
a
lsquoboi
ling
lake
rsquo and
five
vol
cano
es
loca
ted
on th
e pa
rkrsquos
nea
rly 7
000
ha
to
geth
er w
ith th
e ric
hest
bio
dive
rsity
in
the
Less
er A
ntille
s
1997
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Dom
inic
aLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Mos
i-oa-
Tuny
a
Vict
oria
Fal
ls5
3Th
e M
osi-o
a-Tu
nya
Vic
toria
Fal
ls a
nd a
ssoc
iate
d ei
ght s
teep
sid
ed g
orge
s ha
ve b
een
form
ed th
roug
h th
e ch
angi
ng w
ater
fall
posi
tions
ove
r a g
eolo
gica
l tim
e sc
ale
The
gor
ges
are
an o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of ri
ver c
aptu
re a
nd th
e er
osive
forc
es o
f the
wat
er
still
cont
inue
to s
culp
ture
the
hard
bas
alts
The
se
gorg
es ta
ke a
zig
zag
cour
se o
f a d
ista
nce
of a
bout
15
0 km
alo
ng th
e Za
mbe
zi Ri
ver b
elow
the
falls
Se
ven
prev
ious
wat
erfa
lls o
ccup
ied
the
seve
n go
rges
bel
ow th
e pr
esen
t fal
ls a
nd th
e De
vilrsquos
Ca
tara
ct in
Zim
babw
e is
the
star
ting
poin
t for
cut
ting
back
to a
new
wat
erfa
ll In
add
ition
an
aeria
l vie
w
of th
e fa
lls s
how
s po
ssib
le fu
ture
wat
erfa
ll po
sitio
ns
Upst
ream
are
a s
pect
acul
ar s
erie
s of
rive
rine
isla
nds
form
ed d
urin
g th
e on
goin
g ge
olog
ical
an
d ge
omor
phol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
The
pro
perty
is
cha
ract
erize
d by
ban
ded
basa
lt of
anc
ient
lava
flo
w K
alah
ari s
ands
tone
s an
d ch
alce
dony
out
of
whi
ch s
tone
arte
fact
s of
Hom
o ha
bilis
dat
ing
thre
e m
illion
yea
rs s
tone
tool
s of
the
mid
dle
Ston
e Ag
e an
d w
eapo
ns a
dorn
men
ts a
nd d
iggi
ng to
ols
of th
e la
te S
tone
Age
that
indi
cate
occ
upat
ion
by h
unte
r-ga
ther
ers
Them
e 5
3 T
hese
are
am
ong
the
mos
t spe
ctac
ular
wat
erfa
lls in
the
wor
ld T
he Z
ambe
zi Ri
ver
whi
ch is
m
ore
than
2 k
m w
ide
at th
is p
oint
pl
unge
s no
isily
dow
n a
serie
s of
bas
alt
gorg
es a
nd ra
ises
an
iride
scen
t mis
t th
at c
an b
e se
en m
ore
than
20
km
away
The
Mos
i-oa-
Tuny
a V
icto
ria
Falls
is th
e w
orld
rsquos g
reat
est s
heet
of
fallin
g w
ater
and
sig
nific
ant w
orld
wid
e fo
r its
exc
eptio
nal g
eolo
gica
l and
ge
omor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
1989
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Zam
bia
Zi
mba
-bw
e
Afric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
88 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 89
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mou
nt E
tna
4M
ount
Etn
a is
one
of t
he w
orld
rsquos m
ost a
ctive
and
ic
onic
vol
cano
es a
nd a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
ong
oing
geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
and
vol
cani
c la
ndfo
rms
The
stra
tovo
lcan
o is
cha
ract
erize
d by
al
mos
t con
tinuo
us e
rupt
ive a
ctivi
ty fr
om it
s su
mm
it cr
ater
s an
d fa
irly
frequ
ent l
ava
flow
eru
ptio
ns fr
om
crat
ers
and
fissu
res
on it
s fla
nks
Thi
s ex
cept
iona
l vo
lcan
ic a
ctivi
ty h
as b
een
docu
men
ted
by h
uman
s fo
r at l
east
27
00 y
ears
ndash m
akin
g it
one
of th
e w
orld
rsquos lo
nges
t doc
umen
ted
reco
rds
of h
isto
rical
vo
lcan
ism
The
dive
rse
and
acce
ssib
le a
ssem
blag
e of
vol
cani
c fe
atur
es s
uch
as s
umm
it cr
ater
s
cind
er c
ones
lav
a flo
ws
lava
cav
es a
nd th
e Va
lle
de B
ove
depr
essi
on h
ave
mad
e M
ount
Etn
a a
prim
e de
stin
atio
n fo
r res
earc
h an
d ed
ucat
ion
To
day
Mou
nt E
tna
is o
ne o
f the
bes
t-st
udie
d an
d m
onito
red
volc
anoe
s in
the
wor
ld a
nd c
ontin
ues
to
influ
ence
vol
cano
logy
geo
phys
ics
and
othe
r Ear
th
scie
nce
disc
iplin
es M
ount
Etn
arsquos
noto
riety
sci
entifi
c im
porta
nce
and
cul
tura
l and
edu
catio
nal v
alue
are
of
glo
bal s
igni
fican
ce
Them
e 4
Mou
nt E
tna
is th
e hi
ghes
t M
edite
rrane
an is
land
mou
ntai
n an
d on
e of
the
mos
t act
ive s
trato
volc
ano
in
the
wor
ld T
he e
rupt
ive h
isto
ry o
f the
vo
lcan
o ca
n be
trac
ed b
ack
500
000
year
s an
d at
leas
t 27
00 y
ears
of t
his
activ
ity h
as b
een
docu
men
ted
The
al
mos
t con
tinuo
us e
rupt
ive a
ctivi
ty
of M
ount
Etn
a co
ntin
ues
to in
fluen
ce
volc
anol
ogy
geop
hysi
cs a
nd o
ther
Ea
rth s
cien
ce d
isci
plin
es T
he d
ivers
e an
d ac
cess
ible
rang
e of
vol
cani
c fe
atur
es s
uch
as s
umm
it cr
ater
s
cind
er c
ones
lav
a flo
ws
and
the
Valle
de
Bov
e de
pres
sion
hav
e m
ade
the
site
a p
rime
dest
inat
ion
for r
esea
rch
and
educ
atio
n
2013
(viii)
Natu
ral
Italy
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Naha
nni N
atio
nal
Park
53
6In
Nah
anni
Nat
iona
l Par
k th
ere
is e
xcep
tiona
l re
pres
enta
tion
of o
n-go
ing
geol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
no
tabl
y flu
vial e
rosi
on t
ecto
nic
uplif
t fo
ldin
g an
d ca
nyon
dev
elop
men
t w
ind
eros
ion
kar
st a
nd
pseu
do-k
arst
land
form
s a
nd a
var
iety
of h
ot s
prin
gs
The
maj
or g
eolo
gic
and
geom
orph
olog
ic fe
atur
es
prov
ide
a co
mbi
natio
n of
geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
that
ar
e gl
obal
ly un
ique
Them
e 5
3 L
ocat
ed a
long
The
So
uth
Naha
nni R
iver i
s on
e of
the
mos
t spe
ctac
ular
wild
rive
rs in
Nor
th
Amer
ica
this
par
k co
ntai
ns d
eep
cany
ons
and
huge
wat
erfa
lls T
he
geom
orph
olog
y of
the
prop
erty
is
outs
tand
ing
in it
s w
ealth
of f
orm
an
d co
mpl
exity
of e
volu
tion
Flu
vial
proc
esse
s an
d fe
atur
es p
redo
min
ate
W
ithin
the
prop
erty
are
exa
mpl
es o
f al
mos
t eve
ry d
istin
ct c
ateg
ory
of ri
ver
or s
tream
that
is k
now
n G
eolo
gic
and
geom
orph
olog
ic fe
atur
es in
clud
e th
e m
eand
ers
of a
ncie
nt ri
vers
now
ra
ised
hig
h ab
ove
pres
ent r
iver l
evel
s
Them
e 6
Wor
ldrsquos
fore
mos
t exa
mpl
e of
kar
st d
evel
opm
ent i
n co
ld c
limat
e co
nditi
ons
Con
tain
s a
spec
tacu
lar
kars
t lan
dsca
pe i
nclu
ding
pol
jes
ca
ves
and
gor
ges
and
hot
spr
ing
with
larg
e tu
fa m
ound
Lan
dsca
pe is
su
bjec
t to
activ
e fro
st p
roce
sses
1978
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
90 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 91
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Nam
ib S
and
Sea
10Th
e pr
oper
ty re
pres
ents
an
exce
ptio
nal e
xam
ple
of o
ngoi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es in
volvi
ng th
e fo
rmat
ion
of th
e w
orld
rsquos o
nly
exte
nsive
dun
e sy
stem
in a
coa
stal
fog
dese
rt th
roug
h tra
nspo
rt of
mat
eria
l ove
r tho
usan
ds o
f kilo
met
res
by ri
ver
ocea
n cu
rrent
and
win
d A
lthou
gh th
e pr
oper
ty
enco
mpa
sses
onl
y th
e Ae
olia
n el
emen
ts o
f thi
s on
goin
g ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
the
oth
er e
lem
ents
of
the
lsquocon
veyo
r sys
tem
rsquo are
ass
ured
The
dive
rsity
of
the
ever
-cha
ngin
g du
ne fo
rmat
ions
scu
lpte
d by
pr
onou
nced
dai
ly an
d se
ason
al c
hang
es in
dom
inan
t w
ind
dire
ctio
ns is
als
o ex
cept
iona
l at a
glo
bal s
cale
w
ithin
suc
h a
rela
tivel
y sm
all a
rea
Them
e 10
Hos
ts d
ivers
e du
ne
land
scap
es r
epre
sent
ing
an a
lmos
t co
mpl
ete
cata
logu
e of
dun
e ty
pes
(sta
r lin
ear
trans
vers
e b
arch
ans)
as
wel
l as
othe
r des
ert s
urfa
ce fe
atur
es
such
as
inte
rdun
e co
rrido
rs g
rave
l pl
ains
eph
emer
al c
hann
els
and
play
as
2013
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lNa
mib
iaAf
rica
Ngor
ongo
ro
Cons
erva
tion
Area
41
Ngor
ongo
ro c
rate
r is
the
larg
est u
nbro
ken
cald
era
in
the
wor
ld T
he c
rate
r to
geth
er w
ith th
e Ol
mot
i and
Em
paka
ai c
rate
rs a
re p
art o
f the
eas
tern
Rift
Val
ley
who
se v
olca
nism
dat
es b
ack
to th
e la
te M
esoz
oic
ear
ly Ne
ogen
e an
d is
fam
ous
for i
ts g
eolo
gy T
he
prop
erty
als
o in
clud
es L
aeto
li an
d Ol
duva
i Gor
ge
whi
ch c
onta
in a
n im
porta
nt p
alae
onto
logi
cal r
ecor
d re
late
d to
hum
an e
volu
tion
Them
e 4
The
Ngo
rong
oro
Cons
erva
tion
Area
spa
ns v
ast
expa
nses
of h
ighl
and
plai
ns
sava
nna
sav
anna
woo
dlan
ds a
nd
fore
sts
cent
erd
on th
e sp
ecta
cula
r Ng
oron
goro
Cra
ter
Afric
arsquos
larg
est
cald
era
The
me
1 N
goro
ngor
o ha
s yie
lded
a lo
ng s
eque
nce
of e
viden
ce
of h
uman
evo
lutio
n an
d hu
man
-en
viron
men
t dyn
amic
s in
clud
ing
early
ho
min
id fo
otpr
ints
dat
ing
back
36
m
illion
yea
rs
1979
(201
0)(iv
)(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)M
ixed
Unite
d Re
publ
ic
of
Tanz
ania
Afric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
90 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 91
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Papa
h āna
umo-
ku
ākea
42
8Th
e pr
oper
ty p
rovid
es a
n illu
stra
ting
exam
ple
of
isla
nd h
otsp
ot p
rogr
essi
on f
orm
ed a
s a
resu
lt of
a
rela
tivel
y st
atio
nary
hot
spot
and
sta
ble
tect
onic
pl
ate
mov
emen
t Co
mpr
isin
g a
maj
or p
ortio
n of
the
wor
ldrsquos
long
est a
nd o
ldes
t vol
cani
c ch
ain
the
scal
e
dist
inct
ness
and
line
arity
of t
he m
anife
stat
ion
of
thes
e ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
es in
Pap
ahān
aum
okuā
kea
are
unriv
alle
d an
d ha
ve s
hape
d ou
r und
erst
andi
ng
of p
late
tect
onic
s an
d ho
tspo
ts T
he g
eolo
gica
l va
lues
of t
he p
rope
rty a
re d
irect
ly co
nnec
ted
to
the
valu
es in
Haw
airsquoi
Volc
anoe
s Na
tiona
l Par
k an
d W
orld
Her
itage
pro
perty
and
join
tly p
rese
nt a
ver
y si
gnifi
cant
test
imon
y of
hot
spot
vol
cani
sm
Them
e 4
2 P
apah
ānau
mok
uāke
a is
a v
ast a
nd is
olat
ed li
near
clu
ster
of
smal
l lo
w ly
ing
volc
anic
isla
nds
and
atol
ls w
ith th
eir s
urro
undi
ng o
cean
ro
ughl
y 25
0 km
to th
e no
rthw
est o
f th
e m
ain
Haw
aiia
n Ar
chip
elag
o an
d ex
tend
ing
over
som
e 1
930
km T
his
linea
r clu
ster
form
s th
e no
rthw
est
exte
nsio
n of
the
Empe
ror S
eam
ount
Ch
ain
The
me
8 M
uch
of th
e pr
oper
ty
is m
ade
up o
f pel
agic
and
dee
pwat
er
habi
tats
with
not
able
feat
ures
suc
h as
sea
mou
nts
and
subm
erge
d ba
nks
ex
tens
ive c
oral
reef
s la
goon
s an
d 14
km
2 em
erge
nt la
nds
dist
ribut
ed
betw
een
a nu
mbe
r of e
rode
d hi
gh
isla
nds
pin
nacl
es a
toll
isla
nds
and
cays
2010
(iii)(
vi)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Mixe
dUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Phon
g Nh
a-Ke
Ba
ng N
atio
nal
Park
6Ph
ong
Nha-
Ke B
ang
Natio
nal P
ark
is p
art o
f a
larg
er d
isse
cted
pla
teau
whi
ch e
ncom
pass
es th
e Ph
ong
Nha
Ke
Bang
and
Hin
Nam
no k
arst
s T
he
limes
tone
is n
ot c
ontin
uous
and
dem
onst
rate
s co
mpl
ex in
terb
eddi
ng w
ith s
hale
s an
d sa
ndst
ones
Th
is h
as le
d to
a p
artic
ular
ly di
stin
ctive
topo
grap
hy
The
cave
s de
mon
stra
te a
dis
cret
e se
quen
ce o
f ev
ents
lea
ving
behi
nd d
iffer
ent l
evel
s of
anc
ient
ab
ando
ned
pass
ages
evid
ence
of m
ajor
cha
nges
in
the
rout
es o
f und
ergr
ound
rive
rs c
hang
es in
the
solu
tiona
l reg
ime
dep
ositi
on a
nd la
ter r
e-so
lutio
n of
gia
nt s
pele
othe
ms
and
unus
ual f
eatu
res
such
as
sub
-aer
ial s
trom
atol
ites
On
the
surfa
ce t
here
is
a s
triki
ng s
erie
s of
nat
ural
land
scap
es r
angi
ng
from
dee
ply
diss
ecte
d ra
nges
and
pla
teau
x to
an
imm
ense
pol
je T
here
is e
viden
ce o
f at l
east
one
pe
riod
of h
ydro
ther
mal
act
ivity
in th
e ev
olut
ion
of
this
anc
ient
mat
ure
kars
t sys
tem
The
Son
Doo
ng
Cave
firs
t exp
lore
d in
200
9 c
ould
con
tain
the
wor
ldrsquos
larg
est c
ave
pass
age
in te
rms
of d
iam
eter
an
d co
ntin
uity
The
pla
teau
is o
ne o
f the
fine
st
and
mos
t dis
tinct
ive e
xam
ples
of a
com
plex
kar
st
land
form
in S
outh
east
Asi
a an
d th
e pr
oper
ty is
of
grea
t im
porta
nce
for e
nhan
cing
our
und
erst
andi
ng
of th
e ge
olog
ic g
eom
orph
ic a
nd g
eo-c
hron
olog
ical
hi
stor
y of
the
regi
on
Them
e 6
Ext
ensi
ve a
nd c
ompl
ex
kars
t dev
elop
men
t in
diss
ecte
d pl
atea
u en
viron
men
t to
129
0 m
ab
ove
sea
leve
l tha
t con
tinue
s ac
ross
bo
rder
into
Lao
s L
ong
hist
ory
of
kars
t lan
dsca
pe e
volu
tion
pos
sibl
y si
nce
early
Mes
ozoi
c M
ajor
cav
es
and
unde
rgro
und
river
s an
d ex
tens
ive
encl
osed
dep
ress
ions
(pol
je)
2003
(201
5)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Viet
Nam
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
92 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 93
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Pirin
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk9
The
prin
cipa
l Ear
th s
cien
ce v
alue
s of
the
prop
erty
re
late
to it
s gl
acia
l geo
mor
phol
ogy
dem
onst
rate
d th
roug
h a
rang
e of
feat
ures
incl
udin
g ci
rque
s d
eep
valle
ys a
nd o
ver 7
0 gl
acia
l lak
es T
he m
ount
ains
of
the
prop
erty
sho
w a
var
iety
of f
orm
s an
d ha
ve
been
dev
elop
ed in
sev
eral
diff
eren
t roc
k ty
pes
Fu
nctio
ning
nat
ural
pro
cess
es a
llow
for s
tudy
of t
he
cont
inue
d ev
olut
ion
of th
e la
ndfo
rms
of th
e pr
oper
ty
and
help
to u
nder
stan
d ot
her u
plan
d ar
eas
in th
e re
gion
Them
e 9
The
prin
cipa
l Ear
th s
cien
ce
valu
es o
f the
pro
perty
rela
te to
its
glac
ial g
eom
orph
olog
y de
mon
stra
ted
thro
ugh
a ra
nge
of fe
atur
es in
clud
ing
cirq
ues
dee
p va
lleys
and
ove
r 70
glac
ial l
akes
1983
(201
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)Na
tura
lBu
lgar
iaEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Pito
ns
Man
agem
ent
Area
4Th
e Pi
tons
Man
agem
ent A
rea
cont
ains
the
grea
ter
part
of a
col
laps
ed s
trato
volc
ano
cont
aine
d w
ithin
th
e vo
lcan
ic s
yste
m k
now
n to
geo
logi
sts
as th
e So
ufrie
re V
olca
nic
Cent
re P
rom
inen
t with
in th
e vo
lcan
ic la
ndsc
ape
are
two
rem
nant
vol
cani
c pe
aks
Gr
os P
iton
and
Petit
Pito
n T
he P
itons
occ
ur w
ith a
va
riety
of o
ther
vol
cani
c fe
atur
es in
clud
ing
cum
ulo
dom
es e
xplo
sion
cra
ters
pyr
ocla
stic
dep
osits
(p
umic
e an
d as
h) a
nd la
va fl
ows
Col
lect
ively
thes
e fu
lly il
lust
rate
the
volc
anic
his
tory
of a
n an
desi
tic
com
posi
te v
olca
no a
ssoc
iate
d w
ith c
rust
al p
late
su
bduc
tion
Them
e 4
The
Pito
ns M
anag
emen
t Ar
ea c
onta
ins
a co
llaps
ed
stra
tovo
lcan
o kn
own
as th
e So
ufrie
re
Volc
anic
Cen
tre P
rom
inen
t with
in th
e vo
lcan
ic la
ndsc
ape
are
two
erod
ed
rem
nant
s of
lava
dom
es G
ros
Pito
n an
d Pe
tit P
iton
with
a v
arie
ty o
f oth
er
volc
anic
feat
ures
incl
udin
g cu
mul
o-do
mes
exp
losi
on c
rate
rs p
yroc
last
ic
depo
sits
(pum
ice
and
ash)
and
lava
flo
ws
2004
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Sain
t Lu
cia
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
92 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 93
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Plitv
ice
Lake
s Na
tiona
l Par
k5
6Th
e ke
y ex
traor
dina
ry p
roce
ss w
hich
has
bee
n sh
apin
g an
d co
ntin
ues
to s
hape
the
Plitv
ice
lake
sy
stem
is th
e tu
fa c
reat
ion
whi
ch fo
rms
barri
ers
acro
ss th
e w
ater
cour
se D
ue to
the
char
acte
ristic
s of
kar
st b
ase
the
wat
ers
of P
litvic
e La
kes
are
natu
rally
sup
ersa
tura
ted
with
cal
cium
car
bona
te
Unde
r cer
tain
phy
sico
-che
mic
al a
nd b
iolo
gica
l co
nditi
ons
the
diss
olve
d ca
lciu
m c
arbo
nate
is
depo
site
d on
the
botto
ms
and
mar
gins
of t
he la
kes
as
wel
l as
on o
bsta
cles
in th
e w
ater
cou
rses
Ove
r tim
e th
is p
roce
ss le
ads
to th
e fo
rmat
ion
of p
orou
s
sim
ulta
neou
sly
hard
and
frag
ile li
mes
tone
bar
riers
w
hich
reta
in th
e w
ater
of c
reek
s an
d riv
ers
The
la
ke s
yste
m is
a s
ubje
ct to
con
stan
t cha
nges
larg
ely
due
to th
e dy
nam
ics
of g
row
th a
nd e
rosi
on o
f tuf
a ba
rrier
s A
clo
ser l
ook
at th
e ba
rrier
s re
veal
s th
e ub
iqui
tous
rem
ains
of m
osse
s an
d ot
her t
erre
stria
l an
d aq
uatic
org
anis
ms
inha
bitin
g th
e hi
ghly
spec
ializ
ed h
abita
t Th
e sc
ale
and
inta
ctne
ss o
f th
e tu
fa fo
rmat
ion
phen
omen
a at
Plit
vice
Lake
s am
ount
to a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
a la
rgel
y un
dist
urbe
d on
-goi
ng p
roce
ss E
xten
sive
rese
arch
on
the
form
atio
n a
ge a
nd s
truct
ure
and
ecol
ogic
al
char
acte
ristic
s illu
stra
te th
e m
ajor
sci
entifi
c im
porta
nce
of th
e pr
oper
ty
Them
e 5
6 I
nter
natio
nal t
ype-
site
fo
r tuf
a-da
mm
ed la
kes
Car
bona
te
biol
ith b
arrie
rs c
onfin
e 16
lake
s up
to
08
km
2 in
are
a an
d up
to 4
6 m
de
ep M
ixed
limes
tone
and
dol
omiti
c lim
esto
ne c
atch
men
t are
a
1979
(200
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)Na
tura
lCr
oatia
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Purn
ulul
u Na
tiona
l Par
k3
6Th
e Bu
ngle
Bun
gles
are
by
far
the
mos
t ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
con
e ka
rst i
n sa
ndst
ones
an
ywhe
re in
the
wor
ld a
nd o
we
thei
r exis
tenc
e an
d un
ique
ness
to s
ever
al in
tera
ctin
g ge
olog
ical
bi
olog
ical
ero
sion
al a
nd c
limat
ic p
heno
men
a
The
sand
ston
e ka
rst o
f Pur
nulu
lu N
atio
nal P
ark
is o
f gre
at s
cien
tific
impo
rtanc
e in
dem
onst
ratin
g so
cle
arly
the
proc
ess
of c
one
kars
t for
mat
ion
on s
ands
tone
- a
phe
nom
enon
reco
gnis
ed b
y ge
omor
phol
ogis
ts o
nly
rece
ntly
and
still
not
com
plet
ely
unde
rsto
od T
he B
ungl
e Bu
ngle
Ran
ges
of th
e pa
rk a
lso
disp
lay
to a
n ex
cept
iona
l deg
ree
evid
ence
of g
eom
orph
ic p
roce
sses
of d
isso
lutio
n
wea
ther
ing
and
eros
ion
in th
e ev
olut
ion
of la
ndfo
rms
unde
r a s
avan
nah
clim
atic
regi
me
with
in a
n an
cien
t st
able
sed
imen
tary
land
scap
e
Them
e 3
6 D
isse
cted
san
dsto
ne
plat
form
that
repr
esen
ts a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
qua
rtz
sand
ston
e flu
vioka
rst w
ith b
eehi
ve-
shap
ed h
ills s
epar
ated
by
narro
w
sinu
ous
gorg
es
2003
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
94 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 95
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Pyreacute
neacutees
- M
ont
Perd
u9
6Th
e ca
lcar
eous
mas
sif o
f Mon
t Per
du p
rese
nts
a se
ries
of c
lass
ic g
eolo
gica
l lan
dfor
ms
such
as
the
deep
ly-in
cise
d ca
nyon
s an
d sp
ecta
cula
r cirq
ues
Th
e re
gion
is d
istin
guis
hed
by it
s lo
catio
n at
the
tect
onic
col
lisio
n po
int b
etw
een
the
Iber
ian
and
wes
t Eur
opea
n pl
ates
The
pro
perty
pre
sent
s an
ex
cept
iona
l geo
logi
cal u
nity
form
ing
a ca
lcar
eous
m
assi
f with
Mon
t Per
du a
t its
cen
tre T
he re
sulti
ng
land
scap
e is
con
side
rabl
y di
ffere
nt o
n th
e no
rther
n sl
opes
(Fra
nce)
and
the
sout
hern
slo
pes
(Spa
in)
Them
e 9
Com
pose
d of
cla
ssic
al
geol
ogic
al la
ndfo
rms
not
ably
deep
ly-in
cise
d ca
nyon
s on
the
sout
hern
Sp
anis
h si
de a
nd s
pect
acul
ar c
irque
w
alls
on
the
north
ern
slop
es w
ithin
Fr
ance
Cen
tred
arou
nd th
e pe
ak o
f M
ont P
erdu
that
rise
s to
33
48 m
Th
eme
6 O
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of
alpi
ne g
laci
ated
kar
st to
33
52 m
with
ex
tens
ive k
arre
nfel
d d
eep
cany
ons
de
ep c
aves
and
sub
terra
nean
rive
r sy
stem
s In
corp
orat
es c
ompl
ete
kars
t sy
stem
s
1997
(199
9)(ii
i)(iv)
(v)
(vii)
(viii)
Mixe
dFr
ance
Sp
ain
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Riacuteo
Plaacutet
ano
Bios
pher
e Re
serv
e
5Th
e pr
oper
ty c
ompr
ises
two
mai
n ge
omor
phol
ogic
al
area
s T
hese
are
the
stee
p m
ount
ain
rang
e ha
rbou
ring
the
head
wat
ers
of R
iacuteo P
laacuteta
no a
nd
the
flat t
o un
dula
ting
coas
tal p
lain
s T
he la
tter i
s co
mpo
sed
of te
rrace
s of
rece
nt m
arin
e se
dim
ents
an
d pa
rtly
unde
rlain
by
a be
lt of
infe
rtile
dee
ply
wea
ther
ed P
leis
toce
ne q
uartz
san
dy g
rave
ls T
he
Riacuteo
Plaacutet
ano
mea
nder
s fo
r som
e 45
km
thro
ugh
the
low
land
s fo
rmin
g ox
-bow
lake
s b
ackw
ater
sw
amps
an
d na
tura
l lev
ees
At a
bout
100
ma
sl
inla
nd
the
foot
hills
beg
in a
brup
tly T
he ru
gged
gra
nite
m
ount
ains
whi
ch ri
se to
Pun
ta P
iedr
a at
14
18
ma
sl
hav
e m
any
stee
p rid
ges
rem
arka
ble
rock
fo
rmat
ions
suc
h as
Pic
o Da
ma
a 1
50 m
pin
nacl
e
and
man
y w
ater
falls
one
reac
hing
150
m in
hei
ght
Two
third
s of
the
Plaacutet
ano
Rive
r run
thro
ugh
a ru
gged
par
t of t
he m
ount
ains
with
long
stre
tche
s of
whi
te w
ater
In
one
cata
ract
in a
dee
p fo
rest
ed
gorg
e th
e riv
er d
isap
pear
s un
der m
assi
ve b
ould
ers
Th
e m
ount
ains
are
par
t of t
he C
ordi
llera
Cen
tral
whi
ch c
orre
spon
ds to
wha
t was
the
Hond
uras
In
terc
ontin
enta
l Dep
ress
ion
dur
ing
the
Cret
aceo
us
Perio
d
Them
e 5
The
pro
perty
con
tain
s ne
arly
the
full
leng
th o
f the
Riacuteo
Pl
aacutetan
o fr
om it
s m
ount
aino
us
head
wat
ers
to it
s m
eand
ers
thro
ugh
flat t
o un
dula
ting
coas
tal p
lain
s
1982
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lHo
ndur
asLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
94 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 95
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Sang
ay N
atio
nal
Park
4Sa
ngay
(a p
erfe
ct c
one-
shap
ed v
olca
no) i
s no
tabl
e gl
obal
ly fo
r its
long
per
iod
of c
ontin
uous
act
ivity
Th
e ar
ea e
xhib
its a
rugg
ed to
pogr
aphy
with
dee
p
stee
p-si
ded
valle
ys a
bund
ant c
liffs
and
man
y ro
cky
jagg
ed p
eaks
A n
umbe
r of l
arge
rive
rs d
rain
ing
east
war
ds in
to th
e Am
azon
Bas
in a
re c
hara
cter
ized
by fa
st a
nd d
ram
atic
var
iatio
ns in
wat
er le
vel
Run-
off i
s ex
trem
ely
rapi
d du
e to
hig
h ra
infa
ll an
d st
eep
slop
es E
rosi
on is
a c
onst
ant d
ange
r al
thou
gh
cont
rolle
d by
thic
k fo
rest
veg
etat
ion
Num
erou
s w
ater
falls
occ
ur e
spec
ially
in th
e ha
ngin
g va
lleys
of
the
glac
ial z
one
alon
g th
e ea
ster
n ed
ge o
f the
Co
rdille
ra
Them
e 4
With
its
outs
tand
ing
natu
ral
beau
ty a
nd tw
o ac
tive
volc
anoe
s th
e pa
rk il
lust
rate
s th
e en
tire
spec
trum
of
eco
syst
ems
rang
ing
from
trop
ical
ra
info
rest
s to
gla
cier
s w
ith s
triki
ng
cont
rast
s be
twee
n th
e sn
owca
pped
pe
aks
and
the
fore
sts
of th
e pl
ains
1983
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lEc
uado
rLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Shar
k Ba
y W
este
rn A
ustr
alia
17
Shar
k Ba
y co
ntai
ns i
n th
e hy
pers
alin
e Ha
mel
in
Pool
the
mos
t dive
rse
and
abun
dant
exa
mpl
es
of s
trom
atol
ites
(har
d d
ome-
shap
ed s
truct
ures
fo
rmed
by
mic
robi
al m
ats)
in th
e w
orld
Ana
logo
us
stru
ctur
es d
omin
ated
mar
ine
ecos
yste
ms
on E
arth
fo
r mor
e th
an 3
000
milli
on y
ears
Th
e st
rom
atol
ites
of H
amel
in P
ool w
ere
the
first
m
oder
n li
ving
exam
ples
to b
e re
cogn
ised
that
ha
ve a
mor
phol
ogic
al d
ivers
ity a
nd a
bund
ance
co
mpa
rabl
e to
thos
e th
at in
habi
ted
Prot
eroz
oic
seas
As
suc
h th
ey a
re o
ne o
f the
wor
ldrsquos
bes
t exa
mpl
es
of a
livin
g an
alog
ue fo
r the
stu
dy o
f the
nat
ure
and
evol
utio
n of
the
Earth
rsquos b
iosp
here
up
until
the
early
Ca
mbr
ian
Th
e W
oora
mel
Sea
gras
s Ba
nk is
als
o of
gre
at
geol
ogic
al in
tere
st d
ue to
the
exte
nsive
dep
osit
of
limes
tone
san
ds a
ssoc
iate
d w
ith th
e ba
nk f
orm
ed
by th
e pr
ecip
itatio
n of
cal
cium
car
bona
te fr
om
hype
rsal
ine
wat
ers
Them
e 1
Abu
ndan
t stro
mat
olite
s (c
olon
ies
of m
icro
bes
that
form
har
d
dom
e-sh
aped
dep
osits
) tha
t are
m
oder
n re
pres
enta
tives
of s
ome
of th
e ol
dest
form
s of
life
on
Earth
The
me
7 T
he W
oora
mel
Sea
gras
s Ba
nk is
of
gre
at g
eolo
gica
l int
eres
t due
to th
e ex
tens
ive d
epos
it of
lim
esto
ne s
ands
as
soci
ated
with
the
bank
for
med
by
the
prec
ipita
tion
of c
alci
um c
arbo
nate
fro
m h
yper
salin
e w
ater
s
1991
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
96 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 97
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Škoc
jan
Cave
s6
The
Škoc
jan
Cave
s an
d th
eir s
urro
undi
ngs
are
the
maj
or lo
calit
ies
for k
arst
topo
grap
hy a
nd a
re th
e pl
ace
whe
re fu
ndam
enta
l ter
ms
such
as
lsquokar
strsquo
and
lsquodol
inersquo
hav
e th
eir o
rigin
Thi
s is
not
onl
y a
stro
ng in
dica
tion
of th
e pr
oper
tyrsquos
impo
rtanc
e fo
r sc
ienc
e b
ut m
ore
spec
ifica
lly o
f its
impo
rtanc
e fo
r th
e hi
stor
y of
Ear
th s
cien
ces
An
impr
essi
ve a
rray
of e
xcep
tiona
l kar
st m
anife
stat
ions
the
resu
lt of
pa
st a
nd p
rese
nt g
eolo
gica
l ge
omor
phol
ogic
al
spel
eolo
gica
l and
hyd
rolo
gica
l pro
cess
es a
re c
lear
ly at
dis
play
for s
cien
tists
and
vis
itors
alik
e w
ithin
a
rela
tivel
y sm
all a
rea
The
hea
rt of
the
prop
erty
the
mai
n ca
ve s
yste
m w
ith th
e un
derg
roun
d st
retc
hes
of th
e Re
ka R
iver
has
been
form
ed in
a th
ick
laye
r of
cre
tace
ous
limes
tone
The
con
stan
tly d
ynam
ic
syst
em is
an
outs
tand
ing
text
book
exa
mpl
e of
co
ntac
t Kar
st w
ith w
ell-d
evel
oped
feat
ures
suc
h as
a
blin
d va
lley
colla
psed
dol
ines
ope
ning
s c
hasm
s an
d ca
ves
Rem
arka
bly
this
geo
logi
cal d
ivers
ity
supp
orts
an
equa
lly fa
scin
atin
g bi
olog
ical
dive
rsity
w
hich
has
impo
rtant
impl
icat
ions
for l
and
and
wat
er
man
agem
ent
Them
e 6
Loc
ated
in th
e lsquoc
lass
ical
rsquo ka
rst o
f Eur
ope
The
pro
perty
co
mpr
ises
a s
inki
ng ri
ver a
t the
end
of
blin
d va
lley
the
expo
sed
cour
se o
f the
un
derg
roun
d riv
er fl
owin
g ac
ross
the
base
of d
eep
colla
pse
depr
essi
ons
an
d a
larg
e riv
er c
ave
with
a h
igh
cany
on p
assa
ge I
t is
repr
esen
tativ
e of
the
inpu
t of a
n al
loge
nic
river
into
a
kars
t sys
tem
1986
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Slov
enia
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
96 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 97
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Sout
h Ch
ina
Kars
t6
The
Sout
h Ch
ina
Kars
t Wor
ld H
erita
ge P
rope
rty
reve
als
the
com
plex
evo
lutio
nary
hist
ory
of o
ne o
f the
w
orld
rsquos m
ost o
utst
andi
ng la
ndsc
apes
Shi
lin a
nd L
ibo
are
glob
al re
fere
nce
area
s fo
r the
kar
st fe
atur
es a
nd
land
scap
es th
at th
ey e
xhib
it T
he s
tone
fore
sts
of S
hilin
de
velo
ped
over
270
milli
on y
ears
dur
ing
four
maj
or
geol
ogica
l tim
e pe
riods
from
the
Perm
ian
to p
rese
nt
illust
ratin
g th
e ep
isodi
c na
ture
of t
he e
volu
tion
of th
ese
kars
t fea
ture
s Li
bo c
onta
ins
carb
onat
e ou
tcro
ps o
f di
ffere
nt a
ges
shap
ed o
ver m
illion
s of
yea
rs b
y er
osive
pr
oces
ses
into
impr
essiv
e Fe
ngco
ng a
nd F
engl
in
kars
ts L
ibo
also
con
tain
s a
com
bina
tion
of n
umer
ous
tall k
arst
pea
ks d
eep
dolin
es s
inkin
g st
ream
s an
d lo
ng ri
ver c
aves
Wul
ong
repr
esen
ts h
igh
inla
nd k
arst
pl
atea
us th
at h
ave
expe
rienc
ed c
onsid
erab
le u
plift
with
gi
ant d
olin
es a
nd b
ridge
s W
ulon
grsquos
land
scap
es c
onta
in
evid
ence
for t
he h
istor
y of
one
of t
he w
orld
rsquos gr
eat
river
sys
tem
s th
e Ya
ngtze
and
its
tribu
tarie
s Hu
anjia
ng
Kars
t is
an e
xten
sion
of th
e Li
bo K
arst
com
pone
nt
Toge
ther
the
two
sites
pro
vide
an o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of fe
ngco
ng k
arst
and
also
pre
serv
e an
d di
spla
y a
rich
dive
rsity
of s
urfa
ce a
nd u
nder
grou
nd k
arst
fe
atur
es G
uilin
Kar
st is
con
sider
ed th
e be
st k
now
n ex
ampl
e of
con
tinen
tal f
engl
in a
nd p
rovid
es a
per
fect
ge
omor
phic
expr
essio
n of
the
end
stag
e of
kar
st
evol
utio
n in
Sou
th C
hina
Gui
lin is
a b
asin
at a
rela
tivel
y lo
w a
ltitud
e an
d re
ceive
s ab
unda
nt a
lloge
nic
(rain
fed)
w
ater
from
sur
roun
ding
hills
lea
ding
to a
fluv
ial
com
pone
nt th
at a
ids
feng
lin d
evel
opm
ent
resu
lting
in
feng
lin a
nd fe
ngco
ng k
arst
sid
e-by
-sid
e ov
er a
larg
e ar
ea S
cient
ific
stud
y of
kar
st d
evel
opm
ent i
n th
e re
gion
ha
s re
sulte
d in
the
gene
ratio
n of
the
lsquoGui
lin m
odel
rsquo of
feng
cong
and
feng
lin k
arst
evo
lutio
n S
hibi
ng K
arst
pr
ovid
es a
spe
ctac
ular
feng
cong
land
scap
e w
hich
is
also
exc
eptio
nal b
ecau
se it
dev
elop
ed in
rela
tivel
y in
solu
ble
dolo
mite
rock
s Sh
ibin
g al
so c
onta
ins
a ra
nge
of m
inor
kar
st fe
atur
es in
cludi
ng k
arre
n tu
fa d
epos
its
and
cave
s Jin
fosh
an K
arst
is a
uni
que
kars
t tab
le
mou
ntai
n su
rroun
ded
by m
assiv
e to
wer
ing
cliffs
It
repr
esen
ts a
pie
ce o
f diss
ecte
d pl
atea
u ka
rst i
sola
ted
from
the
Yunn
an-G
uizh
ou-C
honq
ing
plat
eau
by d
eep
fluvia
l incis
ion
An
ancie
nt p
lana
tion
surfa
ce re
mai
ns o
n th
e su
mm
it w
ith a
n an
cient
wea
ther
ing
crus
t Be
neat
h th
e pl
atea
u su
rface
are
dism
embe
red
horiz
onta
l cav
e sy
stem
s th
at a
ppea
r at h
igh
altit
ude
on c
liff fa
ces
Jin
fosh
an re
cord
s th
e pr
oces
s of
diss
ectio
n of
the
high
el
evat
ion
kars
t pla
teau
and
con
tain
s ev
iden
ce o
f the
re
gion
rsquos in
term
itten
t upl
ift a
nd k
arst
ifica
tion
since
the
Ceno
zoic
It is
a s
uper
lativ
e ty
pe-s
ite o
f a k
arst
tabl
e m
ount
ain
Them
e 6
Sev
en s
ites
of a
ser
ial
prop
erty
that
repr
esen
t kar
st e
volu
tion
in s
outh
ern
Chin
a S
hilin
com
pris
es
ston
e fo
rest
s on
a ro
lling
plat
eau
in
Yunn
an J
info
shan
is a
n is
olat
ed h
igh
plat
eau
with
hug
e ho
rizon
tal c
aves
su
spen
ded
abov
e de
ep s
urro
undi
ng
valle
ys W
ulon
g is
pla
teau
kar
st
with
spe
ctac
ular
tian
keng
nat
ural
br
idge
s de
ep c
aves
and
gor
ges
Sh
ibin
g illu
stra
tes
unus
ual c
one
kars
t de
velo
pmen
t in
dolo
mite
bed
rock
Li
bo h
as e
xten
sive
fore
sted
con
e ka
rst
(feng
cong
and
feng
lin)
polje
s g
orge
s an
d ca
ves
with
Hua
njia
ng b
eing
an
exte
nsio
n of
the
prot
ecte
d ar
ea G
uilin
sh
ows
the
culm
inat
ion
of s
ubtro
pica
l ka
rst d
evel
opm
ent w
ith s
pect
acul
ar
cone
s an
d to
wer
s be
side
the
Rive
r Li
The
se a
reas
pro
vide
type
-site
s fo
r th
eir p
rinci
pal k
arst
feat
ures
2007
(201
4)(v
ii)(v
iii)Na
tura
lCh
ina
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Škoc
jan
Cave
s6
The
Škoc
jan
Cave
s an
d th
eir s
urro
undi
ngs
are
the
maj
or lo
calit
ies
for k
arst
topo
grap
hy a
nd a
re th
e pl
ace
whe
re fu
ndam
enta
l ter
ms
such
as
lsquokar
strsquo
and
lsquodol
inersquo
hav
e th
eir o
rigin
Thi
s is
not
onl
y a
stro
ng in
dica
tion
of th
e pr
oper
tyrsquos
impo
rtanc
e fo
r sc
ienc
e b
ut m
ore
spec
ifica
lly o
f its
impo
rtanc
e fo
r th
e hi
stor
y of
Ear
th s
cien
ces
An
impr
essi
ve a
rray
of e
xcep
tiona
l kar
st m
anife
stat
ions
the
resu
lt of
pa
st a
nd p
rese
nt g
eolo
gica
l ge
omor
phol
ogic
al
spel
eolo
gica
l and
hyd
rolo
gica
l pro
cess
es a
re c
lear
ly at
dis
play
for s
cien
tists
and
vis
itors
alik
e w
ithin
a
rela
tivel
y sm
all a
rea
The
hea
rt of
the
prop
erty
the
mai
n ca
ve s
yste
m w
ith th
e un
derg
roun
d st
retc
hes
of th
e Re
ka R
iver
has
been
form
ed in
a th
ick
laye
r of
cre
tace
ous
limes
tone
The
con
stan
tly d
ynam
ic
syst
em is
an
outs
tand
ing
text
book
exa
mpl
e of
co
ntac
t Kar
st w
ith w
ell-d
evel
oped
feat
ures
suc
h as
a
blin
d va
lley
colla
psed
dol
ines
ope
ning
s c
hasm
s an
d ca
ves
Rem
arka
bly
this
geo
logi
cal d
ivers
ity
supp
orts
an
equa
lly fa
scin
atin
g bi
olog
ical
dive
rsity
w
hich
has
impo
rtant
impl
icat
ions
for l
and
and
wat
er
man
agem
ent
Them
e 6
Loc
ated
in th
e lsquoc
lass
ical
rsquo ka
rst o
f Eur
ope
The
pro
perty
co
mpr
ises
a s
inki
ng ri
ver a
t the
end
of
blin
d va
lley
the
expo
sed
cour
se o
f the
un
derg
roun
d riv
er fl
owin
g ac
ross
the
base
of d
eep
colla
pse
depr
essi
ons
an
d a
larg
e riv
er c
ave
with
a h
igh
cany
on p
assa
ge I
t is
repr
esen
tativ
e of
the
inpu
t of a
n al
loge
nic
river
into
a
kars
t sys
tem
1986
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Slov
enia
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
98 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 99
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Stev
ns K
lint
111
Stev
ns K
lint i
s a
glob
ally
exce
ptio
nal t
estim
ony
to th
e im
pact
of m
eteo
rite
impa
ct o
n th
e hi
stor
y of
life
on
Earth
The
pro
perty
pro
vides
a g
loba
lly
exce
ptio
nal r
epre
sent
atio
n of
the
evid
ence
of t
he
Chixu
lub
met
eorit
e im
pact
that
took
pla
ce a
t the
end
of
the
Cret
aceo
us P
erio
d c
67
milli
on y
ears
ago
Th
is im
pact
is w
idel
y be
lieve
d by
mod
ern
scie
ntis
ts
to h
ave
caus
ed th
e en
d of
the
Age
of th
e Di
nosa
urs
an
d le
d to
the
extin
ctio
n of
mor
e th
an 5
0 o
f life
on
Ear
th T
his
is th
e m
ost r
ecen
t of t
he m
ajor
mas
s ex
tinct
ions
in E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry C
ompa
rativ
e an
alys
is
indi
cate
s th
is is
the
mos
t sig
nific
ant a
nd re
adily
ac
cess
ible
site
of h
undr
eds
avai
labl
e to
see
the
sedi
men
tary
reco
rd o
f the
ash
clo
ud fo
rmed
by
the
met
eorit
e im
pact
the
act
ual s
ite o
f the
impa
ct b
eing
de
ep u
nder
wat
er o
ffsho
re th
e Yu
cata
n pe
nins
ula
In
add
ition
the
pro
perty
has
icon
ic s
cien
tific
impo
rtanc
e as
the
mos
t sig
nific
ant a
nd a
cces
sibl
e of
the
thre
e lo
calit
ies
whe
re th
e ra
dica
l the
ory
for
aste
roid
driv
en e
xtin
ctio
n w
as d
evel
oped
thro
ugh
the
sem
inal
wor
k of
Wal
ter a
nd L
uis
W A
lvare
z w
ith
thei
r co-
wor
kers
Ste
vns
Klin
t is
high
ly si
gnifi
cant
in
term
s of
its
past
pre
sent
and
futu
re c
ontri
butio
n to
sci
ence
esp
ecia
lly p
erta
inin
g to
the
defin
ition
of
and
expl
anat
ion
of th
e Cr
etac
eous
Pal
eoge
ne (K
Pg
) bou
ndar
y Th
e ou
tsta
ndin
g fo
ssil
reco
rd a
t Ste
vns
Klin
t pr
ovid
es a
suc
cess
ion
of th
ree
biot
ic a
ssem
blag
es
incl
udin
g th
e m
ost d
ivers
e en
d-Cr
etac
eous
mar
ine
ecos
yste
m k
now
n T
he m
illion
yea
rs re
cord
ed in
the
rock
at S
tevn
s Kl
int p
rovid
es e
viden
ce o
f a c
limax
pr
e-im
pact
com
mun
ity f
auna
that
sur
vived
a m
ass
extin
ctio
n ev
ent
and
the
subs
eque
nt fa
unal
reco
very
an
d in
crea
sed
biod
ivers
ity fo
llow
ing
this
eve
nt T
he
foss
il re
cord
sho
ws
whi
ch ta
xa b
ecam
e ex
tinct
an
d w
hich
sur
vived
and
reve
als
the
tem
po a
nd
mod
e of
evo
lutio
n of
the
succ
eedi
ng p
ost i
mpa
ct
faun
a th
at d
ivers
ified
to th
e m
arin
e fa
una
of to
day
thus
pro
vidin
g im
porta
nt c
onte
xt fo
r the
mai
n K
Pg
boun
dary
laye
r exp
osed
at S
tevn
s Kl
int
Them
e 11
Bea
rs e
viden
ce o
f the
as
tero
id im
pact
bel
ieve
d to
hav
e ca
used
the
mas
s ex
tinct
ion
that
led
to
the
end
of th
e Ag
e of
the
Dino
saur
s
Icon
ic s
cien
tific
impo
rtanc
e du
e to
its
asso
ciat
ion
with
the
radi
cal t
heor
y fo
r as
tero
id d
riven
ext
inct
ion
The
me
1
An e
xcep
tiona
l fos
sil r
ecor
d is
vis
ible
at
the
prop
erty
sho
win
g th
e co
mpl
ete
succ
essi
on o
f fau
na a
nd m
icro
-fau
na
char
ting
the
reco
very
afte
r the
mas
s ex
tinct
ion
2014
(viii)
Natu
ral
Denm
ark
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
98 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 99
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Swis
s Al
ps
Jung
frau
-Ale
tsch
92
The
prop
erty
pro
vides
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of th
e fo
rmat
ion
of th
e Hi
gh A
lps
resu
lting
from
upl
ift a
nd
com
pres
sion
whi
ch b
egan
20-
40 m
illion
yea
rs a
go
With
in a
n al
titud
e ra
nge
from
809
m to
42
74 m
th
e re
gion
dis
play
s 40
0 m
illion
-yea
r-ol
d cr
ysta
lline
rock
s th
rust
ove
r you
nger
car
bona
te ro
cks
due
to
the
north
war
d dr
ift o
f the
Afri
can
tect
onic
pla
te
Adde
d to
the
dram
atic
reco
rd o
f the
pro
cess
es
of m
ount
ain
build
ing
is a
gre
at a
bund
ance
and
di
vers
ity o
f geo
mor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es s
uch
as
U-sh
aped
gla
cial
val
leys
cirq
ues
hor
n pe
aks
val
ley
glac
iers
and
mor
aine
s T
his
mos
t gla
ciat
ed p
art o
f th
e Al
ps c
onta
ins
the
Alet
sch
glac
ier
the
larg
est a
nd
long
est i
n Eu
rope
whi
ch is
of s
igni
fican
t sci
entifi
c in
tere
st in
the
cont
ext o
f gla
cial
his
tory
and
ong
oing
pr
oces
ses
par
ticul
arly
rela
ted
to c
limat
e ch
ange
Them
e 9
Gla
cial
feat
ures
incl
ude
U-sh
aped
gla
cial
val
leys
cirq
ues
hor
n pe
aks
val
ley
glac
iers
and
mor
aine
s
This
mos
t gla
ciat
ed p
art o
f the
Alp
s co
ntai
ns th
e Al
etsc
h gl
acie
r th
e la
rges
t and
long
est i
n Eu
rope
whi
ch
is o
f sig
nific
ant s
cien
tific
inte
rest
in
the
cont
ext o
f gla
cial
his
tory
and
on
goin
g pr
oces
ses
par
ticul
arly
rela
ted
to c
limat
e ch
ange
The
me
2 T
he
prop
erty
pro
vides
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of th
e fo
rmat
ion
of th
e Hi
gh A
lps
resu
lting
from
upl
ift a
nd
com
pres
sion
whi
ch b
egan
20-
40
milli
on y
ears
ago
With
in a
n al
titud
e ra
nge
from
809
m to
42
74 m
the
re
gion
dis
play
s 40
0 m
illion
-yea
r-ol
d cr
ysta
lline
rock
s th
rust
ove
r you
nger
ca
rbon
ate
rock
s du
e to
the
north
war
d dr
ift o
f the
Afri
can
tect
onic
pla
te
2001
(200
7)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)Na
tura
lSw
itzer
-la
ndEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Swis
s Te
cton
ic
Aren
a Sa
rdon
a2
Earth
rsquos h
isto
ry g
eolo
gica
l and
geo
mor
phic
feat
ures
an
d pr
oces
ses
The
Sw
iss
Tect
onic
Are
na S
ardo
na
prov
ides
an
exce
ptio
nal d
ispl
ay o
f mou
ntai
n bu
ildin
g te
cton
ics
and
has
been
reco
gnis
ed a
s a
key
site
fo
r geo
logi
cal s
cien
ces
sinc
e th
e 18
th c
entu
ry T
he
clea
r exp
osur
e of
the
Glar
us O
verth
rust
is a
key
but
no
t the
onl
y si
gnifi
cant
fea
ture
The
exp
osur
es o
f th
e ro
cks
belo
w a
nd a
bove
this
feat
ure
are
visib
le
in th
ree
dim
ensi
ons
and
take
n to
geth
er h
ave
mad
e su
bsta
ntia
l con
tribu
tions
to th
e un
ders
tand
ing
of
mou
ntai
n bu
ildin
g te
cton
ics
Its
geol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
can
be re
adily
app
reci
ated
by
all v
isito
rs T
he
prop
erty
can
be
diffe
rent
iate
d fro
m o
ther
sim
ilar
site
s by
the
com
bina
tion
of th
e cl
ear e
xpos
ure
of
the
phen
omen
on in
a m
ount
ain
setti
ng i
ts h
isto
ry
of s
tudy
and
its
ongo
ing
cont
ribut
ion
to g
eolo
gica
l sc
ienc
es
Them
e 2
The
Sw
iss
Tect
onic
Are
na
Sard
ona
prov
ides
an
exce
ptio
nal
disp
lay
of m
ount
ain
build
ing
tect
onic
s an
d ha
s be
en re
cogn
ised
as
a ke
y si
te fo
r geo
logi
cal s
cien
ces
sinc
e th
e 18
th c
entu
ry T
he c
lear
exp
osur
e of
th
e Gl
arus
Ove
rthru
st is
a k
ey b
ut
not t
he o
nly
sign
ifica
nt f
eatu
re T
he
expo
sure
s of
the
rock
s be
low
and
ab
ove
this
feat
ure
are
visib
le in
thre
e di
men
sion
s an
d ta
ken
toge
ther
hav
e m
ade
subs
tant
ial c
ontri
butio
ns to
the
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
mou
ntai
n bu
ildin
g te
cton
ics
2008
(viii)
Natu
ral
Switz
er-
land
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
100 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 101
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Tajik
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk (M
ount
ains
of
the
Pam
irs)
92
5Th
e Pa
mir
Mou
ntai
ns a
re a
maj
or c
entre
of
glac
iatio
n on
the
Eura
sian
con
tinen
t and
Taj
ik
Natio
nal P
ark
illust
rate
s w
ithin
one
pro
tect
ed
area
an
outs
tand
ing
juxt
apos
ition
of m
any
high
m
ount
ains
val
ley
glac
iers
and
dee
p riv
er g
orge
s al
ongs
ide
the
cold
con
tinen
tal d
eser
t env
ironm
ent
of th
e hi
gh P
amir
Plat
eau
land
form
s A
n ou
tsta
ndin
g la
ndfo
rm fe
atur
e of
the
prop
erty
rsquos g
eolo
gica
lly
dyna
mic
terra
in is
Lak
e Sa
rez
It w
as c
reat
ed b
y an
ea
rthqu
ake-
gene
rate
d la
ndsl
ide
of a
n es
timat
ed
six
billio
n to
nnes
of m
ater
ial a
nd is
pos
sibl
y th
e yo
unge
st d
eep
wat
er a
lpin
e la
ke in
the
wor
ld I
t is
of in
tern
atio
nal s
cien
tific
and
geom
orph
olog
ical
ha
zard
sig
nific
ance
bec
ause
of t
he o
n-go
ing
geol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
influ
enci
ng it
s st
abilit
y an
d th
e so
rt of
lacu
strin
e ec
osys
tem
whi
ch w
ill de
velo
p ov
er ti
me
Taj
ik N
atio
nal P
ark
furth
erm
ore
offe
rs a
un
ique
opp
ortu
nity
for t
he s
tudy
of p
late
tect
onic
s an
d co
ntin
enta
l sub
duct
ion
phen
omen
a th
ereb
y co
ntrib
utin
g to
our
fund
amen
tal u
nder
stan
ding
of
Earth
bui
ldin
g pr
oces
ses
Them
e 9
The
Pam
ir M
ount
ains
are
a
maj
or c
entre
of g
laci
atio
n on
the
Eura
sian
con
tinen
t and
Taj
ik N
atio
nal
Park
illu
stra
tes
with
in o
ne p
rote
cted
ar
ea a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ju
xtap
ositi
on o
f m
any
high
mou
ntai
ns v
alle
y gl
acie
rs
and
deep
rive
r gor
ges
alon
gsid
e th
e co
ld c
ontin
enta
l des
ert e
nviro
nmen
t of
the
high
Pam
ir Pl
atea
u la
ndfo
rms
Th
eme
2 T
ajik
Nat
iona
l Par
k of
fers
a
uniq
ue o
ppor
tuni
ty fo
r the
stu
dy
of p
late
tect
onic
s an
d co
ntin
enta
l su
bduc
tion
phen
omen
a th
ereb
y co
ntrib
utin
g to
our
fund
amen
tal
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
Ear
th b
uild
ing
proc
esse
s T
hem
e 5
An
outs
tand
ing
land
form
feat
ure
of th
e pr
oper
tyrsquos
ge
olog
ical
ly dy
nam
ic te
rrain
is
Lake
Sar
ez I
t was
cre
ated
by
an
earth
quak
e-ge
nera
ted
land
slid
e of
an
est
imat
ed s
ix bi
llion
tonn
es o
f m
ater
ial a
nd is
pos
sibl
y th
e yo
unge
st
deep
wat
er a
lpin
e la
ke in
the
wor
ld
It is
of i
nter
natio
nal s
cien
tific
and
geom
orph
olog
ical
haz
ard
sign
ifica
nce
beca
use
of th
e on
-goi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pr
oces
ses
influ
enci
ng it
s st
abilit
y an
d th
e so
rt of
lacu
strin
e ec
osys
tem
whi
ch
will
deve
lop
over
tim
e
2013
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Tajik
ista
nAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Tala
man
ca
Rang
e-La
Am
ista
d Re
serv
es
La
Amis
tad
Natio
nal P
ark
9Th
e Ta
lam
anca
Ran
ge is
a v
ery
parti
cula
r sam
ple
of th
e re
cent
geo
logi
cal h
isto
ry o
f the
Cen
tral
Amer
ican
Isth
mus
the
rela
tivel
y na
rrow
stri
p of
land
co
nnec
ting
North
and
Sou
th A
mer
ica
and
sepa
ratin
g th
e Pa
cific
and
Atla
ntic
Oce
ans
The
pro
perty
sho
ws
impr
essi
ve m
arks
of Q
uate
rnar
y gl
acia
l act
ivity
w
hich
has
sha
ped
glac
ial c
irque
s g
laci
al la
kes
and
deep
U-s
hape
d va
lleys
whi
ch c
anno
t be
foun
d an
ywhe
re e
lse
in C
entra
l Am
eric
a
Them
e 9
Qua
tern
ary
glac
ial a
ctivi
ty
has
shap
ed g
laci
al c
irque
s g
laci
al
lake
s an
d de
ep U
-sha
ped
valle
ys
that
can
not b
e fo
und
anyw
here
els
e in
Ce
ntra
l Am
eric
a
1983
(199
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Cost
a Ri
ca
Pana
ma
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
100 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 101
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Tasm
ania
n W
ilder
ness
91
No c
urre
nt re
trosp
ectiv
e st
atem
ent o
f OUV
The
co
ntem
pora
ry in
scrip
tion
is b
ased
on
the
follo
win
g Ea
rth s
cien
ce v
alue
s R
ock
form
atio
ns g
laci
al
depo
sits
ext
ragl
acia
l pro
cess
es a
nd g
laci
o-ka
rst
land
form
s of
his
pro
perty
pro
vide
a re
cord
of m
ajor
st
ages
of E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry a
nd to
geth
er w
ith th
e as
soci
ated
eco
logy
pro
vide
livin
g ev
iden
ce o
f the
pr
evio
us e
xiste
nce
of th
e so
uthe
rn s
uper
cont
inen
t of
Gon
dwan
a an
d its
sub
sequ
ent f
ragm
enta
tion
The
as
soci
ated
pro
cess
es a
re o
ccur
ring
at la
rge
scal
e in
a v
arie
ty o
f und
istu
rbed
env
ironm
ents
pro
vidin
g a
benc
hmar
k ag
ains
t whi
ch th
e ef
fect
s of
hum
an
activ
ities
can
be
mea
sure
d
Them
e 9
1 R
ock
form
atio
ns g
laci
al
depo
sits
ext
ragl
acia
l pro
cess
es a
nd
glac
io-k
arst
land
form
s of
his
pro
perty
pr
ovid
e a
reco
rd o
f maj
or s
tage
s of
Ea
rthrsquos
his
tory
and
toge
ther
with
the
asso
ciat
ed e
colo
gy p
rovid
e liv
ing
evid
ence
of t
he p
revio
us e
xiste
nce
of th
e so
uthe
rn s
uper
cont
inen
t of
Gon
dwan
a an
d its
sub
sequ
ent
fragm
enta
tion
1982
(199
0)(ii
i)(iv)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)
Mixe
dAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Tass
ili n
rsquoAjje
r3
The
geol
ogica
l con
form
atio
n of
Tass
ili nrsquo
Ajje
r inc
lude
s Pr
ecam
bria
n cr
ysta
lline
elem
ents
and
sed
imen
tary
sa
ndst
one
succ
essio
ns o
f gre
at p
aleo
-geo
grap
hica
l an
d pa
leo-
ecol
ogica
l inte
rest
Them
e 3
San
dsto
ne p
late
aus
and
esca
rpm
ents
that
are
hig
hly
diss
ecte
d w
ith a
rang
e of
ero
sion
al fe
atur
es
1982
(i)(ii
i)(vii
)(v
iii)M
ixed
Alge
riaAr
ab
Stat
es
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
102 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 103
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Te W
ahip
ouna
mu
ndash So
uth
Wes
t Ne
w Z
eala
nd
91
2Te
Waumlh
ipou
nam
u - S
outh
Wes
t New
Zea
land
is
cons
ider
ed to
be
the
best
mod
ern
exam
ple
of th
e pr
imitiv
e ta
xa o
f Gon
dwan
alan
d se
en in
mod
ern
ecos
yste
ms
ndash an
d as
suc
h th
e pr
oper
ty is
of g
loba
l sig
nific
ance
The
pro
gres
sive
brea
k-up
of t
he s
outh
ern
supe
r-con
tinen
t of G
ondw
anal
and
is co
nsid
ered
on
e of
the
mos
t im
porta
nt e
vent
s in
the
Earth
rsquos ev
olut
iona
ry h
istor
y Ne
w Z
eala
ndrsquos
sepa
ratio
n be
fore
th
e ap
pear
ance
of m
arsu
pial
s an
d ot
her m
amm
als
and
its lo
ng is
olat
ion
since
wer
e ke
y fa
ctor
s en
ablin
g th
e su
rviva
l of t
he a
ncie
nt G
ondw
anan
bio
ta o
n th
e isl
ands
of
New
Zea
land
to a
gre
ater
deg
ree
than
else
whe
re
The
livin
g re
pres
enta
tives
of t
his
ancie
nt b
iota
inclu
de
fligh
tless
kiw
is c
arni
voro
us la
nd s
nails
14
spec
ies
of
podo
carp
and
gen
era
or b
eech
Th
e So
uth
Wes
t is
also
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of th
e im
pact
of t
he P
leist
ocen
e ep
och
of E
arth
hist
ory
Ice-
carv
ed la
ndfo
rms
crea
ted
by th
ese
lsquoIce
Agersquo
gla
ciers
do
min
ate
the
mou
ntai
n la
nds
and
are
espe
cially
w
ell-p
rese
rved
in th
e ha
rder
plu
toni
c ig
neou
s ro
cks
of F
iord
land
Gla
cier-c
ut fi
ords
lak
es d
eep
U-sh
aped
va
lleys
han
ging
val
leys
cirq
ues
and
ice-s
horn
spu
rs
are
grap
hic
illust
ratio
ns o
f the
pow
erfu
l influ
ence
of
thes
e gl
acie
rs o
n th
e la
ndsc
ape
Dep
ositio
nal
land
form
s of
Ple
istoc
ene
glac
ial o
rigin
are
also
im
porta
nt e
spec
ially
in W
estla
nd w
est o
f the
Alp
ine
Faul
t Ch
rono
logi
cal s
eque
nces
of o
utw
ash
grav
els
and
mor
aine
ridg
es in
ele
gant
cur
ves
and
loop
s ou
tline
the
shap
es o
f bot
h fo
rmer
pie
dmon
t gla
ciers
and
Hol
ocen
e ldquop
ost-g
lacia
lrdquo va
lley
glac
iers
Them
e 9
Sou
th-w
est N
ew Z
eala
nd
is a
lso
an o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of th
e im
pact
of t
he P
leis
toce
ne e
poch
of
Earth
his
tory
Ice
-car
ved
land
form
s cr
eate
d by
thes
e lsquoIc
e Ag
ersquo g
laci
ers
dom
inat
e th
e m
ount
ain
land
s a
nd
are
espe
cial
ly w
ell-p
rese
rved
in th
e ha
rder
plu
toni
c ig
neou
s ro
cks
of
Fior
dlan
d G
laci
er-c
ut fi
ords
lak
es
deep
U-s
hape
d va
lleys
han
ging
va
lleys
cirq
ues
and
ice-
shor
n sp
urs
are
grap
hic
illust
ratio
ns o
f the
po
wer
ful i
nflue
nce
of th
ese
glac
iers
on
the
land
scap
e D
epos
ition
al la
ndfo
rms
of P
leis
toce
ne g
laci
al o
rigin
are
als
o im
porta
nt e
spec
ially
in W
estla
nd
wes
t of t
he A
lpin
e Fa
ult
Chro
nolo
gica
l se
quen
ces
of o
utw
ash
grav
els
and
m
orai
ne ri
dges
in e
lega
nt c
urve
s an
d lo
ops
out
line
the
shap
es o
f bo
th fo
rmer
pie
dmon
t gla
cier
s an
d Ho
loce
ne lsquop
ost-
glac
ialrsquo
valle
y gl
acie
rs
Them
e 1
2 T
he p
rogr
essi
ve b
reak
-up
of t
he s
outh
ern
supe
r-co
ntin
ent o
f Go
ndw
ana
is c
onsi
dere
d on
e of
the
mos
t im
porta
nt e
vent
s in
the
Earth
rsquos
evol
utio
nary
his
tory
New
Zea
land
rsquos
sepa
ratio
n be
fore
the
appe
aran
ce
of m
arsu
pial
s an
d ot
her m
amm
als
an
d its
long
isol
atio
n si
nce
wer
e ke
y fa
ctor
s en
ablin
g th
e su
rviva
l of
the
anci
ent G
ondw
anan
bio
ta o
n th
e is
land
s of
New
Zea
land
to a
gre
ater
de
gree
than
els
ewhe
re
1990
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lNe
w
Zeal
and
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
102 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 103
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Teid
e Na
tiona
l Pa
rk4
Teid
e Na
tiona
l Par
k is
an
exce
ptio
nal e
xam
ple
of a
rela
tivel
y ol
d s
low
mov
ing
geo
logi
cally
co
mpl
ex a
nd m
atur
e vo
lcan
ic s
yste
m I
t is
of g
loba
l im
porta
nce
in p
rovid
ing
dive
rse
evid
ence
of t
he
geol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
that
und
erpi
n th
e ev
olut
ion
of o
cean
ic is
land
s a
nd th
ese
valu
es c
ompl
emen
t th
ose
of e
xistin
g vo
lcan
ic p
rope
rties
on
the
Wor
ld
Herit
age
List
suc
h as
the
Haw
aii V
olca
noes
Na
tiona
l Par
k It
offe
rs a
dive
rse
and
acce
ssib
le
asse
mbl
age
of v
olca
nic
feat
ures
and
land
scap
es in
a
rela
tivel
y lim
ited
area
The
are
a is
a m
ajor
cen
tre
for i
nter
natio
nal r
esea
rch
with
a lo
ng h
isto
ry o
f in
fluen
ce o
n ge
olog
y an
d ge
omor
phol
ogy
espe
cial
ly th
roug
h th
e w
ork
of v
on H
umbo
ldt
von
Buch
and
Ly
ell
whi
ch h
as m
ade
Mou
nt T
eide
a s
igni
fican
t site
in
the
hist
ory
of v
olca
nolo
gy
Them
e 4
Tei
de N
atio
nal P
ark
feat
ures
th
e Te
ide-
Pico
Vie
jo s
trato
volc
ano
that
at
37
18 m
is
the
high
est p
eak
on
Span
ish
soil
Ris
ing
750
0 m
abo
ve
the
ocea
n flo
or i
t is
rega
rded
as
the
wor
ldrsquos
third
-tal
lest
vol
cani
c st
ruct
ure
and
stan
ds in
the
Las
Cana
das
cald
era
Tei
de is
of g
loba
l im
porta
nce
in p
rovid
ing
evid
ence
of t
he g
eolo
gica
l pr
oces
ses
that
und
erpi
n th
e ev
olut
ion
of o
cean
ic is
land
s
2007
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Spai
nEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
The
Dolo
mite
s3
1Th
e Do
lom
ites
are
of in
tern
atio
nal s
igni
fican
ce
for g
eom
orph
olog
y as
the
clas
sic
site
for t
he
deve
lopm
ent o
f mou
ntai
ns in
dol
omiti
c lim
esto
ne
The
area
pre
sent
s a
wid
e ra
nge
of la
ndfo
rms
rela
ted
to e
rosi
on t
ecto
nism
and
gla
ciat
ion
The
qu
antit
y an
d co
ncen
tratio
n of
ext
rem
ely
varie
d lim
esto
ne fo
rmat
ions
is e
xtra
ordi
nary
in a
glo
bal
cont
ext
incl
udin
g pe
aks
tow
ers
pin
nacl
es a
nd
som
e of
the
high
est v
ertic
al ro
ck w
alls
in th
e w
orld
Th
e ge
olog
ical
val
ues
are
also
of i
nter
natio
nal
sign
ifica
nce
not
ably
the
evid
ence
of M
esoz
oic
carb
onat
e pl
atfo
rms
or lsquo
foss
ilized
ato
llsrsquo
parti
cula
rly
in te
rms
of th
e ev
iden
ce th
ey p
rovid
e of
the
evol
utio
n of
the
bio-
cons
truct
ors
afte
r the
Per
mia
nTr
iass
ic b
ound
ary
and
the
pres
erva
tion
of th
e re
latio
nshi
ps b
etw
een
the
reef
s th
ey c
onst
ruct
ed
and
thei
r sur
roun
ding
bas
ins
The
Dol
omite
s al
so
incl
ude
seve
ral i
nter
natio
nally
impo
rtant
type
se
ctio
ns fo
r the
stra
tigra
phy
of th
e Tr
iass
ic P
erio
d
The
scie
ntifi
c va
lues
of t
he p
rope
rty a
re a
lso
supp
orte
d by
the
evid
ence
of a
long
his
tory
of s
tudy
an
d re
cogn
ition
at t
he in
tern
atio
nal l
evel
Tak
en
toge
ther
the
com
bina
tion
of g
eom
orph
olog
ical
an
d ge
olog
ical
val
ues
crea
tes
a pr
oper
ty o
f glo
bal
sign
ifica
nce
Them
e 3
Roc
k-co
ntro
lled
cliff
s an
d pl
atea
us w
ith a
dditi
onal
role
of
glac
iatio
n T
hem
e 1
The
Dol
omite
s co
ntai
n an
out
stan
ding
reco
rd o
f Tr
iass
ic re
ef s
yste
ms
and
thei
r bio
tas
2009
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Italy
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
104 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 105
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Thre
e Pa
ralle
l Ri
vers
of Y
unna
n Pr
otec
ted
Area
s
23
5Th
e pr
oper
ty is
of o
utst
andi
ng v
alue
for d
ispl
ayin
g th
e ge
olog
ical
his
tory
of t
he la
st 5
0 m
illion
yea
rs
asso
ciat
ed w
ith th
e co
llisio
n of
the
Indi
an P
late
with
th
e Eu
rasi
an P
late
the
clo
sure
of t
he a
ncie
nt T
ethy
s Se
a a
nd th
e up
liftin
g of
the
Him
alay
a Ra
nge
and
the
Tibe
tan
Plat
eau
The
se w
ere
maj
or g
eolo
gica
l ev
ents
in th
e ev
olut
ion
of th
e la
nd s
urfa
ce o
f Asi
a an
d th
ey a
re o
n-go
ing
The
dive
rse
rock
type
s w
ithin
th
e pr
oper
ty re
cord
this
his
tory
and
in
addi
tion
th
e ra
nge
of k
arst
gra
nite
mon
olith
and
Dan
xia
sand
ston
e la
ndfo
rms
in th
e al
pine
zon
e in
clud
e so
me
of th
e be
st o
f the
ir ty
pe in
the
mou
ntai
ns o
f th
e w
orld
Them
e 2
The
pro
perty
is o
f ou
tsta
ndin
g va
lue
for d
ispl
ayin
g th
e ge
olog
ical
his
tory
of t
he la
st 5
0 m
illion
ye
ars
asso
ciat
ed w
ith th
e co
llisio
n of
the
Indi
an P
late
with
the
Eura
sian
Pl
ate
the
clos
ure
of th
e an
cien
t Tet
hys
Sea
and
the
uplif
ting
of th
e Hi
mal
aya
Rang
e an
d th
e Ti
beta
n Pl
atea
u
Them
es 3
5 D
eepl
y ca
rved
val
leys
of
maj
or ri
vers
that
pas
s th
roug
h st
eep
gorg
es w
hich
in
plac
es a
re 3
000
m
deep
and
are
bor
dere
d by
gla
ciat
ed
peak
s m
ore
than
60
00 m
hig
h
2003
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lCh
ina
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Tong
ariro
Na
tiona
l Par
k4
No a
ppro
ved
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV B
asis
of
insc
riptio
n ar
e E
arth
rsquos E
volu
tiona
ry H
isto
ry -
The
pa
rk li
es a
t the
sou
th-w
este
rn te
rmin
us o
f a P
acifi
c ch
ain
of v
olca
noes
alig
ned
alon
g a
maj
or te
cton
ic
plat
e bo
unda
ry O
ngoi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es -
Th
e pa
rkrsquos
vol
cano
es c
onta
in a
com
plet
e ra
nge
of
volc
anic
feat
ures
Them
e 4
Ton
garir
o Na
tiona
l Par
k in
clud
es th
ree
activ
e vo
lcan
oes
w
hich
hav
e cu
ltura
l and
relig
ious
si
gnifi
canc
e fo
r the
Mao
ri pe
ople
and
sy
mbo
lize
the
spiri
tual
link
s be
twee
n th
is c
omm
unity
and
its
envir
onm
ent
1990
(199
3)(v
i)(vii
)(v
iii)M
ixed
New
Ze
alan
dAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
104 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 105
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Tran
g An
La
ndsc
ape
Com
plex
6Tr
ang
An is
a s
uper
b ge
olog
ical
pro
perty
that
di
spla
ys i
n a
glob
ally
exce
ptio
nal w
ay t
he fi
nal
stag
es o
f tow
er-k
arst
land
scap
e ev
olut
ion
in a
hu
mid
trop
ical
env
ironm
ent
Deep
dis
sect
ion
of
an u
plift
ed li
mes
tone
mas
sif o
ver a
per
iod
of fi
ve
milli
on y
ears
has
pro
duce
d a
serie
s of
cla
ssic
al
kars
t lan
dfor
ms
incl
udin
g co
nes
tow
ers
enc
lose
d de
pres
sion
s (c
ockp
its)
inte
rior-
drai
ning
val
leys
(p
olje
s) f
oot-
cave
s an
d su
bter
rane
an c
ave
pass
ages
de
cora
ted
with
spe
leot
hem
s T
he p
rese
nce
of
trans
ition
al fo
rms
betw
een
lsquofeng
cong
rsquo kar
st w
ith
ridge
s co
nnec
ting
tow
ers
and
lsquofen
glin
rsquo kar
st w
here
to
wer
s st
and
isol
ated
on
allu
vial p
lain
s is
an
extre
mel
y si
gnifi
cant
feat
ure
of th
e pr
oper
ty T
rang
An
is a
n un
usua
l aut
ogen
ic k
arst
sys
tem
bei
ng
rain
-fed
onl
y an
d hy
drol
ogic
ally
isol
ated
from
rive
rs
in th
e su
rroun
ding
terra
in F
orm
er in
unda
tion
by
the
sea
trans
form
ed th
e m
assi
f int
o an
arc
hipe
lago
fo
r som
e pe
riods
tho
ugh
it is
fully
em
erge
nt o
n la
nd to
day
Fluc
tuat
ions
of s
ea le
vel a
re e
viden
ced
by a
n al
titud
inal
ser
ies
of e
rosi
on n
otch
es in
clif
fs
with
ass
ocia
ted
cave
s w
ave-
cut p
latfo
rms
bea
ch
depo
sits
and
mar
ine
shel
l lay
ers
Them
e 6
Tow
er k
arst
in it
s en
d st
ages
nea
r sea
leve
l Nu
mer
ous
navig
able
foot
-cav
es a
nd e
xten
sive
sw
amp
notc
h an
d m
arin
e no
tch
deve
lopm
ent r
eflec
ting
sea
leve
l ch
ange
s
2014
(v)(v
ii)(v
iii)M
ixed
Viet
Nam
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
106 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 107
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Ulu ṟ
u-Ka
ta T
juṯa
Na
tiona
l Par
k
3No
cur
rent
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV b
ut
the
follo
win
g te
xt re
late
d to
crit
erio
n (v
iii) h
as b
een
deve
lope
d pr
evio
usly
as a
dra
ft th
at w
ill lik
ely
be
cons
ider
ed in
the
futu
re b
ased
on
the
date
of
insc
riptio
n T
he in
selb
ergs
(ste
ep-s
ided
isol
ated
hi
lls ri
sing
abr
uptly
from
the
Earth
) of U
luṟu
and
Kata
Tju
ṯa ar
e ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
es o
f tec
toni
c
geoc
hem
ical
and
geo
mor
phic
pro
cess
es U
luṟu
and
Kata
Tju
ṯa ar
e st
rikin
g ex
ampl
es o
f geo
logi
cal a
nd
eros
iona
l pro
cess
es o
ver t
ime
and
they
refle
ct th
e ag
e a
nd re
lativ
ely
stab
le n
atur
e o
f the
Aus
tralia
n co
ntin
ent
Such
sta
bilit
y at
the
cont
inen
tal l
evel
is
glo
bally
rare
The
geo
logy
of U
luṟu
and
Kata
Tj
u ṯa d
emon
stra
te o
ngoi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es
of re
mar
kabl
e in
tere
st T
he s
ides
of U
luṟu
are
mar
ked
by a
num
ber o
f unu
sual
feat
ures
whi
ch
can
be a
scrib
ed to
diff
erin
g pr
oces
ses
of e
rosi
on
For e
xam
ple
the
feat
ure
know
n as
nga
ltaw
ata
a
cere
mon
ial p
ole
asso
ciat
ed w
ith M
ala
Tjuk
urpa
is
asc
ribed
to s
heet
ing
of m
assi
ve ro
ck p
aral
lel t
o th
e ex
istin
g su
rface
Dur
ing
rain
per
iods
the
runo
ff fro
m U
luṟu
casc
ades
dow
n th
e fis
sure
s fo
rmin
g w
ater
falls
som
e up
to 1
00 m
etre
s hi
gh C
aves
at
the
base
of U
luṟu
are
form
ed b
y a
wid
espr
ead
arid
zo
ne p
roce
ss o
f gra
nula
r dis
inte
grat
ion
know
n as
ca
vern
ous
wea
ther
ing
Them
e 3
Thi
s pa
rk fe
atur
es
inse
lber
gs o
f san
dsto
ne (U
luṟu)
and
co
nglo
mer
ate
(Kat
a Tj
u ṯa) t
hat r
ise
spec
tact
acul
arly
abov
e th
e va
st re
d sa
ndy
plai
n of
cen
tral A
ustra
lia
1987
(199
4)(v
)(vi)(
vii)
(viii)
Mixe
dAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Valleacute
e de
Mai
Na
ture
Res
erve
1Sh
aped
by
geol
ogic
al a
nd b
iolo
gica
l pro
cess
es
that
took
pla
ce m
illion
s of
yea
rs a
go t
he p
rope
rty
is a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
an
earli
er a
nd m
ajor
st
age
in th
e ev
olut
iona
ry h
isto
ry o
f the
wor
ldrsquos
flo
ra I
ts e
colo
gy is
dom
inat
ed b
y en
dem
ic p
alm
s
and
espe
cial
ly by
the
coco
-de-
mer
fam
ous
for i
ts
dist
inct
ively
larg
e do
uble
nut
con
tain
ing
the
larg
est
seed
in th
e pl
ant k
ingd
om T
he V
alleacute
e de
Mai
co
nstit
utes
a li
ving
labo
rato
ry i
llust
ratin
g of
wha
t ot
her t
ropi
cal a
reas
wou
ld h
ave
been
bef
ore
the
adve
nt o
f mor
e ad
vanc
ed p
lant
fam
ilies
Them
e 1
Sta
ted
to c
onst
itute
a li
ving
labo
rato
ry i
llust
ratin
g of
wha
t oth
er
tropi
cal a
reas
wou
ld h
ave
been
bef
ore
the
adve
nt o
f mor
e ad
vanc
ed p
lant
fa
milie
s
1983
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lSe
y-ch
elle
sAf
rica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
106 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 107
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Vatn
ajoumlk
ull
Natio
nal P
ark
- Dy
nam
ic N
atur
e of
Fire
and
Ice
4 9
The
coex
isten
ce a
nd o
ngoi
ng in
tera
ctio
n of
an
activ
e oc
eani
c rif
t on
land
a m
antle
plu
me
the
atm
osph
ere
and
an ic
e ca
p w
hich
has
var
ied
in s
ize a
nd e
xten
t ov
er th
e pa
st 2
8 m
illion
yea
rs m
ake
the
prop
erty
un
ique
in a
glo
bal c
onte
xt E
arth
sys
tem
inte
ract
ions
ar
e co
nsta
ntly
build
ing
and
resh
apin
g th
e pr
oper
ty
crea
ting
rem
arka
bly
dive
rse
land
scap
es a
nd a
w
ide
varie
ty o
f tec
toni
c v
olca
nic
and
glac
iovo
lcan
ic
feat
ures
Esp
ecia
lly in
tere
stin
g an
d un
ique
in th
is re
gard
are
the
basa
ltic
lava
shi
elds
(Ice
land
shi
elds
) vo
lcan
ic fi
ssur
es a
nd c
one
row
s v
ast fl
ood
lava
s
and
feat
ures
of i
ce d
omin
ant g
laci
o-vo
lcan
ism s
uch
as tu
yas
and
tinda
r In
tere
stin
gly
the
wel
l exp
osed
vo
lcan
ic fe
atur
es o
f the
pro
perty
hav
e be
en u
sed
as a
nalo
gues
for s
imila
r fea
ture
s on
the
plan
et
Mar
s G
eoth
erm
al h
eat a
nd s
ubgl
acia
l eru
ptio
ns
prod
uce
mel
twat
er a
nd jouml
kulh
laup
s th
at m
aint
ain
glob
ally
uniq
ue s
andu
r pla
ins
to th
e no
rth a
nd
sout
h of
the
Vatn
ajoumlk
ull i
ce c
ap a
s w
ell a
s ra
pidl
y ev
olvin
g ca
nyon
s In
add
ition
the
pro
perty
con
tain
s a
dyna
mic
arra
y of
gla
cial
- and
geo
mor
phol
ogic
al
feat
ures
cre
ated
by
expa
ndin
g or
retre
atin
g gl
acie
rs
resp
ondi
ng to
cha
nges
in c
limat
e T
hese
feat
ures
ca
n be
eas
ily a
cces
sed
and
expl
ored
at t
he s
nout
s of
Va
tnaj
oumlkul
lrsquos m
any
outle
t gla
cier
s an
d th
eir f
orel
ands
es
peci
ally
in th
e so
uthe
rn lo
wla
nds
mak
ing
the
prop
erty
a fl
agsh
ip g
laci
al re
sear
ch lo
catio
n
Them
e 4
9 T
his
is a
n ic
onic
vo
lcan
ic re
gion
that
als
o fe
atur
es th
e co
ntin
enta
l drif
ting
curre
ntly
activ
e in
this
par
t of A
tlant
ic O
cean
with
te
n ce
ntra
l vol
cano
es e
ight
of w
hich
ar
e su
bgla
cial
Tw
o of
thes
e ar
e am
ong
the
mos
t act
ive in
Icel
and
The
in
tera
ctio
n be
twee
n vo
lcan
oes
and
the
rifts
that
und
erlie
the
Vatn
ajoumlk
ull
ice
cap
take
s m
any
form
s th
e m
ost
spec
tacu
lar o
f whi
ch is
the
joumlku
lhla
up
ndash a
sudd
en fl
ood
caus
ed b
y th
e br
each
of t
he m
argi
n of
a g
laci
er
durin
g an
eru
ptio
n
2019
(viii)
Natu
ral
Icel
and
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
108 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 109
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Viru
nga
Natio
nal
Park
4Vi
rung
a Na
tiona
l Par
k is
loca
ted
in th
e ce
ntre
of t
he
Albe
rtine
Rift
of t
he G
reat
Rift
Val
ley
In th
e so
uthe
rn
part
of th
e pa
rk t
ecto
nic
activ
ity d
ue to
the
exte
nsio
n of
the
Earth
rsquos cr
ust i
n th
is re
gion
has
cau
sed
the
emer
genc
e of
the
Viru
nga
mas
sif c
ompr
ising
eig
ht
volc
anoe
s s
even
of w
hich
are
loca
ted
tota
lly o
r pa
rtial
ly in
the
park
Am
ong
them
are
the
two
mos
t ac
tive
volc
anoe
s of
Afri
ca ndash
Nya
mur
agira
and
nea
rby
Nyira
gong
o ndash
whi
ch b
etw
een
them
are
resp
onsib
le
for t
wo-
fifth
s of
the
hist
oric
vol
cani
c er
uptio
ns o
n th
e Af
rican
con
tinen
t and
whi
ch a
re c
hara
cter
ized
by th
e ex
trem
e flu
idity
of t
he a
lkal
ine
lava
The
act
ivity
of
Nyira
gong
o is
of w
orld
impo
rtanc
e as
a w
itnes
s to
vo
lcan
ism o
f a la
va la
ke t
he b
otto
m o
f its
cra
ter i
s in
fact
fille
d by
a la
ke o
f qua
si pe
rman
ent l
ava
that
em
ptie
s pe
riodi
cally
with
cat
astro
phic
con
sequ
ence
s fo
r the
loca
l com
mun
ities
The
nor
ther
n se
ctor
of
the
park
incl
udes
abo
ut 2
0 o
f the
mas
sif o
f Mon
ts
Rwen
zori
ndash th
e la
rges
t gla
cial
regi
on o
f Afri
ca a
nd
the
only
true
alpi
ne m
ount
ain
chai
n of
the
cont
inen
t It
bord
ers
the
Rwen
zori
Mou
ntai
ns N
atio
nal P
ark
of
Ugan
da i
nscr
ibed
as
Wor
ld H
erita
ge w
ith w
hich
it
shar
es th
e lsquoP
ic M
argu
erite
rsquo th
ird h
ighe
st s
umm
it of
Af
rica
(51
09 m
)
Them
e 4
The
Viru
nga
mas
sif
com
pris
es e
ight
vol
cano
es s
even
of
whi
ch a
re lo
cate
d to
tally
or
parti
ally
in th
e pa
rk A
mon
g th
em
are
the
two
mos
t act
ive v
olca
noes
of
Afri
ca ndash
Nya
mur
agira
and
nea
rby
Nyira
gong
o ndash
whi
ch b
etw
een
them
ar
e re
spon
sibl
e fo
r tw
o-fif
ths
of th
e hi
stor
ic v
olca
nic
erup
tions
on
the
Afric
an c
ontin
ent a
nd w
hich
are
ch
arac
teriz
ed b
y th
e ex
trem
e flu
idity
of
the
alka
line
lava
The
act
ivity
of
Nyira
gong
o is
of w
orld
impo
rtanc
e as
a w
itnes
s to
vol
cani
sm o
f a la
va
lake
the
bot
tom
of i
ts c
rate
r is
in fa
ct
fille
d by
a la
ke o
f qua
si p
erm
anen
t la
va th
at e
mpt
ies
perio
dica
lly w
ith
cata
stro
phic
con
sequ
ence
s fo
r the
lo
cal c
omm
uniti
es
1979
(vii)
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Dem
-oc
ratic
Re
publ
ic
of th
e Co
ngo
Afric
a
Volc
anoe
s of
Ka
mch
atka
4Th
e ad
ditio
n of
Klu
chev
skoy
Nat
ure
Park
as
the
sixt
h co
mpo
nent
of t
he p
rope
rty fu
rther
add
s to
the
over
all c
over
age
of th
e ra
nge
of K
amch
atka
rsquos n
atur
al
feat
ures
The
add
ition
to th
e si
te c
lear
ly m
eets
cr
iterio
n (v
iii) in
its
own
right
as
an o
utst
andi
ng
exam
ple
of g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es a
nd la
ndfo
rms
and
ther
efor
e co
ntrib
utes
in a
ver
y si
gnifi
cant
way
to th
e ex
pand
ed p
rope
rty a
s a
who
le m
eetin
g cr
iterio
n (v
iii)
Them
e 4
One
of t
he m
ost
outs
tand
ing
volc
anic
regi
ons
in th
e w
orld
with
a h
igh
dens
ity o
f act
ive
volc
anoe
s a
var
iety
of t
ypes
and
a
wid
e ra
nge
of re
late
d fe
atur
es T
he s
ix si
tes
incl
uded
in th
e se
rial p
rope
rty
grou
p to
geth
er th
e m
ajor
ity o
f vol
cani
c fe
atur
es o
f the
Kam
chat
ka p
enin
sula
Th
e in
terp
lay
of a
ctive
vol
cano
es a
nd
glac
iers
form
s a
dyna
mic
land
scap
e of
gr
eat b
eaut
y
1996
(200
1)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Russ
ian
Fede
ra-
tion
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
108 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 109
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Vred
efor
t Dom
e11
Vred
efor
t Dom
e is
the
olde
st l
arge
st a
nd m
ost
deep
ly er
oded
com
plex
met
eorit
e im
pact
stru
ctur
e in
th
e w
orld
It i
s th
e si
te o
f the
wor
ldrsquos
gre
ates
t sin
gle
kn
own
ener
gy re
leas
e ev
ent
It co
ntai
ns h
igh
qual
ity
and
acce
ssib
le g
eolo
gica
l (ou
tcro
p) s
ites
whi
ch
dem
onst
rate
a ra
nge
of g
eolo
gica
l evid
ence
s of
a
com
plex
met
eorit
e im
pact
stru
ctur
e T
he ru
ral a
nd
natu
ral l
ands
cape
s of
the
seria
l pro
perty
hel
p po
rtray
th
e m
agni
tude
of t
he ri
ng s
truct
ures
resu
lting
from
th
e im
pact
The
ser
ial p
rope
rty is
con
side
red
to b
e a
repr
esen
tativ
e sa
mpl
e of
a c
ompl
ex m
eteo
rite
impa
ct s
truct
ure
A c
ompr
ehen
sive
com
para
tive
anal
ysis
with
oth
er c
ompl
ex m
eteo
rite
impa
ct
stru
ctur
es d
emon
stra
ted
that
it is
the
only
exam
ple
on E
arth
pro
vidin
g a
full
geol
ogic
al p
rofil
e of
an
astro
blem
e be
low
the
crat
er fl
oor
ther
eby
enab
ling
rese
arch
into
the
gene
sis
and
deve
lopm
ent o
f an
astro
blem
e im
med
iate
ly po
st im
pact
Them
e 11
The
old
est
larg
est
and
mos
t dee
ply
erod
ed c
ompl
ex
met
eorit
e im
pact
stru
ctur
e in
the
wor
ld T
he s
ite o
f the
wor
ldrsquos
gre
ates
t si
ngle
kno
wn
ener
gy re
leas
e ev
ent
2005
(viii)
Natu
ral
Sout
h Af
rica
Afric
a
Wad
den
Sea
7Th
e W
adde
n Se
a is
a d
epos
ition
al c
oast
line
of
unpa
ralle
led
scal
e an
d di
vers
ity I
t is
dist
inct
ive in
be
ing
alm
ost e
ntire
ly a
tidal
flat
and
bar
rier s
yste
m
with
onl
y m
inor
rive
r infl
uenc
es a
nd a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
the
larg
e-sc
ale
deve
lopm
ent o
f an
intri
cate
and
com
plex
tem
pera
te-c
limat
e sa
ndy
barri
er c
oast
und
er c
ondi
tions
of r
isin
g se
a-le
vel
High
ly dy
nam
ic n
atur
al p
roce
sses
are
uni
nter
rupt
ed
acro
ss th
e va
st m
ajor
ity o
f the
pro
perty
cre
atin
g a
varie
ty o
f diff
eren
t bar
rier i
slan
ds c
hann
els
fla
ts g
ullie
s s
altm
arsh
es a
nd o
ther
coa
stal
and
se
dim
enta
ry fe
atur
es
Them
e 7
The
larg
est u
nbro
ken
syst
em o
f int
ertid
al s
and
and
mud
fla
ts in
the
wor
ld
2009
(201
4)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Denm
ark
Ge
rman
y Ne
ther
-la
nds
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Wad
i Al-H
itan
(Wha
le V
alle
y)1
Wad
i Al-H
itan
is th
e m
ost i
mpo
rtant
site
in th
e w
orld
to
dem
onst
rate
one
of t
he ic
onic
cha
nges
that
mak
e up
the
reco
rd o
f life
on
Earth
the
evo
lutio
n of
the
wha
les
It p
ortra
ys v
ividl
y th
eir f
orm
and
mod
e of
life
du
ring
thei
r tra
nsiti
on fr
om la
nd a
nim
als
to a
mar
ine
exis
tenc
e It
exc
eeds
the
valu
es o
f oth
er c
ompa
rabl
e si
tes
in te
rms
of th
e nu
mbe
r co
ncen
tratio
n an
d qu
ality
of i
ts fo
ssils
and
thei
r acc
essi
bilit
y an
d se
tting
in a
n at
tract
ive a
nd p
rote
cted
land
scap
e
Them
e 1
Wad
i Al-H
itan
is th
e m
ost i
mpo
rtant
site
in th
e w
orld
to
dem
onst
rate
one
of t
he ic
onic
ch
ange
s th
at m
ake
up th
e re
cord
of
life
on
Earth
the
evo
lutio
n of
the
wha
les
durin
g th
eir t
rans
ition
from
la
nd a
nim
als
to a
mar
ine
exis
tenc
e
2005
(viii)
Natu
ral
Egyp
tAr
ab
Stat
es
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
110 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 111
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Wes
t Nor
weg
ian
Fjor
ds ndash
Ge
irang
erfjo
rd
and
Naeligroslash
yfjo
rd
9Th
e W
est N
orw
egia
n Fj
ords
are
cla
ssic
sup
erbl
y de
velo
ped
fjord
s c
onsi
dere
d as
the
type
loca
lity
for
fjord
land
scap
es in
the
wor
ld T
hey
are
com
para
ble
in s
cale
and
qua
lity
to o
ther
exis
ting
fjord
s on
the
Wor
ld H
erita
ge L
ist a
nd a
re d
istin
guis
hed
by th
e cl
imat
e an
d ge
olog
ical
set
ting
The
pro
perty
dis
play
s a
full
rang
e of
the
inne
r seg
men
ts o
f tw
o of
the
wor
ldrsquos
long
est a
nd d
eepe
st fj
ords
and
pro
vides
w
ell-d
evel
oped
exa
mpl
es o
f you
ng a
ctive
gla
ciat
ion
durin
g th
e Pl
eist
ocen
e ic
e ag
e T
he ic
e- a
nd w
ave-
polis
hed
surfa
ces
of th
e st
eep
fjord
sid
es p
rovid
e su
perb
ly ex
pose
d an
d co
ntin
uous
thre
e-di
men
sion
al
sect
ions
thro
ugh
the
bedr
ock
The
reco
rd o
f the
po
stgl
acia
l iso
stat
ic re
boun
d of
the
crus
t and
its
geom
orph
ic e
xpre
ssio
n in
the
fjord
land
scap
e ar
e si
gnifi
cant
and
repr
esen
t key
are
as fo
r the
sc
ient
ific
stud
y of
slo
pe in
stab
ility
and
the
resu
lting
ge
ohaz
ards
Them
e 9
The
pro
perty
dis
play
s a
full
rang
e of
the
inne
r seg
men
ts o
f tw
o of
the
wor
ldrsquos
long
est a
nd d
eepe
st
fjord
s a
nd p
rovid
es w
ell-d
evel
oped
ex
ampl
es o
f you
ng a
ctive
gla
ciat
ion
durin
g th
e Pl
eist
ocen
e ic
e ag
e T
he
ice-
and
wav
e-po
lishe
d su
rface
s of
th
e st
eep
fjord
sid
es p
rovid
e su
perb
ly ex
pose
d an
d co
ntin
uous
thre
e-di
men
sion
al s
ectio
ns th
roug
h th
e be
droc
k T
he re
cord
of t
he p
ostg
laci
al
isos
tatic
rebo
und
of th
e cr
ust a
nd
its g
eom
orph
ic e
xpre
ssio
n in
the
fjord
land
scap
e ar
e si
gnifi
cant
and
re
pres
ent k
ey a
reas
for t
he s
cien
tific
stud
y of
slo
pe in
stab
ility
and
the
resu
lting
geo
haza
rds
2005
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Norw
ayEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Wet
Tro
pics
of
Quee
nsla
nd1
The
Wet
Tro
pics
con
tain
s on
e of
the
mos
t com
plet
e an
d di
vers
e liv
ing
reco
rds
of th
e m
ajor
sta
ges
in
the
evol
utio
n of
land
pla
nts
from
the
very
firs
t pt
erid
ophy
tes
mor
e th
an 2
00 m
illion
yea
rs a
go to
th
e ev
olut
ion
of s
eed-
prod
ucin
g pl
ants
incl
udin
g th
e co
ne-b
earin
g cy
cads
and
sou
ther
n co
nife
rs
(gym
nosp
erm
s) f
ollo
wed
by
the
flow
erin
g pl
ants
(a
ngio
sper
ms)
As
the
Wet
Tro
pics
is th
e la
rges
t par
t of
the
entir
e Au
stra
lasi
an re
gion
whe
re ra
info
rest
s ha
ve p
ersi
sted
con
tinuo
usly
sinc
e Go
ndw
anan
tim
es i
ts li
ving
flora
with
the
high
est c
once
ntra
tion
of p
rimiti
ve a
rcha
ic a
nd re
lict t
axa
know
n is
the
clos
est m
oder
n-da
y co
unte
rpar
t for
Gon
dwan
an
fore
sts
In a
dditi
on a
ll of
Aus
tralia
rsquos u
niqu
e m
arsu
pial
s an
d m
ost o
f its
oth
er a
nim
als
orig
inat
ed
in ra
info
rest
eco
syst
ems
and
the
Wet
Tro
pics
stil
l co
ntai
ns m
any
of th
eir c
lose
st s
urviv
ing
mem
bers
Th
is m
akes
it o
ne o
f the
mos
t im
porta
nt li
ving
reco
rds
of th
e hi
stor
y of
mar
supi
als
as
wel
l as
of
song
bird
s
Them
e 1
The
livin
g pl
ants
in th
is
prop
erty
are
sta
ted
to re
pres
ent
lsquomaj
or s
tage
s in
the
evol
utio
n of
land
pl
ants
fro
m th
e ve
ry fi
rst l
and
plan
ts
to h
ighe
r pla
nts
(Gym
nosp
erm
s an
d An
gios
perm
s)rsquo
1988
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
110 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 111
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Will
andr
a La
kes
Regi
on5
1Th
e Au
stra
lian
geol
ogica
l env
ironm
ent
with
its
low
to
pogr
aphi
c re
lief a
nd lo
w e
nerg
y sy
stem
s is
uniq
ue
in th
e lo
ngev
ity o
f the
land
scap
es it
pre
serv
es a
nd
the
Willa
ndra
Lak
es p
rovid
es a
n ex
cept
iona
l win
dow
in
to c
limat
ic an
d re
late
d en
viron
men
tal c
hang
es o
ver
the
last
100
000
yea
rs T
he W
illand
ra L
akes
lar
gely
unm
odifi
ed s
ince
they
drie
d ou
t som
e 18
500
yea
rs
BP p
rovid
e ex
celle
nt c
ondi
tions
for r
ecor
ding
the
even
ts o
f the
Ple
istoc
ene
Epoc
h a
nd d
emon
stra
te h
ow
non-
glac
iate
d zo
nes
resp
onde
d to
the
maj
or g
lacia
l-in
terg
lacia
l fluc
tuat
ions
Th
e de
mon
stra
tion
at th
is pr
oper
ty o
f the
clo
se
inte
rcon
nect
ion
betw
een
land
form
s an
d pe
doge
nesis
pa
laeo
chem
istry
clim
atol
ogy
arch
aeol
ogy
arch
aeom
agne
tism
rad
ioca
rbon
dat
ing
pal
aeoe
colo
gy
and
faun
al e
xtin
ctio
n re
pres
ents
a c
lass
ic la
ndm
ark
in
Plei
stoc
ene
rese
arch
in th
e Au
stra
lasia
n ar
ea W
illand
ra
Lake
s Re
gion
is a
lso o
f exc
eptio
nal im
porta
nce
for
inve
stig
atin
g th
e pe
riod
whe
n hu
man
s be
cam
e do
min
ant i
n Au
stra
lia a
nd th
e la
rge
spec
ies
of w
ildlife
be
cam
e ex
tinct
and
rese
arch
con
tinue
s to
elu
cidat
e w
hat r
ole
hum
ans
play
ed in
thes
e ev
ents
Them
e 5
1 W
illand
ra L
akes
pro
vides
an
exc
eptio
nal w
indo
w in
to c
limat
ic
and
rela
ted
envir
onm
enta
l cha
nges
ov
er th
e la
st 1
000
00 y
ears
a p
erio
d of
maj
or c
limat
ic c
hang
es w
hen
hum
ans
beca
me
dom
inan
t in
Aust
ralia
an
d la
rge
spec
ies
of w
ildlif
e be
cam
e ex
tinct
1981
(iii)(
viii)
Mixe
dAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Yello
wst
one
Natio
nal P
ark
4Ye
llow
ston
e is
one
of t
he w
orld
rsquos fo
rem
ost s
ites
for t
he s
tudy
and
app
reci
atio
n of
the
evol
utio
nary
hi
stor
y of
the
Earth
The
par
k ha
s a
glob
ally
unpa
ralle
led
asse
mbl
age
of s
urfic
ial g
eoth
erm
al
activ
ity t
hous
ands
of h
ot s
prin
gs m
udpo
ts a
nd
fum
arol
es a
nd m
ore
than
hal
f of t
he w
orld
rsquos a
ctive
ge
yser
s N
early
150
spe
cies
of f
ossi
l pla
nts
rang
ing
from
sm
all f
erns
and
rush
es u
p to
larg
e Se
quoi
a an
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any
othe
r tre
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ecie
s h
ave
been
iden
tified
in th
e pa
rkrsquos
abu
ndan
t fos
sil d
epos
its T
he w
orld
rsquos la
rges
t re
cogn
ized
cald
era
(45
km b
y 75
km
ndash 2
7 m
iles
by
45 m
iles)
is c
onta
ined
with
in th
e pa
rk
Them
e 4
Yel
low
ston
e Na
tiona
l Pa
rk is
the
wor
ldrsquos
firs
t nat
iona
l pa
rk s
et a
side
to p
rese
rve
a w
ide
varie
ty o
f you
ng v
olca
nic
and
rela
ted
hydr
othe
rmal
feat
ures
Yel
low
ston
e co
ntai
ns h
alf o
f all
the
wor
ldrsquos
kno
wn
geot
herm
al fe
atur
es w
ith m
ore
than
10
000
exam
ples
It a
lso
has
the
wor
ldrsquos
larg
est c
once
ntra
tion
of
geys
ers
(mor
e th
an 3
00 g
eyse
rs o
r tw
o th
irds
of a
ll th
ose
on th
e pl
anet
)
1978
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Yose
mite
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk9
Glac
ial a
ctio
n co
mbi
ned
with
the
gran
itic
bedr
ock
has
prod
uced
uni
que
and
pron
ounc
ed la
ndfo
rm
feat
ures
incl
udin
g di
stin
ctive
pol
ishe
d do
me
stru
ctur
es a
s w
ell a
s ha
ngin
g va
lleys
tar
ns
mor
aine
s an
d U-
shap
ed v
alle
ys G
rani
tic la
ndfo
rms
such
as
Half
Dom
e an
d th
e ve
rtica
l wal
ls o
f El
Capi
tan
are
clas
sic
dist
inct
ive re
flect
ions
of g
eolo
gic
hist
ory
No o
ther
are
a po
rtray
s th
e ef
fect
s of
gl
acia
tion
on u
nder
lying
gra
nitic
dom
es a
s w
ell a
s Yo
sem
ite d
oes
Them
e 9
Gla
cial
act
ion
com
bine
d w
ith th
e gr
aniti
c be
droc
k ha
s pr
oduc
ed u
niqu
e an
d pr
onou
nced
la
ndfo
rm fe
atur
es in
clud
ing
dist
inct
ive
polis
hed
dom
e st
ruct
ures
as
wel
l as
hang
ing
valle
ys t
arns
mor
aine
s an
d U-
shap
ed v
alle
ys
1984
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
112 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
From Wells 1996 p 40-41
Annex 2 Contextual framework for World Heritage fossil propertiesContextual framework for World Heritage Fossil Sites 40
Summary Recommendations
RECOMMENDATION 1Choose sites that contain well-preserved fossil accumulations of high species diversity which in combination best document the story of community and environmental change through time
RECOMMENDATION 2The events to be represented in the history of life should where possible encompass the iconography of a tree of life not a ladder of progress
RECOMMENDATION 3Choose fossil Lagerstatten and make provision for expanding the List or substituting sitesfossils to better tell any chapter of the story
RECOMMENDATION 4Separate Precambrian history from Phanerozoic history (the roots from the upper branches of the evolutionary tree respectively) Present Precambrian history as major events such as the origin of life multicellularity etc andPresent Phanerozoic history in terms of communities andor stages in the evolution of major groups
Contextual framework for World Heritage Fossil Sites 41
RECOMMENDATION 5All published Precambrian fossil sites should be reviewed by anexpert panel to select those worthy of evaluation for Heritagelisting This may be best achieved through a panel drawn fromthe international palaeontological societies
RECOMMENDATION 6Phanerozoic sites should be chosen so as to be representative in timeand space of both community structure and selected phylogeneticlineages
RECOMMENDATION 7Any fossil Lagerstatten chosen from the Phanerozoic shouldwherever possible be of high diversity and include significantinvertebrate as well as vertebrate assemblages
RECOMMENDATION 8A condition for granting World Heritage status should makeprovision for curation study and display of any sitefossils
RECOMMENDATION 9Specialists in the major Phanerozoic groups and time periodsshould be consulted to refine and update the indicative list Thismay be best achieved through a panel drawn from theinternational palaeontological societies
Footnote Fossil Lagerstatten A term used by the German palaeontologistAdolf Seilacher to describe exceptionally rich fossil deposits He dividedsuch deposits into two categories (i) Conservation Lagerstatten which aredeposits yielding fossils of exceptional preservation which are notnecessarily abundant (ii) Concentration Lagerstatten yielding highnumbers of fossils The two categories are not necessarily mutuallyexclusive and some sites contain both high numbers and high quality offossils
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 113
From Preparing World Heritage Nominations UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2011 p 42)
Annex 3 IUCN fossil site evaluation checklist
IUCN has undertaken a global thematic study on geological World Heritage (Dingwall et al2005) The study provides further guidance on this criterion and enables further considera-tion of the scope of the World Heritage List in relation to thirteen different thematic groupsof geological properties
EXAMPLE
Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) (Egypt)
Wadi Al-Hitan Whale Valley in the Western Desert ofEgypt contains invaluable fossil remains of the earliestand now extinct suborder of whales ArchaeocetiThese fossils represent one of the major stories of evo-lution the emergence of the whale as an ocean-goingmammal from a previous life as a land-based animalThis is the most important site in the world for thedemonstration of this stage of evolution It portrays
Co
nt
en
ts
Prep
arin
g W
orld
Her
itag
e N
omin
atio
ns bull
Sec
ond
edit
ion
201
1
42
World Heritage background1
copy U
NES
CO
V
eacuteron
ique
Dau
ge
IUCN fossil site evaluation checklist
1 Does the site provide fossils which cover an extended period of geological time ie how wide is the geological window
2 Does the site provide specimens of a limited number of species or whole biotic assemblages ie how rich is the species diversity
3 How unique is the site in yielding fossil specimens for that particular period of geologicaltime ie would this be the rsquotype localityrsquo for study or are there similar areas that are alternatives
4 Are there comparable sites elsewhere that contribute to the understanding of the totalrsquostoryrsquo of that point in timespace ie is a single site nomination sufficient or should a serial nomination be considered
5 Is the site the only main location where major scientific advances were (or are) beingmade that have made a substantial contribution to the understanding of life on Earth
6 What are the prospects for ongoing discoveries at the site
7 How international is the level of interest in the site
8 Are there other features of natural value (eg scenery landform vegetation) associatedwith the site ie does there exist within the adjacent area modern geological or biological processes that relate to the fossil resource
9 What is the state of preservation of specimens yielded from the site
10 Do the fossils yielded provide an understanding of the conservation status of contemporary taxa andor communities ie how relevant is the site in documenting the consequences to modern biota of gradual change through time
Source Wells (1996)
114 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
With permission from Goldscheider et al (2020) red triangles on Figure 18 depicting the locations of World Heritage Properties with karst OUV their numbers referring to the list of World Heritage karst sites
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
5 Australia Purnululu 2003 viiviii Outstanding example of quartz sand-stone fluviokarst with beehive-shaped hills separated by narrow sinuous gorg-es Developed on rocks of Devonian age
Tropical savannah re-gime
9 Canada Nahanni Nation-al Park
1978 viiviii Worldrsquos foremost example of karst development in cold climate condi-tions Contains a spectacular karst landscape including poljes caves and gorges and hot spring with large tufa mound Landscape is subject to active frost processes
Cold continental climate with wide monthly vari-ations in temperature and precipitation Alpine tundra and mountainous taiga environments with discontinuous perma-frost Rich diversity of vegetation and wildlife
10 Canada Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
1984 (1990)
viiviii Includes large areas of limestones and dolomites Outstanding example of glaciokarst terrain Many karren sub-terranean streams springs and caves Columbia Icefield partly overlies and intrudes Castleguard Cave
Located across conti-nental divide between 1036 m to 3954 m Continental cool temper-ate alpine climate with mountain permafrost Rich diversity of vegeta-tion and wildlife
11 China Huanglong 1992 vii Hot springs emerging from carbon-ate rocks have precipitated extensive calcareous travertine deposits along valley floor with numerous rimstone pools Represents depositional output landforms of deeply circulating karst groundwater system
Warm temperate con-tinental alpine environ-ment Forested valleys surrounded by moun-tains to 5000 m
12 China Jiuzhaigou Valley
1992 vii Extensive areas of limestone and do-lomite Carbonate tufa deposits from cold springs have formed a series of tufa-dammed lakes and tufa-coated cascades along valley floor Represents depositional output landforms of shal-low karst groundwater system with significant epikarst water contribution
Warm temperate con-tinental alpine environ-ment Forested valleys surrounded by moun-tains to 4800 m
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 115
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
13 China Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area
1992 vii A mixed quartz sandstone (66) and limestone (33) area most notable for 3100 sandstone pillars and peaks to 200 m high separated by ravines and gorges Limestone part contains about 40 known caves with rich decoration and two natural bridges one of which is 357m high Includes entire Suoxi karst catchment Particularly outstand-ing for its spectacular sandstone fluvio-karst relief
Humid warm temperate climate with deciduous forest Altitude range 450 m to 1264 m
15 China South China Karst
2007 (2014)
vii viii Seven sites of a serial nomination that represent karst evolution in southern China Shilin comprises stone forests on a rolling plateau in Yunnan Jinfos-han is an isolated high plateau with huge horizontal caves suspended above deep surrounding valleys Wu-long is plateau karst with spectacular tiankeng natural bridges deep caves and gorges Shibing illustrates unusual cone karst development in dolomite bedrock Libo has extensive forested cone karst (fengcong and fenglin) poljes gorges and caves with Huanji-ang being an extension of the protect-ed area Guilin shows the culmination of subtropical karst development with spectacular cones and towers beside the River Li These areas provide type-sites for their principal karst features
Continental humid sub-tropical plateau (Shilin Jinfoshan Wulong) to subtropical monsoonal (Shibing Libo Huanji-ang Guilin) Extensive natural forest cover at Libo-Huanjiang
16 Croatia Plitvice Lakes National Park
1979 (2000)
viiviii ix International type-site for tufa-dammed lakes Carbonate biolith barriers confine 16 lakes up to 08 km2 in area and up to 46 m deep Mixed limestone and dolomitic limestone catchment area
Continental humid warm temperate Mixed co-niferous and deciduous forested catchment
22 France Spain
Pyreacuteneacutees - Mont Perdu
1997 (1999)
iii iv v vii viii
Outstanding example of alpine glaci-ated karst to 3352 m with extensive karrenfeld deep canyons deep caves and subterranean river systems Incor-porates complete karst systems
Humid maritime alpine climate to north and drier Mediterranean climate to south with associated complex vegetation zo-nation
23 Greece Meteora 1988 iiiivvvii Sheer towers and pillars 10 to gt100 m high developed in early Tertiary deltaic quartz conglomerate often fluted with closely spaced vertical karren (the tow-ers support almost inaccessible mon-astery buildings) Fluviokarst
Mean altitude 300 m rising to 1000 m Medi-terranean climate
24 Hungary Slovakia
Caves of Ag-gtelek Karst and Slovak Karst
1995 (2000)
viii Area contains 712 caves Variety of cave types including Dobšinskaacute Ice Cave and speleothem forms with stalagmites to 327 m high Surface landscape is a temperate doline karst with some evidence of a prior humid tropical or subtropical influence which has evolved intermittently since the Cretaceous
Continental humid tem-perate
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
116 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
25 Indonesia Lorentz National Park
1999 viii ix x Largest protected area in SE Asia (235M ha) Continuous transect from snow caps (5030 m) to tropical coast Worldrsquos best example of tropical alpine glaciated karst Extensive humid trop-ical karst occurs at lower elevations Huge sinking rivers and springs
From the mountains to the sea Tropical glaci-ated alpine to lowland tropical rainforest
29 Korea Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes
2007 vii viii Oustanding example of vulcanokarst a special style of pseudokarst This in-cludes Geomunoreum lava tubes which are notable for spectacular decoration with carbonate speleothems the car-bonate being derived from overlying calcareous dune sands blown in from the coast
Warm temperate mon-soonal
30 Mada-gascar
Tsingy de Be-maraha Strict Nature Reserve
1990 vii x Extensive areas of very sharp limestone pinnacle karst known locally as lsquotsingyrsquo with joint corridors up to 80 m deep occupied by forest Traversed by river gorges May be the worldrsquos most spec-tacular pinnacled terrain
Tropical seasonally arid
31 Malaysia Gunung Mulu 2000 vii viii ix x
The park has a significant area of karst in Miocene limestone that contains large underground rivers and gt290 km of explored caves including Sarawak Chamber (700 m long 300-400 m wide and up to 100m high) ndash the worldrsquos largest underground room Caves con-tain major speleothem deposits and 15 million year sediment sequences Rich cave biota especially notable for bats and swiftlets Surface features include giant collapse dolines and spectacular razor-sharp pinnacle karst (ca 50 m high)
Humid tropical rainforest with 17 vegetation zones covering altitude range to 2377 m
34 Palau Rock Islands Southern La-goon
2012 iii v vii ix x
A superb example of 445 partly drowned well-karstified coral islands with flooded closed depressions as marine lakes
Western Pacific oceanic tropical humid
35 Philip-pines
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park
1999 vii x Spectacular tropical karst landscape in middle Miocene limestone on Pala-wan Island extending from mountains to the sea Contains polygonal karst towers and polje Major underground river drains directly to the sea lower portions of cave are tidal and navigable for 6 km
Humid tropical rainforest environment Most sig-nificant forest in Palawan Biogeographical Prov-ince
37 Russian Federa-tion
Lena Pillars Nature Park
2012 viii Dolomitic limestone pillars along edges of Lena River and tributaries Pillars were isolated by paleo-dissolution along joints beneath thick gravel cover and are revealed along valley sides by frost processes and fluvial undercutting Karst features include groundwater circulation and small flutes
Worldrsquos most extreme continental climate with permafrost at base of soil extending to depth of several hundred me-tres
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 117
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
38 Russian Federa-tion
Western Cau-casus
1999 vii x A geologically complex region rising to over 3000 m The northern section consists of alpine karst in Triassic lime-stones much of it glaciated Includes glaciokarst features many deep gorges and deep caves Incorporates com-plete karst systems
Temperate to alpine con-tinental climate Largely undisturbed deciduous and coniferous forest and alpine meadows
40 Slovenia Škocjan Caves 1986 vii viii Located in the lsquoclassicalrsquo karst of Eu-rope The property comprises a sink-ing river at the end of blind valley the exposed course of the underground river flowing across the base of deep collapse depressions and a large river cave with a high canyon passage It is representative of the input of an allo-genic river into a karst system
Continental Mediterra-nean climate
42 South Africa
Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa
1999 (2005)
iii vi A cluster of karst sites in Proterozoic dolomite bedrock that contain remains of some of the earliest hominids as well as many other species The caves contain internationally outstanding ex-amples of cave sediments with fossils that were deposited over an interval of several million years into very ancient karst systems
Subtropical High Veldt savannah environment
45 Turkey Hierapo-lis-Pamukkale
1988 iii iv vii Extensive and 200 m high valleyside travertine terrace with rimstone pools formed by carbonate deposition from geothermal water emerging at 59oC Used as a spa since 2nd century BC Possibly the worldrsquos earliest karst tour-ist site still in use Significant human impact
Warm temperate Medi-terranean environment
46 UK Pitcairn Islands
Henderson Island
1988 vii x Raised coral atoll 30 km2 in area with rough karstified lsquomakatearsquo plateau sur-face at about 30 m above sea level with central depression that may have been former lagoon Island is bounded by 15 m high cliffs and fringing reef to 200 m wide Limestone considered late Ter-tiary in age An outstanding example of early phase of karstification with intact natural processes but scientifically unevaluated Some caves
Tropical humid maritime climate supporting thick cover of trees and dense undergrowth The only raised and forested atoll with its ecology intact
48 USA Mammoth Cave National Park
1981 vii viii x The longest cave in the world with 590 km of surveyed river passages often large in dimension and gently sloping The karst is developed in Lower Car-boniferous (Mississippian) limestone and cave evolution commenced fol-lowing uplift and exposure three to four million years ago Extensive sinkhole plain at the surface Large springs Rich troglobitic fauna The inflow margin of the karst is located beyond the Park boundary
Humid warm temperate continental climate De-ciduous forest cover
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
118 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
49 USA Carlsbad Cav-erns National Park
1995 vii viii Huge caverns extensively decorated with speleothems are a major feature of the park The 81 known caves mainly occur in uplifted Permian reef lime-stones Outstanding karst extends into neighbouring Guadalupe National Park The regionrsquos caves provide the worldrsquos foremost example of evolution by sul-phuric acid dissolution which occurred progressively between 12 and four million years ago Surface topography on back-reef dolomites and limestones is dominated by dry valleys High bio-diversity including about 1 million bat population
Subtropical semi-arid continental climate
50 Venezu-ela
Canaima Na-tional Park
1994 vii viii ix x
The most outstanding example in the world of cave development in quartzite (Precambrian age) Caves occur to 108 km long and 383 m deep En-closed depressions and stream-sinks on plateau (tepuy) surface around 2650 m Springs emerge in tepuy walls A fluviokarst landscape
Humid tropical upland rainforest environment
51 Viet Nam Ha Long Bay 1994 (2000)
vii viii The worldrsquos most extensive and best- known example of tropical tower karst invaded by the sea The Park area includes about 775 islands some with caves Incorporates areas of fengcong and fenglin karst Significant human impact from surrounding development
Humid tropical mon-soonal environment
52 Viet Nam Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
2003 (2015)
viii Extensive and complex karst develop-ment in dissected plateau environment to 1290 m above sea level that con-tinues across border into Laos Long history of karst landscape evolution possibly since early Mesozoic Major caves and underground rivers and ex-tensive enclosed depressions (polje)
Humid tropical mon-soonal environment with largely undisturbed ev-ergreen primary forest Rich biodiversity
53 Viet Nam Trang An Land-scape Complex
2014 v vii viii Tower karst in its end stages near sea level Numerous navigable foot-caves and extensive swamp notch and ma-rine notch development reflecting sea level changes
Humid tropical mon-soonal environment in coastal context
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
Geological W
orld Heritage A revised global framew
ork for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
IUCN
INTERNATIONAL UNIONFOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE
WORLD HEADQUARTERSRue Mauverney 281196 Gland SwitzerlandTel +41 22 999 0000Fax +41 22 999 0002wwwiucnorg
Geological World Heritage A revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage ConventionPatrick J Mc Keever and Guy M NarbonneWith contributions by Ulrika Aringberg Loviacutesa Aacutesbjoumlrnsdoacutettir Joseacute Brilha Tom Casadevall Tove Damholt Piotr Migoń S Felix Toteu Paul Williams and Kyung Sik Woo
The designation of geographical entities in this book and the presentation of the material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN or other participating organisations concerning the legal status of any country territory or area or of its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries
The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN or other participating organisations
IUCN is pleased to acknowledge the support of its Framework Partners who provide core funding Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland Government of France and the French Development Agency (AFD) the Ministry of Environment Republic of Korea the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the United States Department of State
This publication has been made possible in part by funding from the Cultural Heritage Administration Republic of Korea
Published by IUCN Gland Switzerland
Produced by IUCN World Heritage Programme
Copyright copy 2021 IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorised without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged
Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder
Recommended citation Mc Keever PJ and Narbonne GM (2021) Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Gland Switzerland IUCN
ISBN 978-2-8317-2141-5 (PDF)
DOI httpsdoiorg102305IUCNCH202112en
Cover photo Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina) copy Philipp Schinz
Layout by Guilder Design Dublin Ireland (wwwguilderdesigncom)
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | iii
Contents
Executive summary iv
List of acronyms v
Acknowledgements vi
Introduction 1
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life 6
Theme 2 Tectonic systems 11
Theme 3 Erosional systems 16
Theme 4 Volcanic systems 20
Theme 5 River lake and delta systems 24
Theme 6 Cave and karst systems 28
Theme 7 Coastal systems 32
Theme 8 Marine systems 36
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems 38
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systems 42
Theme 11 Meteorite impacts 45
Comparative analysis 49
Integrity 50
Protection and management 50
Boundaries 50
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks51
Conclusions 58
References 60
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties 62
Annex 2 Contextual framework for World Heritage fossil properties 112
Annex 3 IUCN fossil site evaluation checklist 113
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world 114
iv | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Executive summary
In 2005 IUCN published a report entitled Geological World Heritage A Global Framework (Dingwall et al 2005) httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode12797 The aim of that report was to discuss and advise on the role of the World Heritage Convention in recognising and protecting geological and geomorphological heritage By using a thematic approach the 2005 report aimed to assist States Parties in undertaking global comparative analyses of properties prior to and as part of new nominations under
criterion (viii) assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors to identify possible gaps in coverage of the World Heritage List assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors in their evaluation of new nominations of properties under criterion (viii)
(to be outstanding examples representing major stages of Earthrsquos history including the record of life significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphic or physiographic feature)
The report identified 13 themes and since its publication an additional 22 geological and geomorphological properties have been inscribed on the World Heritage List under criterion (viii)
Furthermore in 2015 UNESCO adopted the new International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) which recognises a new site-level designation the UNESCO Global Geopark which are territories of internationally significant geological heritage As of June 2021 there are 169 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 44 countries
Since 2005 several of the themes identified in Geological World Heritage A Global Framework have been subject to substantial individual studies The UNESCO World Heritage Committee in both 2013 and 2014 requested IUCN to revise its thematic study on geological sites to refine the proposed 13 themes articulate the threshold of Outstanding Universal Value and clarify the difference between the criterion (viii) of the World Heritage selection criteria and Geoparks status (noting that at that time Geoparks were not a UNESCO designation)
Accordingly the aim of the present study is to fully revise and update the 2005 report and to look at the potential impact of the new UNESCO Global Geopark designation on future inscriptions to the World Heritage List under criterion (viii) Central to this task is a discussion on the concept of Outstanding Universal Value and reiteration that not all sites of significance can be included on the World Heritage List This aim of the report has been achieved through a thorough review of the 2005 report and in particular the thematic approach to geology that the report used This review has led to the proposal of a rationalised set of 11 themes to guide the application of criterion (viii) For each of the 11 themes this report analyses what each theme covers what was listed as World Heritage by 2005 and since 2005 whether the advice available at the present is sufficient for each theme how well each theme is now represented on the World Heritage list including geographical representation and finally tries to identify if there are any key issues that this study has uncovered This report also examines the processes of comparative analysis and questions of site integrity in relation to properties listed for geological and geomorphological values
Finally this report looks in detail at the differences and similarities between geological World Heritage Properties recognised under criterion (viii) and UNESCO Global Geoparks It examines each designation and presents a pathway to help States Parties Member States to determine whether one of these two UNESCO designations might be appropriate for any possible new territories and in particular to distinguish sites with the potential for inscription on the World Heritage List
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | v
List of acronyms
GGN Global Geoparks Network
IGCP International Geoscience Programme
IGGP International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
OUV Outstanding Universal Value
UGGp UNESCO Global Geopark
UNESCO United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization
vi | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Tim Badman Peter Shadie Kristof Vandenberghe Guy Martini and Marie-Luise Frey for their valuable comments and advice The inputs from the independent peer reviewers of the whole text Jonathan Larwood and Gabi Schneider are much appreciated Thanks are also due to Niall OrsquoLaoghaire of Guilder Design for design and layout and to Ulrika Aringberg Sarina van der Ploeg Ceacutelia Zwahlen and staff of the IUCN World Heritage Programme for their support in the production process This publication could not have been possible without the generous financial support of the Cultural Heritage Administration of the Republic of Korea Guy Narbonne is grateful for support through a Queenrsquos University Research Chair IUCN thanks the study authors as well as all the chapter authors and reviewers named above for their extensive work to contribute to producing this study The contributions of the photographers and illustrators is also acknowledged with thanks
KeywordsWorld Heritage UNESCO Global Geoparks Criterion (viii) Outstanding Universal Value Global comparative analysis History of planet Earth and the evolution of life Tectonic systems Erosional systems Volcanic systems River lake and delta systems Cave and karst systems Coastal systems Marine systems Glacial and periglacial systems Desert and semi-desert systems Meteorite impacts
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 1
In 2005 IUCN published a report entitled Geological World Heritage A Global Framework (Dingwall et al 2005) and hereinafter referred to as lsquothe 2005 reportrsquo The aim of that report was to discuss and advise on the role of the World Heritage Convention (hereinafter referred to as lsquothe Conventionrsquo) in recognising and protecting geological and geomorphological heritage By using a thematic approach the 2005 report aimed to assist States Parties in undertaking global comparative
analyses of properties prior to and as part of new nominations under criterion (viii)
assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors to identify possible gaps in coverage of the World Heritage List
assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors in their evaluation of new nominations of properties under criterion (viii) (to be outstanding examples representing major stages of Earthrsquos history including the record of life significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphic or physiographic feature)
Since the publication of the 2005 report an additional 22 properties have been inscribed on the World Heritage List using criterion (viii) which is used to recognise geological and geomorphological properties under the Convention This brings the total number of geological World Heritage Properties (December 2020) to 93 Furthermore in 2015 UNESCO adopted the new International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) which recognises a new site-level designation the UNESCO Global Geopark which are territories of internationally significant geological heritage As of June 2021 there are 169 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 44 countries Additionally since 2005 several of the themes identified in the 2005 report have been subject to substantial individual studies
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee in both 2013 and 2014 requested IUCN to revise its 2005 thematic study on geological sites the Geological World Heritage A Global Framework to refine the proposed 13 themes articulate the threshold of Outstanding Universal Value and clarify the
Introduction
Figure 1 The Giantrsquos Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Property (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) The Giantrsquos Causeway lies at the foot of basalt cliffs along the sea coast on the edge of the Antrim plateau in Northern Ireland It is made up of some 40000 massive black basalt columns sticking out of the sea The dramatic sight has inspired legends of giants striding over the sea to Scotland Geological studies of these formations over the last 300 years have greatly contributed to the development of the Earth sciences and show that this striking landscape was caused by volcanic activity during the Palaeogene some 50ndash60 million years ago copy Tourism Northern Ireland
2 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
difference between the criterion (viii) of the World Heritage and Geoparks However at that time Geoparks were not designated by UNESCO That changed in 2015 when UNESCO adopted the new designation of UNESCO Global Geopark and all pre-existing Global Geoparks became UNESCO Global Geoparks
Accordingly the aim of the present study is to fully revise and update the 2005 report and to look at the potential impact of the new UNESCO Global Geopark designation on future inscriptions to the World Heritage List under criterion (viii) Central to this is a discussion on the concept of Outstanding Universal Value and a reiteration that not all sites of significance can make it onto the World Heritage List This has been followed by a thorough review of the 2005 report in particular the thematic approach to geology that the report used The report identified 13 themes The review has reduced this number to 11 themes some of them are the same as in the 2005 reports there is one new theme and some of the 2005 themes have been re-named andor combined
Finally with the approval of the UNESCO Global Geopark designation this study provides a framework for assessing which designation World Heritage or UNESCO Global Geopark might be appropriate when considering geological and geomorphological sites for international recognition
However as stated before outlining the revised thematic study it is essential to examine closely the idea of Outstanding Universal Value which is the core concept behind any inscription to the World Heritage List
Outstanding Universal ValueAccording to the latest version of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention published by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in 2019
ldquoThe cultural and natural heritage is among the priceless and irreplaceable assets not only of each nation but of humanity as a whole The loss through deterioration or disappearance of any of these most prized assets constitutes an impoverishment of the heritage of all the peoples of the world Parts of this heritage because of their exceptional qualities can be considered to be of lsquoOutstanding Universal Valuersquo and as such worthy of special protection against the dangers which increasingly threaten themrdquo
But what exactly is lsquoOutstanding Universal Valuersquo or OUV and how can it be defined in the context of geological heritage A series of criteria and conditions have been developed to evaluate OUV Six criteria (i ndash vi) cover cultural properties while criteria (vii) ndash (x) cover natural properties (see below) Of course a nomination can include both cultural and natural criteria The guidelines also state that for a property to be deemed of OUV it must also meet the conditions of integrity andor authenticity and must have an adequate protection and management
system to ensure its safeguarding It is therefore clear from the Operational Guidelines (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019) that OUV is a three-pronged statement where a World Heritage Property must fulfil one or more criteria (criterion (viii) for geological properties) it must fulfil the conditions of integrity and it must be adequately protected and managed The full ten criteria areCriterion (i) - to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius
Criterion (ii) - to exhibit an important interchange of human values over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world on developments in architecture or technology monumental arts town-planning or landscape design
Criterion (iii) - to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared
Criterion (iv) - to be an outstanding example of a type of building architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history
Criterion (v) - to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement land-use or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures) or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change
Criterion (vi) - to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions with ideas or with beliefs with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance (The World Heritage Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria)
Criterion (vii) - to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance
Criterion (viii) - to be outstanding examples representing major stages of Earthrsquos history including the record of life significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphic or physiographic features
Criterion (ix) - to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial fresh water coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals
Criterion (x) - to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation
Fulfilling Criterion (viii) a revised thematic approachA key phrase from the Operational Guidelines (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019) states that ldquo[t]he Convention is not intended to ensure the protection of all properties of great interest importance or value but only for a select list of the most outstanding of these from an international viewpointrdquo Furthermore ldquo[i]t is not to be assumed that a property of national andor regional importance will automatically be
Introduction
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 3
inscribed on the World Heritage Listrdquo This is the first key point to bear in mind Just because a site may be of regional or national significance it does not mean that it is of OUV The site must be absolutely exceptional at the global level in what it contains or displays and among the priceless and irreplaceable assets of humanity as a whole
The most fundamental part of the nomination process is clarifying if a property could be considered to have OUV Until potential OUV and the attributes conveying this value has been defined it is not possible to develop other essential aspects of the nomination including the comparative analysis the definition of boundaries and the protection and management which should reflect the extent and character of the attributes that convey the value
The 2005 report identified 13 themes to assist in determining whether a World Heritage Property fulfils the terms of criterion (viii) Based on consideration of the effectiveness of the implementation of these themes and based on review by the study and chapter authors this report has reorganised the approach to geological World Heritage in relation to a reorganised list of 11 themes The study has also reviewed and classified all existing geological World Heritage Properties considering their OUV in relation to these 11 themes (Annex 1) Many properties contain features relevant to more than one theme but for brevity the list of lsquoancillary themesrsquo in Annex 1 only includes significant contributions that warranted mention in the Statement of OUV published on the World Heritage website Furthermore it was apparent that the OUV of five properties cover two primary themes Therefore the 93 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) are listed 98 times under the 11 primary themes In all of these themes States Parties must ask themselves if their proposed site really does display or contain something so internationally exceptional that is of true global significance
The 11 themes identified in this report are
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of lifeTheme 1 documents major events in Earth history and the fossil record of life It combines two related themes from the 2005 report Theme 4 lsquoStratigraphic Properties ‒ Rock sequences that provide a record of key Earth history eventsrsquo and Theme 5 lsquoFossil Properties ‒ The record of life on Earth represented in the fossil recordrsquo
Theme 2 Tectonic systemsThe Tectonic systems theme includes the lsquoTectonic and structural featuresrsquo and the lsquoMountain systemsrsquo themes as defined in the 2005 report This merger was justified by the fact that tectonics is the process that governs the movement of Earthrsquos tectonic plates at their boundaries as well as heat energy and material transfer from the Earthrsquos interior towards the surface and vice-versa seafloor spreading coupled with subduction rifting mountain building volcanoes faults earthquakes erosion etc are direct or indirect expressions of tectonic processes However with a view of providing a meaningful representation to the general public we have restricted the scope of the lsquoTectonic systemsrsquo theme to mountain ranges convergent plate boundaries (subduction
zones) divergent plate boundaries (ocean ridges) sliding plate boundaries (transform zones) continental rifting valleys and cratonic shields while keeping lsquoVolcanic systemsrsquo and lsquoErosional systemsrsquo as separate themes
Theme 3 Erosional systemsThe theme lsquoErosional systemsrsquo was not explicitly present in the 2005 report One might argue that it is the equivalent of the lsquoMountain systemsrsquo with partial overlap with the lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo but there were already a number of World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) which were neither mountains nor located in drylands but were erosional in nature Additionally a significant number of properties were inscribed in recognition of their scenic beauty (criterion (vii)) although their justifications clearly highlighted geomorphological features and processes more in line with criterion (viii) The relevance of lsquoErosional systemsrsquo for criterion (viii) is twofold First erosional systems show ldquosignificant on-going geological [in fact geomorphological] processes in the development of landformsrdquo and secondly these processes may produce ldquosignificant geomorphological or physiographical featuresrdquo
Theme 4 Volcanic systemsVolcanoes are true wonders of the planet they are central to the formation evolution and sustenance of biological systems they form some of our deepest and most significant cultural attachments to the land and they attract large numbers of visitors for their aesthetic appeal The theme Volcanic systems was originally included in the 2005 report as Theme 2 Furthermore volcanic systems were the subject of the 2009 volcano thematic study by Wood (2009) In 2019 IUCN published an updated report on World Heritage Volcanoes (Casadevall et al 2019) which we draw on here for this discussion
Theme 5 River lake and delta systemsThe theme covers fluvial lacustrine and deltaic landscapes and their associated features These are systems resulting from large-scale fluvial processes which have formed and influenced the development of valleys flood plains river corridors wetlands lakes and deltas along with instream features and morphology (Ferrier amp Jenkins 2010) Spectacular features such as waterfalls are also included under this theme The theme includes foremost alluvial landscapes and depositional features while erosional features such as river canyons are covered primarily by Theme 3 In terms of deltas this theme only covers the special cases of inland and inverted deltas while coastal deltas are covered within Theme 7 There is also some overlap with Theme 9 as many important fluvial lacustrine and deltaic processes and landforms occur in glacial landscapes The River lake and delta systems theme is equivalent to the lsquoFluvial lacustrine and deltaic systemsrsquo theme from the 2005 report The main driving process for the formation of all inland waters is the hydrological cycle Water evaporates from the oceans and precipitates over the continents where it flows back to the sea along rivers and streams reworking large amounts of sediments and forming some of our most familiar fluvial landforms Some of the water resides in wetlands or lakes for many years or in ice caps for
Introduction
4 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
thousands or millions of years (Moss 2010)
Theme 6 Cave and karst systemsThe theme covers systems developed predominantly by the process of dissolution of soluble rocks This mainly involves carbonate rocks (limestone dolomite marble) and evaporite rocks (gypsum salt) In these terrains drainage disappears in enclosed depressions rivers sink underground and caves are signature landforms Some sandstone landscapes are also included because these rocks can become relatively soluble under subtropical and tropical conditions Natural processes involved in the development of Caves and karst systems are explained by Ford amp Williams (2007 2011) and Palmer (2007)
Theme 7 Coastal systemsCoastal systems refer to physical processes and physiographical features present in the coastal zone The coastal zone is the boundary between land and sea a highly dynamic interface between geological and oceanographical features and including atmospheric (weather and climate) processes and how these are affected by land and sea (Abdulla et al 2013) But the interface - the shoreline - is mobile because land can be uplifted or subside and sea level can rise or fall Hence coastal landscapes landforms and sediments develop along a moving interface between land and sea as well as over long periods of time The zone over which this interaction plays out can be kilometres wide and so landforms produced by coastal processes can be found well inland well above sea level kilometres offshore and well below present sea level In many places coastal landforms are also influenced by ancient antecedent topography
Theme 8 Marine systemsMarine systems includes seafloor and submarine features coral islands reefs and oceanic islands The theme encompasses ldquosignificant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphological featuresrdquo found in the shallow and deep marine areas This theme comprises the former Theme 9 of the 2005 report lsquoReefs atolls and oceanic islandsrsquo but additionally includes the wide range of ongoing processes and geological features of marine areas including physical chemical and biological processes tectonic settings and sedimentary environments including continental shelf and slope basin floors abyssal plains oceanic trenches submarine ridges
Marine areas cover 70 of the Earth surface most of which is in deep marine areas In recent years there have been a number of advances in the study of the submarine environment including extensive mapping of the seafloor which has
produced a plethora of new information on the marine systems in the deep marine areas
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems This theme includes geological processes landscape and geomorphological features developed by past or present glacial and periglacial systems Theme 9 is equivalent to the former two themes 10 lsquoGlaciers and ice capsrsquo and 11 lsquoIce Agesrsquo described in the 2005 report The new theme Theme 9 includes 17 of the World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) for their OUV (primary elements)
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systemsThe theme lsquoDesert and semi-desert systemsrsquo present in the 2005 report as lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo emphasises specific environments rather than a particular surface process or group of processes However in order to minimise overlaps within the present framework and to make it as clear as possible this category is understood as primarily designed to cover aeolian processes and landforms as well as features produced by intermittent runoff and evaporation Thus it includes landscape features such as dunes and dune fields of various types and sizes yardangs deflation hollows wadis and playas
Theme 11 Meteorite impactsThe theme of Meteorite impacts includes features produced by the impacts of meteors comets asteroids and other extra-terrestrial objects with the Earth including both physical structures formed by extra-terrestrial impacts such as impact craters as well as major effects caused by them such as mass extinction Impacts by and accretion of extra-terrestrial bodies was the fundamental process by which the Earth grew to its current size It was also a dominant geological process throughout the early history of the Solar System and a variety of possible effects have been ascribed to impacts on Earth including the origin of the Earthrsquos moon the contribution to the Earthrsquos quantity of volatile gases and effects on the evolution of early life In more recent geological time at least one mass extinction event is linked to global effects caused by a major impact event (eg Osinski amp Pierazzo 2012)
Identifying potential Outstanding Universal ValueConsidering that uniqueness does not automatically equate with OUV the essential first step is thus to identify any value(s) of a site fulfilling criterion (viii) and thus with the potential to justify OUV of the proposed property For this process it is important to set out all geological values of the site
Map out all geological values of the proposed propery
Organise values according to the 11 themes of criterion viii
Identify overlap between values of the proposed property and gaps of the WHL
Write a brief synthesis defining value(s) and attributes filling gaps of the WHL
Perform comparative analysis based on value attributes and integrity
Figure 2 Flow chart summarising the process that should be undertaken when assessing if a site or place demonstrates OUV
Introduction
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 5
and evaluate these based on the 11 themes presented in this report in order to clarify if and how these values could potentially address one or more gaps on the World Heritage List Subsequently a definition of the values proposed to fulfil the criterion and a description of the attributes that convey this value should be set out in a relatively short text This will then form the basis for undertaking a rigorous global comparative analysis and in the event that this demonstrates a strong case for OUV will be the basis for a proposed Statement of OUV to be included in the nomination of the property (Figure 2)
To nominate a site to the World Heritage List it must first have been included on a State Partyrsquos Tentative List Tentative List are lists of sites that the States Parties consider to be of OUV and that they therefore consider suitable for inscription on the World Heritage List
Thematic studyBefore continuing with a discussion of the comparative analysis process the following section will look closely at the 11 themes identified for this report As in the 2005 report the 11 themes provide a basis upon which nominated candidate World Heritage Properties (using criterion (viii)) can be assessed regarding their OUV from the viewpoint of science and conservation It is also intended that the 11 themes will guide national and regional advisors to assess the relative importance of sites and for IUCN to assess nominations and offer advice to interested parties
In particular in revising the themes specific questions were askedWhat does the theme cover
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this theme
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distribution
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)
Introduction
6 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverTheme 1 documents major events in Earth history and the fossil record of life It combines two related themes from the 2005 report Theme 4 lsquoStratigraphic Properties ‒ Rock sequences that provide a record of key Earth history eventslsquo and Theme 5 lsquoFossil Properties ‒ The record of life on Earth represented in the fossil recordrsquo
Theme 1 is the sole theme for 18 World Heritage Properties and is an important ancillary element of the OUV for six additional properties (Table 1 Annex 1) Fossils are abundant and important in several other World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) such as Gros Morne National Park (Canada) and Yellowstone National Park (United States of America) but are less significant than other features that define the OUV in these properties
The over-riding message from the combined properties representing Theme 1 is the co-evolution of the Earth and life ‒ the recognition that the major tectonic oceanographic atmospheric cryogenic and astronomical events and processes that have affected our planet over geological timescales have also profoundly influenced the evolution
and ecology of life on Earth and that some major events in biological evolution have profoundly changed the Earthrsquos surface and atmosphere Theme 1 World Heritage Properties include the conditions for early life on the primitive Earth more than three billion years ago (Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa)) the oldest large and complex multicellular life (Mistaken Point (Canada)) the development of marine animal life in the Cambrian explosion (Burgess Shale in Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (Canada) Chengjiang Fossil Site (China)) the Devonian and Carboniferous lsquoterrestrial revolutionrsquo of land plants that dramatically increased atmospheric oxygen and led to the proliferation of life on land and in freshwater rivers and lakes (Miguasha National Park Joggins Fossil Cliffs both in Canada) and abundant evidence of climatic control on the Cenozoic evolution of mammals (Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte) (Australia)) and early hominids (Lake Turkana National Parks (Kenya))
Properties in Theme 1 contain an outstanding record of the diversity of fossil life In addition to the shells and bones that characterise Phanerozoic fossil assemblages worldwide several properties (Burgess Shale in Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Chengjiang Fossil Site Messel Pit Fossil Site Mistaken
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of lifeGuy M Narbonne and Patrick J Mc Keever
Figure 3 Monte San Giorgio (Italy amp Switzerland) is regarded as the best fossil record of marine life from the Triassic Period (245ndash230 million years ago) Source Woudloper Wikimedia Commons
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 7
Point) are famous as Fossil Lagerstaumltten in which soft tissues were exquisitely preserved Fossil plants and terrestrial arthropods such as insects are abundant in most properties at least partly deposited in freshwater or terrestrial settings (Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte) Dinosaur Provincial Park Dorset and East Devon Coast Ischigualasto Talampaya Natural Parks Joggins Fossil Cliffs Messel Pit Fossil Site Miguasha National Park) and even in some properties originating in marginal or fully marine settings (Monte San Giorgio Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley)) Trace fossils the fossilised tracks trails and burrows of mobile animals are present in most Theme 1 properties and provide evidence of animal behaviour thousands to hundreds of millions of years ago Microfossils are preserved in nearly all Theme 1 fossil sites including Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains which dates back 36 to 325 billion years ago shortly after the origin of microscopic life on our planet
Most of the properties that achieved World Heritage recognition prior to 1995 were inscribed in combination with other natural or cultural OUV criteria commonly (iii) (vii) (ix) or (x) Since 1995 most properties in Theme 1 have been inscribed solely under criterion (viii)
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005At the time of the publication of the 2005 report 14 properties had been inscribed onto the World Heritage List under criterion (viii) and under the former Themes 4 (Stratigraphic Properties) and 5 (Fossil Properties) They included for example Dinosaur Provincial Park (Canada) Shark Bay Western Australia (Australia) Messel Pit Fossil Site (Germany) and the Dorset and East Devon Coast (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) (Table 1 Annex 1)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since 2005 an additional four properties have been inscribed onto the World Heritage List which either totally or partially fall under this new Theme 1 and the former Themes 4 and 5 The new properties are Joggins Fossil Cliffs (Canada) Chengjiang Fossil Site (China) Mistaken Point (Canada) and Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa)
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themePublication of an IUCN-commissioned report Earthrsquos geological history A contextual framework for assessment of World
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 1
Date Inscribed(extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 1 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Dinosaur Provincial Park Canada 1979 Grand Canyon National Park United States of America
1979
Great Smoky Mountains National Park United States of America
1983 Ngorongoro Conservation Area United Re-public of Tanzania
1979 (2010)
Valleacutee de Mai Nature Reserve Seychelles 1983 Willandra Lakes Region Australia 1981
Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Canada 1984 (1990) Tasmanian Wilderness Australia 1982 (1989)
Wet Tropics of Queensland Australia 1988 Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Australia 1986 (1994)
Shark Bay Western Australia Australia 1991 Te Wahipounamu ndash South West New Zealand New Zealand
1990
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte) Australia
1994 The Dolomites Italy 2009
Messel Pit Fossil Site Germany 1995 Stevns Klint Denmark 2014
Lake Turkana National Parks Kenya 1997 (2001)
Miguasha National Park Canada 1999
Ischigualasto Talampaya Natural Parks Argen-tina
2000
Dorset and East Devon Coast United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2001
Monte San Giorgio Italy and Switzerland 2003 (2010)
Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) Egypt 2005
Joggins Fossil Cliffs Canada 2008
Chengjiang Fossil Site China 2012
Mistaken Point Canada 2016
Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains South Africa 2018
Table 1 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 1 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life
8 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Heritage fossil site nominations (Wells 1996) provided a key framework for this analysis Wellsrsquo recommendations slightly modified and printed in UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2011 p 42 and Annex 3 of this report) shaped all subsequent nominations and decisions in Theme 1 and have been emulated by other themes Wellsrsquo proposed separation between pre-Cambrian and Phanerozoic properties (Recommendation 4) has become somewhat blurred since 2005 with most recently inscribed Theme 1 properties emphasising OUV as both a landmark in biological evolution and as an important step in the evolution of the Earth system and his recommendations 5 and 9 about the need to constitute expert panels ldquoto select properties worthy of evaluation for Heritage listingrdquo were not implemented All recent nominations in Theme 1 have used a similar lsquobest practicersquo method for the comparative analysis of fossil properties (IUCN 2016 p 56-57 Thomas and Narbonne 2015 p 59-69) In summary the thematic guidance for this theme is good but requires regular attention to ensure it remains relevant and effective
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionWorld Heritage Properties representing Theme 1 are present on every inhabited continent There is excellent temporal coverage of the Phanerozoic the eon of Earth history characterised by abundant visible fossils with seventeen World Heritage fossil properties (Table 1 Figure 5 Annex 1) Many geological periods host a site the Cambrian and Triassic each contain multiple properties that reflect different biotopes (eg terrestrial versus marine) and preservational modes (eg Lagerstaumltten versus
mainly skeletal remains) during that time The most significant remaining gaps are at the interface between palaeontology and global change over geological timescales especially the mass extinction events that were a primary control on global diversity throughout the Phanerozoic (Raup amp Sepkoski 1982 Fan et al 2020) The terminal Cretaceous extinction that exterminated 50 of animal species including dinosaurs is superbly reflected in the fossil record at Stevns Klint (Denmark) but the equally profound Palaeozoic extinctions at the end of the Ordovician Devonian and Permian are not yet represented in any World Heritage Property Other Phanerozoic intervals of extreme global change and extinction (eg Mesozoic Ocean Anoxic Events Palaeocene ndash Eocene Thermal Maximum event) could also be considered Cenozoic (mainly Pleistocene and modern) glaciation processes and products are well covered in Theme 9 but ancient glacial events in deep time (eg the Carboniferous-Permian Gondwana glaciations and the Neoproterozoic and Paleoproterozoic lsquoSnowballrsquo glaciations) profoundly affected the evolution of life and could usefully be described in Theme 1 Ichnology where animal track properties can yield behavioural information that cannot be preserved in shells and bones is represented for example in the hominid tracksite at Laetoli in Ngorongoro Conservation Area (United Republic of Tanzania) A number of previous World Heritage nominations based solely on dinosaur footprints have been deemed inadequate to show OUV However a coherent transnational nomination of exceptional sites demonstrating a compelling reason for global significance and OUV might be considered
Figure 4 Messel Pit Fossil Site (Germany) is the richest site in the world for understanding the living environment of the Eocene between 57 million and 36 million years ago copy LimesMedia Tim Schnarr Source UNESCO
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 9
In contrast with the abundance of World Heritage fossil properties in Phanerozoic strata the Hadean Archean and Proterozoic eons that collectively comprise the first four billion years of Earth evolution (85 of Earth history) contain only two recently inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Properties located at nearly opposite ends of the pre-Cambrian timescale (Figure 5 left hand column Annex 1) Additional major events in pre-Cambrian evolution not included in any World Heritage fossil property include the earliest diverse signs of life 35 billion years ago the Great Oxidation Event (24 to 18 billion years ago) that transformed the chemistry of the Earthrsquos surface and made eukaryotes possible rsquoSnowball Earthrsquo the nearly total freezing of the entire Earth surface 720-635 million years ago that ultimately led to the appearance of animals and
the diverse Ediacara biota that postdated Mistaken Point life and immediately preceded the Cambrian explosion of shelly animals
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)Several Theme 1 properties inscribed between 1983‒1991 used criteria that differ from modern usage Four properties inscribed under criterion (viii) - Great Smoky Mountains National
1 httpsstratigraphyorgICSchartChronostratChart2021-05pdf
PHAN
ERO
ZOIC
PRO
TERO
ZOIC
ARC
HEA
NH
ADEA
N
Present
0541
25
40
46
Billi
ons
of y
ears
bef
ore
the
pres
ent
Eon
Mistaken Point
Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains
Geological timethrough Earth history
CEN
OZO
ICM
ESO
ZOIC
PALE
OZO
IC
EraNeogene
Paleogene
Cretaceous
Jurassic
Triassic
Permian
Carboniferous
Devonian
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian
Period
Phanerozoic Geological Time
World HeritageFossil Sites
Mill
ions
of y
ears
bef
ore
the
pres
ent
0
66
251
541Chengjiang Fossil Site
Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (incl Burgess Shale)
Miguasha National Park
Joggins Fossil Cliffs
Monte San Giorgio
IschigualastoTalampaya National Parks
Dorset and East Devon Coast
Dinosaur Provincial Park Messel Pit Fossil Site
Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley)
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte)
Lake Turkana National Parks
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh Naracoorte)
Figure 5 Temporal distribution of UNESCO Fossil Properties (Theme 1) Modified from Thomas and Narbonne 2015 Fig 34 Formal stratigraphic names and dates are from the International Chronostratigraphic Chart (May 2021)1
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life
10 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Park (United States of America) Wet Tropics of Queensland (Australia) Valleacutee de Mai Nature Reserve (Seychelles) and Shark Bay Western Australia (Australia) ndash do not contain fossil assemblages of OUV but are regarded as providing modern living analogues for ancient biotopes and biological constructions thousands to billions of years old This view is not presently followed and since 1991 all criterion (viii) properties in Theme 1 have been inscribed on the basis of outstanding fossil assemblages and events in the deep-time record of life and environments Modern sedimentary environments exemplified in properties such as the Wadden Sea (intertidal sand and mud flats) Great Barrier Reef (shallow-marine carbonate sediments including reefs) Namib Sand Sea (aeolian dunes) Nahanni National Park and Riacuteo Plaacutetano Biosphere Reserve (rivers) form the key to interpreting process sedimentology in deep time but are not in and of themselves major events in Earth history and the fossil record of life
There is some overlap with criterion (iii) to ldquobear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilisation which is living or which has disappearedrdquo for properties containing early hominid fossils The hominid fossil properties Archaeological Site of Atapuerca (Spain) Sangiran Early Man Site (Indonesia) and Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa (South Africa) are inscribed under criterion (iii) whereas hominid fossils in Ngorongoro Conservation Area (United Republic of Tanzania) and Lake Turkana National Parks (Kenya) are inscribed under criterion (viii) The hominid record at Willandra Lakes Region (Australia) is inscribed under criterion (iii) but its geology including giant marsupial fossils is inscribed under criterion (viii) This overlap between criterion (iii) and criterion (viii) in properties preserving the record of fossil hominids partly reflects the background of the nomination of these properties and also partly reflects the timescale of hominid evolution over the past seven million years
Finally palaeontology has a huge appeal throughout society worldwide Fossil properties (Theme 1) provide an opportunity for the public to see outstanding fossil assemblages in the context of the inter-relationship between global change and the evolution of life over geologic timescales Evidence of past global change can help to inform the public about potential processes effects and magnitudes of present and future global change This will be enhanced as States Parties nominate new sites that fill the identified gaps in global extinction events and major environmental and climatic events in the deep-time record of life on Earth
Theme 1 History of planet Earth and the evolution of life
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 11
What does the theme coverThe Tectonic systems theme includes the lsquoTectonic and structural featuresrsquo and the lsquoMountain systemsrsquo themes as defined in the 2005 report This merger was justified by the fact that tectonics is the process that governs the movement of Earthrsquos tectonic plates at their boundaries as well as heat energy and material transfer from the Earthrsquos interior towards the surface and vice-versa seafloor spreading coupled with subduction rifting mountain building volcanoes faults earthquakes erosion etc are direct or indirect expressions of tectonic processes However with a view of providing a meaningful representation to the general public we have restricted the scope of the lsquoTectonic systemsrsquo theme to mountain ranges convergent plate boundaries (subduction zones) divergent plate boundaries (ocean ridges) sliding plate boundaries (transform zones) continental rifting valleys and cratonic shields while keeping lsquoVolcanic systemsrsquo and lsquoErosional systemsrsquo as separate themes
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005Utilising the current Themes eight properties of the 71 properties inscribed on the World Heritage List by 2005 had
gained their recognition mainly or solely under Theme 2 (Table 2 Annex 1) Several other mountain systems such as the Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) were recognised under criterion (vii)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Based on the new theme proposed here two properties were inscribed since 2005 mainly because of tectonic features while three additional properties utilise Theme 2 as an important ancillary theme in their inscription (Table 2 Annex 1)
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThere is no separate thematic study on this theme and the scope of inscriptions shows both limited geographical balance and that there is considerable confusion in the potential application of this theme and confusion with other manifestations of tectonism (such as volcanoes) The two newly inscribed properties since 2005 are both associated tectonically with the Alpine orogeny in western Europe which does not fulfil the geographical diversification requested in
Theme 2 Tectonic systemsTom Casadevall and S Felix Toteu
Figure 6 Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) (Tajikistan) offers a unique opportunity for the study of plate tectonics and continental subduction phenomena thereby contributing to our fundamental understanding of Earth building processes copy Kasirov K Source UNESCO
12 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
2005 However the three recent properties for which Theme 2 is an ancillary theme are regionally diverse Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains in Africa Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) in Central Asia and Papahānaumokuākea in the central Pacific Ocean
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionIn total the geographical distribution is as follow Europe amp North America 4 Asia amp Pacific 5 Latin America amp Caribbean 1 Generally there is a weak representation worldwide and especially in Africa and the Arab States of the tectonic theme considering the many past and modern tectonic processes that have shaped the landscape around the world
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)Like most aspects of the geological sciences no theme is truly separate from other themes The 11 themes in this report are not silos Perhaps the greatest demonstration of this is the link between tectonic systems and volcanic systems Volcanic systems mostly appear at the boundaries of tectonic plates where tectonic systems are also actively being formed Of the 12 World Heritage Properties identified in Annex 1 has having been inscribed primarily for volcanic systems all but four are intimately associated with active tectonic boundaries Two other properties are associated with volcanic hotspots one with recent though no longer active volcanism Only one
property is associated with volcanism in deeper geological time (Giantrsquos Causeway and Causeway Coast United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Figure 1)) For the sake of this report Theme 4 refers specifically to features associated with the extrusion of magma and the features created while Theme 2 refers to non-volcanic features associated with the interaction of tectonic plates both in the present and in the geological past
The Plate Tectonic Map of the world (Figure 7) combined with the World Physical Map (Figure 8) reveals the potential for a more balanced distribution of tectonic features worldwide States Parties in various regions where these prominent tectonic features appear should be encouraged to review their Tentative List to include new properties In this regard many countries in all regions of the world have potential for World Heritage Properties ranging from mountain range to rift valley systems properties Countries in Asia amp Pacific can enrich their inscribed properties or Tentative List with outstanding sites witnessing tectonics features at subduction zones as well as at oceanic trenches and collision zones For example Kermadec Islands and Marine Reserve which is currently on the Tentative List of New Zealand under criterion (viii) was shaped by the subduction of the Pacific Plate under the Indo-Australian Plate with the Kermadec Trench being one of Earthrsquos deepest oceanic trenches reaching a depth of 10047 m The Andean mountain chain of South America the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and the Cascade volcanic range of North America are notable examples of subduction zone tectonics and yet have no volcanic or tectonic features listed under criterion (viii) (Casadevall et al 2019) This represents an important gap for World Heritage Properties in the Americas Outstanding examples of ocean floor spreading are the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 2
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 2 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Australia 1986 (1994) Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Canada 1984 (1990)
Galaacutepagos Islands Ecuador 1978 (2001) Te Wahipounamu ndash South West New Zealand New Zealand
1990
Gros Morne National Park Canada 1987 Canaima National Park Venezuela 1994
Lake Baikal Russian Federation 1996 Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch Switzerland 2001 (2007)
Heard and McDonald Islands Australia 1997 Papahānaumokuākea United States of Amer-ica
2010
Macquarie Island Australia 1997 Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) Tajikistan
2013
Lorentz National Park Indonesia 1999 Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains South Africa 2018
Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas China
2003
Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona Switzerland 2008
Chaicircne des Puys - Limagne fault tectonic arena France
2018
Table 2 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 2 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 2 Tectonic systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 13
Figure 7 Plate tectonic map of the World copy United States National Park Service
Figure 8 World Physical Map copy National Centers for Environmental Information National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Theme 2 Tectonic systems
14 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
and East Pacific Rise that have produced extensive valley systems Portugal has already considered a portion of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that includes the Azores in its Tentative List in 2017 Indeed there are very few countries that can add more about tectonic features telling the history of ocean floor spreading the exceptions being Iceland which lies on the mid-Atlantic Ridge and the countries around the Red Sea
On the continents the East African Rift Valley and the Baikal Rift Zone are Earthrsquos two prominent continental rift valley systems The two branches of the East African Rift are relayed to the north through the Afar Triangle to the Red Sea Rift and the Gulf of Aden Each of these rift systems is unique each telling in its own way the story of the early stage of continental break and drift However none of them host World Heritage inscribed under criterion (viii) for tectonic features although they host other properties inscribed under other criteria Examples are Lake Baikal (Russian Federation) inscribed in 1996 under criteria (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x) Kilimanjaro National Park (United Republic of Tanzania) Mount Kenya National Park Natural Forest (Kenya) and Lake Malawi National Park (Malawi) inscribed under criteria (vii) (ix) andor (x) or Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) Lake Turkana National Parks (Kenya) both inscribed under criteria (vii) (viii) (ix) andor (x)
The Cameroon Line running from Atlantic Ocean to Lake Chad through the Gulf of Guinea is another unique tectonic feature of the African region and is the only example on Earth of an
active intraplate alignment of tectonic-related volcanoes and intrusive massifs synchronously developed on both the oceanic and the continental crusts and linked to a common mantle source The scientific debates around its origin can ultimately reveal how the interaction and energy transfer between the asthenosphere and lithosphere contribute to shaping our planet The Cameroon Line is a unifying geological and biological gift linking many nations in Central Africa and telling an important part of the autobiography of the continent (from about 70 million years) from geological biological and socio-cultural perspectives (Anderson amp de Wit 2008 Henriques amp Neto 2015 Toteu et al 2010) The IUCN World Heritage Volcanoes report of 2019 sees the Cameroon Line as worthy of consideration in the Tentative List of States Parties (Casadevall et al 2019)
Despite the fact that tectonic processes cause major changes on the Earthrsquos surface they are poorly represented in the list of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List or even on the Tentative Lists The cause of this might be the poor capacity of States Parties or the fact that some expressions of tectonic processes such as volcanoes or erosion surfaces already constitute individual geological themes However the huge scale of some of the features (eg rift valleys alpine ranges oceanic trenches) also makes them politically and financially difficult to promote It is also important to stress that the geological community have not done enough to demonstrate the prominent role geological processes have
Figure 9 Lorentz National Park (Indonesia) The geology and landforms of Lorentz National Park display graphic evidence of Earthsrsquo history Located at the meeting point of two colliding continental plates the area has a complex geology with ongoing mountain formation as well as major sculpting by glaciation and shoreline accretion The dominating mountain range is a direct product of the collision between the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates copy Raiyani Muharramah Source Shutterstockcom
Theme 2 Tectonic systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 15
played in shaping the landscape of the Earth in impacting the development of biodiversity and the culture of people This transpires well in the case of Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) mentioned previously which was inscribed on the World Heritage List under criterion (vii) despite the fact that the site description clearly recognises the importance of mountain building (ie lsquotectonicrsquo process) Clearly States Parties must be encouraged to focus on and expose the geological processes that generated the appropriate environment for development of so many biological and cultural properties today inscribed on the World Heritage List In this regard all mountain ranges around the world especially the Alpine Himalayan and Andean collisional belts and rift valleys have produced a variety of ecosystems that have favoured the development of rich biological and cultural diversities There is today a need to see beyond these end-products and make the tectonic processes themselves more visible
Considering that most tectonic features on the Earthrsquos surface appear as linear and transnational features (eg major faults ocean ridges mountain belts rift and associated volcanoes) it might be necessary and more efficient for States Parties individually or as group to look into serial nominations as a mechanism that can associate different properties generated from the same tectonic process However one challenge may be the disparities (infrastructure human resource and policies) that may exist between States Parties with as a consequence difficulty of preparing and implementing coherent and robust management plan for the inscribed property At the opposite it might be easier for one country having a specific tectonic feature that has generated several other outstanding geological biological andor cultural features to manage a property inscribed under serial nomination
Theme 2 Tectonic systems
16 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThe theme lsquoErosional systemsrsquo was not explicitly present in the 2005 report One might argue that it is the equivalent of the lsquoMountain systemsrsquo with partial overlap with the lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo but there were already a number of World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) which were neither mountains nor located in drylands but were erosional in nature Additionally a significant number of properties were inscribed in recognition of their scenic beauty (criterion (vii)) although their justifications clearly highlighted geomorphological features and processes more in line with criterion (viii) The relevance of lsquoErosional systemsrsquo for criterion (viii) is twofold First erosional systems show ldquosignificant on-going geological (in fact geomorphological) processes in the development of landformsrdquo and secondly these processes may produce ldquosignificant geomorphological or physiographical featuresrdquo
Erosional systems are understood as including landscapes and landforms produced by the combined action of various surface processes that are not covered by the specialised Themes 6 lsquoCave and karst systemsrsquo 7 lsquoCoastal systemsrsquo 9 lsquoGlacial and periglacial systemsrsquo and 10 lsquoDesert and semi-
desert systemsrsquo elsewhere in this report Volcanic systems (Theme 4) in turn are predominantly constructional Thus from the process-based perspective erosional systems are shaped by (a) weathering (b) mass movements of various kind (c) slope runoff (d) fluvial erosion and e) non-karstic subsurface processes such as piping Among them weathering mass movements and fluvial erosion are the most important agents of shaping the land surface All these processes lead to deposition of material eroded from elsewhere allowing depositional forms such as talus and alluvial fans to locally dominate the landscape (eg in the valley floors) Nevertheless erosion in the broad sense is the primary factor behind the scenery In parallel to the above the meaning of erosional systems may be also explained by products ie landscapes and landforms produced by the processes listed above At the regional scale these systems include non-glaciated mountains plateaus and escarpments strongly dissected uplands including badlands inselberg landscapes peneplains and solitary elevations isolated by erosional lowering of the surrounding terrains Characteristic medium-size landforms within erosional systems include rock cities and ruiniform relief tors (crags) rock cliffs gully networks canyons and landform assemblages produced by landslides and piping
Theme 3 Erosional systemsPiotr Migoń
Figure 10 Canaima National Park (Venezuela) The tabular hills and high escarpments of Canaima display significant karstic erosion of quartzites copy Natalino Russo La Venta
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 17
Erosional systems are not limited to any specific bedrock type although by virtue of strength some rock types tend to support distinctive often spectacular erosional systems more often than others do Moreover these systems appear and develop in different ways depending on rock type Therefore to account for the diversity of landforms and controls and to facilitate comparative analyses it is useful to consider several distinctive rock-controlled erosional systems such as granite landscapes sandstone and conglomerate landscapes mudstone and tuff badlands as well as ancient volcanic terrains which may be plateaus or pointed elevations (necks)
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005At the time of the 2005 report though not identified as such at the time six World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) fit the descriptive definition of Erosional systems adopted in the new thematic approach of this study and a further five properties relate to Erosional systems as an ancillary theme (Table 3 Annex 1)
In addition the effects of long-term erosion are evident in several other properties inscribed under criterion (viii) although these may be also be represented under other themes1 Tasmanian Wilderness Australia (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x)
ndash mountainous landscapes with dissected terrains and plateaus (classified as lsquoGlacial and periglacial systemsrsquo Theme 9)
2 Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Australia (viii) (ix) and (x) ndash part of Great Escarpment
3 Dinosaur Provincial Park Canada (vii) (viii) ndash chiefly paleontological site (Theme 1) but also an excellent example of badland topography
4 Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Canada (vii) (viii) ndash fossil site (Theme 1) with diverse mountainous topography including widespread glacial features
5 Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas China (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x) ndash deeply carved valleys of major rivers within mountainous setting
6 Great Smoky Mountains National Park United States of America (vii) (viii) (ix) and (x) ndash dissected mountainous terrain non-glacial
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since the 2005 report an additional three properties have been inscribed under criterion (viii) because of their erosional features1 China Danxia China (vii) and (viii)ndash diverse erosional
topographies on continental red beds predominantly sandstone and conglomerate
2 The Dolomites Italy (vii) and (viii) ndash rock-controlled cliffs and plateaus with additional role of glaciation
3 Lena Pillars Nature Park Russian Federation (viii) ndash rock formations due to differential erosion along riverside margins
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThere has been no supplementary advice to date on this newly proposed theme Reasons for not inscribing the localities listed above are probably complex but it certainly has to be observed that many of these inscriptions predate the year 2000 reflecting contemporaneous focus on scenic values rather than geodiversity and geoheritage In some instances at least insufficient scientific understanding may have been an additional factor for not considering criterion
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 3
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 3 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Grand Canyon National Park United States of America
1979 Nahanni National Park Canada 1978
Durmitor National Park Montenegro 1980 (2005) Great Smoky Mountains National Park United States of America
1983
Tassili nrsquoAjjer Algeria 1982 Gondwana Rainforests of Australia Australia 1986 (1994)
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park Australia 1987 (1994) Mosi-oa-Tunya Victoria Falls Zambia Zimba-bwe
1989
Canaima National Park Venezuela 1994 Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas China
2003
Purnululu National Park Australia 2003
The Dolomites Italy 2009
China Danxia China 2010
Lena Pillars Nature Park Russian Federation 2012
Table 3 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 3 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 3 Erosional systems
18 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
(viii) In this context it is worth mentioning that post-2005 scholarly monographs on granite landscapes and sandstone landscapes published by leading academic publishing houses may now provide much better scientific background for nominations under criterion (viii)
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionErosional systems are currently represented by about 35 properties with 29 of them inscribed under criteria (vii) andor (viii) Among them distinctive sandstone and conglomerate erosional landscapes from plateaus to inselbergs are fairly well represented ndash 12 properties including six under criterion (viii) However the majority of them occurs in drylands (eight cases including three in north Africa and three in Australia) and only two were established in humid terrains Three properties represent granite landscapes all in China and representing similar topography none inscribed explicitly under criterion (viii) Three properties cover ancient volcanic terrains mostly plateaus Great Escarpments and badlands are represented by two examples each Finally five properties may be classified as mountainous landscapes with no specific connection to any particular rock type Overlap with glacial and periglacial systems is evident in some of these properties The Dolomites (Italy) and Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation) are distinctive individual cases Thus whereas overall representation of erosional systems may seem adequate there are significant gaps both thematic and geographical
Considering the diversity of erosional systems the following missing themes may be identified erosional landscapes developed on clastic rocks mainly
sandstone and conglomerates in semi-humid and humid areas to counterbalance an over-representation of those in arid and semi-arid terrains They are likely to develop by a different suite of dominant processes than their arid counterparts
granite topographies are evidently under-represented especially if criterion (viii) alone is considered Existing properties are all mountainous and all from one region (east China) whereas inselberg landscapes domed mountains uplands (plateaus) with tors spectacular boulder fields are missing
badlands are another under-represented type of erosional system especially given lithological diversity of badlands Mudrocks and cemented gravel deposits are known to host spectacular badland landscapes
entirely non-glacial mountain systems are poorly represented and there is a room for nominations which would emphasise complexity and integrity of mountain systems preferably on lithologically diverse bedrock
In terms of geographical coverage properties inscribed principally under Theme 3 occur in Europe and North America (4) Asia and the Pacific (3) and one each in Arab States and Latin America and the Caribbean Sub-Saharan Africa is represented by only one property but which is not inscribed explicitly under criterion (viii) High latitudes are another
Figure 11 Tassili nrsquoAjjer (Algeria) The sandstone plateaux and escarpments of Tassili nrsquoAjjer are highly dissected with a range of erosional features copy Mohammed Beddiaf Source UNESCO
Theme 3 Erosional systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 19
geographical gap (two properties only one under criterion (vii)) where it may be assumed that cold-climate processes will produce erosional systems different from those in low latitudes whether humid or arid Some of these gaps may be filled by re-nominating some of existing World Heritage Properties adding criterion (viii) to the cultural criteria used before
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)Impressive erosional landscapes may be found within World Heritage Properties inscribed under criteria (ix) and (x) (eg Greater Blue Mountains Area (Australia) and Western Ghats (India)) or solely under criteria pertinent to cultural heritage (eg tall granite domes which form the stage for Rio de Janeiro Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea (Brazil) as well as the Serra da Capivara National Park (Brazil) the Matobo Hills (Zimbabwe) Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Libya) or Group of Monuments at Hampi (India)) An emerging point here is that the coverage of erosional systems by existing World Heritage Properties is much larger than the examination under criterion (viii) alone would suggest Consequently gap analyses should consider these properties as well
Additionally in a few examples criterion (viii) was proposed to justify inscription but was not accepted (eg Mount Sanqingshan National Park (China) (vii) and Wadi Rum Protected Area (Jordan) (iii) (v) and (vii)) In other cases criterion (viii) could have been used but was not proposed possibly because the nominated property did not readily fit any of the 13 Earth science themes proposed by the 2005 report In fact an equally large number of properties representing excellent examples of erosional systems have been inscribed under criterion (vii) not (viii) even if the OUV statements relate directly to the effects of on-going erosion and significant landforms produced by it These properties include1 Kakadu National Park Australia (i) (vi) (vii) (ix) and (x) ndash
dissected sandstone plateau and escarpments2 Ennedi Massif Natural and Cultural Landscape Chad
(iii) (vii) and (ix) ndash sandstone plateaus canyons and rock arches
3 Mount Taishan China (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) and (vii) ndash granite mountainous terrain
4 Mount Huangshan China (ii) (vii) and (ix) ndash granite mountainous terrain
5 Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area China (vii) ndash intricately dissected sandstone and limestone upland with multitude of tall rock towers and spires
6 Mount Sanqingshan National Park China (vii) ndash granite mountainous terrain
7 Simien National Park Ethiopia (vii) and (x) ndash dissected lava plateau
8 Meteora Greece (i) (ii) (iv) (v) and (vii) ndash isolated residual hills carved out of conglomerate
9 Wadi Rum Protected Area Jordan (iii) (v) and (vii) ndash sandstone massifs and rock arches
10 Maloti-Drakensberg Park Lesotho and South Africa (i) (iii) (vii) and (ix) ndash Great Escarpment capped by basaltic lavas
11 Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) Mali (v) and (vii) ndash plateau cliffs and plains in sandstone rocks
12 Air and Teacuteneacutereacute Natural Reserves Niger (vii) (ix) and (x) ndash residual volcanic massifs
13 Putorana Plateau Russian Federation (vii) and ix) ndash ancient lava plateau
14 Goumlreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia Turkey (i) (iii) (v) and (vii) ndash strongly eroded tuffs and lacustrine deposits multiple hoodoos and badland landscape
Theme 3 Erosional systems
20 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverVolcanoes are widely understood by the public as wonders of the planet they are central to the formation evolution and sustenance of biological systems they form some of our deepest and most significant cultural attachments to the land and they attract large numbers of visitors for their aesthetic appeal The theme Volcanic systems was recognised in the 2005 report (numbered as Theme 2) Furthermore volcanic systems were the subject of the 2009 volcano thematic study by Wood (2009) In 2019 IUCN published an updated report on World Heritage Volcanoes (Casadevall et al 2019) which we draw on here for this discussion
This study continues to consider Volcanic systems as a distinct theme Most geological themes encompass millions or billions of years of Earth history The Volcanic systems theme includes volcanoes and volcanic features found on Earth in both the marine and terrestrial environments While these features can be from any period of Earth history from the oldest volcanic rocks (42 billion years old) to the youngest eruptions the majority of volcanic properties by their nature typically only
preserve the most recent geological time frames Active volcanoes encompass those active in the Holocene Epoch (the last 11700 years) The distinctive attributes of volcanic properties are of geoheritage value but significantly they also frequently demonstrate associated aspects of cultural spiritual biological aesthetic and educational value Thus in a number of cases volcanic areas may be protected as World Heritage solely for these other attributes without direct recognition of the volcanic geoheritage as being the basis of OUV (Casadevall et al 2019)
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005Volcanic landscapes are among the most recognisable properties on the World Heritage List Of 1211 World Heritage Properties in 2019 83 (74) have significant volcanic features (Casadevall et al 2019) However of these only 26 properties have been inscribed under criterion (viii) Utilising the current themes 14 properties inscribed on the List by 2005 had gained their recognition mainly or solely under the present Theme 4 (Table 4 Annex 1)
Theme 4 Volcanic systemsTom Casadevall
Figure 12 Volcanoes of Kamchatka (Russian Federation) Kamchatka is one of the most outstanding volcanic regions in the world with a high density of active volcanoes a variety of types and a wide range of related features The six sites included in the serial designation group together the majority of volcanic features of the Kamchatka peninsula The interplay of active volcanoes and glaciers forms a dynamic landscape of great beauty copy UNESCO
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 21
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since the 2005 report an additional five volcanic properties have been inscribed under criterion (viii) primarily utilising Theme 4 (Table 4 Annex 1) Three of these inscriptions were added following the volcano thematic study of 2009 (Wood 2009) Furthermore since 2005 (and 2009) two nominations of volcanic properties were advanced but were not recommended for inscription as volcano-related World Heritage (Wudalianchi Scenic Spots (China) and Chaicircne des Puys ndash Limagne fault tectonic arena (France) the latter was ultimately inscribed in 2018 for its tectonic features)
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThe World Heritage Volcanoes report Casadevall et al (2019) provides revised comprehensive and up to date advice to States Parties on the application of criterion (viii) to volcanic properties and replaces the 2005 study as the definitive thematic guidance going forward The advice includes the use
of the classification system and feature identification presented in this study to the nomination of volcanic properties under criterion (viii) including a checklist that can also be used by the reviewers of the nomination The advice also describes a method for developing a comprehensive global comparative analysis to support the application for Listing in relation to volcanic systems this being a point that has been problematic in a number of nominations and is central to the application and review process in establishing the potential for OUV
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionAs noted above there are now 83 properties on the World Heritage List with significant volcanic values Of these 19 are volcanic properties where Theme 4 provides the primary rationale under criterion (viii) and two additional properties have used it as an ancillary rationale Within these 21 properties there are many important gaps in geographical distribution as well as gaps in their distribution by geo-tectonic setting The
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Princi-pally Under Theme 4
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 4 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Yellowstone National Park United States of America
1978 El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Bio-sphere Reserve Mexico
2013
Galaacutepagos Islands Ecuador 1978 (2001) Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains South Africa 2018
Ngorongoro Conservation Area United Repub-lic of Tanzania
1979 (2010)
Virunga National Park Democratic Republic of the Congo
1979
Sangay National Park Ecuador 1983
Giantrsquos Causeway and Causeway Coast United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
1986
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park United States of America
1987
Tongariro National Park New Zealand 1990 (1993)
Volcanoes of Kamchatka Russian Federation 1996 (2001)
Heard and McDonald Islands Australia 1997
Macquarie Island Australia 1997
Morne Trois Pitons National Park Dominica 1997
Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) Italy 2000
Pitons Management Area Saint Lucia 2004
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes Republic of Korea
2007
Teide National Park Spain 2007
Papahānaumokuākea United States of America 2010
Mount Etna Italy 2013
Vatnajoumlkull National Park - dynamic nature of fire and ice Iceland
2019
Table 4 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 4 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 4 Volcanic systems
22 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
regional distribution of volcanic properties is Europe and North America (8) Asia and Pacific (4) Africa (2) and Latin America and the Caribbean (5)
The 2019 volcano theme study outlines a series of recommendations to fill the thematic and geographical gaps on the World Heritage List The southwestern Pacific island arcs are noted as unrepresented on the List The Andes of western South America is the most prominent example of continental arc volcanism and yet is poorly represented For divergent margin properties the Great Rift Valley of Africa and its northern continuation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are poorly or not represented Submarine volcanic systems are dominantly rift systems and are not represented Volcanism in back arc basins is unrepresented although there are outstanding examples in Argentina and the southwest Pacific Collision zones are not represented The two ancient volcanic terrains on the current List contain no continental flood basalts ring dykes or subvolcanic feeder and storage systems despite the importance of these terrains in creating and remaking the early continents and as components of most of the planetrsquos major mass extinctions Previously identified gaps in Archean granite-greenstone belts and komatiites and in modern mid-Atlantic Ridge volcanism have been addressed by Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa inscribed in 2018) and Vatnajoumlkull National Park - dynamic nature of fire and ice (Iceland inscribed in 2019)
Other under-represented aspects of Theme 4 include large caldera forming volcanic systems stratovolcanoes found in
several critical subduction zone environments (eg Andean and Cascadian zones Indonesia-Philippine-Japanese subduction zones) and submarine volcanic features and volcanic rift systems Conversely monogenetic volcanic fields and basaltic volcanism should now be considered as well or fully represented on the List
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)No discussion of the global volcanic estate would be complete without mention of volcanism in the marine environment Purely submarine volcanic features are not included on the World Heritage List primarily because many of these features occur under what is known as the lsquoHigh Seasrsquo where no State Party has legal jurisdiction However 70 of the Earthrsquos surface is covered by water and is effectively a submarine environment and much of the Earthrsquos active tectonism including spreading centres ridges transform faults and subduction-related trenches are submarine Bathymetric studies of the sea floor have revealed that this vast area is dotted with volcanoes which recent studies (Hillier amp Watts 2007 Wessel et al 2010 Kim amp Wessel 2011) estimate could number over three million 39000 of which rise to more than 1000 m above the ocean
Figure 13 Ngorongoro Conservation Area (United Republic of Tanzania) The Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans vast expanses of highland plains savannah savannah woodlands and forests centred on the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater Africarsquos largest caldera copy Patrick Mc Keever
Theme 4 Volcanic systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 23
floor With the increase in seafloor mining and other potentially destructive practices some of these volcanic terrains are at risk
Several marine reserves include areas of submarine volcanism and hydrothermal vent activity but by and large the volcanic features in these submarine environments are not adequately represented on the World Heritage List The World Heritage Convention does not currently address areas beyond national jurisdiction (Abdulla et al 2013 Freestone et al 2016)
One impediment to managing and protecting properties in the submarine environments is that often there are no States Parties to claim jurisdiction and management responsibility over most of them Thus such properties fall more appropriately under lsquoLaw of the Searsquo jurisprudence However several submarine volcanoes representing submarine extensions of terrestrial volcanic systems (Loihi USA and Oshima Japan) do fall within territorial jurisdictions The UNESCOIUCN publication World Heritage on the High Seas An Idea Whose Time Has Come (Freestone et al 2016) discusses this topic primarily from the perspective of biological World Heritage but many of the concepts therein also apply to geological World Heritage
Casadevall et al (2019) considers the absence of submarine volcanism from the World Heritage List to be a substantial gap in representation of the Earthrsquos volcanic systems However they also recognise that filling this gap will depend upon additional international agreement and governance frameworks and this represents a further reason to explore the extension of the application of the World Heritage Convention to the High Seas
World Heritage Volcanoes (Casadevall et al 2019) found that a significant number of volcanic properties on the World Heritage List are listed under other criteria than criterion (viii) In part this reflects the important cultural and historical values often assigned to volcanic features and eruptions by communities which may have witnessed eruptions or live in or on volcanic edifices which have attained a notable role in these cultures In addition a number of volcanic areas have important endemic plant communities with high degrees of biodiversity Thus many volcanic landscapes have been inscribed for their biodiversity under criteria (ix) and (x)
Theme 4 Volcanic systems
24 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThe theme covers fluvial lacustrine and deltaic landscapes and their associated features These are systems resulting from large-scale fluvial processes which have formed and influenced the development of valleys flood plains river corridors wetlands lakes and deltas along with instream features and morphology (Ferrier amp Jenkins 2010) The theme includes foremost alluvial landscapes and depositional features while erosional features such as river canyons are covered primarily by Theme 3 However spectacular features such as waterfalls are included under this theme In terms of deltas this theme only covers the special cases of inland and inverted deltas while coastal deltas are covered within Theme 7 There is also some overlap with Theme 9 as many important fluvial lacustrine and deltaic processes and landforms occur in glacial landscapes The River lake and delta systems theme is equivalent to the lsquoFluvial lacustrine and deltaic systemsrsquo theme from the 2005 report
The main driving process for the formation of all inland waters is the hydrological cycle Water evaporates from the oceans
and precipitates over the continents where it flows back to the sea along rivers and streams reworking large amounts of sediments and forming some of our most familiar fluvial landforms Some of the water resides in wetlands or lakes for many years or in ice caps for thousands or millions of years (Moss 2010)
River processes shape the Earthrsquos surface while responding to sudden events (earthquakes volcanic eruptions mega floods) and or progressive change (continental uplift change in climate and precipitation) Climate and precipitation are the main factors influencing the dynamics and evolution of river systems with this history embedded into relict forms and features The fluvial geomorphology of rivers adjusts both to varying flow patterns and vegetation cover During drier geological periods vegetation cover and sediment transport decreases and rivers transform into new types Examples of this are underfit streams which have channels set in valleys formed by much larger river systems during wetter periods (Fryirs amp Brierley 2012) Apart from recording past climate events rivers also demonstrate a huge diversity of types
Theme 5 River lake and delta systemsUlrika Aringberg
Figure 14 Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia) The waters flowing over the limestone and dolomites have over thousands of years deposited travertine barriers creating natural dams which in turn have created a series of beautiful lakes caves and waterfalls These geological processes continue today copy Ko Hon Chiu Vincent Source UNESCO
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 25
processes and physiographic features For example natural floodplains contain a high complexity of various physical features such as meander bends levees cutbanks pointbars relict channels oxbow lakes ponds islands channel braiding alluvial fans inland deltas swamps and marshes
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005In the 2005 report it was noted that there were 71 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) Using the present themes the principal attributes of the OUV of six properties are assigned to the lsquoFluvial lacustrine and deltaic systemsrsquo theme One of these Everglades National Park (United States of America) share its main theme with Theme 7 (Coastal systems) Up to 2005 another three properties had ancillary attributes of OUV assigned to Theme 5 (Table 5 Annex 1)
Evidently many properties on the World Heritage List demonstrate significant values related to the River lake and delta systems theme but are inscribed under criteria other than criterion (viii) In this updated review about 30 properties inscribed under criteria other than (viii) prior to 2005 were found to demonstrate values of Theme 5 The statements of OUV for some of these properties (for example Pantanal Conservation Area (Brazil) and Mana Pools National Park Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas (Zimbabwe)) are directly linked to significant fluvial lacustrine and deltaic forms and processes and contain examples of some of the worldrsquos most prominent systems relating to this theme
Several World Heritage Properties contain the full length of rivers or the majority of their lengths and catchments for example Kakadu National Park (Australia) but only the Riacuteo Plaacutetano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras) is inscribed under criterion (viii)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since 2005 no properties have been inscribed on the World Heritage List with their principal attributes of OUV assigned to the River lake and delta systems theme and only one property
(Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) (Tajikistan)) utilises Theme 5 as an ancillary theme in its statement of OUV Among properties inscribed after 2005 under criteria other than criterion (viii) ten are identified to demonstrate significant values directly related to Theme 5 Among these are one of the worldrsquos most important inland deltas the Okavango Delta (Botswana) and the saline hyper-saline and freshwater Lakes of Ounianga (Chad) It is clear that many more properties on the World Heritage List other than those inscribed under criterion (viii) demonstrate significant and even outstanding river lake and delta systems values
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThere is one early study (Thorsell et al 1997) on wetland and marine areas on the World Heritage List which also provides a list of 41 prospective sites with potential OUV Some of these have now been inscribed (for example Pantanal Conservation Area (Brazil) Landscapes of Dauria (Mongolia and Russian Federation) and Okavango Delta (Botswana)) however only a few such as Wadden Sea (Denmark Germany and Netherlands) (see Theme 7) under criterion (viii) World Heritage Properties with OUV under Theme 5 are still poorly represented on the World Heritage List Conversely although some of the worldrsquos most prominent properties under this theme are inscribed their attributes and values have not been recognised as OUV under criterion (viii) Some reasons might be previously vague descriptions of the theme unawareness that the OUV of river lake and delta systems are recognised under criterion (viii) and inadequate scientific understanding or recognition of these systems This lack of recognition requires attention As no properties have been inscribed under Theme 5 since 2005 this clearly shows that additional upstream support and a gap analysis on the theme are needed to address this discrepancy
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionThe theme is clearly under-represented among properties inscribed under criterion (viii) Presently only six properties have been recognised for their OUV as river lake and delta systems
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 5
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 5 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Nahanni National Park Canada 1978 Canaima National Park Venezuela 1994
Everglades National Park United States of America
1979 Lake Baikal Russian Federation 1996
Plitvice Lakes National Park Croatia 1979 (2000) Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas China
2003
Willandra Lakes Region Australia 1981 Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) Tajikistan
2013
Riacuteo Plaacutetano Biosphere Reserve Honduras 1982
Mosi-oa-Tunya Victoria Falls Zambia Zimba-bwe
1989
Table 5 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 5 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 5 River lake and delta systems
26 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Despite having three of the largest and most important inland deltas already inscribed on the World Heritage List (Wood Buffalo National Park (Canada) the Okavango Delta (Botswana) and The Ahwar of Southern Iraq Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities (Iraq)) none of these properties were inscribed under criterion (viii) or recognised for their extremely important and valuable deltaic processes Likewise although the World Heritage Properties of Iguazu National Park (Argentina) and Iguaccedilu National Park (Brazil) conserve the largest and one of the most spectacular waterfall systems in the world this has not been recognised as a value under criterion (viii)
Terrestrial fossil properties inscribed under Theme 1 notably Miguasha National Park (Devonian) Joggins Fossil Cliffs (Carboniferous) and Dinosaur Provincial Park (Cretaceous) all in Canada occur in well studied fluvial lacustrine and deltaic deposits but this is not included as part of their OUV
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any lsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)Freshwater is fundamental to life on Earth and hydromorphological processes have shaped much of the
Earthrsquos surface as we see it today The importance of river (and other freshwater) systems for the evolution of life on land and human societal development is unparalleled The characteristics of freshwater bodies are highly determined by the climate and their relict forms and sediment archives are therefore also of immense importance for understanding past climatic events and changes Until now only Willandra Lakes Region (Australia) has been inscribed for its OUV of showing past major changes in Earthrsquos climate history and evolution
Large rivers cover long distances and vast areas and it is often not feasible to include the whole catchment within a World Heritage nomination Designation of OUV attributes such as the worldrsquos longest river or highest discharge river is difficult to achieve but could be done through serial properties and or transboundary nominations To cover the lsquobig storiesrsquo we should focus on the few natural rivers left and the textbook examples of alluvial and depositional features as well as past climatic records that these systems demonstrate Large relatively intact meandering systems can still be found in the Amazon and Congo basins as well as in northern Siberia and China while extensive braided river systems are found in North America New Zealandrsquos South Island and the Himalayas The flow of many rives has been impeded by human activity and natural free-flowing rivers2 are now confined to the Arctic (Canada and Russian Federation) and the Amazon and Congo basins as well as
Figure 15 Nahanni National Park (Canada) Located along the South Nahanni River this property is one of the most spectacular wild rivers in North America The park contains deep canyons and huge waterfalls The geomorphology of the property is outstanding in its wealth of form and complexity of evolution The park hosts the Worldrsquos foremost example of karst development in cold climate conditions but fluvial processes and features predominate Within the property are examples of almost every known characteristic of rivers Geological and geomorphological features include the abandoned meanders of ancient rivers now raised high above present river levels copy Ko Hon Chiu Vincent Source UNESCO
Theme 5 River lake and delta systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 27
a few examples in for example Australia and Papua New Guinea (Grill et al 2019 WWF 2019)
Theme 5 is highly relevant for other criteria and as discussed earlier some of the worldrsquos most outstanding river lake and delta systems are inscribed under criteria other than criterion (viii) Of greatest importance is undeniably that these properties and their physical biological and evolutionary processes are now protected for future generations however it would be an advantage if they were also recognised for their OUV under criterion (viii) Freshwater systems contain some of the most threatened habitats on the planet and are losing biodiversity twice as fast as any terrestrial or marine systems Despite only covering about 1 of the terrestrial surface these systems support about one-third of all known vertebrate species (Dye et al 2019) River lake and delta systems often present exceptional natural beauty significant on-going ecological and biological processes and contain significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity and threatened species and are therefore highly relevant for all the other natural (including some of the cultural) criteria
Lastly it should be noted that there are particularly important links to be made in application of this theme through connections to the implementation of the 1971 Ramsar Convention which allows for the recognition of wetlands of international importance IUCN and the Ramsar Convention Secretariat have frequently collaborated on implementation including the joint work on the only thematic study on this theme (from 1997) However the clear need for further thematic advice could be advanced by IUCN in conjunction with Ramsar
2 Free Flowing Rivers 2019 - httpfreeflowingriverorg
Theme 5 River lake and delta systems
28 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThe theme covers systems developed predominantly by the process of dissolution of soluble rocks This mainly involves carbonate rocks (limestone dolomite marble) and evaporite rocks (gypsum salt) In these terrains drainage disappears in enclosed depressions rivers sink underground and caves are signature landforms Some sandstone landscapes are also included because these rocks can become relatively soluble under subtropical and tropical conditions Natural processes involved in the development of caves and karst systems are explained by Ford amp Williams (2007 2011) and Palmer (2007)
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005At the time of the 2005 report 45 properties with internationally significant cave and karst features had been inscribed on the World Heritage List Amongst these were 25 considered to have outstanding karst features yet only eight were recognised as having OUV primarily under Theme 6 with an additional seven properties using it as an ancillary theme (Table 6 Annex 1) One additional property with OUV was lava pseudokarst recognised under criterion (viii) and having karst-like cave
decorations developed within lava tubes formed through volcanic processes
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005By 2019 the number of properties with internationally significant cave and karst features on the World Heritage List had increased by two properties that adopt karst as their main theme and a further two that utilise it as an ancillary theme (Table 6 Annex 1) It is evident that the outstanding cave and karst qualities of several properties were not appreciated either by some parties responsible for considering these nominations This points to the need for more upstream advice to assist in the recognition of significant karst values before nominations are made Sometimes the most appropriate nomination configuration (single areaserial nominationtransnational nomination) was not identified at the time of inscription and so adjustments have needed to be made to boundaries some years later
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeThe 2005 report contained excellent and focused advice and enabled States Parties to achieve a global overview regarding
Theme 6 Cave and karst systemsPaul Williams and Kyung Sik Woo
Figure 16 Škocjan Caves (Slovenia) Located in the lsquoclassicalrsquo karst of Europe the property comprises a sinking river at the end of blind valley the exposed course of the underground river flowing across the base of deep collapse depressions and a large river cave with a high canyon passage It is representative of the input of an allogenic river into a karst system copy LimesMedia Tim Schnarr Source UNESCO
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 29
the protection of geological World Heritage and the contribution that they might make In addition to the 2005 report in 2008 IUCN published a separate report on World Heritage Caves and Karst a Thematic Study which was a global review of karst World Heritage Properties (Williams 2008) That thematic review of Caves and Karst was noted by several States Parties and encouraged a cautious consideration of the appropriateness or otherwise of possible nominations (Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation) in 2012 and the Trang An Landscape Complex (Viet Nam) in 2014) and stimulated a new entry on the Tentative List (Salt Domes of Iran 2017) The net effect of both reports was probably to encourage a total of about ten new inscriptions in this theme However there has been no progress regarding nominations in relation to gypsum karst The 2008 study remains current and appropriate in guiding towards the completion of the World Heritage List under this theme of criterion (viii)
The 2008 thematic review pointed out that the World Heritage Committee had noted in 2007 [Decision 31 COM 8B13]
ldquohellip that karst systems (including caves) are relatively well represented on the World Heritage List Worldwide there are a large number of protected karst landscapes with caves and at a detailed level every one of these can assert that it is in some way unique Therefore in the interests of maintaining the credibility of the World Heritage List IUCN considers that there is increasingly limited scope for recommending further karst nominations for inclusion on the World Heritage List In particular IUCN recommends that the World Heritage Committee should consider indicating clearly to States Parties that further karst nominations should only be promoted where
There is a very clear basis for identifying major and distinctive features of outstanding universal value that has been verified by a thorough global comparative analysis
The basis for claiming outstanding universal value is a significant and distinctive feature of demonstrable and widespread significance and not one of many narrow and specialized features that are exhibited within karst terrains IUCN recommends that States Parties considering karst nominations carry out an initial global comparative analysis prior to proceeding with the development of a full nomination in order to minimize the possibilities of promoting a nomination that will not meet the requirements of the World Heritage Convention including those concerning the conditions of integrityrdquo
This advice was taken seriously by States Parties and is undoubtedly responsible for a reduction in the rate of nomination of cave and karst properties Furthermore this theme illustrates in the nomination of the South China Karst (China) a particularly important example of the recognition of OUV through a serial approach by assembling in a thoroughly planned process the most outstanding examples of karst sites that illustrate one of the two great karst regions of Earth This is a model that has also been recommended in the thematic study in the Dinaric Karst the other of those two great regions
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionThe theme is well represented on the World Heritage List (Annex 1) and has a wide but unevenly distributed geographical distribution Two points are significant here
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 6
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 6 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Mammoth Cave National Park United States of America
1981 Nahanni National Park Canada 1978
Škocjan Caves Slovenia 1986 Plitvice Lakes National Park Croatia 1979 (2000)
Ha Long Bay Viet Nam 1994 (2000) Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks Canada 1984 (1990)
Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst Hungary Slovakia
1995 (2000) Canaima National Park Venezuela 1994
Carlsbad Caverns National Park United States of America
1995 Pyreacuteneacutees - Mont Perdu France Spain 1997 (1999)
Desembarco del Granma National Park Cuba 1999 Lorentz National Park Indonesia 1999
Gunung Mulu National Park Malaysia 2000 Purnululu National Park Australia 2003
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Viet Nam 2003 (2015) Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes Republic of Korea
2007
South China Karst China 2007 (2014) Lena Pillars Nature Park Russian Federation 2012
Trang An Landscape Complex Viet Nam 2014
Table 6 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 6 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 6 Cave and karst systems
30 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Firstly the global distribution of karst rocks is the first determinant of where cave and karst World Heritage Properties can be located hence the properties shown on Figure 18 are mapped against a background of outcrops of carbonate and evaporite rocks (Goldscheider et al 2020) These rocks are distributed unevenly and the world distribution of evaporites is also uneven Thus we cannot expect an even global distribution of karst properties
Secondly cave and karst development depend on the operation of chemical processes driven by water and its temperature Rainfall is the primary driver but the rate of dissolution is enhanced if it is also warm Hence limestone locations that are wet warm and forested have excellent caves and karst which accounts for where most caves and karst World Heritage Properties are found However global climates change over time so important palaeokarst is sometimes found in places that were once wet but under modern conditions are inimical to karst and cave evolution This is the case in many temperate to subtropical arid lands where caves acting as Naturersquos vaults contain rich histories of more benign environments and climates in the past Some cold properties of the subarctic were also once warmer and have palaeokarst features developed during past milder humid conditions
The 2008 thematic review of caves and karst identified significant gaps in the geographical distribution of karst World
Heritage Properties and pointed to a gap in semi-arid and periglacial environments Only one inscription Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation) has since contributed to filling that gap Central Asia the Middle East Africa and South America remain seriously under-represented It was also pointed out that an important gap exists in the representation of evaporite terrains (salt and gypsum) This remains the case Also despite Shibing Karst in China being a dolomite terrain a gap remains regarding well-developed caves in dolomite
One lsquobig storyrsquo that is unrepresented but to which caves and karst can contribute is that of climates of the past Palaeokarst properties that contain important stories about past conditions on Earth are not explicitly represented on the World Heritage List although several World Heritage karst properties contain caves with excellent palaeoclimate archives Global climate is never static and while ice caps and seafloor sediments contain major climate archives the continents are under-represented Between the poles the best source of terrestrial palaeoclimate records is caves (they are also one of the best sources of hominid remains) Further cave records are also very much easier to date than other archives For example caves in the arid Nullarbor Plains of Australia have yielded mid-Pliocene speleothems containing pollen indicative of a past forested environment in association with rare mega-faunal remains The arid cave and karst properties of Central Asia and Africa could hold evidence of similar stories A cave in the island of
Figure 17 South China Karst (China) Seven sites of a serial nomination that represent karst evolution in southern China includes Shilin (stone forests on a rolling plateau in Yunnan) Jinfoshan (an isolated high plateau with huge horizontal caves suspended above deep surrounding valleys) Wulong (plateau karst with spectacular tiankeng natural bridges deep caves and gorges) Shibing (unusual cone karst development in dolomite bedrock) Libo (extensive forested cone karst (fengcong and fenglin) poljes gorges and caves with Huanjiang being an extension of the protected area) Guilin (the culmination of subtropical karst development with spectacular cones and towers beside the River Li) These areas provide type-sites for their principal karst features copy IUCN Jim Thorsell
Theme 6 Cave and karst systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 31
Mallorca Spain has yielded a precisely dated history of sea level change in the mid-Pliocene at a time when the Earthrsquos temperatures were two or three degrees higher than present Thick guano deposits in caves have never been investigated in detail for their palaeoecological record although they have long been recognised as sources of minerals
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)The key issue to emerge from this review is that many properties nominated for other reasons contain excellent caves and karst (Annex 1) Consequently important karst areas are being conserved on the coat-tails of other criteria This is an advantage for conservation but it would still be worth formally recognising the OUV of karst when it exists To amend a nomination by adding a new criterion after inscription would require the State Party to expend more resources that might be better used elsewhere but IUCN could better address this issue by helping to identify possibly unrecognised OUV at the pre-nomination stage
Figure 18 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world (with permission from Goldscheider et al 2020) with red triangles depicting the locations of World Heritage Properties with karst OUV their numbers referring to the list of World Heritage karst sites (see Annex 4) copy Goldscheider et al (2020)
Theme 6 Cave and karst systems
32 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverCoastal systems refer to physical processes and physiographical features present in the coastal zone The coastal zone is the boundary between land and sea a highly dynamic interface between geological and oceanographical features and including atmospheric (weather and climate) processes and how these are affected by land and sea (Abdulla et al 2013) But the interface - the shoreline - is mobile because land can be uplifted or subside and sea level can rise or fall Hence coastal landscapes landforms and sediments develop along a moving interface between land and sea as well as over long periods of time The zone over which this interaction plays out can be kilometres wide and so landforms produced by coastal processes can be found well inland well above sea level kilometres offshore and well below present sea level In many places coastal landforms are also influenced by ancient antecedent topography The operation of physical processes in coastal environments is explained by Woodroffe et al (2011) and Bird (2004) provides a geomorphological classification of coastal landscapes
Coastal processes were classified into 13 categories in the 2005 report It stated that coastal processes can display
ldquosignificant on-going geological processes in the development of landformsrdquo and ldquosignificant geomorphological or physiographical featuresrdquo for criterion (viii) Coastal processes have also been classified worldwide into 62 coastal provinces (from the coastline to 200 m depth) (Spalding 2012 UNESCO 2016)
Waves tides and wind dominate coastal processes and rivers deliver sediment to the coast These activities lead to the development of coastal landforms that vary according to whether processes play out on hard rocky coasts or on relatively soft mobile sand and gravel coasts So on the one hand we find cliffs headlands reefs coral lagoons and blue-holes rias and fjords while on the other we see beaches dunes sand spits and barriers dune lakes tidal-flats deltas and estuaries Marine canyons may also extend offshore sometimes for hundreds of kilometres The coast also supports rich ecosystems including salt marshes mangroves seagrass coral reefs and salt-tolerant coastal forests and shrub fields
Due to rapid sea-level rise since the last glaciation drowned coasts (characterised by rias fjords and estuaries) are very
Theme 7 Coastal systemsKyung Sik Woo
Figure 19 Fraser Island (Australia) Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world The combination of shifting sand-dunes tropical rainforests and lakes makes it an exceptional property copy IUCN Ceacutelia Zwahlen
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 33
common around the world Post-glacial sea level stabilised close to its present position about 6000 years ago Since that time sea level has varied by less than two metres depending on location but sometimes the migration of shoreline position is also driven by on-going tectonics Thus in some places sea level has the illusion of falling because the land is rising This can result in a staircase of marine terraces as in the Desembarco del Granma National Park (Cuba) In other places such as glaciated parts of northern continents shoreline regression (retreat) is driven by recovery of the land after being depressed under the weight of enormously thick ice sheets Elsewhere huge amounts of sediment deposition by large rivers may cause the land to subside and the sea to transgress thus giving the impression that sea level is rising
Carbonate coasts and sediments tend to increase towards the tropics but can be constrained by large inputs of muddy sediment In carbonate-dominated coasts a clear distinction can be made between tropical to subtropical coral reef-dominated systems and temperate carbonate shell-sand systems Carbonate beaches and tidal flats are especially found in low latitude regions where they tend to be controlled by carbonate production rates of shallow marine organisms as well as by physical hydraulic energy Broad tidal flats composed of carbonates (called sabkha) are present in arid coastal areas Stromatolites (calcareous microbial growths) are another significant feature of low latitude carbonate coasts (Shark Bay Western Australia (Australia))
Where clastic sediments are dominant different types of coastal landforms can develop according to the balance between tidal and wave energy Wave-dominated coasts are represented by beach barrier island and lagoon systems Tidal flats develop along more sheltered low energy coasts with abundant terrestrial sediment supply Coastal deltas and deltaic plains also form where rivers discharge abundant sediment
Many coastal features may be assessed as having OUV due to the great variety of interacting processes involved in their formation and the wide array of hard and soft coast landforms that result The coastal zone is also affected by the discharge of rivers and thereby may be influenced by phenomena that
may occur thousands of kilometres inland away from the coastal zone itself (eg Everglades National Park (United States of America)) Finally by virtue of the concentration of human populations in the coastal zone as well as in the basins of many rivers coastal zones are among the most threatened globally human impact affecting the integrity of many coastal features although in some places there may be sustainable relationships between geodiversity biodiversity and associated cultural activities
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005Using the themes recognised in this report three properties with coastal zone OUV were inscribed on the World Heritage List by 2005 with another six properties that exhibit coastal processes as an ancillary theme (Table 7 Annex 1)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005The only property listed under this theme since 2005 is the Wadden Sea (Denmark Germany and Netherlands) which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2009 and extended in 2014 This property demonstrates geological and geomorphological components of barrier islands beaches tidal flats and ongoing coastal processes which are strongly associated with the paths of migratory birds between Eurasia and Africa
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeConsidering that only one property has been inscribed under this theme since 2005 it can be concluded that the 2005 report was not very effective in stimulating the World Heritage nomination of coastal systems which as a result remain poorly represented on the World Heritage List in terms of recognition under criterion (viii)
Abdulla et al (2013) provided a global analysis of marine World Heritage Properties for all natural criteria They identified and mapped 27 coastal and 24 pelagic provinces representing over 50 of all provinces Around 44 (27) of all 62 coastal provinces and 65 (24) of all 37 pelagic provinces are completely unrepresented (0 properties) on the World Heritage List For another 31 (19) of coastal provinces and 30
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 7
Date Inscribed(extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 7 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Everglades National Park United States of America
1979 Galaacutepagos Islands Ecuador 1978 (2001)
Gulf of Porto Calanche of Piana Gulf of Girola-ta Scandola Reserve France
1983 Great Barrier Reef Australia 1981
Fraser Island Australia 1992 Shark Bay Western Australia Australia 1991
Wadden Sea Denmark Germany Netherlands 2009 (2014) Ha Long Bay Viet Nam 1994 (2000)
Desembarco del Granma National Park Cuba 1999
Dorset and East Devon Coast United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2001
Table 7 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 7 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 7 Coastal systems
34 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
(11) of pelagic provinces it is likely that the small area (lt1) covered by existing World Heritage Properties is not adequate to include all features of potential OUV in the province They suggested that the properties and dynamics of seawater and the ocean itself can represent the OUV Apart from ecosystem processes specific to coastal and marine systems in criterion (ix) and references to coastal and marine geological processes and themes in criterion (viii) the physical and chemical nature of seawater and ocean water bodies have not been considered and these are fundamental to the biological processes and species that are the subject of criteria (ix) and (x) (Abdulla et al 2013)
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionThe geographical distribution of existing coastal system World Heritage Properties inadequately reflects the widespread occurrence of coastal properties of global importance There is no case of a lsquocoastal systemrsquo that is fully or over-represented Evidently as with some other themes (such as Theme 6) there are many properties located in coastal areas that are included on the World Heritage List under criteria other than criterion (viii) It has been beyond the scope of the present study to undertake an analysis of that coverage (and the extent to which outstanding coastal geoheritage is covered in such properties) The need to provide updated thematic advice in this area should also consider this aspect of the recognition of coastal systems of OUV under criterion (viii)
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)The prevailing lsquobig storyrsquo to be addressed is sea level rise associated with climatic change Sea level change is a natural process that has been going on for billions of years but the current particularly rapid rate of rise is exacerbated by human activity via the warming effect of greenhouse gases So there is scope for selecting some further World Heritage Properties that contain clear evidence for sea level change and demonstrate the consequences of such changes whether natural or human-induced One of the clearest and scientifically most well-known sites from which the history of Quaternary sea level change has been revealed is found in a series of uplifted coral reefs in Papua New Guinea a Tentative List property referred to as lsquoHuon Terraces ndash Stairway to the Pastrsquo Climate change is also associated with a greater incidence of extreme storm events and these are often particularly manifest along the coast where geological evidence may be left that shows the nature and magnitude of the event (eg cyclones) which may be disastrous from a human perspective Strong physical sedimentary records of both sediments and rocks can be displayed as tempestites tsunamiites and rhodoid deposits in coast zones These records help in understanding the geological history (magnitude and frequency) of natural disasters
Figure 20 Wadden Sea (Denmark Germany and Netherlands) The largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world copy IUCN Wendy Strahm
Theme 7 Coastal systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 35
Unlike most other geological properties under different themes coastal (also marine) systems cannot be physically separated from adjacent areas because strong process connections are present due to the combined effects of climate waves tide and fluvial discharge Also human activities (coastal protection aquaculture and fisheries) are heavily involved in most areas and traditional fisheries have sometimes become part of geological and ecological systems in coastal regions This kind of human involvement in the coastal zone has already been recognised by Abdulla et al (2013) In many coastal zones there are areas where geodiversity underpins biodiversity because organisms living or visiting the coastal zone are dependent upon the food resources in the substrates that are directly associated with geological and oceanographical processes
Coastal System
Dynamic ongoingprocess associated
with surroundingcoastal landform
Coastal landform sedimentary
deposit with surroundingantecedent landform
Special deposit
bull Wave-dominatedbull Tide-dominatedbull Wave- and tide- combined processed
bull Siliciclastic landform barrier island beach amp dune delta (fan delta) tidal environmentbull Carbonate landform beach amp dune tidal environment (eg sabhka) frining reef and lagoon stromatolite rhodolite etcbull Others marine terrace mangrove swamp
bull Event deposits tempestite seismite tsunamitebull Placer depositsbull Special relationship between geodiversity and biodiversity
Figure 21 Coastal Classification copy Kyung Sik Woo
Theme 7 Coastal systems
36 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverMarine systems includes seafloor and submarine features coral islands reefs and oceanic islands The theme encompasses ldquosignificant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphological featuresrdquo found in the shallow and deep marine areas
This theme comprises the former Theme 9 of the 2005 report lsquoReefs atolls and oceanic islandsrsquo but additionally includes the wide range of ongoing processes and geological features of marine areas including physical chemical and biological processes tectonic settings and sedimentary environments including continental shelf and slope basin floors abyssal plains oceanic trenches submarine ridges
Marine areas cover 70 of the Earth surface most of which is in deep marine areas In recent years there have been a number of advances in the study of the submarine environment including extensive mapping of the seafloor which has produced a plethora of new information on the marine systems in the deep marine areas
The theme of Marine systems will have some overlap with other themes such as lsquoTectonic systemsrsquo eg oceanic ridges andor the theme of lsquoVolcanic systemsrsquo eg volcanic islands as well as the theme of lsquoRiver lake and delta systemsrsquo andor lsquoCoastal systemsrsquo
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005Marine systems were not defined in the 2005 report and only the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) and the Galaacutepagos Islands (Ecuador) were listed with primary features under the then theme of lsquoReefs atolls and oceanic islandsrsquo Shark Bay Western Australia (Australia) was inscribed in 1991 and recognised especially for its stromatolites under criterion (viii)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005No properties that use Theme 8 as a primary theme have been inscribed since 2005 Papahānaumokuākea in the mid-Pacific Ocean addresses Theme 8 as an ancillary theme (Table 8 Annex 1) and the fossil Triassic reefs and atolls of The Dolomites (Italy) are listed as ancillary values under Theme 1
Theme 8 Marine systemsTom Casadevall Tove Damholt and Kyung Sik Woo
Figure 22 Great Barrier Reef (Australia) The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) forms the worldrsquos largest coral reef ecosystem ranging from inshore fringing reefs to mid-shelf reefs and exposed outer reefs including examples of all stages of reef development The processes of geological and geomorphological evolution are well represented linking continental islands coral cays and reefs The varied seascapes and landscapes that occur today have been moulded by changing climates and sea levels and the erosive power of wind and water over long time periods One-third of the GBR lies beyond the seaward edge of the shallower reefs this area comprises continental slope and deep oceanic waters and abyssal plains copy Wise Hok Wai Lum Source Wikimedia Commons
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 37
Evidently a number of atolls and reefs are inscribed under other natural criteria than criterion (viii) and a full evaluation of the representation of these features on the World Heritage List would have to take this into consideration important amongst these is the Ningaloo Coast (Australia) inscribed under criteria (vii) and (x) but having one of the worldrsquos longest near-shore coral reefs All other marine features than oceanic islands atolls and reefs are apparently very poorly represented or missing indicating a substantial gap in the representation of marine features on the World Heritage List
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeWhile this is a newly defined theme given that only one inscription was made since 2005 that falls under the former theme of lsquoReefs atolls and oceanic islandsrsquo it is clear that the 2005 report did not provide the stimulus to States Parties in relation to the application of criterion (viiI)
As noted in the previous Theme (Coastal systems) Abdulla et al (2013) remains an important broader thematic reference for the listing of marine World Heritage There appears to be a need to provide further specific guidance on the positioning of criterion (viii) in relation to the current and future recognition of marine World Heritage
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionGiven the small number of criterion (viii) World Heritage Properties currently listed in relation to the Marine systems theme it is difficult to assess the question of equitable geographical distribution Some notable marine environments such as the Indian Ocean the Polar Regions and most of the Atlantic Ocean currently lack any properties inscribed under criterion (viii) on the World Heritage List however the extent of coverage by properties listed under other themes needs to be considered in assessing representation
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)As this is a newly defined theme and as most of the deep marine environments have not been included previously on the World Heritage List it is reasonable to say that many of the lsquobig storiesrsquo of the geoheritage of Marine systems remain to be revealed within the World Heritage List
There are likely to be number of missing elements under criterion (viii) related to most of the overall features included in the theme Features recommended by Abdulla et al (2013) complemented by biogenic features to include the atolls and reefs are as follows plates and tectonic features hotspot seamounts vents seeps and other hydrogeological features sedimentary processes (clastic processes and products) biogenic features (atolls reefs etc)
As the scope of the present report does not allow for a thorough study on the means to respond to the lsquobig storiesrsquo it is recommended that a thematic study and gap analysis for the theme of Marine systems under criterion (viii) be undertaken to identify the missing elements for future listings In considering such a study including the recommendations of Abdulla et al (2013) it is important to note that some of these aspects can also be taken forward in relation to the application of other themes (for instance see the discussion of marine volcanism in Theme 4)
One example of a lsquobig storyrsquo that is at present only touched on in a limited and incomplete fashion is the submarine expression of plate tectonic boundaries ndash spreading centres subduction zones and expressions of hot spots One could envision for example a serial property nomination to encompass key elements of the Mid-Atlantic Rift system which collectively would tell the story of this major Earth tectonic feature (but noting the link to implementation of Themes 2 and 4) Another topic missing on the World Heritage List is the marine sedimentary systems of canyons channels and submarine fans telling the story of on-going processes acting at giant scale in the deep marine
The importance of including marine natural heritage on the World Heritage List has been recognised in a number of recent reports from IUCN (Abdulla et al 2013 Freestone et al 2016 Casadevall et al 2019) As noted in these reports a key issue relates to who has jurisdiction to propose manage and protect areas of the deep marine environment These environments cover half of the Earthrsquos surface most of which lies beyond the jurisdiction of nations However and as mentioned under the lsquoVolcanic systemsrsquo theme the plethora of recent deep sea floor mapping and exploration has revealed a variety of seafloor features and environments which may merit protection from threats due to mineral resource exploitation disposal of wastes from human activity such as mining dredging for seafoods etc This represents a further reason to explore the extension of the application of the World Heritage Convention to the High Seas
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 8
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 8 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Great Barrier Reef Australia 1981 Galaacutepagos Islands Ecuador 1978 (2001)
Papahānaumokuākea United States of America 2010
Table 8 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 8 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 8 Marine systems
38 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThis theme includes geological processes landscape and geomorphological features developed by past or present glacial and periglacial systems Theme 9 is equivalent to the former two themes 10 lsquoGlaciers and ice capsrsquo and 11 lsquoIce Agesrsquo described in the 2005 report The new theme Theme 9 includes 17 of the World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) for their OUV (primary elements)
Glacier and glacial landscapes are often described as being of the most outstanding and spectacular natural beauty and several World Heritage Properties have been inscribed under criterion (vii) for example Mount Kenya National ParkNatural Forest (Kenya) Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) and Waterton Glacier International Peace Park (Canada and United States of America) The glacial landscape represents diverse glacial landforms and geomorphic or physiographic features both at a large and small scale created by glacial processes such as erosion and deposition Present day glaciers and ice caps are mainly found in high northern and southern latitudes and in high mountain ranges Their existence is dependent
upon a cold climate and precipitation The glaciers mass balance being the difference between accumulation of snow in the winter and ablation of ice during summer are recorded globally and used as an indication of climate change
Glaciers are in broad sense classified into two main types warm-based or temperate glaciers and cold-based or polar glaciers but in between are variations of intermediate thermal glaciers for example sub-polar glaciers The thermal condition of the glaciers together with ice thickness and gravity due to sub-glacial topography and type of bedrock are one of the factors that affects their dynamics and simultaneously the magnitude of erosion and carving There are several different types of glaciers Large continental masses of glacial ice are called ice sheets such as those covering Antarctica and Greenland Ice caps are smaller usually less than 50000 square kilometres and are mainly found in polar and sub-polar regions eg Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice (Iceland) Mountain glaciers develop in high mountains regions and include smaller cirque glaciers in bowl-shaped eroded landforms Valley glaciers and outlet glaciers are the
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systemsLoviacutesa Aacutesbjoumlrnsdoacutettir
Figure 23 Ilulissat Icefjord (Denmark) The Ilulissat Icefjord is an outstanding example of a stage in the Earthrsquos history the last ice age of the Quaternary Period The ice-stream is one of the fastest (40 m per day) and most active in the world Its annual calving of over 46 km3 of ice accounts for 10 of the production of all Greenland calf ice more than any other glacier outside Antarctica The property has significantly added to the understanding of ice-cap glaciology climate change and related geomorphic processes copy Ko Hon Chiu Vincent Source UNESCO
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 39
flowing or streaming part of mountain glaciers or ice caps They become piedmont glaciers when they spread out entering flat land but are called tidewater glaciers when reaching out into the sea Rock glaciers are slow moving glaciers with variable amounts of ice involved which are covered with rock and debris preventing the ice from melting
Diverse glacial landforms and glacial landscapes are created by erosional and depositional processes in different glacial environments The main environments are glacial glacio-fluvial glacio-lacustrine and glacio-marine In glacial environments older glacial landforms and features are often eroded or covered by younger glacial erosion and deposits
Periglacial systems are found in cold climate regions where permafrost and freeze-thaw processes are the dominant factors effecting the environment These processes develop characteristic and diverse landform in periglacial environments for example patterned ground palsas and pingos Permafrost is defined as a ground material (soil rock ice or organic material) that remains at or below 0degC for at least two consecutive years Its main characteristic is the permanently frozen conditions of ground water and vapour within the
sediments and bedrocks affected by the cold climate At the surface is the active layer often about one metre thick that seasonally and repeatedly freezes and thaws Permafrost exists in large areas of non-glacial environments in the polar regions but it also occurs (to a lesser extent) as mountain permafrost in many of the higher mountain areas in the world and as subsea permafrost in the continental shelves of the Arctic Ocean Global warming in the past decades has caused changes in the glacial and periglacial environments and is an on-going condition which may have unforeseen consequences in the future
The description for the theme lsquoIce Agesrsquo in the 2005 report is good and valid It includes global patterns of continental icesheet expansion and recession isostasy sea-level changes and associated biogeographic records
The major Ice Ages in the Earthrsquos history are The Huronian (24-21 billion years ago) The Cryogenian (720-635 million years ago) The Early Palaeozoic (460-420 million years ago) the
Andean-Saharan Ice Age
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 9
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 9 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Kluane Wrangell-St Elias Glacier Bay Tatshenshini-Alsek Canada and United States of America
1979 (1992 1994)
Gros Morne National Park Canada 1987
Los Glaciares National Park Argentina 1981 Heard and McDonald Islands Australia 1997
Tasmanian Wilderness Australia 1982 (1989)
Pirin National Park Bulgaria 1983 (2010)
Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves La Amistad National Park Costa Rica Panama
1983 (1990)
Yosemite National Park United States of America
1984
Huascaraacuten National Park Peru 1985
Te Wahipounamu ndash South West New Zealand New Zealand
1990
Laponian Area Sweden 1996
Pyreacuteneacutees - Mont Perdu France Spain 1997 (1999)
High Coast Kvarken Archipelago Finland Sweden
2000 (2006)
Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch Switzerland 2001 (2007)
Ilulissat Icefjord Denmark 2004
West Norwegian Fjords ndash Geirangerfjord and Naeligroslashyfjord Norway
2005
Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) Tajikistan
2013
Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice Iceland
2019
Table 9 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 9 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems
40 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
The Late Palaeozoic (360-260 million years ago) the Karoo Ice Age
The Cenozoic (28 million-10000 years ago) the Quaternary Ice Age
The Quaternary Ice Age is a rather well-documented event in the Earthrsquos history especially in the Northern Hemisphere but that is not the case with the older Ice Ages However geological records of glacial deposits and erosion relative sea level changes fossil records and chemical elements are evidence of colder climate condition effecting the palaeoenvironment long before the last Ice Age
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005By 2005 14 properties had been inscribed on the World Heritage List under Theme 9 and two additional properties inscribed with ancillary elements under this theme (Table 9 Annex 1) The 14 properties are divided between sites with present glaciers and active glacial processes and sites without glaciers but including glacial landscapes and features from the Pleistocene Epoch Only one property under Theme 9 Laponian Area (Sweden) mention the periglacial processes of freeze-thaw
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005Since 2005 two properties have been inscribed solely or jointly with other themes 1) Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) (Tajikistan) which is at the centre of glaciation on the
Eurasian continent and 2) Vatnajoumlkull National Park (Iceland) for the lsquodynamic nature of fire and icersquo with OUV for two Themes 9 and 4
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeIn the 2005 report the thematic advice provides clarity on the elements of criterion (viii) were divided into four parts and defined with a list of processes landforms and features recognised within each part The two themes at the time (lsquoGlaciers and ice capsrsquo and lsquoIce Agesrsquo) was clearly described The reason that only two inscriptions have been assigned for Theme 9 since 2005 can partly be explained by the relatively high number of inscriptions related to this theme before 2005 A number of potentially relevant properties were also inscribed under criterion (vii) A recent inventory of glaciers inside World Heritage Properties independent of criteria inscriptions gave the result of 46 properties with notable glaciers within their boundaries (Bosson et al 2019) In 2020 at least seven sites on the Tentative Lists of States Parties are described as being glacial and periglacial systems
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionTheme 9 is relatively well represented but with an uneven geographical distribution Europe and North America (11 properties) Asia and Pacific (four properties) and Latin America and the Caribbean (three properties) The theme has not yet
Figure 24 Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina) Significant process of glaciation as well as of geological geomorphological and physiographical phenomena caused by the ongoing advance and retreat of the glaciations that took place during the Pleistocene epoch in the Quaternary period and the neoglaciations corresponding to the current epoch or Holocene copy Philipp Schinz Source UNESCO
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 41
been used for inscription of properties in the Arab States and Africa but this reflects the geography of the planet
Periglacial systems are under-represented on the World Heritage List even though permafrost regions extend over 25 of the Earthrsquos terrestrial areas Large permafrost areas exist in northern Canada Alaska (USA) Russian Federation and China Periglacial system are in properties inscribed under others themes for example Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation) and are also found in World Heritage Properties inscribed for criterion (vii) and biodiversity eg Putorana Plateau (Russian Federation)
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any rsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)The key issue for Theme 9 is the changing climate globally In the past decade we have witnessed that glaciers are retreating fast and periglacial areas are thawing Bosson et al (2019) provides an inventory based on the newest available data on glaciers in 2017 and glacier evolution modelling for 46 World Heritage glaciers sites The results predict that by the year 2100 more than 80 of the ice volume of glaciers in 2017 is expected to have melted in 20 or 41 sites according to the models low or high emission scenario Glacier lsquoextinctionrsquo or disappearance is forecasted in eight to 21 World Heritage Properties In the research it is also pointed out that this decline in World Heritage glaciers will strongly affect the integrity and value of many of these sites and can even be a threat to their OUV
The lsquobig storiesrsquo of the major Ice Ages in Earthrsquos history are their causes and effects Does the rock record hold any evidence of the likely causes of these Ice Ages How are these Ice Ages represented in geological formations and erosions How do they represent changes in palaeoclimates palaeoenvironments atmospheric composition changes in tectonic or changes in the fossil record It is clear that inscription of older Ice Ages can be complex and it will have a strong interplay with other themes To cover some of these topics inscription as a serial or transboundary properties could be considered
Theme 9 has the characteristic of interacting with many other themes under criterion (viii) and with other criteria as well Glacial and periglacial systems are common under criterion (vii) but are also found under criteria (ix) and (x) as the theme creates a foundation for a specific ecological environment biological diversity and habitats
Multibeam surveys of the sea floor have revealed glacial landforms that provide additional information on terrestrial glaciation It is not unlikely that in the near future a new technology will reveal geological properties of OUV for Theme 9 and other themes of criterion (viii)
Theme 9 Glacial and periglacial systems
42 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
What does the theme coverThe theme Desert and semi-desert systems is presented in the 2005 report as lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo and emphasises specific environments rather than a particular surface process or group of processes However in order to minimise overlaps within the present framework and to make it as clear as possible this category is understood as primarily designed to cover aeolian processes and landforms as well as features produced by intermittent runoff and evaporation Thus it includes landscape features such as dunes and dune fields of various types and sizes yardangs deflation hollows wadis and playas
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005The 2005 report mentioned that four properties had OUV under this lsquoArid and semi-arid desert systemsrsquo theme (Willandra Lakes Region (Australia) Tassili nrsquoAjjer (Algeria) Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park (Australia) and Purnululu National Park (Australia) but none had actually been inscribed under that theme (Table 10 Annex 1)
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005The current representation of desert and semi-desert systems among World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion
(viii) is very limited There are only three such properties all inscribed after the 2005 report El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve
(Mexico) ndash includes part of the Sonoran Desert with star dunes and linear dunes of considerable height This property also includes significant volcanic features
Namib Sand Sea (Namibia) ndash hosts diverse dune landscapes representing an almost complete catalogue of dune types (star linear transverse barchans) as well as other desert surface features such as interdune corridors gravel plains ephemeral channels and playas
Lut Desert (Iran) ndash includes classic locality of yardangs developed on a massive scale as well as gravel plains and dune fields
There are several additional World Heritage Properties relevant to the theme but inscribed under criteria other than criterion (viii) However justifications of inscription show that landscape features produced by desert environmental processes were considered crucial for the OUV of these properties These are1 Air and Teacuteneacutereacute Natural Reserves (Niger) (vii) (ix) and (x) ndash
include dune fields surrounding residual volcanic massifs in the hyper-arid environment
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systemsPiotr Migoń
Figure 25 Lut Desert (Iran) The Lut Desert is a classic locality of yardangs developed on a massive scale as well as gravel plains and dune fields copy Paul Williams
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 43
2 Lakes of Ounianga (Chad) (vii) ndash a group of lakes within an otherwise hyper-arid environment fed by groundwater and surrounded by dunes and desert pavements filling surface depressions formed by aeolian erosion (deflation)
3 Okavango Delta (Botswana) (vii) (ix) and (x) ndash overlapping with Theme 5 (River lake and delta systems) it also represents geomorphic features resulting from specific hydrological functioning of drylands with considerable seasonal variations in runoff
Furthermore as with other themes there are many more properties included on the World Heritage List within arid and semi-arid environments but listed for values not related to desert geomorphology (such as Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) (Egypt) which is listed for its spectacular fossils but in a diverse natural desert landscape
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeDesert and semi-desert systems have been the subject of a thematic study commissioned by IUCN (Goudie amp Seely 2011) This study comprehensively covered desert environments identifying various geomorphological features present in the worldrsquos deserts whether directly formed by dry climate processes or not but also indicating three unique subjects for drylands (a) wind processes and landforms (b) weathering processes forms and surface materials specifically different types of near-surface crusts and (c) fossil lakes and other pluvial evidence The latter is particularly important in the context of climate change over geological timescales providing evidence of drastic shifts in climate especially during the Quaternary It needs to be noted that five out of the six World Heritage Properties listed above were inscribed after the thematic study was published although work towards their nominations may have started earlier
Goudie amp Seely (2011) also noted several World Heritage Properties located in deserts which contain representative desert surface features although not of OUV and inscribed under different natural and cultural criteria Among them properties inscribed in recognition of rock art are particularly relevant as this rock art often provides evidence of drastic climate change experienced in recent Earth history They also found several properties on the Tentative List which illustrate desert processes with a few having been inscribed in the following years
This 2011 thematic advice remains relevant and effective as a basis for guiding future application of criterion (viii) under this theme
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionThe current representation of desert and semi-desert systems is relatively modest although the actual number of properties located in arid and semi-arid areas is much higher Many however were inscribed as outstanding examples of erosional systems and palaeontological properties as well as for rock art (as Cultural World Heritage) rather than for aeolian or other specifically dry climate processes Among the six properties listed above four are located in Africa whereas Asia and North America are represented by one property each This low number stands in stark contrast to the area covered by worldrsquos deserts and semi-deserts estimated by Goudie amp Seely (2011) for one third of the total continental area Evident geographical gaps are deserts of Middle East Central and East Asia Australia as well as the semi-desert areas of South America The vastness of the Sahara and the diversity of the North American drylands also offers potential for identification of further features of OUV
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any lsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)In terms of diversity of desert processes and landforms the majority of properties illustrate depositional effects of aeolian processes being focused on dune landscapes Star and linear dunes are highlighted whereas other dunes types such as transverse dune fields and barchans are less exposed Effects of aeolian erosion (deflation) are emphasised in one case only (Lut Desert (Iran)) and there is the scope for further investigation and nominations Desert lakes and playas (former lake basins including seasonal lakes) whether in inland or coastal locations (sabkhas) are clearly under-represented Another gap is complex desert geomorphological systems which would explicitly integrate erosional transitional and depositional features into one system addressing the condition of integrity Two variants may be distinguished here (a) aeolian systems from deflation surfaces (playas stony deserts wind-moulded bedrock outcrops) to dune fields (b) runoff-evaporation systems from channel networks in the higher ground to seasonal lakes and playas The theme of desert landscapes as evidence of climate change is definitely worth exploration both for existing properties (including those inscribed under cultural criteria) and potential properties It may be linked with cultural World Heritage
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 10
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 10 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Bio-sphere Reserve Mexico
2013
Namib Sand Sea Namibia 2013
Lut Desert Iran 2016
Table 10 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 10 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systems
44 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
as the sensitivity of dry environments to climate change often contributed to rises and falls of ancient civilisations which have left tangible evidence (abandoned settlements relict cultural landscapes) Rapidly increasing literature on this subject will provide solid scientific background for further action
In the dual context of desert and semi-desert systems and climate change a theme of loess deposits (wind-blown silt) is identified as completely missing from the World Heritage List Loess with associated palaeosols (buried soils) is an important carrier of palaeoenvironmental information which in suitable settings covers the entire Quaternary Period providing a unique terrestrial record of climate change The thickness of continuous loess may exceed 100 m and is often well exposed In certain localities loess is linked with distinctive features of surface erosion (gully networks escarpments) illustrating on-going geological (geomorphological) processes and significant geomorphic formations Supporting fertile soils loess areas have been inhabited and turned into agricultural land early in the human history As a consequence they are rich in archaeological evidence often of unique value The potential of loess deposits and landscapes may be explored in East and Central Asia Central and Eastern Europe in particular but loess deposits occur on all continents
Thus whilst the specific guidance for the application of criterion (viii) remains relevant it may be that deserts would benefit from a greater connection of the recognition of geoheritage to the wider recognition of cultural and natural World Heritage
Figure 26 Namib Sand Sea (Namibia) This property hosts diverse dune landscapes representing an almost complete catalogue of dune types (star linear transverse barchans) as well as other desert surface features such as interdune corridors gravel plains ephemeral channels and playas copy Ko Hon Chiu Vincent Source UNESCO
Theme 10 Desert and semi-desert systems
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 45
What does the theme coverThe theme of Meteorite impacts includes features produced by the impacts of meteors comets asteroids and other extra-terrestrial objects with the Earth including both physical structures formed by extra-terrestrial impacts such as impact craters as well as major effects caused by them such as mass extinction Impacts by and accretion of extra-terrestrial bodies was the fundamental process by which the Earth grew to its current size It was also a dominant geological process throughout the early history of the Solar System and a variety of possible effects have been ascribed to impacts on Earth including the origin of the Earthrsquos moon the contribution to the Earthrsquos quantity of volatile gases and effects on the evolution of early life In more recent geological time at least one mass extinction event is linked to global effects caused by a major impact event (eg Osinski amp Pierazzo 2012)
Most of the physical structures formed by impacts of extra-terrestrial bodies on Earth have been obliterated by later geological processes and only a few of the more than 190 impact craters3 that have been identified still display the characteristic crater morphology with an annular depression surrounded by an elevated crater rim
What had been listed as World Heritage by 2005At the time of the publication of the 2005 report only one property had been inscribed on the World Heritage List under this theme Vredefort Dome (South Africa) which is the oldest largest and most deeply eroded complex meteorite impact structure in the world (Table 11 Annex 1) It is the site of the worldrsquos greatest single known energy release event and contains high quality and accessible geological (outcrop) properties which demonstrate a range of geological evidences of a complex meteorite impact structure
What has been listed as World Heritage since 2005In 2014 Stevns Klint (Denmark) was inscribed under this theme The property bears evidence of the asteroid impact believed to have caused the mass extinction that led to the end of the Age of the Dinosaurs and has iconic scientific importance due to its association with the radical theory for asteroid driven extinction In 2014 decision 38 COM 8B10 of the World Heritage Committee followed the recommendation of IUCN and considered ldquothat this nomination can be regarded as completing the recognition of the phenomenon of asteroid impact and its impact on the history of life on Earth on the
Theme 11 Meteorite impactsTove Damholt
Figure 27 Vredefort Dome (South Africa) The Vredefort Dome is the oldest largest and most deeply eroded complex meteorite impact structure in the world and the site of the worldrsquos greatest single known energy release event copy OUR PLACE The World Source UNESCO
3 Earth Impact Database 2019 - httpwwwpasscnetEarthImpactDatabaseNew20website_05-2018Indexhtml
46 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
World Heritage Listrdquo The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (South Africa) an Archean property inscribed under several themes (Theme 1 2 4 and 11) contains several thin beds interpreted as meteorite fall-back breccia reflecting the massive bombardments of the early Earth
Is the thematic advice we have at present sufficient for this themeIn the 2005 report the lsquoMeteorite impactrsquo theme is described as ldquophysical evidence of meteorite impacts (astroblemes) and major changes that have resulted from them such as extinctionsrdquo This led to the nomination and inscription of Stevns Klint (Denmark) in 2014 This theme has not been seen as requiring a separate thematic study
How well is the theme now represented on the World Heritage List including its geographical distributionAs mentioned there are only two properties on the World Heritage List that represent meteorite impacts one in Africa and one in Europe plus one property in Africa that contains meteorite fall-back spherules Further it should be noted again that following the nomination of the Stevns Klint (Denmark) in 2014 it can be considered that this theme is now fully represented on the World Heritage List regardless of geographical distribution
Any key issues (things to avoid lessons learned considerations like serial properties relevance to other criteria any lsquobig storiesrsquo missing key properties for this theme that would meet criterion (viii) that are listed under other criteria interplay with biodiversity culture)The theme is well represented considering the more limited scope compared to the other themes recognised within criterion (viii) This is particularly the case with regards to the very old and very large physical features related to impacts by extra-terrestrial bodies by the eroded crater of Vredefort Dome supplemented by the fall back breccia of the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (both in South Africa) Stevns Klint (Denmark) forms an equally strong representation of the effect of an extra-terrestrial impact on the record of life on Earth It is remarkable however that the list does not include the feature that is most spectacular and easily understandable to everyone a well-preserved impact crater with a clearly visible annular depression surrounded by an elevated crater rim The lsquobig storiesrsquo of the theme are thus regarded as fully covered except for the representation of a crater structure clearly visible to the untrained eye and recognised as such to a wide public
Criterion (viii) Properties Inscribed Principally Under Theme 11
Date Inscribed (extension)
Criterion (viii) Properties for which Theme 11 was an Ancillary Theme for Inscription
Date inscribed (extension)
Vredefort Dome South Africa 2005 Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains South Africa 2018
Stevns Klint Demark 2014
Table 11 World Heritage Properties inscribed under criterion (viii) with Theme 11 as the major theme for inscription or as an ancillary theme
Figure 28 Stevns Klint (Denmark) The Stevns Klint bears evidence of the asteroid impact believed to have caused the mass extinction that led to the end of the Age of the Dinosaurs It is of iconic scientific importance due to its association with the radical theory for asteroid driven extinction copy Jacob Lautrup Source UNESCO
Theme 11 Meteorite impacts
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 47
As mentioned previously apart from justifying OUV any World Heritage nomination must also include a full and detailed comparative analysis the definition of boundaries meet the conditions of integrity and demonstrate adequate long-term protection and management which should reflect the extent and character of the attributes that convey the OUV To assist in the assessment of OUV it is necessary to perform a global comparative analysis with other sites and areas (including those already inscribed on the World Heritage List) across the world that contain or display similar elements The following three cases are examples of how the building of a comparative analysis was done for recently designated World Heritage Properties nominated under criterion (viii) Collectively these three examples show some commonalities that extend across all 11 themes in geological World Heritage (Figure 2) including the overarching need to identify a gap in attributes of OUV among all existing World Heritage Properties before beginning the nomination the utility of creating a formal list of required and desired criteria to permit equal comparisons among all relevant sites worldwide and the value of a rigorous scoring system to rank individual sites
relative to these previously defined criteria At the same time these examples also show that some aspects of each theme are unique to that theme and thus require some individuality in the criteria for comparisons It is recommended to consider these but also to contact IUCN beforehand in order to establish an effective comparative analysis methodology
Theme 1 Mistaken Point CanadaFor the past two decades all nominations under Theme 1 have used a similar lsquobest practicersquo method for the comparative analysis of fossil sites as illustrated by the analysis of Mistaken Point (IUCN 2016 p 56-57 Thomas and Narbonne 2015 p 59-69) The evaluation started with a comparison of Mistaken Point with all World Heritage fossil sites none of which contained any part of the OUV proposed for Mistaken Point
Evaluation of all Ediacaran fossil sites worldwide was aided by comparative work undertaken by two international Ediacaran fossil experts who analysed all 109 sites worldwide where Ediacaran fossils had been reported identifying 84 sites they regarded as valid and then further distilling this list to 13 sites
Figure 29 Mistaken Point (Canada) These rugged coastal cliffs of deep marine origin date to the middle of the Ediacaran Period 580-560 million years ago They record lsquowhen life got bigrsquo the first abundant appearance of large biologically complex organisms after three billion years of mainly microbial evolution copy Mistaken Point Ambassadors Inc Barrett amp MacKay Photography Source UNESCO
Comparative analysis
48 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
on five continents with sufficient age certainty and fossil diversity to potentially justify OUV These 13 sites were then assessed on the basis of 12 criteria reflecting the ten questions on the lsquoIUCN fossil site evaluation checklistrsquo (Annex 2) that critically assessed the record of fossil diversity at the site the nature and quality of the fossil archive at the site and the permanence (integrity) and scientific impact of the site (Figure 30) The 13 short-listed Ediacaran sites were then assessed as objectively as possible under these 12 criteria typically using numerical subcategories such as stratigraphic thickness number of fossils described number of fossil species recognised and number of scientific papers documenting the site for ranking within each criterion The short-listed sites were then ranked numerically from 1 to 13 within each criterion and the results were summed to produce a matrix for global comparative analysis A final test of the comparative matrix was to critically compare the ranking (both overall and in each specific criterion) of all 13 sites with the Statement of OUV of the nominated site as representing the ldquooutstanding record of a critical milestone in the history of life on Earth lsquowhen life got bigrsquo after almost three billion years of microbe-dominated evolutionrdquo (Thomas and Narbonne 2015 Fig 36)
Theme 4 Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice IcelandVolcanic systems have recently received a high degree of attention with comprehensive global reviews of all inscribed World Heritage Properties that display volcanic features as part of their OUV (Wood 2009 Casadevall et al 2019) These reviews have provided excellent summations of the breadth of volcanic features preserved in World Heritage Properties worldwide but also reveal some significant volcanic features and processes not represented in any World Heritage Property
The inscription of Icelandrsquos Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice (VPN) property on the World Heritage List in 2019 filled a major gap in the coverage of volcanic systems ndash the volcanic systems that produce a mid-ocean ridge Iceland
is the only part of the actively spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge that is above sea level The comparative analysis for the VPN nomi-nation was with 13 sites six of them World Heritage Properties plus seven other prominent sites which have similar tectonic glacio-volcanic volcanic andor glaciological processes From this comparative analysis it was clear that VPN stood out as being by far the most diverse site in terms of the types of landforms related to volcanism and glacio-volcanism No pro-perty inscribed on the World Heritage List presented active ice dominant glacio-volcanism or glacio-volcanic landforms such as Tuya and Tindar ridges Moacuteberg (hyaloclastite) formations joumlkulhlaup and Sandur or glacial outwash plains In the compa-rative analysis the volcanic fields of Antarctica came close to the VPN in diversity but they had lower levels of Holocene vol-canic activity and many are in areas that are difficult to access (Baldursson et al 2018)
The IUCN evaluation report for VPN (IUCN 2019) concluded
ldquoThe property comprises an entire system where magma and the lithosphere are incessantly interacting with the cryosphere hydrosphere and atmosphere to create extremely dynamic and diverse geological processes and landforms that are currently underrepresented or not found on the World Heritage Listrdquo
Theme 11 Stevns Klint DenmarkThe mass extinction at the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary represents the latest and by far best understood and most publicised of the five major faunal turnovers (mass extinction events) that punctuated the Phanerozoic history of life on Earth (Raup amp Sepkoski 1982 Fan et al 2020) It was also the first mass extinction event that was demonstrably related to an extra-terrestrial impact (Alvarez et al 1980) Recognising that this event was not already represented on the World Heritage List Stevns Klint was proposed for adoption as representing a lsquomajor stage in Earthrsquos history including the record of lifersquo thus fulfilling criterion (viii)
CATEGORY 1Fossil record of Ediacara-typesoft-bodied macrofossil deiversity
CATEGORY 2Nature and quality of the fossil archive
CATEGORY 3Permanence (integrity) and scientific impact of the site
1 Number of Ediacara-type macrofossil genera (sensu lato) known from the site
2 Higher level diversity3 Number of Ediacaran macrofossil specimens of lsquoanimal-like characterrsquo estimated to be visible and in situ at the site4 Wider evolutionary signifiance
5 Quality of preserved Ediacara-type preservation
6 Exposed stratigraphic thickness
7 Geochronological constraints
8 Age of the fossil assemblages
9 Range of major depositional environments represented at the site
10 Degree of site investigation
11 Ease of access to the site
12 Permanence of the site
Figure 30 Summary of the criteria assessed in the Global Comparative Analysis of Ediacaran fossil properties Modified from Thomas and Narbonne 2015 Table 32
Comparative analysis
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 49
The comparative analysis used an existing database (KTbase) of more than 500 sites marking the CretaceousminusPalaeogene boundary (Damholt amp Surlyk 2012) and was performed in two stages
First three prerequisites were defined to ensure that all sites examined in further detail comprised the key attributes telling the complete story of the biotic turnover across the CretaceousminusPalaeogene boundary layer and included traces of the extra-terrestrial impact
Completeness across the boundary including the latest Cretaceous and the earliest Palaeogene strata in order to represent the entire event the nature of the mass extinction and the subsequent recovery of life after the extinction
Well studied and described allowing comparison
Boundary layer lithologically different from the underly-ing Cretaceous sediments and the overlying Palaeogene sediments and including the characteristic enrichment in iridium and other rare elements
These three criteria reduced the number of relevant sites to 17 (Damholt amp Surlyk 2012)
In order to compare the 17 sites fulfilling the prerequisites with respect to their potential as a World Heritage Property an additional number of issues were subsequently studied in detail under a second set of criteria (Soslashrensen 2010)
The nature and quality of the rock section itself The site should be of high quali-ty and permanency and contain a clearly defined stratigraphic section
bull Visibility of the boundary layer
bull Lateral extent of exposure
bull Quality of exposure
Fossil record of biodiversityThe site should contain high fossil diversity representing the broadest possible range of major taxonomic groups
bull Fossil diversity
Scientific impact of siteThe site should have high quality for scientific studies
bull Scientific impactbull Accessibility of the
site
The 17 short-listed Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary sites were assessed as objectively as possible under the defined criteria using numerical subcategories such as visibility of boundary layer lateral extent quality of exposure presence of major biotic groups and number of scientific papers documenting the site for ranking within each criterion The results were summed to produce a matrix for global comparative analysis
Finally the ranking found in the numerical comparative analysis was critically compared with the Statement of OUV of the nominated property as an outstanding example of the most spectacular global mass extinction event in the history of Earth (Damholt amp Surlyk 2012)
Figure 31 Vatnajoumlkull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice (Iceland) This is an iconic volcanic region that also features the continental drifting currently active in this part of Atlantic Ocean with ten central volcanoes eight of which are subglacial Two of these are among the most active in Iceland The interaction between volcanoes and the rifts that underlie the Vatnajoumlkull ice cap takes many forms the most spectacular of which is the joumlkulhlaup ndash a sudden flood caused by the breach of the margin of a glacier copy THORNorvarethur Aacuternason Source UNESCO
Comparative analysis
50 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
IntegrityWhile the principles of authenticity apply only to properties being nominated under criteria (i) ndash (vi) the concept of integrity applies to all nominations including those under criterion (viii) Integrity is a measure of the wholeness or intactness of the heritage of the proposed property Specifically it must include all elements needed to express its OUV it must be of adequate size to ensure the complete representation of the features and processes that convey the propertyrsquos significance and it should not be suffering from any adverse effects of development andor neglect For all properties nominated under criteria (vii) ndash (x) bio-physical processes and landform features should be relatively intact However it is recognised that no area is totally pristine and that all natural areas are in a dynamic state and to some extent involve contact with people For criterion (viii) the Operational Guidelines (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019) state that proposed properties
ldquohellipshould contain all or most of the key inter-related and interdependent elements in their natural relationships For example an rsquoice agersquo area would meet the conditions of integrity if it includes the snow field the glacier itself and samples of cutting patterns deposition and colonization (eg striations moraines pioneer stages of plant succession etc) in the case of volcanoes the magmatic series should be complete and all or most of the varieties of effusive rocks and types of eruptions be representedrdquo
Within this general context other aspects of integrity are most-ly specific to the theme and property under consideration For example a fossil property under Theme 1 should contain a high abundance and diversity of well-preserved fossils that remain in situ in the rock for observation and future study and fossils that have been removed for scientific purposes should be reposited in a curated museum collection The permanence of the fossil record at the property is also an important feature of its integrity
Protection and management Once a property is inscribed onto the World Heritage List it is necessary that the State Party ensures the conditions and integrity of the property are sustained or even enhanced To achieve this all properties must have adequate long-term legislative regulatory institutional and or traditional protection and management to ensure their safeguarding The property should be protected from social economic and other pressures that might negatively impact the propertyrsquos OUV
BoundariesThe delineation of boundaries is an essential requirement in the establishment of the effective protection of a property For properties nominated under criteria (vii) ndash (x) boundaries should reflect the spatial requirements of habitats species processes or phenomena that provide the basis for their inscription on the World Heritage List The boundaries should include sufficient areas immediately adjacent to the area of OUV in order to protect the propertyrsquos heritage values from direct effects of human encroachments and impacts of resource use outside of the nominated area (a buffer zone) More information on protection and management and boundaries can be found in the Operational Guidelines (UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019)
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 51
The following section addresses the explicit request from the World Heritage Committee for guidance on the relationship between geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
The lsquoConvention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritagersquo was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 17th session in November 1972 It was done in response to the observation that cultural and natural heritage were becoming increasingly threatened with destruction not only by traditional causes of decay but also by changing social and economic conditions It also considered that parts of the cultural and natural heritage are of outstanding interest and therefore need to be preserved as part of the World Heritage of humankind as a whole At the time of adoption the Convention stated that natural heritage included ldquogeological and physiographical formationsrdquo Subsequently the concept of OUV was defined and ten criteria were established to help States Parties decide whether proposed World Heritage Properties could fulfil the concept of OUV Before 2004 natural criterion (i) stated ldquobe outstanding examples representing major stages of Earthrsquos history including the record of life significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms or significant geomorphic or physiographic featuresrdquo With the re-organising of the criteria in 2004 natural criterion (i) became criterion (viii) although the definition remained unchanged Presently (June 2021) 93 properties are inscribed on the World Heritage List either under criterion (viii) alone or in combination with one or more other criteria representing approximately 8 of all properties on the list
The latest version of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention published in 2019 mentions that since the adoption of the Convention in 1972 the international community has embraced the concept of lsquosustainable developmentrsquo and notes that the protection and conservation of the natural and cultural heritage constitute a significant contribution to sustainable development It also encourages States Parties to mainstream into their programmes and activities related to the Convention the principles of the relevant policies adopted by the World Heritage Committee the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention and the UNESCO Governing Bodies These include the document Policy for the Integration of a Sustainable Development Perspective into the Processes of the World Heritage Convention and the UNESCO policy on engaging with indigenous peoples as well as other related policies and documents including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and international human rights standards However the definitions of World Heritage and OUV and the ten criteria that support these definitions still make no reference to sustainable development Furthermore some properties
are so fragile remote scientifically specific or they simply have no host human communities that they cannot contribute to sustainable development The important thing is of course that they fulfil one or more of the ten criteria to demonstrate that they have OUV
Starting in the late 1980rsquos and 1990rsquos various areas in Europe were developing programmes of sustainable development based on geological heritage In 1994 Reacuteserve Geacuteologique de Haute Provence (France) Vulkaneifel (the Gerolstein area of the Eifel district in Germany) and the Museum of the Petrified Forest on Lesvos Island Greece joined together to apply for funding under the European Unionrsquos community-led LEADER programme to further develop this concept of using an arearsquos geological heritage to promote the sustainable development of the communities who live there They were joined by the Maestrazgo Cultural Park in Spain and together in 2000 they jointly launched the fledging European Geoparks Network with each area branding itself as a European Geopark As originally defined a European Geopark is a territory which includes a particular geological heritage and a sustainable territorial development strategy supported by a European program to promote development It must have clearly defined boundaries and sufficient surface area for true territorial economic development A European Geopark should have an active role in the economic development of its territory through enhancement of a general image linked to the geological heritage and the development of geotourism It should also have direct impact on the territory by influencing its inhabitants living conditions and environment The objective is to enable the inhabitants to re-appropriate the values of the territoryrsquos heritage and actively participate in the territoryrsquos cultural revitalisation as a whole Also significantly all European Geoparks were obliged to be part of a network of cooperation the European Geoparks Network By early 2004 the European Geoparks Network had expanded to include 17 European Geoparks
At the same time Geoparks also began to be created in China However here the early focus was to define sites and areas important from a geological science perspective only rather than using that heritage for promoting sustainable development On February 13 2004 alongside the annual meeting in UNESCO of the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) eight Chinese Geoparks and the 17 European Geoparks were brought together to create the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and the 25 European and Chinese Geoparks were rebranded as Global Geoparks under the auspices of UNESCO and using the approach of using geological heritage for promoting sustainable development The Global Geoparks and the GGN were then formally launched in June 2004 in Beijing China at the inaugural International
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
52 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Conference on Geoparks The 2005 report noted that ldquohellipthe World Heritage List is never likely to include more than 150 properties of primary geological or geomorphological interestrdquo and that the ldquonecessarily selective nature of World Heritage cannot therefore be regarded as adequate for recognising the full range of globally selective geological propertiesrdquo By the time the 2005 report was published there were 32 Global Geoparks and it was noted that the UNESCO Geoparks Program could be a viable alternative model to World Heritage for recognising protecting other geological sites However there was no UNESCO Geoparks Program at that time and there was no formal legal link to UNESCO
Nevertheless Global Geoparks increasingly spread to other areas of the world Starting in 2013 at the request of its Member States UNESCO through the establishment of a working group began to explore ways of formalising the link between Global Geoparks and the Organisation This resulted in the adoption in November 2015 by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 38th session of a new programme the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) which allowed for the creation of a new UNESCO site designation the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) Following approval from 33 individual Member States which hosted the then existing 120 Global Geoparks these areas were automatically re-designated as UGGprsquos Presently (June 2021) there are 169 UGGprsquos in 44 Member States all linked together through the GGN4
With the drafting and adoption of a set of Statutes and Operational Guidelines for the new IGGP (UNESCO 2015) a UNESCO Global Geopark was officially defined as a
ldquohellipsingle unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection education and sustainable development The international geological significance of a UNESCO Global Geopark is determined by scientific professionals as part of a lsquoUNESCO Global Geopark Evaluation Teamrsquo who make a globally comparative assessment based on the peer-reviewed published research conducted on geological sites within the area UNESCO Global Geoparks use geological heritage in connection with all other aspects of that arearsquos natural and cultural heritage to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society in the context of the dynamic planet we all live onrdquo
To support this definition a set of seven criteria were also adopted(i) UNESCO Global Geoparks must be single unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection education research and sustainable development A UNESCO Global Geopark must have a clearly defined border be of adequate size to fulfil its functions and contain geological
heritage of international significance as independently verified by scientific professionals
(ii) UNESCO Global Geoparks should use that heritage in connection with all other aspects of that arearsquos natural and cultural heritage to promote awareness of key issues facing society in the context of the dynamic planet we all live on including but not limited to increasing knowledge and understanding of geoprocesses geohazards climate change the need for the sustainable use of Earthrsquos natural resources the evolution of life and the empowerment of indigenous peoples
(iii) UNESCO Global Geoparks should be areas with a management body having legal existence recognized under national legislation The management bodies should be appropriately equipped to adequately address the area of the UNESCO Global Geopark in its entirety
(iv) In the case where an applying area overlaps with another UNESCO designated site such as a World Heritage Site or Biosphere Reserve the request must be clearly justified and evidence must be provided for how UNESCO Global Geopark status will add value by being both independently branded and in synergy with the other designations
(v) UNESCO Global Geoparks should actively involve local communities and indigenous peoples as key stakeholders in the Geopark In partnership with local communities a co-management plan needs to be drafted and implemented that provides for the social and economic needs of local populations protects the landscape in which they live and conserves their cultural identity It is recommended that all relevant local and regional actors and authorities be represented in the management of a UNESCO Global Geopark Local and indigenous knowledge practice and management systems should be included alongside science in the planning and management of the area
(vi) UNESCO Global Geoparks are encouraged to share their experience and advice and to undertake joint projects within the GGN Membership of GGN is obligatory
(vii) A UNESCO Global Geopark must respect local and national laws relating to the protection of geological heritage The defining geological heritage sites within a UNESCO Global Geopark must be legally protected in advance of any application At the same time a UNESCO Global Geopark should be used as leverage for promoting the protection of geological heritage locally and nationally The management body must not participate directly in the sale of geological objects such as fossils minerals polished rocks and ornamental rocks of the type normally found in so-called lsquorockshopsrsquo within the UNESCO Global Geopark (regardless of their origin) and should actively discourage unsustainable trade in geological materials as a whole Where clearly justified as a responsible activity and as part of delivering the most effective and sustainable means of site management it may permit sustainable collecting of geological materials for scientific and educational purposes from naturally renewable sites within
4 List of UNESCO Global Geoparks - httpwwwunescoorgnewennatural-sciencesenvironmentearth-sciencesunesco-global-geoparkslist-of-unesco-global-geoparks
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 53
the UNESCO Global Geopark Trade of geological materials based on such a system may be tolerated in exceptional circumstances provided it is clearly and publicly explained justified and monitored as the best option for the Global Geopark in relation to local circumstances Such circumstances will be subject to approval by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council on a case by case basis
As can be seen the main and important differences between geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks include that the former are defined by the concept of OUV while the latter are defined by having lsquosites and landscapes of international geological significancersquo While OUV is defined as a combination of fulfilling one or more of the World Heritage criteria site integrity and having a management plan for UGGprsquos international geological significance is independently assessed by the International Union for Geological Sciences (IUGS) Through their global network IUGS ask independent geological researchers on whether the areasrsquo geological values have attracted international scientific researchers whose results have been published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals If the application is deemed by IUGS as not having international value then the application is stopped
Additionally the concept of sustainable development is an integral part of the definition of a UGGp and the involvement of local communities is one of the criteria that helps support
the definition Furthermore while UGGprsquos can just like World Heritage Properties be transnational they cannot be serial in nature as a UGGp is defined as a single unified geographical area Finally a UGGp must include people within its boundaries as per criterion (v) of the definition and there is no zonation such as can exist for World Heritage Properties (eg buffer zones)
Legally the two designations also differ The Statutes and Operational Guidelines of the IGGP do not constitute an intergovernmental convention such as the lsquoWorld Heritage Conventionrsquo and decisions involving new designations and revalidation (the 4-yearly periodic review all UGGprsquos are subject to) are taken by a body of individuals the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council which is appointed by the Director General of UNESCO on the basis of their expertise in Geoparks but who are not representatives of their respective States or any other affiliated entity This is in contrast to the equivalent body for World Heritage the World Heritage Committee which consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties that are signatories to the Convention The aforementioned system of periodic review for UGGprsquos revalidation also differs to that operated through the World Heritage Convention the periodic review During revalidation progress reports submitted by the UGGp are analysed and this is followed by a site visit that thoroughly investigates not only whether the area is still functioning as a UGGp but significantly what improvements have been made particularly in regard to sustainable
Figure 32 Lesvos Island UNESCO Global Geoparks (Greece) One of the remits of UNESCO Global Geoparks is to promote awareness of geohazards On Lesvos Island the Geopark authorities teach school children how to act in the event of an earthquake When this earthquake hit the village of Vrisa in 2017 pupils in the local school were in class While the school was destroyed all children escaped unharmed copy Patrick Mc Keever
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
54 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
development community involvement and networking activities through the GGN The result of this process can be that the area has made sufficient progress meaning it can maintain its designation as a UGGp for an additional four years after which this process is repeated (the so-called green card) If however it is deemed that not enough progress has been made or one or more other issues have been identified (perhaps for example problems in management or visibility) then a two year warning is issued (the so-called yellow card) A list of recommendations are given to the UGGp and a two year period is allowed for their implantation after which another full revalidation exercise is undertake At this stage if it is considered that not enough progress has been made then the area loses its designation as a UGGp (the so-called red card) A red card is not necessarily the end of the story however as the area when its management body feels it is ready can re-apply following the normal procedure Several Geoparks that previously were given red card have re-applied and have been re-designated as UGGprsquos
While the two UNESCO designations have different remits and foci the two are not mutually exclusive There are several UGGprsquos that include within their boundaries one or more World Heritage Properties (cultural natural and mixed) there are some UGGprsquos that have subsequently either partially or wholly been inscribed onto the World Heritage List There are also some geological World Heritage Properties that have
subsequently been incorporated into a UGGp (eg Messel Pit Fossil Site World Heritage Property in Germany is now a site within the much larger Bergstraszlige-Odenwald UGGp)
When a Member State of UNESCO or a State Party to the World Heritage Convention is pondering whether to apply for an area within its territory to be designated as a geological World Heritage Property or as a UGGp the key questions they should ask is why do they want that designation and what is it they hope to achieve by obtaining it The following figures (34 and 35) are aimed at helping countries decide
Figure 33 Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark (Northern Ireland amp Republic of Ireland) Protection of internationally important geological environments is also part of the remit of UNESCO Global Geoparks Cuilcagh Mountain holds one of the largest expanses of blanket bog in Europe Erosion of the bog for example by increased numbers of walkers leads to increased rain runoff into the Marble Arch Caves To assist in the protection of both the bog and the caves the Geopark authorities built a walkway for ramblers The wooden walkway has become a huge success and has attracted tens of thousands more walkers to the area but still ensuring protection of the environment while economically benefitting the sustainable tourism industry of the Geopark copy Tourism Ireland
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 55
World Heritage Property Unesco Global Geopark
Who Can Apply Any country that has signed the World Heritage Convention Such countries are known as States Parties
Any country that is a member of UNESCO
Geological Values Must fulfil criterion (viii) and demonstrate OUV
Must have sites and landscapes of international geological significance
Who Decides On Geological Value Recommendation made by IUCN Decision made by World Heritage Committee
International Union of Geological Sciences make decision If they say lsquonorsquo the application is halted
Role Of National Government The nomination of a property for inscription on the World Heritage List is prepared by a State Party to the World Heritage Convention
Notice of intent to apply and the application sent by the national organisation that has official relations with UNESCO eg national commission
Tentative List Obligatory Recommended
National Committees Not required Recommended
Submission Only a property already on the World Heritage Tentative List may be submitted by the State Party to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre as a new World Heritage nomination
Through the national organisation that has official relations with UNESCO eg national commission
Serial Properties Sites Yes No Must be a single unified area
Other Values Can be submitted under any other natural or cultural criteria so long as it can demonstrate OUV under each criterion
Obligatory to link the geological values with other natural cultural and intangible values
Maximum Size None While there is no maximum size it needs to be manageable by a single management authority
Minimum Size Must be of adequate size to ensure the complete representation of the features and processes which convey the propertyrsquos significance and OUV
Cannot be a single site and must be of sufficient size to realise sustainable economic development
Management Body Obligatory Obligatory
Overlap With Other Unesco Designations
Yes Yes but the reasons must be detailed in the application and the management body of any other designation must support the UGGp application
Local Community Involvement Recommended where appropriate Obligatory
Areas With No Human Population Yes No
Selling Of Geological Material In So-Called rsquoRock Shopsrsquo
Yes Not permitted by any organisation selling such material that is linked to the management body
Networking With Other Sites In The Same Designation
No Obligatory All UGGprsquos must be members of the Global Geoparks Network
Cost Of Application Process World Heritage Properties need an established protection and management regime that meets the World Heritage standard but the cost of running such very much depends on site-specific characteristics
Costs associated with the nomination varies
Area must demonstrate it is acting as a de-facto UGGp at the time of application including employing staff operational activities visibility etc Costs associated with this varies Costs associated with creation of application dossier also vary but normally less that WHS applications
Figure 34 A compilation of common questions comparing geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
56 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
World Heritage Property Unesco Global Geopark
Cost Of Site Assessment Costs borne by the nominating State Party
Costs borne by the applying area
Annual Fee None A fee of 1500euro is payable annually to the GGN of which 1000USD is donated to UNESCO
Application Timeline Sites need to have been inscribed on the Tentative List for at least 12 months before being nominated
Nomination process from voluntary draft deadline takes a minimumn of 22 months
Minimum of approximately 18 months At the time of application the candidate area must be acting as a de-facto Geopark for at least one year
Decision Making Process By the intergovernmental World Heritage Committee
By the international UNESCO Global Geopark Council Final endorsement is by the Executive Board of UNESCO
Review Process Every six years States Parties submit periodic reports for examination by the World Heritage Committee
The state of conservation of specific World Heritage Properties that are under threat is reported by the State Party and analysed by the Advisory Bodies
Four year revalidation process using a traffic light system of green (four year renewal) yellow (two year renewal) and red (delisting)
Expectation For Results Regarding Sustainable Development
States Parties to the World Heritage Convention have the responsibility to contribute to and comply with the sustainable development objectives including gender equality in the World Heritage processes and in their heritage conservation and management systems
Obligatory and assessed during the revalidation process
Figure 34 A compilation of common questions comparing geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 57
Figure 35 A Decision Tree aimed at further assisting countries decide whether to seek designation for an area as a geological World Heritage Property or a UNESCO Global Geoparks
ValuesDoes the site have OUV
Is the site of international geological significance
Scoping study on the potential for demonstrating OUV and or initialcomparative analysis of the site in
its wider global context
UGGp NONE Independentassessment
needed
IntegrityDoes the site satisfy the conditions for integrity
Is it a serial site Does the site include people within its boundaries and
is of sufficient area for territorial economic development
Assessment of conditions for integrity as outlined in sect88 and
sect93 of the World Heritage Operational Guidelines
Lead and managementIs the lead and management at state level
Are local communities indigenous peoples actively involved
Timeline for application processTime available
Sites need to be inscribed on the Tentative List
min 12 months before nominatedNomination process from voluntary
deadline for draft nominations takes min 22 months
Min 18 months
WH or UGGp
Yes No Donrsquot know
Yes No Donrsquot know
Yes No Donrsquot know
Yes No
WH or UGGpWH
Yes No
NONEUGGp
Yes No
WH
Yes No
NONEUGGp
Long Less
UGGp
WH
Geological World Heritage Properties and UNESCO Global Geoparks
58 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
As was stated at the outset of this report the 2005 report entitled Geological World Heritage A Global Framework aimed to discuss and advise on the role of the World Heritage Convention in recognising and protecting geological and geomorphological heritage By using a thematic approach the 2005 report aimed to assist States Parties in undertaking global comparative
analyses of properties prior to and as part of new nominations under criterion (viii)
assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors to identify possible gaps in coverage of the World Heritage List
assist the World Heritage Committee and its advisors in their evaluation of new nominations of properties under criterion (viii)
The remit of the present report is to fully revise and update the 2005 report and to look at the potential impact of the new UNESCO Global Geopark designation on future inscriptions to the World Heritage List under criterion (viii)
As with the 2005 report this report also emphasises the fundamental nature of demonstrating OUV before any nomination to the World Heritage List should be made It must be further emphasised that the World Heritage List is very selective and just because a site may be the best of its type nationally or even on a continental scale it does not automatically follow that it has the necessary OUV to be inscribed onto the World Heritage List Only the best sites on a global scale should be inscribed
Before starting the process of considering a possible nomination (and preferably before addition of a possible site to the national Tentative List that guides possible World Heritage nominations) consideration should be given to the reason for seeking a nomination What is it the State Party wants to achieve by a nomination At this stage consideration should be given to assessing whether the UNESCO Global Geopark designation may be a more appropriate option to consider The decision tree in the previous section (Figure 35) can help with this assessment
Whether the decision is to press ahead with a World Heritage nomination or an application to become a UNESCO
Conclusions
Figure 36 Grand Canyon National Park (United States of America) Carved out by the Colorado River the Grand Canyon (nearly 1500 m deep) is the most spectacular gorge in the world Located in the state of Arizona it cuts across the Grand Canyon National Park and its horizontal strata retrace the geological history of the past two billion years copy US National Park Service
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 59
Global Geopark all the geological values of the site under consideration must be analysed For a World Heritage nomination the site must demonstrate OUV For a UNESCO Global Geopark application the proposed site or landscape must demonstrate geological heritage of international value
To assist with the analysis in relation to possible World Heritage nominations the 11 themes described in this report should be used to organise the information needed to consider the geological values of the proposed site Overlaps between the geological values of the proposed site and gaps in the World Heritage List should be identified to ensure that these values are not already well represented If the values overlap with identified gaps in the List a brief synthesis defining these values and the attributes should be compiled as the basis for further analysis
Finally to ensure the proposed site really can demonstrate OUV a thorough and detailed comparative analysis should be undertaken based on its geological values attributes and integrity to demonstrate that the site has the exceptional level of global significance that could justify its inclusion on the World Heritage List and fully meet the requirements set out in the World Heritage Conventionrsquos Operational Guidelines
Only once this has been done and the State Party can fully demonstrate that the site has the necessary potential to demonstrate OUV should the preparation of a full nomination to the World Heritage List be considered Throughout this process IUCN is available to respond to questions and advice of States Parties considering World Heritage nominations and welcomes further questions on the recommendations put forward in the present study
Conclusions
60 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
Abdulla A Obura D Bertzky B and Shi Y (2013) Marine Natural Heritage and the World Heritage List Interpretation of World Heritage criteria in marine systems analysis of biogeographic representation of sites and a roadmap for addressing gaps Gland Switzerland IUCN httpswwwiucnorgnode21147
Alvarez LW Alvarez W Asaro F and Michel HV (1980) Extraterrestrial cause for the CretaceousndashTertiary Extinction Science 208(4448) pp1095ndash1108 httpsdoiorg101126science20844481095
Anderson JM and de Wit M (2008) Africa Alive Corridors A continental network of earth life and cultural heritage Geobulletin of the Geological Society of South Africa December 2008 pp 11ndash25
Baldursson S Guethnason J Hannesdoacutettir H and Thoacuteretharson T (2018) Nomination of Vatnajoumlkull National Park for inclusion in the World Heritage List Reykjaviacutek Vatnajoumlkull National Park httpswhcunescoorgdocument166300
Bird EC (2004) lsquoCoastal Classificationrsquo In AS Goudie (ed) Encyclopaedia of Geomorphology Routledge London vol 1 p 165-168
Bosson J‐B Huss M and Osipova E (2019) Disappearing World Heritage glaciers as a keystone of nature conservation in a changing climate Earthrsquos Future 7 469ndash479 httpsdoi org1010292018EF001139
Casadevall T Tormey D and Roberts J (2019) World Heritage Volcanoes Classification gap analysis and recommendations for future listings Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsdoiorg102305IUCNCH201907en
Damholt T and Surlyk F (2012) Nomination of Stevns Klint for inclusion in the World Heritage List St Heddinge Denmark Oslashstsjaeligllands Museum
Dingwall P Weighell T and Badman T (2005) Geological World Heritage A Global Framework Gland Switzerland IUCN httpswwwiucnorgcontentgeological-world-heritage-a-global-framework
Dye BJ et al (2019) Heritage Dammed Water Infrastructure Impacts on World Heritage Properties and Free Flowing Rivers Civil Society Report to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and Parties of the World Heritage Convention Moscow Rivers without Boundaries and World Heritage Watch httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode48506
Fan J-X et al (2020) A high-resolution summary of Cambrian to Early Triassic marine invertebrate biodiversity Science 367(6475) pp272ndash277 httpsdoiorg101126scienceaax4953
Ferrier RC and Jenkins A (eds) (2010) Handbook of catchment management Chichester Wiley-Blackwell httpsdoiorg1010029781444307672
Ford DC and Williams PW (2007) Karst Hydrogeology and Geomorphology Chichester Wiley
Ford DC and Williams PW (2011) lsquoGeomorphology underground the study of karst and karst processesrsquo In KJ Gregory and AS Goudie (eds) The SAGE Handbook of Geomorphology London SAGE Publications
Freestone D Laffoley D Douvere F and Badman T (2016) World Heritage in the High Seas An Idea Whose Time Has Come World Heritage Report 44 UNESCO and IUCN
Fryirs KA and Brierley GJ (2012) Geomorphic analysis of river systems an approach to reading the landscape John Wiley amp Sons
Goldscheider N et al (2020) Global distribution of carbonate rocks and karst water resources Hydrogeology Journal 28 1661-1677 httpsdoiorg101007s10040-020-02139-5
Goudie A and Seely M (2011) World Heritage Desert Landscapes Potential Priorities for the Recognition of Desert Landscapes and Geomorphological Sites on the World Heritage List Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode9818
Grill G et al (2019) Mapping the worldrsquos free-flowing rivers Nature 569(7755) p215 httpsdoiorg101038s41586-019-1111-9
Henriques MH and Neto K (2015) Geoheritage at the Equator Selected Geoproperties of Sao Tome Island (Cameron Line Central Africa) Sustainability v 7 pp 648-667 httpsdoiorg103390su7010648
Hillier JK and Watts AB (2007) Global distribution of seamounts from ship-track bathymetry data Geophys Res Lett 34 L13304 httpsdoiorg1010292007GL029874
References
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 61
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (2016) lsquoWorld Heritage Nomination ndash IUCN Technical Evaluation Mistaken Point (Canada)rsquo In IUCN World Heritage Evaluations 2016 IUCN Evaluations of nominations of natural and mixed properties to the WHL WHC1640COMINF8B2 Gland Switzerland IUCN pp53-62 httpswhcunescoorgdocument152802
IUCN (2019) lsquoWorld Heritage Nomination ndash IUCN Technical Evaluation Vatnajoumlkull National Park (Iceland)rsquo In IUCN World Heritage Evaluations 2019 IUCN Evaluations of nominations of natural and mixed properties to the World Heritage List WHC1943COMINF8B2 Gland Switzerland IUCN pp42-51 httpswhcunescoorgdocument176191
Kim S and Wessel P (2011) New global seamount census from altimetry-derived gravity data Geophysical Journal International 186 615-631 httpsdoiorg101111j1365-246X201105076x
Moss B (2010) Ecology of fresh waters a view for the twenty-first century John Wiley amp Sons
Osinski GR and Pierazzo E (2012) Impact Cratering Processes and Products John Wiley amp Sons
Palmer AN (2007) Cave Geology Dayton Ohio Cave Books
Raup DM and Sepkoski JJ (1982) Mass extinctions in the marine fossil record Science 215(4539) pp1501-1503 httpsdoiorg101126science21545391501
Soslashrensen AM (2010) Comparative analysis of KT boundary sites for inclusion in the World Heritage List Report Oslashstsjaeligllands Museum
Spalding MD (2012) Marine World Heritage Towards a representative balanced and credible World Heritage List UNESCO World Heritage Centre Paris Online whcunescoorguploadsactivitiesdocumentsactivity-13-24pdf
Thomas R and Narbonne GM (2015) Mistaken Point Nomination for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List Newfoundland and Labrador Canada Parks and Natural Areas Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation and Mistaken Point Ambassadors Inc httpswhcunescoorguploadsnominations1497pdf
Thorsell JW Levy RF and Sigaty T (1997) A global overview of wetland and marine protected areas on the World Heritage list Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode7359
Toteu SF Anderson JM and De Wit M (2010) lsquoAfrica Alive Corridorsrsquo Forging a new future for the people of Africa Journal of African Earth Sciences 58 pp692ndash715 httpsdoiorg101016jjafrearsci201008011
United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2015) The Statutes and Operational Guidelines of the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme IGGP2015ST
UNESCO (2016) The future of the World Heritage convention for marine conservation UNESCO World Heritage paper 45
UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2011) Preparing World Heritage Nominations 2nd ed A World Heritage Resource Manual Paris France
UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2019) Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention WHC1901 10 July 2019 Paris France
Wessel P Sandwell DT and Kim S (2010) The Global Seamount Census Oceanography 23 24-33
Wells RT (1996) Earthrsquos Geological History A Contextual Framework for Assessment of World Heritage Fossil Site Nominations IUCN Natural Heritage Programme Working Paper 1 Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode7357
Williams P (2008) World Heritage Caves and Karst A Thematic Study Gland Switzerland IUCN httpswwwiucnorgcontentworld-heritage-caves-and-karst-a-thematic-study
Wood C (2009) World Heritage Volcanoes Gland Switzerland IUCN httpsportalsiucnorglibrarynode9486
Woodroffe CD Cowell PJ and Dickson ME (2011) lsquoCoastal Environmentsrsquo In KJ Gregory and AS Goudie (eds) The SAGE Handbook of Geomorphology London SAGE Publications
World Heritage Committee (2014) Decision 38 COM 8B10 Stevns Klint (Denmark) In Report of decisions of the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee (Doha 2014) Paris France UNESCO World Heritage Centre httpswhcunescoorgendecisions6095
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) (2019) New study in Nature Just one-third of the worldrsquos longest rivers remain free-flowing 8 May 2019 Gland Switzerland WWF httpswwfpandaorgwwf_newspress_releases346815New-Study-in-Nature-Just-One-Third-of-the-Worlds-Longest-Rivers-Remain-Free-Flowing
References
62 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 63
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Aust
ralia
n Fo
ssil
Mam
mal
Site
s (R
iver
slei
gh
Nara
coor
te)
1Ri
vers
leig
h pr
ovid
es e
xcep
tiona
l an
d in
man
y ca
ses
uniq
ue m
amm
al a
ssem
blag
es fr
om th
e Ol
igoc
ene
to M
ioce
ne s
pann
ing
from
10-
30 m
illion
ye
ars
ago
The
se a
ssem
blag
es d
ocum
ent c
hang
es
in h
abita
t fro
m h
umid
low
land
rain
fore
st to
dry
eu
calyp
t for
ests
and
woo
dlan
ds a
nd p
rovid
e th
e fir
st fo
ssil
reco
rd fo
r man
y di
stin
ctive
gro
ups
of
livin
g m
amm
als
such
as
the
mar
supi
al m
oles
and
fe
athe
r-ta
iled
poss
ums
The
ass
embl
ages
reco
vere
d fro
m th
e ca
ves
at N
arac
oorte
Vic
toria
Fos
sil C
ave
pres
erve
an
outs
tand
ing
reco
rd o
f mor
e re
cent
te
rrest
rial v
erte
brat
e lif
e T
hese
ope
n a
win
dow
into
a
sign
ifica
nt p
erio
d of
Ear
thrsquos
his
tory
from
the
mid
-Pl
eist
ocen
e to
pre
sent
(530
000
yea
rs a
go to
toda
y)
a pe
riod
char
acte
rised
by
grea
t clim
atic
cha
nges
Them
e 1
Rive
rsle
igh
and
Nara
coor
te
are
a su
perb
illu
stra
tion
of k
ey s
tage
s in
the
Ceno
zoic
evo
lutio
n of
Aus
tralia
rsquos
uniq
ue fa
una
1994
(viii)
(ix)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Barb
erto
n M
akho
njw
a M
ount
ains
12
4 1
1De
cisi
on 4
2 CO
M 8
B5
stat
es T
he p
rope
rty
cont
ains
the
best
mos
t dive
rse
and
outs
tand
ing
exam
ples
of r
ock
outc
rops
from
the
Arch
aean
sta
ge
of E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry I
ts ro
cks
have
reve
aled
the
earli
est
reco
rd o
f sin
gle-
celle
d lif
e fo
rms
as w
ell a
s th
e ea
rlies
t and
mos
t sig
nific
ant g
eom
orph
ic fe
atur
es
incl
udin
g de
taile
d ev
iden
ce o
f the
pro
cess
es
invo
lved
in th
e ev
olut
ion
of th
e or
igin
ally
oxyg
en-f
ree
ocea
ns a
nd a
tmos
pher
e a
nd c
reat
ion
of th
e fir
st
cont
inen
tal l
andf
orm
sTh
e pr
oper
ty is
a tr
uly
uniq
ue re
mna
nt o
f the
an
cien
t Ear
thrsquos
cru
st c
onta
inin
g am
ong
the
olde
st
and
undo
ubte
dly
the
best
-pre
serv
ed s
eque
nce
of
volc
anic
and
sed
imen
tary
rock
s on
Ear
th T
hese
hi
ghly
acce
ssib
le a
ncie
nt e
xpos
ures
pre
sent
a
cont
inuo
us 3
40 m
illion
yea
r seq
uenc
e of
rock
s
star
ting
3600
milli
on y
ears
ago
The
ir ph
ysic
al a
nd
chem
ical
cha
ract
eris
tics
prov
ide
an u
npar
alle
led
sour
ce o
f sci
entifi
c in
form
atio
n ab
out t
he e
arly
Earth
The
out
stan
ding
val
ue o
f the
se ro
cks
lies
in
the
larg
e nu
mbe
r of s
ites
and
feat
ures
that
whe
n co
mbi
ned
pro
vide
a un
ique
and
as
yet o
nly
parti
ally
expl
ored
sci
entifi
c re
sour
ce
Them
e 1
One
of t
he w
orld
rsquos
olde
st g
eolo
gica
l stru
ctur
es d
atin
g ba
ck 3
6 to
32
5 bi
llion
year
s ag
o
pres
ervin
g th
e en
viron
men
t for
the
early
evo
lutio
n of
life
The
me
2 A
n Ar
chea
n gr
anite
-gre
enst
one
belt
that
re
cord
s co
ntin
ent-
build
ing
on th
e ea
rly E
arth
The
me
4 K
omat
iites
the
ho
ttest
lava
s th
at h
ave
ever
flow
ed
on o
ur p
lane
t w
ere
first
reco
gnize
d in
th
is s
ite T
hem
e 11
Sph
erul
e be
ds
of m
olte
n ro
ck d
ropl
ets
from
a p
erio
d of
inte
nse
met
eorit
e bo
mba
rdm
ent
whi
ch p
rovid
e ev
iden
ce o
f som
e of
the
earli
est l
arge
met
eorit
e im
pact
eve
nts
2018
(viii)
Natu
ral
Sout
h Af
rica
Afric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties Guy M Narbonne and Joseacute Brilha
62 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 63
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Cana
dian
Roc
ky
Mou
ntai
n Pa
rks
12
6Th
e Bu
rges
s Sh
ale
is o
ne o
f the
mos
t sig
nific
ant
foss
il ar
eas
in th
e w
orld
Exq
uisi
tely
pres
erve
d fo
ssils
reco
rd a
dive
rse
abu
ndan
t mar
ine
com
mun
ity d
omin
ated
by
soft-
bodi
ed o
rgan
ism
s
Orig
inat
ing
soon
afte
r the
rapi
d un
fold
ing
of a
nim
al
life
abou
t 540
milli
on y
ears
ago
the
Bur
gess
Sha
le
foss
ils p
rovid
e ke
y ev
iden
ce o
f the
his
tory
and
ear
ly ev
olut
ion
of m
ost a
nim
al g
roup
s kn
own
toda
y an
d yie
ld a
mor
e co
mpl
ete
view
of l
ife in
the
sea
than
an
y ot
her s
ite fo
r tha
t tim
e pe
riod
The
sev
en p
arks
of
the
Cana
dian
Roc
kies
are
a c
lass
ic re
pres
enta
tion
of s
igni
fican
t and
on-
goin
g gl
acia
l pro
cess
es a
long
th
e co
ntin
enta
l divi
de o
n hi
ghly
faul
ted
fold
ed a
nd
uplif
ted
sedi
men
tary
rock
s
Them
e 1
The
Bur
gess
Sha
le
insc
ribed
as
a UN
ESCO
Wor
ld H
erita
ge
Prop
erty
in 1
980
for i
ts w
orld
-ren
own
foss
ils o
f Cam
bria
n so
ft-bo
died
m
arin
e an
imal
s is
now
incl
uded
in
this
pro
perty
The
me
2 T
he
cont
iguo
us n
atio
nal p
arks
of B
anff
Ja
sper
Koo
tena
y an
d Yo
ho a
s w
ell a
s th
e M
ount
Rob
son
Mou
nt A
ssin
iboi
ne
and
Ham
ber p
rovin
cial
par
k fo
rms
a st
rikin
g m
ount
ain
land
scap
e T
hem
e 6
Incl
udes
larg
e ar
eas
of li
mes
tone
s an
d do
lom
ites
Out
stan
ding
exa
mpl
e of
gla
ciok
arst
terra
in M
any
karre
n
subt
erra
nean
stre
ams
spr
ings
and
ca
ves
Col
umbi
a Ic
efiel
d pa
rtly
over
lies
and
intru
des
Cast
legu
ard
Cave
1984
(199
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)Na
tura
lCa
nada
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Cana
ima
Natio
nal
Park
32
5 6
No a
ppro
ved
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV
but t
he in
scrip
tion
refe
renc
es th
e fo
llow
ing
Earth
sc
ienc
e va
lues
Thr
ee d
iffer
ent e
rosi
on s
urfa
ces
are
to b
e fo
und
with
in th
e pa
rk T
he o
ldes
t roc
ks
are
Prec
ambr
ian
and
aro
und
170
0 m
illion
yea
rs
old
are
som
e of
the
olde
st o
n th
e pl
anet
Abo
ve
thes
e ar
e yo
unge
r for
mat
ions
whi
ch h
ave
been
w
eath
ered
into
mou
ntai
ns b
y 50
0 m
illion
yea
rs o
f er
osio
n T
he g
eolo
gy p
rovid
es e
viden
ce th
at S
outh
Am
eric
a an
d Af
rica
once
form
ed p
art o
f a s
ingl
e co
ntin
ent
The
prop
erty
dis
play
s a
dist
inct
ive a
nd
outs
tand
ing
tepu
i lan
dsca
pe w
hich
is s
till e
volvi
ng
in re
spon
se to
nat
ural
pro
cess
es a
t lar
ge s
cale
Th
e la
ndsc
ape
also
dem
onst
rate
s th
e in
tera
ctio
n of
th
e in
dige
nous
Pem
oacuten w
ith th
e en
viron
men
t bot
h be
caus
e of
the
grea
t use
the
Pem
oacuten m
ake
of th
e pa
rkrsquos
nat
ural
reso
urce
s an
d be
caus
e of
the
way
the
park
rsquos la
ndsc
ape
and
vege
tatio
n ha
s be
en s
hape
d by
the
Pem
oacuten
Them
e 3
Tab
ular
hills
and
hig
h es
carp
men
ts w
ith s
igni
fican
t kar
stic
er
osio
n of
qua
rtzite
s T
hem
e 2
Ro
ughl
y 65
o
f the
par
k is
cov
ered
by
tabl
e m
ount
ain
(tepu
i) fo
rmat
ions
Th
eme
5 A
ngel
Fal
ls in
Can
aim
a Na
tinal
Par
k is
the
high
est w
ater
falls
in
the
wor
ld T
hem
e 6
The
mos
t ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e in
the
wor
ld
of c
ave
deve
lopm
ent i
n qu
artz
ite
(Pre
cam
bria
n ag
e) C
aves
occ
ur
to 1
08
km lo
ng a
nd 3
83 m
dee
p
Encl
osed
dep
ress
ions
and
stre
am-
sink
s on
pla
teau
(tep
uy) s
urfa
ce
arou
nd 2
650
m S
prin
gs e
mer
ge in
te
puy
wal
ls A
fluv
ioka
rst l
ands
cape
1994
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lVe
nezu
-el
aLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
64 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 65
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Carls
bad
Cave
rns
Natio
nal P
ark
6Ca
rlsba
d Ca
vern
s Na
tiona
l Par
k is
one
of th
e fe
w p
lace
s in
the
wor
ld w
here
on-
goin
g ge
olog
ic
proc
esse
s ar
e m
ost a
ppar
ent a
nd ra
re s
pele
othe
ms
cont
inue
to fo
rm e
nabl
ing
scie
ntist
s to
stu
dy
geol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
in a
virt
ually
und
istur
bed
envir
onm
ent
Thes
e sp
eleo
them
s in
clud
e he
lictit
es
form
ing
unde
rwat
er c
alci
te a
nd g
ypsu
m s
pele
othe
ms
an
d an
ast
onish
ing
colle
ctio
n of
lsquobio
them
srsquo c
ave
form
atio
ns a
ssist
ed in
thei
r for
mat
ion
by b
acte
ria
Rese
arch
ers
can
stud
y bo
th th
e Ca
pita
n re
efrsquos
insid
e th
roug
h ca
ve p
assa
ges
that
pen
etra
te in
and
thro
ugh
it as
wel
l as
erod
ed c
anyo
n-ex
pose
d cr
oss
sect
ions
ou
tsid
e
Them
e 6
Hug
e ca
vern
s ex
tens
ively
deco
rate
d w
ith s
pele
othe
ms
are
a m
ajor
fe
atur
e of
the
park
The
81
know
n ca
ves
mai
nly
occu
r in
uplift
ed P
erm
ian
reef
lim
esto
nes
Outs
tand
ing
kars
t ext
ends
in
to n
eigh
bour
ing
Guad
alup
e Na
tiona
l Pa
rk T
he re
gion
rsquos ca
ves
prov
ide
the
wor
ldrsquos
fore
mos
t exa
mpl
e of
evo
lutio
n by
sul
phur
ic ac
id d
issol
utio
n w
hich
oc
curre
d pr
ogre
ssive
ly be
twee
n 12
and
4
milli
on y
ears
ago
Sur
face
topo
grap
hy
on b
ackr
eef d
olom
ites
and
limes
tone
s is
dom
inat
ed b
y dr
y va
lleys
Hig
h bi
odive
rsity
inc
ludi
ng a
bout
1 m
illion
bat
po
pula
tion
1995
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Cave
s of
Agg
tele
k Ka
rst a
nd S
lova
k Ka
rst
6Th
e pr
oper
ty C
aves
of A
ggte
lek
Kars
t and
Slo
vak
Kars
t w
hile
typi
cal o
f man
y ka
rst l
ocal
ities
in
Euro
pe i
s di
stin
ctive
in it
s gr
eat n
umbe
r (w
ith 7
12
reco
rded
at t
ime
of in
scrip
tion)
of d
iffer
ent t
ypes
of
cav
es fo
und
in a
con
cent
rate
d ar
ea G
eolo
gica
l pr
oces
ses
caus
ing
kars
t fea
ture
s to
be
burie
d by
se
dim
ent a
nd th
en la
ter r
eact
ivate
d or
exh
umed
pr
ovid
e ev
iden
ce p
erta
inin
g to
the
geol
ogic
his
tory
of
the
last
tens
of m
illion
s of
yea
rs R
elic
ts o
f pr
e-Pl
eist
ocen
e ka
rst (
ie m
ore
than
abo
ut 2
m
illion
yea
rs o
ld) a
re v
ery
dist
inct
in th
e ar
ea a
nd
man
y of
them
sho
w e
viden
ce fo
r sub
-tro
pica
l and
tro
pica
l clim
ate
form
s T
hese
incl
ude
roun
ded
hills
th
at a
re re
licts
of t
ropi
cal k
arst
late
r mod
ified
by
Plei
stoc
ene
perig
laci
al w
eath
erin
g T
his
suite
of
pale
okar
st fe
atur
es s
how
ing
a co
mbi
natio
n of
bot
h tro
pica
l and
gla
cial
clim
ates
is
very
unu
sual
and
is
prob
ably
bette
r doc
umen
ted
in th
e Sl
ovak
Kar
st th
an
anyw
here
els
e in
the
wor
ld
Them
e 6
Are
a co
ntai
ns 7
12 c
aves
Va
riety
of c
ave
type
s in
clud
ing
Dobš
insk
aacute Ic
e Ca
ve a
nd s
pele
othe
m
form
s w
ith s
tala
gmite
s to
32
7 m
hig
h S
urfa
ce la
ndsc
ape
is a
te
mpe
rate
dol
ine
kars
t with
som
e ev
iden
ce o
f a p
rior h
umid
trop
ical
or
sub
tropi
cal i
nflue
nce
whi
ch h
as
evol
ved
inte
rmitt
ently
sin
ce th
e Cr
etac
eous
1995
(200
0)(v
iii)Na
tura
lHu
ngar
y Sl
ovak
iaEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
64 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 65
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Chaicirc
ne d
es P
uys
- Li
mag
ne fa
ult
tect
onic
are
na
2Co
ntin
enta
l drif
t m
anife
sted
thro
ugh
plat
e te
cton
ics
is
an
esse
ntia
l par
adig
m fo
r the
his
tory
of t
he E
arth
as
it e
xpla
ins
the
curre
nt m
ake-
up o
f oce
ans
and
cont
inen
ts a
nd th
eir p
ast a
nd fu
ture
mov
emen
ts
The
prop
erty
is a
n ex
cept
iona
l illu
stra
tion
of th
e ph
enom
enon
of c
ontin
enta
l bre
ak-u
p o
r rift
ing
w
hich
is o
ne o
f the
five
maj
or s
tage
s of
pla
te
tect
onic
s T
he C
haicircn
e de
s Pu
ys -
Lim
agne
faul
t te
cton
ic a
rena
pre
sent
s a
coin
cide
nt v
iew
of a
ll th
e re
pres
enta
tive
proc
esse
s of
con
tinen
tal b
reak
-up
and
reve
als
thei
r int
rinsi
c lin
ks T
he g
eolo
gica
l fo
rmat
ions
of t
he p
rope
rty a
nd th
eir s
peci
fic la
yout
illu
stra
te w
ith c
larit
y th
is p
lane
t-w
ide
proc
ess
and
its
effe
cts
on a
larg
e an
d sm
all s
cale
on
the
land
scap
e
This
con
cent
ratio
n ha
s a
dem
onst
rate
d gl
obal
si
gnifi
canc
e in
term
s of
its
com
plet
enes
s d
ensi
ty
and
expr
essi
on a
nd h
as c
ontri
bute
d to
the
site
rsquos
prom
inen
ce s
ince
the
18th
cen
tury
for t
he s
tudy
of
clas
sica
l geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
Them
e 2
Situ
ated
in th
e ce
ntre
of
Fran
ce t
he p
rope
rty c
ompr
ises
the
long
Lim
agne
faul
t th
e al
ignm
ents
of
the
Chaicirc
ne d
es P
uys
volc
anoe
s an
d th
e in
verte
d re
lief o
f the
Mon
tagn
e de
la
Ser
re I
t is
an e
mbl
emat
ic s
egm
ent
of th
e W
est E
urop
ean
Rift
cre
ated
in
the
afte
rmat
h of
the
form
atio
n of
th
e Al
ps 3
5 m
illion
yea
rs a
go T
he
geol
ogic
al fe
atur
es o
f the
pro
perty
de
mon
stra
te h
ow th
e co
ntin
enta
l cru
st
crac
ks t
hen
colla
pses
allo
win
g de
ep
mag
ma
to ri
se a
nd c
ause
upl
iftin
g at
the
surfa
ce T
he p
rope
rty is
an
exce
ptio
nal i
llust
ratio
n of
con
tinen
tal
brea
k-up
ndash o
r rift
ing
ndash w
hich
is o
ne
of th
e fiv
e m
ajor
sta
ges
of p
late
te
cton
ics
2018
(viii)
Natu
ral
Fran
ceEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
66 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 67
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Chen
gjia
ng F
ossi
l Si
te1
The
Chen
gjia
ng F
ossil
Site
pre
sent
s an
exc
eptio
nal
reco
rd o
f the
rapi
d di
vers
ifica
tion
of lif
e on
Ear
th d
urin
g th
e ea
rly C
ambr
ian
Perio
d 5
30 m
illion
yea
rs b
efor
e pr
esen
t In
this
geol
ogica
lly s
hort
inte
rval
alm
ost a
ll m
ajor
gro
ups
of a
nim
als
had
thei
r orig
ins
The
prop
erty
is
a gl
obal
ly ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
a m
ajor
sta
ge
in th
e hi
stor
y of
life
repr
esen
ting
a pa
laeo
biol
ogica
l w
indo
w o
f gre
at s
igni
fican
ce
The
exce
ptio
nal p
alae
onto
logi
cal e
viden
ce o
f the
Ch
engj
iang
Fos
sil S
ite is
unr
ivalle
d fo
r its
rich
spe
cies
dive
rsity
To
date
at l
east
16
phyla
plu
s a
varie
ty o
f en
igm
atic
grou
ps a
nd a
bout
196
spe
cies
have
bee
n do
cum
ente
d Ta
xa re
cove
red
rang
e fro
m a
lgae
thr
ough
sp
onge
s an
d cn
idar
ians
to n
umer
ous
bila
teria
n ph
yla
inclu
ding
the
earli
est k
now
n ch
orda
tes
The
earli
est
know
n sp
ecim
ens
of s
ever
al p
hyla
suc
h as
cni
daria
ns
cten
opho
res
pria
pulid
s an
d ve
rtebr
ates
occ
ur h
ere
M
any
of th
e ta
xa re
pres
ent t
he s
tem
gro
ups
to e
xtan
t ph
yla a
nd th
row
light
on
char
acte
ristic
s th
at d
istin
guish
m
ajor
taxo
nom
ic gr
oups
Th
e pr
oper
ty d
ispla
ys e
xcel
lent
qua
lity o
f fos
sil
pres
erva
tion
inclu
ding
the
soft
and
hard
tiss
ues
of
anim
als
with
har
d sk
elet
ons
alon
g w
ith a
wid
e ar
ray
of
orga
nism
s th
at w
ere
entir
ely
soft-
bodi
ed a
nd th
eref
ore
rela
tivel
y un
repr
esen
ted
in th
e fo
ssil r
ecor
d A
lmos
t all
of th
e so
ft-bo
died
spe
cies
are
unkn
own
else
whe
re
Fine
-sca
le d
etai
led
pres
erva
tion
inclu
des
feat
ures
as
the
alim
enta
ry s
yste
ms
of a
nim
als
for e
xam
ple
of th
e ar
thro
pod
Nara
oia
and
the
delic
ate
gills
of t
he
enig
mat
ic Yu
nnan
ozoo
n T
he s
edim
ents
of C
heng
jiang
pr
ovid
e w
hat a
re c
urre
ntly
the
olde
st k
now
n fo
ssil
chor
date
s th
e ph
ylum
to w
hich
all v
erte
brat
es b
elon
g
The
foss
ils a
nd ro
cks
of th
e Ch
engj
iang
Fos
sil S
ite
toge
ther
pre
sent
a c
ompl
ete
reco
rd o
f an
early
Ca
mbr
ian
mar
ine
com
mun
ity I
t is
one
of th
e ea
rlies
t re
cord
s of
a c
ompl
ex m
arin
e ec
osys
tem
with
food
w
ebs
capp
ed b
y so
phist
icate
d pr
edat
ors
Mor
eove
r it
dem
onst
rate
s th
at c
ompl
ex c
omm
unity
stru
ctur
es h
ad
deve
lope
d ve
ry e
arly
in th
e Ca
mbr
ian
dive
rsifi
catio
n of
an
imal
life
and
pro
vides
evid
ence
of a
wid
e ra
nge
of
ecol
ogica
l nich
es T
he p
rope
rty th
us p
rovid
es a
uni
que
win
dow
of u
nder
stan
ding
into
the
stru
ctur
e of
ear
ly Ca
mbr
ian
com
mun
ities
Them
e 1
Che
ngjia
ngrsquos
foss
ils p
rese
nt
the
mos
t com
plet
e re
cord
of a
n ea
rly
Cam
bria
n m
arin
e co
mm
unity
with
ex
cept
iona
lly p
rese
rved
sof
t-bo
died
an
d sh
elly
foss
ils c
ompr
isin
g m
ore
than
200
spe
cies
repr
esen
ting
at le
ast
sixt
een
phyla
of e
arly
anim
als
2012
(viii)
Natu
ral
Chin
aAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
66 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 67
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Chin
a Da
nxia
3Ch
ina
Danx
ia c
onta
ins
a w
ide
varie
ty o
f wel
l-de
velo
ped
red-
beds
land
form
s su
ch a
s pe
aks
to
wer
s m
esas
cue
stas
clif
fs v
alle
ys c
aves
and
ar
ches
Bei
ng s
hape
d by
bot
h en
doge
nous
forc
es
(incl
udin
g up
lift)
and
exog
enou
s fo
rces
(inc
ludi
ng
wea
ther
ing
and
eros
ion)
Chi
na D
anxia
pro
vides
a
rang
e of
diff
eren
t asp
ects
of t
he p
heno
men
on
of p
hysi
cal l
ands
cape
dev
elop
ed fr
om c
ontin
enta
l (te
rrest
rial)
redd
ish
cong
lom
erat
e an
d sa
ndst
one
in
a w
arm
hum
id m
onso
on c
limat
e il
lust
ratin
g bo
th
the
rang
e of
land
form
s in
rela
tion
to th
e fo
rces
and
pr
oces
ses
that
form
ed th
em T
he c
ompo
nent
par
ts
repr
esen
t the
bes
t exa
mpl
es o
f lsquole
ast e
rode
drsquo to
lsquom
ost e
rode
drsquo D
anxia
land
form
s d
ispl
ayin
g a
clea
r la
ndfo
rm s
eque
nce
from
lsquoyou
ngrsquo t
hrou
gh lsquom
atur
ersquo to
lsquoo
ld a
gersquo
and
with
eac
h co
mpo
nent
par
t dis
play
ing
char
acte
ristic
geo
mor
phol
ogic
feat
ures
of a
give
n st
age
Them
e 3
Dive
rse
eros
iona
l to
pogr
aphi
es o
n co
ntin
enta
l red
be
ds p
redo
min
antly
san
dsto
ne a
nd
cong
lom
erat
e
2010
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Chin
aAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Dese
mba
rco
del
Gran
ma
Natio
nal
Park
67
The
uplif
ted
mar
ine
terra
ces
of D
esem
barc
o de
l Gr
anm
a Na
tiona
l Par
k (D
GNP)
and
the
cont
inui
ng
deve
lopm
ent o
f kar
st to
pogr
aphy
and
feat
ures
are
a
glob
ally
sign
ifica
nt il
lust
ratio
n of
geo
mor
phol
ogic
an
d ph
ysio
grap
hic
feat
ures
and
ong
oing
geo
logi
cal
proc
esse
s D
GNP
disp
lays
a ra
re re
lief f
orm
ed b
y th
e co
mbi
natio
n of
tect
onic
mov
emen
ts in
the
still
activ
e co
ntac
t zon
e be
twee
n tw
o te
cton
ic p
late
s an
d th
e ef
fect
s of
pas
t sea
leve
l cha
nge
in re
spon
se
to c
limat
e flu
ctua
tions
The
kar
st fo
rms
incl
ude
esca
rpm
ents
clif
fs c
ave
syst
ems
rive
r can
yons
and
la
rge
sink
hole
s kn
own
as d
olin
es in
mos
t dive
rse
size
s an
d sh
apes
Them
e 6
7 S
pect
acul
ar s
tairc
ase
of u
plift
ed c
oral
terra
ces
arou
nd
Cabo
Cru
z th
at s
uppo
rt on
goin
g de
velo
pmen
t of k
arst
land
form
s
Terra
ces
exte
nd fr
om -
180
m
offs
hore
to 4
60 m
inla
nd a
nd re
flect
a
com
bina
tion
of te
cton
ic a
nd
glac
io-e
usta
tic p
roce
sses
Exc
elle
nt
exam
ples
of l
ittor
al k
arst
Rel
ative
ly re
cent
upl
ift h
as p
erm
itted
the
com
men
cem
ent o
f kar
stifi
catio
n
1999
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cuba
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
68 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 69
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Dino
saur
Pr
ovin
cial
Par
k1
The
prop
erty
is o
utst
andi
ng in
the
num
ber a
nd
varie
ty o
f hig
h qu
ality
spe
cim
ens
repr
esen
ting
ever
y kn
own
grou
p of
Cre
tace
ous
dino
saur
s T
he d
ivers
ity
affo
rds
exce
llent
opp
ortu
nitie
s fo
r pal
eont
olog
y th
at is
bot
h co
mpa
rativ
e an
d ch
rono
logi
cal
Over
35
0 ar
ticul
ated
spe
cim
ens
from
the
Oldm
an a
nd
Dino
saur
Par
k fo
rmat
ions
incl
udin
g m
ore
than
15
0 co
mpl
ete
skel
eton
s no
w re
side
in m
ore
than
30
maj
or m
useu
ms
In a
dditi
on to
the
sign
ifica
nt
num
ber o
f hig
h qu
ality
spe
cim
ens
the
prop
erty
co
ntai
ns a
com
plet
e as
sem
blag
e of
non
-din
osau
rian
foss
il m
ater
ial o
fferin
g an
unp
aral
lele
d op
portu
nity
fo
r the
stu
dy o
f the
Lat
e Cr
etac
eous
pal
eo-
ecos
yste
m
Them
e 1
Din
osau
r Pro
vinci
al P
ark
cont
ains
som
e of
the
mos
t im
porta
nt
foss
il di
scov
erie
s ev
er m
ade
from
th
e Cr
etac
eous
in
parti
cula
r abo
ut
35 s
peci
es o
f din
osau
rs d
atin
g ba
ck
som
e 75
milli
on y
ears
1979
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Dors
et a
nd E
ast
Devo
n Co
ast
17
The
coas
tal e
xpos
ures
alo
ng th
e Do
rset
and
Ea
st D
evon
coa
st p
rovid
e an
alm
ost c
ontin
uous
se
quen
ce o
f Tria
ssic
Jur
assi
c an
d Cr
etac
eous
ro
ck fo
rmat
ions
spa
nnin
g th
e M
esoz
oic
Era
and
docu
men
t app
roxim
atel
y 18
5 m
illion
yea
rs o
f Ear
thrsquos
hi
stor
y Th
e pr
oper
ty in
clud
es a
rang
e of
glo
bally
si
gnifi
cant
foss
il lo
calit
ies
- bo
th v
erte
brat
e an
d in
verte
brat
e m
arin
e an
d te
rrest
rial -
whi
ch h
ave
prod
uced
wel
l pre
serv
ed a
nd d
ivers
e ev
iden
ce
of li
fe d
urin
g M
esoz
oic
times
It a
lso
cont
ains
te
xtbo
ok e
xem
plar
s of
coa
stal
geo
mor
phol
ogic
al
feat
ures
lan
dfor
ms
and
proc
esse
s R
enow
ned
for i
ts
cont
ribut
ion
to E
arth
sci
ence
inve
stig
atio
ns fo
r ove
r 30
0 ye
ars
the
Dors
et a
nd E
ast D
evon
coa
st h
as
help
ed fo
ster
maj
or c
ontri
butio
ns to
man
y as
pect
s of
geo
logy
pal
aeon
tolo
gy a
nd g
eom
orph
olog
y an
d ha
s co
ntin
uing
sig
nific
ance
as
a hi
gh q
ualit
y te
achi
ng t
rain
ing
and
rese
arch
reso
urce
for t
he
Earth
sci
ence
s
Them
e 1
Sup
erb
coas
tal e
xpos
ures
pr
ovid
e an
alm
ost c
ontin
uous
se
quen
ce o
f Tria
ssic
Jur
assi
c an
d Cr
etac
eous
rock
form
atio
ns s
pann
ing
the
Mes
ozoi
c Er
a an
d do
cum
ent
appr
oxim
atel
y 18
5 m
illion
yea
rs
of E
arth
his
tory
The
me
7 It
als
o co
ntai
ns te
xtbo
ok e
xem
plar
s of
co
asta
l geo
mor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
land
form
s an
d pr
oces
ses
2001
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d Ki
ngdo
m
of G
reat
Br
itain
an
d No
rther
n Ire
land
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
68 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 69
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Durm
itor N
atio
nal
Park
3Du
rmito
r Nat
iona
l Par
k ha
rbou
rs a
wea
lth o
f ge
olog
ical
and
geo
mor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es o
f maj
or
scie
ntifi
c in
tere
st w
hich
hav
e be
en s
hapi
ng th
e la
ndsc
ape
suc
h as
the
man
y re
mar
kabl
e Ka
rst
phen
omen
a T
he d
omin
ant g
eolo
gica
l fea
ture
s ar
e ve
ry th
ick
ofte
n sa
vage
ly co
ntor
ted
limes
tone
fo
rmat
ions
of t
he M
iddl
e an
d Up
per T
riass
ic U
pper
Ju
rass
ic a
nd U
pper
Cre
tace
ous
thou
gh m
ore
rece
nt ro
cks
are
also
pre
sent
One
par
ticul
arity
is
the
so-c
alle
d Du
rmito
r Flys
ch a
term
use
d fo
r te
cton
ic la
yers
incl
ined
at a
n an
gle
of 9
0 de
gree
s in
the
Durm
itor M
assi
f Th
e sh
eer w
alls
of t
he m
any
cany
ons
and
in p
artic
ular
tho
se o
f the
spe
ctac
ular
Ta
ra R
iver G
orge
of m
ore
than
60
km a
re n
ot o
nly
fund
amen
tal l
ands
cape
feat
ures
of t
he p
ark
but a
lso
expo
se m
agni
ficen
t roc
k fo
rmat
ions
Les
s kn
own
but n
o le
ss fa
scin
atin
g is
the
unde
rgro
und
wor
ld
of th
e pr
oper
ty It
incl
udes
Mon
tene
grorsquo
s de
epes
t ca
ve a
nd s
ubte
rrane
an ri
vers
dra
inin
g so
me
of th
e gl
acia
l lak
es I
n pa
rticu
lar
the
lsquoIce
Cave
rsquo is
a vis
ually
st
unni
ng a
nd a
rare
relic
t of p
ast g
laci
atio
n
Them
e 3
Thi
s br
eath
taki
ng n
atio
nal
park
was
form
ed b
y gl
acie
rs a
nd is
tra
vers
ed b
y riv
ers
and
unde
rgro
und
stre
ams
The
Tar
a Ri
ver c
anyo
n w
hich
ha
s th
e de
epes
t gor
ges
in E
urop
e
1980
(200
5)(v
ii)(v
iii)(x
)Na
tura
lM
onte
ne-
gro
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
El P
inac
ate
and
Gran
Des
iert
o de
Al
tar B
iosp
here
Re
serv
e
104
The
prop
erty
rsquos d
eser
t and
vol
cani
c la
ndfo
rms
prov
ide
an e
xcep
tiona
l com
bina
tion
of fe
atur
es o
f gr
eat s
cien
tific
inte
rest
The
vas
t sea
of s
and
dune
s th
at s
urro
unds
the
volc
anic
shi
eld
is c
onsi
dere
d th
e la
rges
t and
mos
t act
ive d
une
syst
em in
Nor
th
Amer
ica
It in
clud
es a
dive
rse
rang
e of
dun
es th
at
are
near
ly un
dist
urbe
d a
nd in
clud
e sp
ecta
cula
r an
d ve
ry la
rge
star
-sha
ped
dune
s th
at o
ccur
bo
th s
ingl
y an
d in
long
ridg
es u
p to
48k
m in
le
ngth
The
vol
cani
c ex
posu
res
prov
ide
impo
rtant
co
mpl
emen
tary
geo
logi
cal v
alue
s a
nd th
e de
sert
envir
onm
ent a
ssur
es a
dra
mat
ic d
ispl
ay o
f a s
erie
s of
impr
essi
ve la
rge
crat
ers
and
mor
e th
an 4
00
cind
er c
ones
lav
a flo
ws
and
lava
tube
s T
aken
to
geth
er th
e co
mbi
natio
n of
Ear
th s
cien
ce fe
atur
es
is a
n im
pres
sive
labo
rato
ry fo
r geo
logi
cal a
nd
geom
orph
olog
ical
stu
dies
Them
e 10
The
pro
perty
incl
udes
par
t of
the
Sono
ran
Dese
rt w
ith s
tar d
unes
an
d lin
ear d
unes
of c
onsi
dera
ble
heig
ht T
hem
e 4
The
714
566
ha
prop
erty
com
pris
es tw
o di
stin
ct p
arts
th
e do
rman
t vol
cani
c Pi
naca
te S
hiel
d of
bla
ck a
nd re
d la
va fl
ows
and
mor
e th
an 4
00 m
onog
enet
ic c
inde
r con
es
and
maa
rs o
f Hol
ocen
e ag
e
2013
(vii)
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Mex
ico
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Ever
glad
es
Natio
nal P
ark
5 7
The
Ever
glad
es is
a v
ast
near
ly fla
t se
abed
that
was
su
bmer
ged
at th
e en
d of
the
last
Ice
Age
Its
limes
tone
su
bstra
te is
one
of t
he m
ost a
ctive
are
as o
f mod
ern
carb
onat
e se
dim
enta
tion
Them
e 5
7 A
rive
r of g
rass
flow
ing
impe
rcep
tibly
from
the
hint
erla
nd in
to
the
sea
1979
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
70 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 71
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Fras
er Is
land
7Th
e pr
oper
ty re
pres
ents
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of
signi
fican
t ong
oing
geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
incl
udin
g lo
ngsh
ore
drift
The
imm
ense
san
d du
nes
are
part
of th
e lo
nges
t and
mos
t com
plet
e ag
e se
quen
ce
of c
oast
al d
une
syst
ems
in th
e w
orld
and
are
stil
l ev
olvin
g T
he s
uper
impo
sitio
n of
act
ive p
arab
olic
du
nes
on re
mna
nts
of o
lder
dun
es d
epos
ited
durin
g pe
riods
of l
ow s
ea le
vel
whi
ch a
re s
tabi
lised
by
tow
erin
g ra
info
rest
s at
ele
vatio
ns o
f up
to 2
40 m
is
cons
ider
ed u
niqu
e F
rase
r Isla
nd a
lso h
as a
var
iety
of
fres
hwat
er d
une
lake
s w
hich
are
exc
eptio
nal i
n te
rms
of n
umbe
r di
vers
ity a
nd a
ge T
he d
ynam
ic
inte
rrela
tions
hip
betw
een
the
coas
tal d
une
sand
m
ass
aqu
ifer h
ydro
logy
and
the
fresh
wat
er d
une
lake
s pr
ovid
es a
seq
uenc
e of
lake
form
atio
n bo
th
spat
ially
and
tem
pora
lly
The
proc
ess
of s
oil f
orm
atio
n on
the
islan
d is
also
un
ique
sin
ce a
s a
resu
lt of
the
succ
essiv
e ov
erla
ying
of d
une
syst
ems
a c
hron
oseq
uenc
e of
pod
zol
deve
lopm
ent f
rom
the
youn
ger d
une
syst
ems
on th
e ea
st to
the
olde
st s
yste
ms
on th
e w
est c
hang
e fro
m
rudi
men
tary
pro
files
less
than
05
m th
ick
to g
iant
fo
rms
mor
e th
an 2
5 m
thic
k T
he la
tter f
ar e
xcee
ds
know
n de
pths
of p
odzo
ls an
ywhe
re e
lse in
the
wor
ld
and
has
a di
rect
influ
ence
on
plan
t suc
cess
ion
w
ith th
e ol
der d
une
syst
ems
caus
ing
retro
gres
sive
succ
essio
n w
hen
the
soil
horiz
on b
ecom
es to
o de
ep
to p
rovid
e nu
tritio
n fo
r tal
l for
est s
peci
es
Them
e 7
Fra
ser I
slan
d is
the
larg
est s
and
isla
nd in
the
wor
ld T
he
com
bina
tion
of s
hifti
ng s
and-
dune
s
tropi
cal r
ainf
ores
ts a
nd la
kes
mak
es it
an
exc
eptio
nal s
ite
1992
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
70 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 71
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Galaacute
pago
s Is
land
s2
47
8Th
e ar
chip
elag
oacutes
geol
ogy
begi
ns a
t the
sea
floo
r and
em
erge
s ab
ove
sea
leve
l whe
re b
iolo
gica
l pro
cess
es
cont
inue
Thr
ee m
ajor
tect
onic
plat
esmdash
Nazc
a C
ocos
an
d Pa
cificmdash
mee
t at t
he b
asis
of th
e oc
ean
whi
ch
is of
sig
nific
ant g
eolo
gica
l inte
rest
In
com
paris
on
with
mos
t oce
anic
arch
ipel
agos
the
Gal
aacutepag
os a
re
very
you
ng w
ith th
e la
rges
t and
you
nges
t isla
nds
Isa
bela
and
Fer
nand
ina
with
less
than
one
milli
on
year
s of
exis
tenc
e a
nd th
e ol
dest
isla
nds
Espa
ntildeola
an
d Sa
n Cr
istoacuteb
al s
omew
here
bet
wee
n th
ree
to fi
ve
milli
on y
ears
The
pro
perty
dem
onst
rate
s th
e ev
olut
ion
of th
e yo
unge
r vol
cani
c ar
eas
in th
e w
est a
nd th
e ol
der i
sland
s in
the
east
On-
goin
g ge
olog
ical a
nd
geom
orph
olog
ical p
roce
sses
inc
ludi
ng re
cent
vol
cani
c er
uptio
ns s
mal
l sei
smic
mov
emen
ts a
nd e
rosio
n pr
ovid
e ke
y in
sight
s to
the
puzz
le o
f the
orig
in o
f the
Ga
laacutepa
gos
Islan
ds A
lmos
t no
othe
r site
in th
e w
orld
of
fers
pro
tect
ion
of s
uch
a co
mpl
ete
cont
inuu
m o
f ge
olog
ical a
nd g
eom
orph
olog
ical f
eatu
res
Them
e 2
4 S
ituat
ed in
the
Paci
fic
Ocea
n so
me
100
0 km
from
the
Sout
h Am
eric
an c
ontin
ent
thes
e 19
is
land
s an
d th
e su
rroun
ding
mar
ine
rese
rve
have
bee
n ca
lled
a un
ique
lsquoli
ving
mus
eum
and
sho
wca
se o
f ev
olut
ionrsquo
Ong
oing
sei
smic
and
vo
lcan
ic a
ctivi
ty re
flect
s th
e pr
oces
ses
that
form
ed th
e is
land
s T
hem
e 7
8
The
arc
hipe
lago
acutes g
eolo
gy b
egin
s at
the
sea
floor
and
em
erge
s ab
ove
sea
leve
l
1978
(200
1)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Ecua
dor
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Gian
trsquos C
ause
way
an
d Ca
usew
ay
Coas
t
4Th
e ge
olog
ical
act
ivity
of t
he C
enoz
oic
Era
is c
lear
ly illu
stra
ted
by th
e su
cces
sion
of t
he la
va fl
ows
and
inte
rbas
altic
bed
s w
hich
are
in e
viden
ce o
n th
e Ca
usew
ay C
oast
Int
erpr
etat
ion
of th
e su
cces
sion
ha
s al
low
ed a
det
aile
d an
alys
is o
f Ter
tiary
eve
nts
in
the
North
Atla
ntic
The
ext
rem
ely
regu
lar c
olum
nar
join
ting
of th
e Th
olei
itic
basa
lts is
a s
pect
acul
ar
feat
ure
whi
ch is
dis
play
ed in
exe
mpl
ary
fash
ion
at th
e Gi
antrsquos
Cau
sew
ay T
he C
ause
way
itse
lf is
a
uniq
ue fo
rmat
ion
and
a su
perla
tive
horiz
onta
l se
ctio
n th
roug
h co
lum
nar b
asal
t lav
as
Them
e 4
The
Gia
ntrsquos
Cau
sew
ay li
es
at th
e fo
ot o
f the
bas
alt c
liffs
alo
ng th
e se
a co
ast o
n th
e ed
ge o
f the
Ant
rim
plat
eau
in N
orth
ern
Irela
nd I
t is
mad
e up
of s
ome
400
00 m
assi
ve b
lack
ba
salt
colu
mns
stic
king
out
of t
he
sea
The
dra
mat
ic s
ight
has
insp
ired
lege
nds
of g
iant
s st
ridin
g ov
er th
e se
a to
Sco
tland
Geo
logi
cal s
tudi
es
of th
ese
form
atio
ns o
ver t
he la
st 3
00
year
s ha
ve g
reat
ly co
ntrib
uted
to th
e de
velo
pmen
t of t
he E
arth
sci
ence
s
and
show
that
this
stri
king
land
scap
e w
as c
ause
d by
vol
cani
c ac
tivity
dur
ing
the
Pale
ogen
e s
ome
50ndash6
0 m
illion
ye
ars
ago
1986
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d Ki
ngdo
m
of G
reat
Br
itain
an
d No
rther
n Ire
land
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
72 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 73
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Gond
wan
a Ra
info
rest
s of
Au
stra
lia
21
3Th
e Go
ndw
ana
Rain
fore
sts
prov
ides
out
stan
ding
ex
ampl
es o
f sig
nific
ant o
ngoi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es
Whe
n Au
stra
lia s
epar
ated
from
Ant
arct
ica fo
llow
ing
the
brea
kup
of G
ondw
ana
new
con
tinen
tal m
argi
ns
deve
lope
d T
he m
argi
n w
hich
form
ed a
long
Aus
tralia
rsquos ea
ster
n ed
ge is
cha
ract
erise
d by
an
asym
met
rical
m
argi
nal s
wel
l tha
t run
s pa
ralle
l to
the
coas
tline
the
eros
ion
of w
hich
has
resu
lted
in th
e Gr
eat D
ivide
and
th
e Gr
eat E
scar
pmen
t Th
is ea
ster
n co
ntin
enta
l mar
gin
expe
rienc
ed v
olca
nicit
y du
ring
the
Ceno
zoic
Era
as
the
Aust
ralia
n co
ntin
enta
l pla
te m
oved
ove
r one
of t
he
plan
etrsquos
hot s
pots
Vol
cano
es e
rupt
ed in
seq
uenc
e al
ong
the
east
coa
st re
sultin
g in
the
Twee
d F
ocal
Pea
k
Ebor
and
Bar
ringt
on v
olca
nic
shie
lds
This
sequ
ence
of
volca
nos
is sig
nific
ant a
s it
enab
les
the
datin
g of
the
geom
orph
ic ev
olut
ion
of e
aste
rn A
ustra
lia th
roug
h th
e st
udy
of th
e in
tera
ctio
n of
thes
e vo
lcani
c re
mna
nts
with
th
e ea
ster
n hi
ghla
nds
Them
e 2
1 3
The
Gon
dwan
a Ra
info
rest
s pr
ovid
es o
utst
andi
ng
exam
ples
of s
igni
fican
t ong
oing
ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
es W
hen
Aust
ralia
se
para
ted
from
Ant
arct
ica
follo
win
g th
e br
eaku
p of
Gon
dwan
a n
ew
cont
inen
tal m
argi
ns d
evel
oped
The
m
argi
n w
hich
form
ed a
long
Aus
tralia
rsquos
east
ern
edge
is c
hara
cter
ised
by
an
asym
met
rical
mar
gina
l sw
ell t
hat r
uns
para
llel t
o th
e co
astli
ne t
he e
rosi
on o
f w
hich
has
resu
lted
in th
e Gr
eat D
ivide
an
d th
e Gr
eat E
scar
pmen
t
1986
(199
4)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Gran
d Ca
nyon
Na
tiona
l Par
k3
1W
ithin
par
k bo
unda
ries
the
geol
ogic
reco
rd s
pans
al
l fou
r era
s of
the
Earth
rsquos e
volu
tiona
ry h
isto
ry f
rom
th
e Pr
ecam
bria
n to
the
Ceno
zoic
The
Pre
cam
bria
n an
d Pa
leoz
oic
porti
ons
of th
is re
cord
are
par
ticul
arly
wel
l exp
osed
in c
anyo
n w
alls
and
incl
ude
a ric
h fo
ssil
asse
mbl
age
Num
erou
s ca
ves
shel
ter f
ossi
ls
and
anim
al re
mai
ns th
at e
xten
d th
e pa
leon
tolo
gica
l re
cord
into
the
Plei
stoc
ene
Them
e 3
Car
ved
out b
y th
e Co
lora
do
Rive
r th
e Gr
and
Cany
on (n
early
15
00
m d
eep)
was
form
ed d
urin
g 6
milli
on
year
s of
geo
logi
c ac
tivity
and
ero
sion
by
the
Colo
rado
Rive
r on
the
upra
ised
Ea
rthrsquos
cru
st T
hem
e 1
Its
horiz
onta
l st
rata
retra
ce th
e ge
olog
ical
his
tory
of
the
past
2 b
illion
yea
rs
1979
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
72 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 73
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Grea
t Bar
rier R
eef
87
The
GBR
ext
endi
ng 2
000
km
alo
ng Q
ueen
slan
drsquos
coas
t is
a g
loba
lly o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of a
n ec
osys
tem
that
has
evo
lved
over
mille
nnia
The
ar
ea h
as b
een
expo
sed
and
flood
ed b
y at
leas
t fou
r gl
acia
l and
inte
rgla
cial
cyc
les
and
ove
r the
pas
t 15
000
yea
rs re
efs
have
gro
wn
on th
e co
ntin
enta
l sh
elf
Durin
g gl
acia
l per
iods
sea
leve
ls d
ropp
ed e
xpos
ing
the
reef
s as
flat
-top
ped
hills
of e
rode
d lim
esto
ne
Larg
e riv
ers
mea
nder
ed b
etw
een
thes
e hi
lls a
nd th
e co
astli
ne e
xten
ded
furth
er e
ast
Durin
g in
terg
laci
al
perio
ds r
isin
g se
a le
vels
cau
sed
the
form
atio
n of
co
ntin
enta
l isl
ands
cor
al c
ays
and
new
pha
ses
of
cora
l gro
wth
Thi
s en
viron
men
tal h
isto
ry c
an b
e se
en
in c
ores
of o
ld m
assi
ve c
oral
s
Toda
y th
e GB
R fo
rms
the
wor
ldrsquos
larg
est c
oral
reef
ec
osys
tem
ran
ging
from
insh
ore
fring
ing
reef
s to
m
id-s
helf
reef
s a
nd e
xpos
ed o
uter
reef
s in
clud
ing
exam
ples
of a
ll st
ages
of r
eef d
evel
opm
ent
The
proc
esse
s of
geo
logi
cal a
nd g
eom
orph
olog
ical
ev
olut
ion
are
wel
l rep
rese
nted
lin
king
con
tinen
tal
isla
nds
cor
al c
ays
and
reef
s T
he v
arie
d se
asca
pes
and
land
scap
es th
at o
ccur
toda
y ha
ve b
een
mou
lded
by
chan
ging
clim
ates
and
sea
leve
ls a
nd
the
eros
ive p
ower
of w
ind
and
wat
er o
ver l
ong
time
perio
ds
One-
third
of t
he G
BR li
es b
eyon
d th
e se
awar
d ed
ge o
f the
sha
llow
er re
efs
this
are
a co
mpr
ises
co
ntin
enta
l slo
pe a
nd d
eep
ocea
nic
wat
ers
and
abys
sal p
lain
s
Them
e 8
7 T
he G
BR fo
rms
the
wor
ldrsquos
larg
est c
oral
reef
eco
syst
em
rang
ing
from
insh
ore
fring
ing
reef
s to
m
id-s
helf
reef
s a
nd e
xpos
ed o
uter
re
efs
incl
udin
g ex
ampl
es o
f all
stag
es
of re
ef d
evel
opm
ent
The
proc
esse
s of
geo
logi
cal a
nd g
eom
orph
olog
ical
ev
olut
ion
are
wel
l rep
rese
nted
lin
king
co
ntin
enta
l isl
ands
cor
al c
ays
and
reef
s T
he v
arie
d se
asca
pes
and
land
scap
es th
at o
ccur
toda
y ha
ve
been
mou
lded
by
chan
ging
clim
ates
an
d se
a le
vels
and
the
eros
ive
pow
er o
f win
d an
d w
ater
ove
r lon
g tim
e pe
riods
One
-thi
rd o
f the
GBR
lie
s be
yond
the
seaw
ard
edge
of t
he
shal
low
er re
efs
this
are
a co
mpr
ises
co
ntin
enta
l slo
pe a
nd d
eep
ocea
nic
wat
ers
and
abys
sal p
lain
s
1981
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Grea
t Sm
oky
Mou
ntai
ns
Natio
nal P
ark
13
Grea
t Sm
oky
Mou
ntai
ns N
atio
nal P
ark
is o
f wor
ld
impo
rtanc
e as
the
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of th
e di
vers
e Ar
cto-
Terti
ary
geofl
ora
era
pro
vidin
g an
in
dica
tion
of w
hat t
he la
te P
leis
toce
ne fl
ora
look
ed
like
befo
re re
cent
hum
an im
pact
s
Them
e 1
Sta
ted
to b
e an
out
stan
ding
ex
ampl
e of
the
dive
rse
Arct
o-Te
rtiar
y ge
oflor
a er
a p
rovid
ing
an in
dica
tion
of
wha
t the
late
Ple
isto
cene
flor
a lo
oked
lik
e be
fore
Rec
ent h
uman
impa
cts
Th
eme
3 N
on-g
laci
al d
isse
cted
m
ount
aino
us te
rrain
1983
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
74 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 75
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Gros
Mor
ne
Natio
nal P
ark
29
The
rock
s of
Gro
s M
orne
Nat
iona
l Par
k co
llect
ively
pres
ent a
n in
tern
atio
nally
sig
nific
ant i
llust
ratio
n of
th
e pr
oces
s of
con
tinen
tal d
rift a
long
the
east
ern
coas
t of N
orth
Am
eric
a an
d co
ntrib
ute
grea
tly to
th
e bo
dy o
f kno
wle
dge
and
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
pla
te
tect
onic
s an
d th
e ge
olog
ical
evo
lutio
n of
anc
ient
m
ount
ain
belts
In
glac
ier-
scou
red
high
land
s an
d sp
ecta
cula
r fjo
rds
gla
ciat
ion
has
mad
e vis
ible
the
park
rsquos m
any
geol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
Them
e 2
Thi
s pa
rk s
ituat
ed o
n th
e w
est c
oast
of t
he is
land
of
New
foun
dlan
d pr
ovid
es a
rare
ex
ampl
e of
the
proc
ess
of c
ontin
enta
l dr
ift w
here
dee
p oc
ean
crus
t and
th
e ro
cks
of th
e Ea
rthrsquos
man
tle li
e ex
pose
d T
hem
e 9
Ple
isto
cene
gl
acia
l act
ion
has
resu
lted
in s
ome
spec
tacu
lar s
cene
ry w
ith c
oast
al
low
land
alp
ine
plat
eau
fjor
ds g
laci
al
valle
ys s
heer
clif
fs w
ater
falls
and
m
any
pris
tine
lake
s
1987
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Gulf
of P
orto
Ca
lanc
he o
f Pi
ana
Gul
f of
Giro
lata
Sc
ando
la R
eser
ve
7No
cur
rent
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV b
ut th
e in
scrip
tion
in 1
983
is b
ased
on
lsquodra
mat
ic g
eolo
gica
l la
ndfo
rmsrsquo
and
refe
rs to
Cyc
les
of e
rosi
on a
nd
reju
vena
tion
have
cre
ated
hig
h cl
iffs
of re
d po
rphy
ry
rhyo
liths
and
bas
altic
pilla
rs c
onsi
dera
bly
erod
ed b
y w
ave
actio
n T
hus
the
area
has
a v
arie
d an
d ru
gged
re
lief o
n m
arin
e an
d sh
ore
habi
tats
The
jagg
ed a
nd
shee
r clif
fs c
onta
in m
any
grot
tos
and
are
flank
ed b
y nu
mer
ous
stac
ks a
nd a
lmos
t ina
cces
sibl
e is
lets
and
co
ves
such
as
Tuar
a T
he c
ombi
natio
n of
the
red
cliff
s s
ome
900
m h
igh
san
d be
ache
s h
eadl
ands
su
ch a
s Ca
pe O
sani
and
the
Peni
nsul
a of
Elb
o a
nd
the
trans
pare
nt s
ea m
ake
the
area
exc
eptio
nally
be
autif
ul
Them
e 7
The
mar
ine
area
of t
he
prop
erty
par
ticul
arly
in th
e Sc
ando
la
natu
re re
serv
e is
rem
arka
ble
for i
ts
wea
lth o
f alg
ae T
he te
rraci
ng o
f livi
ng
form
s is
ver
y re
pres
enta
tive
of th
e M
edite
rrane
an c
oast
al e
nviro
nmen
t th
e lsquop
avem
entrsquo
of L
ithop
hyllu
m (a
lga)
le
ads
to a
bed
of P
osid
onia
whi
ch
can
be u
p to
35
m d
eep
Rem
arka
ble
cora
lligen
ous
stru
ctur
es fo
rm u
p to
th
e ed
ge o
f the
con
tinen
tal s
helf
1983
(vii)
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Fran
ceEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
74 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 75
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Gunu
ng M
ulu
Natio
nal P
ark
6Th
e pa
rk is
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of m
ajor
ch
ange
s in
the
Earth
rsquos h
isto
ry T
hree
maj
or ro
ck
form
atio
ns a
re e
viden
t th
e M
ulu
Form
atio
n of
Pa
leoc
ene
and
Eoce
ne s
hale
rsquos a
nd s
ands
tone
ris
ing
to 2
376
m a
t the
sum
mit
of G
unun
g M
ulu
th
e 1
5 km
thic
k M
elin
au L
imes
tone
form
atio
n of
Up
per E
ocen
e O
ligoc
ene
and
Low
er M
ioce
ne r
isin
g to
16
82 m
at G
unun
g Ap
i an
d th
e M
ioce
ne S
etap
Sh
ale
form
atio
n ou
tcro
ppin
g as
a g
entle
line
of h
ills
to th
e w
est
Maj
or u
plift
that
occ
urre
d du
ring
the
late
Pl
ioce
ne to
Ple
isto
cene
is w
ell r
epre
sent
ed in
the
295
km o
f exp
lore
d ca
ves
as a
ser
ies
of m
ajor
cav
e le
vels
The
sur
face
and
und
ergr
ound
geo
mor
phol
ogy
and
hydr
olog
y re
veal
sig
nific
ant i
nfor
mat
ion
on
the
tect
onic
and
clim
atic
evo
lutio
n of
Bor
neo
The
se
quen
ce o
f ter
rest
rial a
lluvia
l dep
osits
pro
vides
an
impo
rtant
reco
rd o
f gla
cial
ndash in
terg
laci
al c
ycle
s w
ith th
e se
ries
of u
plift
ed c
aves
rang
ing
from
28
m
to o
ver 3
00 m
abo
ve s
ea le
vel a
re a
t lea
st 2
to 3
m
illion
yea
rs o
ld i
ndic
atin
g up
lift r
ates
of a
bout
19
cm p
er 1
000
yea
rs
Them
e 6
The
par
k ha
s a
sign
ifica
nt
area
of k
arst
in M
ioce
ne li
mes
tone
th
at c
onta
ins
larg
e un
derg
roun
d riv
ers
and
gt29
0 km
of e
xplo
red
cave
s
incl
udin
g Sa
raw
ak C
ham
ber (
700
m lo
ng 3
00-4
00 m
wid
e an
d up
to
100
m h
igh)
ndash th
e w
orld
rsquos la
rges
t un
derg
roun
d ro
om C
aves
con
tain
m
ajor
spe
leot
hem
dep
osits
and
15
m
illion
yea
r sed
imen
t seq
uenc
es
Rich
cav
e bi
ota
esp
ecia
lly n
otab
le fo
r ba
ts a
nd s
wift
lets
Su
rface
feat
ures
in
clud
e gi
ant c
olla
pse
dolin
es a
nd
spec
tacu
lar r
azor
-sha
rp p
inna
cle
kars
t (c
a 50
m h
igh)
2000
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lM
alay
sia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Ha L
ong
Bay
67
As th
e m
ost e
xten
sive
and
best
kno
wn
exam
ple
of
mar
ine-
inva
ded
tow
er k
arst
in th
e w
orld
Ha
Long
Ba
y is
one
of th
e w
orld
rsquos m
ost i
mpo
rtant
are
as o
f Fe
ngco
ng (c
lust
ers
of c
onic
al p
eaks
) and
Fen
glin
(is
olat
ed to
wer
feat
ures
) kar
st A
bund
ant l
akes
oc
cupy
ing
drow
ned
dolin
es a
re o
ne o
f the
dist
inct
ive
feat
ures
of t
he F
enco
ng k
arst
with
som
e ap
pear
ing
to b
e tid
al P
osse
ssin
g a
trem
endo
us d
ivers
ity o
f ca
ves
and
othe
r lan
dfor
ms
deriv
ed fr
om th
e un
usua
l ge
omor
phol
ogic
al p
roce
ss o
f mar
ine
inva
ded
tow
er
kars
t the
cav
es a
re o
f thr
ee m
ain
type
s re
mna
nts
of p
hrea
tic c
aves
old
kar
stic
foot
cav
es a
nd m
arin
e no
tch
cave
s T
he p
rope
rty a
lso d
ispla
ys th
e fu
ll ra
nge
of k
arst
form
atio
n pr
oces
ses
on a
ver
y la
rge
scal
e an
d ov
er a
ver
y lo
ng p
erio
d of
geo
logi
cal t
ime
pos
sess
ing
the
mos
t com
plet
e an
d ex
tens
ive e
xzam
ple
of it
s ty
pe
in th
e w
orld
and
pro
vidin
g a
uniq
ue a
nd e
xten
sive
rese
rvoi
r of d
ata
for t
he fu
ture
und
erst
andi
ng o
f ge
oclim
atic
hist
ory
and
the
natu
re o
f kar
st p
roce
sses
in
a c
ompl
ex e
nviro
nmen
t
Them
e 6
7 T
he w
orld
rsquos m
ost
exte
nsive
and
bes
t- k
now
n ex
ampl
e of
trop
ical
tow
er k
arst
inva
ded
by th
e se
a In
corp
orat
es a
reas
of f
engc
ong
and
feng
lin k
arst
1994
(200
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)Na
tura
lVi
et N
amAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
76 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 77
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Haw
aii V
olca
noes
Na
tiona
l Par
k4
This
pro
perty
is a
uni
que
exam
ple
of s
igni
fican
t is
land
bui
ldin
g th
roug
h on
goin
g vo
lcan
ic p
roce
sses
It
repr
esen
ts th
e m
ost r
ecen
t act
ivity
in th
e co
ntin
uing
pro
cess
of t
he g
eolo
gic
orig
in a
nd
chan
ge o
f the
Haw
aiia
n Ar
chip
elag
o T
he p
ark
cont
ains
sig
nific
ant p
arts
of t
wo
of th
e w
orld
rsquos m
ost
activ
e an
d be
st u
nder
stoo
d vo
lcan
oes
Kila
uea
and
Mau
na L
oa T
he v
olca
no M
auna
Loa
mea
sure
d fro
m th
e oc
ean
floor
is
the
grea
test
vol
cani
c m
ass
on E
arth
Them
e 4
Thi
s pr
oper
ty c
onta
ins
two
of th
e m
ost a
ctive
vol
cano
es in
the
wor
ld M
auna
Loa
(41
70 m
hig
h) a
nd
Kila
uea
(12
50 m
hig
h) b
oth
of w
hich
to
wer
ove
r the
Pac
ific
Ocea
n V
olca
nic
erup
tions
hav
e cr
eate
d a
cons
tant
ly ch
angi
ng la
ndsc
ape
and
the
lava
flo
ws
reve
al s
urpr
isin
g ge
olog
ical
fo
rmat
ions
1987
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Hear
d an
d M
cDon
ald
Isla
nds
2 4
9Th
e is
land
s co
ntai
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
es o
f si
gnifi
cant
on-
goin
g ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
es o
ccur
ring
in a
n es
sent
ially
und
istu
rbed
env
ironm
ent
parti
cula
rly p
hysi
cal p
roce
sses
whi
ch p
rovid
e an
un
ders
tand
ing
of th
e ro
le o
f cru
stal
pla
tes
in th
e fo
rmat
ion
of o
cean
bas
ins
and
cont
inen
ts a
nd o
f at
mos
pher
ic a
nd o
cean
ic w
arm
ing
The
isla
nds
are
dist
inct
ive a
mon
g oc
eani
c is
land
s in
bei
ng fo
unde
d up
on a
maj
or s
ubm
arin
e pl
atea
u w
hich
in th
is c
ase
defle
cts
Anta
rctic
circ
umpo
lar w
ater
s no
rthw
ards
w
ith s
triki
ng c
onse
quen
ces
for g
eom
orph
olog
ical
pr
oces
ses
The
y al
so o
ffer a
n ac
tive
exam
ple
of p
lum
e vo
lcan
ism
pro
vidin
g di
rect
geo
logi
cal
evid
ence
of t
he a
ctio
n of
the
long
est o
pera
tiona
l pl
ume
syst
em k
now
n in
the
wor
ld T
his
incl
udes
in
form
atio
n ab
out p
lum
e in
tera
ctio
n w
ith o
verly
ing
crus
tal p
late
s a
s w
ell a
s in
sigh
ts in
to m
antle
plu
me
com
posi
tion
due
to th
e w
ides
t ran
ge o
f iso
topi
c co
mpo
sitio
ns o
f stro
ntiu
m n
eody
miu
m l
ead
and
heliu
m k
now
n fro
m a
ny o
cean
ic is
land
vol
cano
sy
stem
Big
Ben
on
Hear
d Is
land
is th
e on
ly kn
own
cont
inuo
usly
activ
e vo
lcan
o on
a s
ub-A
ntar
ctic
is
land
whe
reas
the
volc
ano
on M
acDo
nald
Isla
nd
rece
ntly
beca
me
activ
e ag
ain
afte
r a 7
500
0 ye
ar
perio
d of
dor
man
cy i
ncre
asin
g si
gnifi
cant
ly in
size
si
nce
insc
riptio
n
Hear
d Is
land
rsquos re
lativ
ely
shal
low
and
fast
-flow
ing
glac
iers
resp
ond
quic
kly
to c
limat
e ch
ange
fa
ster
than
any
gla
cier
s el
sew
here
mak
ing
them
pa
rticu
larly
impo
rtant
in m
onito
ring
clim
ate
chan
ge
They
hav
e flu
ctua
ted
dram
atic
ally
in re
cent
dec
ades
an
d ha
ve re
treat
ed s
igni
fican
tly
Them
e 2
4 H
eard
Isla
nd a
nd
McD
onal
d Is
land
s ar
e th
e on
ly vo
lcan
ical
ly ac
tive
suba
ntar
ctic
is
land
s T
he is
land
s ar
e di
stin
ctive
am
ong
ocea
nic
isla
nds
in b
eing
fo
unde
d up
on a
maj
or s
ubm
arin
e pl
atea
u w
hich
in th
is c
ase
defle
cts
Anta
rctic
circ
umpo
lar w
ater
s no
rthw
ards
The
y al
so o
ffer a
n ac
tive
exam
ple
of p
lum
e vo
lcan
ism
pr
ovid
ing
dire
ct g
eolo
gica
l evid
ence
of
the
actio
n of
the
long
est o
pera
tiona
l pl
ume
syst
em k
now
n in
the
wor
ld
Them
e 9
Hea
rd Is
land
rsquos re
lativ
ely
shal
low
and
fast
-flow
ing
glac
iers
re
spon
d qu
ickl
y to
clim
ate
chan
ge
fast
er th
an a
ny g
laci
ers
else
whe
re
mak
ing
them
par
ticul
arly
impo
rtant
in
mon
itorin
g cl
imat
e ch
ange
The
y ha
ve fl
uctu
ated
dra
mat
ical
ly in
re
cent
dec
ades
and
hav
e re
treat
ed
sign
ifica
ntly
1997
(viii)
(ix)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
76 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 77
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
High
Coa
st
Kva
rken
Ar
chip
elag
o
9Th
e Hi
gh C
oast
Kva
rken
Arc
hipe
lago
is o
f ex
cept
iona
l geo
logi
cal v
alue
for t
wo
mai
n re
ason
s
Firs
t bo
th a
reas
hav
e so
me
of th
e hi
ghes
t rat
es
of is
osta
tic u
plift
in th
e w
orld
mea
ning
that
the
land
stil
l con
tinue
s to
rise
in e
leva
tion
follo
win
g th
e re
treat
of t
he la
st in
land
ice
shee
t w
ith a
roun
d 29
0 m
of l
and
uplif
t rec
orde
d ov
er th
e pa
st 1
050
0 ye
ars
The
upl
ift is
ong
oing
and
is a
ssoc
iate
d w
ith
maj
or c
hang
es in
the
wat
er b
odie
s in
pos
t-gl
acia
l tim
es T
his
phen
omen
on w
as fi
rst r
ecog
nize
d an
d st
udie
d he
re m
akin
g th
e pr
oper
ty a
key
are
a fo
r un
ders
tand
ing
the
proc
esse
s of
cru
stal
resp
onse
to
the
mel
ting
of th
e co
ntin
enta
l ice
she
et S
econ
d
the
Kvar
ken
Arch
ipel
ago
with
its
560
0 is
land
s an
d su
rroun
ding
sea
pos
sess
es a
dis
tinct
ive a
rray
of
glac
ial d
epos
ition
al fo
rmat
ions
suc
h as
De
Geer
m
orai
nes
whi
ch a
dd to
the
varie
ty o
f gla
cial
land
- an
d se
asca
pe fe
atur
es in
the
regi
on I
t is
a gl
obal
ex
cept
iona
l and
dive
rse
area
for s
tudy
ing
mor
aine
ar
chip
elag
os T
he H
igh
Coas
t and
the
Kvar
ken
Arch
ipel
ago
repr
esen
t com
plem
enta
ry e
xam
ples
of
post
-gla
cial
upl
iftin
g la
ndsc
apes
Them
e 9
Bot
h ar
eas
have
som
e of
th
e hi
ghes
t rat
es o
f iso
stat
ic u
plift
in
the
wor
ld m
eani
ng th
at th
e la
nd
still
cont
inue
s to
rise
in e
leva
tion
follo
win
g th
e re
treat
of t
he la
st in
land
ic
e sh
eet
with
aro
und
290
m o
f lan
d up
lift r
ecor
ded
over
the
past
10
500
year
s T
he u
plift
is o
ngoi
ng a
nd is
as
soci
ated
with
maj
or c
hang
es in
the
wat
er b
odie
s in
pos
t-gl
acia
l tim
es
[] a
key
are
a fo
r und
erst
andi
ng th
e pr
oces
ses
of c
rust
al re
spon
se to
the
mel
ting
of th
e co
ntin
enta
l ice
she
et
[] t
he K
vark
en A
rchi
pela
go w
ith
its 5
600
isla
nds
and
surro
undi
ng
sea
pos
sess
es a
dis
tinct
ive a
rray
of g
laci
al d
epos
ition
al fo
rmat
ions
su
ch a
s De
Gee
r mor
aine
s w
hich
ad
d to
the
varie
ty o
f gla
cial
land
- an
d se
asca
pe fe
atur
es in
the
regi
on I
t is
a gl
obal
exc
eptio
nal a
nd d
ivers
e ar
ea
for s
tudy
ing
mor
aine
arc
hipe
lago
s
The
High
Coa
st a
nd th
e Kv
arke
n Ar
chip
elag
o re
pres
ent c
ompl
emen
tary
ex
ampl
es o
f pos
t-gl
acia
l upl
iftin
g la
ndsc
apes
2000
(200
6)(v
iii)Na
tura
lFi
nlan
d
Swed
enEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
78 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 79
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Huas
caraacute
n Na
tiona
l Par
k9
Huas
caraacute
n is
loca
ted
in th
e Hi
gh A
ndes
and
incl
udes
hi
gh p
late
aus
of P
una
gras
slan
ds w
here
60
00
m p
eaks
and
gla
cier
s fo
rm a
glo
bally
not
able
m
ount
aino
us re
gion
inc
ludi
ng o
ver 6
00 g
laci
ers
al
mos
t 300
lake
s an
d 41
trib
utar
ies
of th
ree
impo
rtant
rive
rs t
he S
anta
Pat
ivilc
a an
d M
aran
on
Unde
rlyin
g th
e ex
cept
iona
l lan
dsca
pe o
f Hua
scar
an
Natio
nal P
ark
is a
bro
ad s
pect
rum
of r
emar
kabl
e on
goin
g ge
olog
ical
feat
ures
and
pro
cess
es
shap
ing
the
impr
essi
ve g
eom
orph
olog
y Th
e ar
earsquos
ge
olog
ical
his
tory
and
stru
ctur
es a
re v
ery
com
plex
w
ith s
erra
ted
peak
s an
d th
e ru
gged
topo
grap
hy
orig
inat
e fro
m th
e up
liftin
g of
Mes
ozoi
c se
dim
ents
w
hich
wer
e se
vere
ly fo
lded
and
faul
ted
by c
ompl
ex
tect
onic
act
ivity
at t
he e
nd o
f the
Cre
tace
ous
Perio
d an
d su
bjec
t to
volc
anis
m in
the
Plio
cene
an
d Pl
eist
ocen
e ep
ochs
To
this
day
ther
e is
stro
ng
seis
mic
act
ivity
in th
e ar
ea m
ajor
ear
thqu
akes
su
ch a
s in
194
5 1
962
and
1970
ser
ving
as c
ruel
re
min
ders
Gla
ciat
ion
is a
maj
or e
lem
ent i
n th
e ge
omor
phol
ogy
and
hydr
olog
y of
the
prop
erty
It is
es
timat
ed th
at a
s m
uch
a qu
arte
r of t
he v
olum
e of
gl
acia
l ice
in th
e Co
rdille
ra m
ay h
ave
disa
ppea
red
sinc
e th
e la
te 1
960s
a p
roce
ss w
hich
is li
kely
to
furth
er c
hang
e th
e vis
ual f
ace
of H
uasc
araacuten
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk
Them
e 9
Loc
ated
in th
e Hi
gh A
ndes
an
d in
clud
es h
igh
plat
eaus
of P
una
gras
slan
ds w
here
60
00 m
pea
ks
and
glac
iers
form
a g
loba
lly n
otab
le
mou
ntai
nous
regi
on i
nclu
ding
ove
r 60
0 gl
acie
rs a
lmos
t 300
lake
s an
d 41
trib
utar
ies
of th
ree
impo
rtant
rive
rs
the
Sant
a P
ativi
lca
and
Mar
anon
1985
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Peru
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Ilulis
sat I
cefjo
rd9
The
Ilulis
sat I
cefjo
rd is
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of
a st
age
in th
e Ea
rthrsquos
his
tory
the
last
ice
age
of
the
Quat
erna
ry P
erio
d T
he ic
e-st
ream
is o
ne o
f the
fa
stes
t (40
m p
er d
ay) a
nd m
ost a
ctive
in th
e w
orld
Its
ann
ual c
alvin
g of
ove
r 46
km3
of ic
e ac
coun
ts
for 1
0 o
f the
pro
duct
ion
of a
ll Gr
eenl
and
calf
ice
m
ore
than
any
oth
er g
laci
er o
utsi
de A
ntar
ctic
a T
he
glac
ier h
as b
een
the
obje
ct o
f sci
entifi
c at
tent
ion
for 2
50 y
ears
and
alo
ng w
ith it
s re
lativ
e ea
se
of a
cces
sibi
lity
has
sign
ifica
ntly
adde
d to
the
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
ice-
cap
glac
iolo
gy c
limat
e ch
ange
an
d re
late
d ge
omor
phic
pro
cess
es
Them
e 9
The
Ilul
issa
t Ice
fjord
is
an o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of a
sta
ge
in th
e Ea
rthrsquos
his
tory
the
last
ice
age
of th
e Qu
ater
nary
Per
iod
The
ic
e-st
ream
is o
ne o
f the
fast
est (
40
m p
er d
ay) a
nd m
ost a
ctive
in th
e w
orld
Its
ann
ual c
alvin
g of
ove
r 46
km3
of ic
e ac
coun
ts fo
r 10
of t
he
prod
uctio
n of
all
Gree
nlan
d ca
lf ic
e
mor
e th
an a
ny o
ther
gla
cier
out
side
An
tarc
tica
[]
has
sig
nific
antly
add
ed
to th
e un
ders
tand
ing
of ic
e-ca
p gl
acio
logy
clim
ate
chan
ge a
nd re
late
d ge
omor
phic
pro
cess
es
2004
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Denm
ark
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
78 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 79
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Isch
igua
last
o T
alam
paya
Na
tura
l Par
ks
1Th
e pr
oper
ty o
f Isc
higu
alas
to-T
alam
paya
Nat
ural
Pa
rks
is o
f ext
raor
dina
ry s
cien
tific
impo
rtanc
e
prov
idin
g a
com
plet
e se
quen
ce o
f fos
silif
erou
s co
ntin
enta
l sed
imen
ts re
pres
entin
g th
e Tr
iass
ic
Perio
d of
geo
logi
cal h
isto
ry (c
250
-200
milli
on
year
s be
fore
pre
sent
) an
d re
veal
ing
the
evol
utio
n of
ve
rtebr
ate
life
and
the
natu
re o
f pal
aeoe
nviro
nmen
ts
in th
e Tr
iass
ic th
at u
sher
ed in
the
lsquoAge
of t
he
Dino
saur
srsquo
Exte
ndin
g ov
er th
e Is
chig
uala
sto-
Villa
Uni
oacuten
sedi
men
tary
bas
in t
he d
ram
atic
nat
ural
land
scap
e of
the
prop
erty
exp
oses
six
geol
ogic
al fo
rmat
ions
th
at c
lear
ly an
d ex
cept
iona
lly d
ocum
ent t
he m
ajor
st
age
of E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry fr
om th
e ev
olut
ion
from
the
mam
mal
anc
esto
rs in
the
Early
Tria
ssic
to th
e ris
e of
din
osau
r dom
inan
ce d
urin
g th
e Tr
iass
ic T
he ri
ch
dive
rsity
of f
ossi
ls in
clud
es s
ome
56 k
now
n ge
nera
an
d m
any
mor
e sp
ecie
s of
ver
tebr
ates
inc
ludi
ng
but n
ot li
mite
d to
fish
am
phib
ians
and
a g
reat
va
riety
of r
eptil
es a
nd d
irect
mam
mal
ian
ance
stor
s
incl
udin
g th
e ea
rly d
inos
aur
Eora
ptor
and
at l
east
10
0 sp
ecie
s of
pla
nts
toge
ther
with
abu
ndan
t em
phas
is o
f the
env
ironm
ents
of t
he ti
me
Tog
ethe
r th
ese
rem
ains
pro
vide
a un
ique
win
dow
on
life
in
the
Tria
ssic
Per
iod
with
man
y ne
w d
isco
verie
s st
ill to
be
mad
e
Them
e 1
Isch
igua
last
o T
alam
paya
Na
tura
l Par
ks c
onta
in th
e m
ost
com
plet
e co
ntin
enta
l fos
sil r
ecor
d kn
own
from
the
Tria
ssic
Per
iod
(c 2
50-2
00 m
illion
yea
rs a
go)
Six
geol
ogic
al fo
rmat
ions
con
tain
fo
ssils
of a
wid
e ra
nge
of a
nces
tors
of
mam
mal
s d
inos
aurs
and
pla
nts
reve
alin
g th
e ev
olut
ion
of v
erte
brat
es
and
the
natu
re o
f pal
aeoe
nviro
nmen
ts
in th
e Tr
iass
ic P
erio
d
2000
(viii)
Natu
ral
Arge
ntin
aLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Isol
e Eo
lie
(Aeo
lian
Isla
nds)
4Th
e is
land
srsquo v
olca
nic
land
form
s re
pres
ent c
lass
ic
feat
ures
in th
e co
ntin
uing
stu
dy o
f vol
cano
logy
w
orld
-wid
e W
ith th
eir s
cien
tific
stud
y fro
m a
t lea
st
the
18th
Cen
tury
the
isla
nds
have
pro
vided
two
of
the
type
s of
eru
ptio
ns (V
ulca
nian
and
Stro
mbo
lian)
to
vul
cano
logy
and
geo
logy
text
book
s an
d so
ha
ve fe
atur
ed p
rom
inen
tly in
the
educ
atio
n of
all
geos
cien
tists
for o
ver 2
00 y
ears
The
y co
ntin
ue
to p
rovid
e a
rich
field
for v
olca
nolo
gica
l stu
dies
of
on-g
oing
geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
in th
e de
velo
pmen
t of
land
form
s
Them
e 4
The
Aeo
lian
Isla
nds
prov
ide
an o
utst
andi
ng re
cord
of v
olca
nic
isla
nd-b
uild
ing
and
dest
ruct
ion
and
on
goin
g vo
lcan
ic p
heno
men
a S
tudi
ed
sinc
e at
leas
t the
18t
h ce
ntur
y th
e is
land
s ha
ve p
rovid
ed th
e sc
ienc
e of
vul
cano
logy
with
exa
mpl
es o
f tw
o ty
pes
of e
rupt
ion
(Vul
cani
an a
nd
Stro
mbo
lian)
2000
(viii)
Natu
ral
Italy
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
80 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 81
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Jeju
Vol
cani
c Is
land
and
Lav
a Tu
bes
46
Jeju
has
a d
istin
ctive
val
ue a
s on
e of
the
few
la
rge
shie
ld v
olca
noes
in th
e w
orld
bui
lt ov
er a
ho
t spo
t on
a st
atio
nary
con
tinen
tal c
rust
pla
te I
t is
dis
tingu
ishe
d by
the
Geom
unor
eum
lava
tube
sy
stem
whi
ch is
the
mos
t im
pres
sive
and
sig
nific
ant
serie
s of
pro
tect
ed la
va tu
be c
aves
in th
e w
orld
and
in
clud
es a
spe
ctac
ular
arra
y of
sec
onda
ry c
arbo
nate
sp
eleo
them
s (s
tala
ctite
s an
d ot
her d
ecor
atio
ns)
with
an
abu
ndan
ce a
nd d
ivers
ity u
nkno
wn
else
whe
re
with
in a
lava
cav
e T
he S
eong
san
Ilchu
lbon
g tu
ff co
ne h
as e
xcep
tiona
l exp
osur
es o
f its
stru
ctur
al a
nd
sedi
men
tolo
gica
l cha
ract
eris
tics
mak
ing
it a
wor
ld-
clas
s lo
catio
n fo
r und
erst
andi
ng S
urts
eyan
-typ
e vo
lcan
ic e
rupt
ions
Them
e 4
Jej
u Vo
lcan
ic Is
land
and
La
va T
ubes
incl
udes
Geo
mun
oreu
m
rega
rded
as
the
fines
t lav
a tu
be
syst
em o
f cav
es a
nyw
here
with
its
mul
ticol
oure
d ca
rbon
ate
roof
s an
d flo
ors
and
dar
k-co
lour
ed la
va
wal
ls t
he fo
rtres
s-lik
e Se
ongs
an
Ilchu
lbon
g tu
ff co
ne r
isin
g ou
t of t
he
ocea
n a
dra
mat
ic la
ndsc
ape
and
M
ount
Hal
la t
he h
ighe
st in
Kor
ea
with
its
wat
erfa
lls m
ulti-
shap
ed
rock
form
atio
ns a
nd la
ke-fi
lled
crat
er T
hem
e 6
Out
stan
ding
ex
ampl
e of
vul
cano
kars
t a
spec
ial
style
of p
seud
okar
st T
his
incl
udes
Ge
omun
oreu
m la
va tu
bes
whi
ch a
re
nota
ble
for s
pect
acul
ar d
ecor
atio
n w
ith c
arbo
nate
spe
leot
hem
s th
e ca
rbon
ate
bein
g de
rived
from
ov
erlyi
ng c
alca
reou
s du
ne s
ands
bl
own
in fr
om th
e co
ast
2007
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Repu
blic
of
Kor
eaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Jogg
ins
Foss
il Cl
iffs
1Ea
rthrsquos
his
tory
geo
logi
cal a
nd g
eom
orph
ic fe
atur
es
and
proc
esse
s T
he lsquog
rand
exp
osur
ersquo o
f roc
ks a
t Jo
ggin
s Fo
ssil
Cliff
s co
ntai
ns th
e be
st a
nd m
ost
com
plet
e kn
own
foss
il re
cord
of t
erre
stria
l life
in
the
icon
ic lsquoC
oal A
gersquo
the
Penn
sylva
nian
Sub
perio
d of
the
Carb
onife
rous
Per
iod
in E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry T
he
prop
erty
bea
rs w
itnes
s to
the
first
rept
iles
in E
arth
hi
stor
y w
hich
are
the
earli
est r
epre
sent
ative
s of
th
e am
niot
es a
gro
up o
f ani
mal
s th
at in
clud
es
rept
iles
din
osau
rs b
irds
and
mam
mal
s U
prig
ht
foss
il tre
es a
re p
rese
rved
at a
ser
ies
of le
vels
in th
e cl
iffs
toge
ther
with
ani
mal
pla
nt a
nd tr
ace
foss
ils
that
pro
vide
envir
onm
enta
l con
text
and
ena
ble
a co
mpl
ete
reco
nstru
ctio
n to
be
mad
e of
the
exte
nsive
fo
ssil
fore
sts
that
dom
inat
ed la
nd a
t thi
s tim
e a
nd
are
now
the
sour
ce o
f mos
t of t
he w
orld
rsquos c
oal
depo
sits
The
pro
perty
has
pla
yed
a vit
al ro
le in
the
deve
lopm
ent o
f sem
inal
geo
logi
cal a
nd e
volu
tiona
ry
prin
cipl
es i
nclu
ding
thro
ugh
the
wor
k of
Sir
Char
les
Lyel
l and
Cha
rles
Darw
in f
or w
hich
the
site
has
be
en re
ferre
d to
as
the
lsquocoa
l age
Gal
aacutepag
osrsquo
Them
e 1
The
Jog
gins
Fos
sil C
liffs
ha
ve b
een
desc
ribed
as
the
lsquocoa
l age
Ga
laacutepa
gosrsquo
due
to th
eir w
ealth
of
foss
ils fr
om th
e Ca
rbon
ifero
us P
erio
d (c
360
to 3
00 m
illion
yea
rs a
go) a
nd
repr
esen
t the
mos
t com
plet
e kn
own
foss
il re
cord
of t
erre
stria
l life
from
th
at ti
me
2008
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
80 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 81
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Klua
ne
Wra
ngel
l-St
Elia
s G
laci
er B
ay
Tats
hens
hini
-Al
sek
9Th
ese
tect
onic
ally
activ
e jo
int s
ites
feat
ure
cont
inuo
us m
ount
ain
build
ing
and
cont
ain
outs
tand
ing
exam
ples
of m
ajor
ong
oing
geo
logi
c an
d gl
acia
l pro
cess
es O
ver 2
00 g
laci
ers
in th
e ic
e-co
vere
d ce
ntra
l pla
teau
com
bine
to fo
rm s
ome
of th
e w
orld
rsquos la
rges
t and
long
est g
laci
ers
sev
eral
of
whi
ch s
tretc
h to
the
sea
The
pro
perty
dis
play
s a
broa
d ra
nge
of g
laci
al p
roce
sses
inc
ludi
ng
wor
ld-c
lass
dep
ositi
onal
feat
ures
and
cla
ssic
ex
ampl
es o
f mor
aine
s h
angi
ng v
alle
ys a
nd o
ther
ge
omor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
Them
e 9
Ove
r 200
gla
cier
s in
the
ice-
cove
red
cent
ral p
late
au c
ombi
ne
to fo
rm s
ome
of th
e w
orld
rsquos la
rges
t an
d lo
nges
t gla
cier
s s
ever
al o
f whi
ch
stre
tch
to th
e se
a T
he p
rope
rty
disp
lays
a b
road
rang
e of
gla
cial
pr
oces
ses
incl
udin
g w
orld
-cla
ss
depo
sitio
nal f
eatu
res
and
clas
sic
exam
ples
of m
orai
nes
han
ging
va
lleys
and
oth
er g
eom
orph
olog
ical
fe
atur
es
1979
(199
2
1994
)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Cana
da
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Lake
Bai
kal
25
No a
ppro
ved
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV B
asis
of
insc
riptio
n is
The
geo
logi
cal r
ift s
yste
m w
hich
ga
ve ri
se to
Lak
e Ba
ikal
was
form
ed in
the
Mes
ozoi
c Er
a L
ake
Baik
al is
thus
the
olde
st la
ke in
the
wor
ld
as w
ell a
s th
e de
epes
t Va
rious
tect
onic
forc
es a
re
still
on-g
oing
as
evid
ence
d in
rece
nt th
erm
al v
ents
in
the
dept
hs o
f the
lake
Them
e 2
The
geo
logi
cal r
ift s
yste
m
whi
ch g
ave
rise
to L
ake
Baik
al w
as
form
ed in
the
Mes
ozoi
c Er
a V
ario
us
tect
onic
forc
es a
re s
till o
n-go
ing
as
evid
ence
d in
rece
nt th
erm
al v
ents
in
the
dept
hs o
f the
lake
The
me
5 T
he
prop
erty
incl
udes
Lak
e Ba
ikal
itse
lf
the
deep
est i
n w
orld
and
con
tain
ing
20
of a
ll fre
sh ru
nnin
g w
ater
on
the
plan
et
1996
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lRu
ssia
n Fe
dera
-tio
n
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Lake
Tur
kana
Na
tiona
l Par
ks1
The
geol
ogy
and
foss
il re
cord
repr
esen
ts m
ajor
st
ages
of t
he E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry i
nclu
ding
reco
rds
of
life
repr
esen
ted
by h
omin
id d
isco
verie
s p
rese
nce
of re
cent
geo
logi
cal p
roce
ss re
pres
ente
d by
vo
lcan
ic e
rosi
onal
and
sed
imen
tary
land
form
s
This
pro
perty
rsquos m
ain
geol
ogic
al fe
atur
es s
tem
from
th
e Pl
ioce
ne to
Hol
ocen
e ep
ochs
(c 4
milli
on to
10
000
yea
rs o
ld)
It ha
s be
en v
ery
valu
able
in th
e re
cons
truct
ion
of th
e pa
leo-
envir
onm
ent o
f the
en
tire
Lake
Tur
kana
Bas
in T
he K
obi F
ora
depo
sits
co
ntai
n pr
e-hu
man
mam
mal
ian
mol
lusc
an a
nd
othe
r fos
sil r
emai
ns a
nd h
ave
cont
ribut
ed m
ore
to
the
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
hum
an a
nces
try a
nd p
aleo
-en
viron
men
t tha
n an
y ot
her s
ite in
the
wor
ld
Them
e 1
The
Koo
bi F
ora
depo
sits
ric
h in
mam
mal
ian
mol
lusc
an a
nd
othe
r fos
sil r
emai
ns h
ave
cont
ribut
ed
mor
e to
the
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
pal
eo-
envir
onm
ents
than
any
oth
er s
ite o
n th
e co
ntin
ent
1997
(200
1)(v
iii)(x
)Na
tura
lKe
nya
Afric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
82 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 83
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Lapo
nian
Are
a9
The
Lapo
nian
Are
a co
ntai
ns a
ll th
e pr
oces
ses
asso
ciat
ed w
ith g
laci
al a
ctivi
ty s
uch
as U
-sha
ped
valle
ys m
orai
nes
talu
s sl
opes
dru
mlin
s p
rese
nce
of la
rge
erra
tics
and
rapi
dly
flow
ing
glac
ial s
tream
s
It ha
s ex
celle
nt e
xam
ples
of i
ce a
nd fr
ost a
ctio
n in
a
tund
ra s
ettin
g in
clud
ing
form
atio
n of
pol
ygon
s an
d an
are
a of
spe
ctac
ular
ly co
llaps
ing
and
grow
ing
pals
a m
ound
s G
laci
al ri
vers
orig
inat
ing
in th
e sn
owfie
lds
cont
inue
to c
ut th
roug
h be
droc
k L
arge
un
vege
tate
d ar
eas
illust
rate
the
phen
omen
on o
f w
eath
erin
g T
he p
rope
rty a
lso
cont
ains
a re
cord
of
hum
ans
bein
g pa
rt of
thes
e ec
osys
tem
s fo
r sev
en
thou
sand
yea
rs
Them
e 9
Con
tain
s al
l the
pro
cess
es
asso
ciat
ed w
ith g
laci
al a
ctivi
ty s
uch
as U
-sha
ped
valle
ys m
orai
nes
talu
s sl
opes
dru
mlin
s p
rese
nce
of la
rge
erra
tics
and
rapi
dly
flow
ing
glac
ial
stre
ams
It h
as e
xcel
lent
exa
mpl
es o
f ic
e an
d fro
st a
ctio
n in
a tu
ndra
set
ting
incl
udin
g fo
rmat
ion
of p
olyg
ons
and
an a
rea
of s
pect
acul
arly
colla
psin
g an
d gr
owin
g pa
lsa
mou
nds
Gla
cial
riv
ers
orig
inat
ing
in th
e sn
owfie
lds
cont
inue
to c
ut th
roug
h be
droc
k
1996
(iii)(
v)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)M
ixed
Swed
enEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Lena
Pill
ars
Natu
re P
ark
36
The
Lena
Pilla
rs N
atur
e Pa
rk d
ispl
ays
two
feat
ures
of
sig
nific
ant i
nter
natio
nal i
nter
est i
n re
latio
n to
the
Earth
sci
ence
s T
he la
rge
cryo
geni
cally
m
odifi
ed p
illars
in th
e re
gion
are
the
mos
t not
able
pi
llar l
ands
cape
of t
heir
kind
kno
wn
whi
lst t
he
inte
rnat
iona
lly re
now
ned
and
impo
rtant
exp
osur
es
of C
ambr
ian
rock
s pr
ovid
e a
seco
nd a
nd im
porta
nt
supp
ortin
g se
t of v
alue
s
Them
e 3
Len
a Pi
llars
Nat
ure
Park
is
mar
ked
by s
pect
acul
ar ro
ck p
illars
up
to 1
00 m
hig
h th
at fo
rmed
due
to
diffe
rent
ial e
rosio
n al
ong
the
bank
s of
th
e Le
na R
iver
Them
e 6
Pilla
rs w
ere
isola
ted
by p
aleo
-diss
olut
ion
alon
g jo
ints
ben
eath
thick
gra
vel c
over
and
ar
e re
veal
ed a
long
val
ley
sides
by
frost
pr
oces
ses
and
fluvia
l und
ercu
tting
Kar
st
feat
ures
inclu
de g
roun
dwat
er c
ircul
atio
n an
d sm
all fl
utes
2012
(viii)
Natu
ral
Russ
ian
Fede
ra-
tion
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
82 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 83
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Lore
ntz
Natio
nal
Park
26
The
geol
ogy
and
land
form
s of
Lor
entz
Nat
iona
l Par
k di
spla
y gr
aphi
c ev
iden
ce o
f Ear
thrsquos
his
tory
Loc
ated
at
the
mee
ting
poin
t of t
wo
collid
ing
cont
inen
tal
plat
es t
he a
rea
has
a co
mpl
ex g
eolo
gy w
ith o
ngoi
ng
mou
ntai
n fo
rmat
ion
as w
ell a
s m
ajor
scu
lptin
g by
gl
acia
tion
and
shor
elin
e ac
cret
ion
The
dom
inat
ing
mou
ntai
n ra
nge
is a
dire
ct p
rodu
ct o
f the
col
lisio
n be
twee
n th
e Au
stra
lian
and
Paci
fic te
cton
ic p
late
s an
d th
e pr
oper
ty c
onta
ins
the
high
est p
oint
s of
th
e m
ount
ains
of P
apua
New
Gui
nea
and
the
only
rem
aini
ng g
laci
ers
on th
e is
land
The
re is
als
o cl
ear
evid
ence
of p
ost g
laci
al s
hore
lines
Gr
aphi
cally
illu
stra
ting
the
geom
orph
olog
ical
effe
ct
of th
e la
st g
laci
al a
nd p
ost-
glac
ial p
erio
ds t
he
mou
ntai
ns s
how
all
the
clas
sica
l gla
cial
land
form
s in
clud
ing
lake
s an
d m
orai
nes
Fur
ther
mor
e th
ere
are
five
smal
l rem
nant
gla
cier
s W
hile
all
five
glac
iers
are
retre
atin
g ra
pidl
y un
der p
rese
nt c
limat
ic
cond
ition
s n
o ot
her t
ropi
cal g
laci
er fi
elds
in th
e w
orld
exh
ibit
glac
ial e
volu
tion
as w
ell a
s th
ose
in L
oren
tz N
atio
nal P
ark
The
re is
als
o no
bet
ter
exam
ple
in th
e w
orld
of t
he c
ombi
ned
effe
ct o
f co
llisio
n of
tect
onic
pla
tes
and
the
seco
ndar
y m
ajor
sc
ulpt
ing
by g
laci
al a
nd p
ost-
glac
ial e
vent
s
Them
e 2
The
geo
logy
and
land
form
s of
Lor
entz
Nat
iona
l Par
k di
spla
y gr
aphi
c ev
iden
ce o
f Ear
thsrsquo
his
tory
Lo
cate
d at
the
mee
ting
poin
t of
two
collid
ing
cont
inen
tal p
late
s th
e ar
ea h
as a
com
plex
geo
logy
with
on
goin
g m
ount
ain
form
atio
n as
wel
l as
maj
or s
culp
ting
by g
laci
atio
n an
d sh
orel
ine
accr
etio
n T
he d
omin
atin
g m
ount
ain
rang
e is
a d
irect
pro
duct
of
the
collis
ion
betw
een
the
Aust
ralia
n an
d Pa
cific
tect
onic
pla
tes
Them
e 6
Wor
ldrsquos
bes
t exa
mpl
e of
trop
ical
al
pine
gla
ciat
ed k
arst
Ext
ensi
ve
hum
id tr
opic
al k
arst
occ
urs
at lo
wer
el
evat
ions
Hug
e si
nkin
g riv
ers
and
sprin
gs
1999
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lIn
done
sia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Los
Glac
iare
s Na
tiona
l Par
k9
Los
Glac
iare
s Na
tiona
l Par
k is
an e
xcel
lent
exa
mpl
e of
the
signi
fican
t pro
cess
of g
laci
atio
n a
s w
ell
as o
f geo
logi
cal
geom
orph
ic a
nd p
hysio
grap
hic
phen
omen
a ca
used
by
the
ongo
ing
adva
nce
and
retre
at o
f the
gla
ciat
ions
that
took
pla
ce d
urin
g th
e Pl
eist
ocen
e Ep
och
of th
e Qu
ater
nary
Per
iod
and
the
neog
laci
atio
ns c
orre
spon
ding
to th
e cu
rrent
epo
ch
or H
oloc
ene
The
se e
vent
s ha
ve m
odel
led
ndash an
d co
ntin
ue to
mod
el th
e la
ndsc
ape
of th
e ar
ea a
nd
may
be
reco
gnise
d by
the
lacu
strin
e ba
sins
of
glac
ial o
rigin
the
mor
aine
sys
tem
s de
posit
ed o
n th
e pl
atea
ux o
r by
mor
e re
cent
sys
tem
s pe
rtain
ing
to th
e cu
rrent
val
leys
and
the
man
y la
rge
glac
ier t
ongu
es
fed
by th
e Ic
e Fi
elds
of t
he A
ndes
The
pro
perty
also
pr
ovid
es fe
rtile
gro
und
for s
cien
tific
rese
arch
on
clim
ate
chan
ge
Them
e 9
Sig
nific
ant p
roce
ss o
f gl
acia
tion
as
wel
l as
of g
eolo
gica
l ge
omor
phic
and
phy
siog
raph
ic
phen
omen
a ca
used
by
the
ongo
ing
adva
nce
and
retre
at o
f the
gla
ciat
ions
th
at to
ok p
lace
dur
ing
the
Plei
stoc
ene
Epoc
h of
the
Quat
erna
ry P
erio
d a
nd
the
neog
laci
atio
ns c
orre
spon
ding
to
the
curre
nt e
poch
or H
oloc
ene
La
cust
rine
basi
ns o
f gla
cial
orig
in t
he
mor
aine
sys
tem
s de
posi
ted
on th
e pl
atea
ux o
r by
mor
e re
cent
sys
tem
s pe
rtain
ing
to th
e cu
rrent
val
leys
and
th
e m
any
larg
e gl
acie
r ton
gues
fed
by
the
Ice
Fiel
ds o
f the
And
es
1981
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Arge
ntin
aLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Lut D
eser
t10
The
prop
erty
repr
esen
ts a
n ex
cept
iona
l exa
mpl
e of
on
goin
g ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
es re
late
d to
ero
sion
al
and
depo
sitio
nal f
eatu
res
in a
hot
des
ert
The
yard
ang
kal
ut la
ndfo
rms
are
wid
ely
cons
ider
ed
the
best
-exp
ress
ed in
the
wor
ld in
term
s of
ext
ent
unbr
oken
con
tinui
ty a
nd h
eigh
t Th
e Lu
t san
d-se
as
are
amon
gst t
he b
est d
evel
oped
act
ive d
une
field
s in
the
wor
ld d
ispl
ayin
g a
wid
e va
riety
of d
une
type
s (c
resc
entic
ridg
es s
tar d
unes
com
plex
line
ar
dune
s fu
nnel
-sha
ped
dune
s) w
ith d
unes
am
ongs
t th
e hi
ghes
t obs
erve
d an
ywhe
re o
n ou
r pla
net
Nebk
ha d
une
field
s (d
unes
form
ed a
roun
d pl
ants
) ar
e w
ides
prea
d w
ith th
ose
at L
ut a
s hi
gh a
s an
y m
easu
red
else
whe
re E
vapo
rite
(sal
t) la
ndfo
rms
are
disp
laye
d in
wid
e va
riety
incl
udin
g w
hite
sa
lt-cr
uste
d cr
ysta
lline
river
beds
sal
t pan
s (p
laya
) w
ith p
olyg
onal
ly fra
ctur
ed c
rust
s p
ress
ure-
indu
ced
tepe
e-fra
ctur
ed s
alt c
rust
s g
ypsu
m d
omes
sm
all
salt
ping
os (o
r blis
ters
) an
d sa
lt ka
rren
Oth
er
dry-
land
land
form
s in
clud
e ex
tens
ive h
amad
a (s
tony
des
ert p
avem
ents
or r
eg) u
sual
ly lo
cate
d on
ped
imen
t sur
face
s w
ith w
ind
face
ted
ston
es
(ven
tifac
ts)
gullie
d ba
dlan
ds a
nd a
lluvia
l fan
s (b
ajad
a)
Them
e 10
Cla
ssic
loca
lity
of
yard
angs
dev
elop
ed o
n a
mas
sive
sc
ale
as
wel
l as
grav
el p
lain
s an
d du
ne fi
elds
2016
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Iran
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mac
quar
ie Is
land
2 4
Mac
quar
ie Is
land
and
its
outly
ing
islet
s ar
e ge
olog
ical
ly un
ique
in b
eing
the
only
plac
e on
Ear
th
whe
re ro
cks
from
the
Earth
rsquos m
antle
are
bei
ng
activ
ely
expo
sed
abov
e se
a le
vel T
he is
land
is th
e ex
pose
d cr
est o
f the
und
erse
a M
acqu
arie
Rid
ge
raise
d to
its
pres
ent p
ositi
on w
here
the
Indo
-Au
stra
lian
tect
onic
pla
te m
eets
the
Paci
fic p
late
Th
ese
uniq
ue e
xpos
ures
pro
vide
an e
xcep
tiona
lly
com
plet
e se
ctio
n of
the
stru
ctur
e an
d co
mpo
sitio
n of
bot
h th
e oc
eani
c cr
ust a
nd th
e up
per m
antle
and
pr
ovid
e ev
iden
ce o
f lsquose
a-flo
or s
prea
ding
rsquo and
tect
onic
pr
oces
ses
that
hav
e op
erat
ed fo
r hun
dred
s of
milli
ons
of y
ears
The
geo
logi
cal e
volu
tion
of M
acqu
arie
Isla
nd
bega
n 10
milli
on y
ears
ago
and
con
tinue
s to
day
with
th
e isl
and
expe
rienc
ing
earth
quak
es a
nd a
rapi
d ra
te
of u
plift
all
of w
hich
are
rela
ted
to a
ctive
geo
logi
cal
proc
esse
s al
ong
the
boun
dary
bet
wee
n th
e tw
o pl
ates
Se
quen
ces
from
all
crus
tal l
evel
s d
own
to 6
km
be
low
the
ocea
n flo
or a
re e
xpos
ed a
s a
resu
lt of
til
ting
and
diffe
rent
ial u
plift
on
Mac
quar
ie Is
land
Th
is pr
ovid
es ra
re e
viden
ce fo
r seq
uenc
es th
at a
re
com
mon
from
the
botto
m o
f the
oce
ans
to th
e up
per
man
tle b
ut n
ot s
een
else
whe
re in
sur
face
out
crop
s
The
lack
of d
efor
mat
ion
of th
is ex
pose
d cr
ust i
s hi
ghly
signi
fican
t as
it ex
hibi
ts k
ey in
terre
late
d an
d in
terd
epen
dent
oce
anic
cru
stal
ele
men
ts in
thei
r na
tura
l rel
atio
nshi
p
Mac
quar
ie Is
land
is th
e on
ly op
hiol
ite (a
wel
l-de
velo
ped
and
stud
ied
geol
ogic
al c
ompl
ex)
reco
gnise
d to
hav
e be
en fo
rmed
with
in a
maj
or
ocea
n ba
sin T
he g
eolo
gy o
f the
isla
nd is
ther
efor
e co
nsid
ered
to b
e th
e co
nnec
ting
link
betw
een
the
ophi
olite
s of
con
tinen
tal e
nviro
nmen
ts a
nd th
ose
loca
ted
with
in th
e oc
eani
c cr
ust
Them
e 2
The
pro
perty
is a
n ex
posu
re o
f the
oce
anic
pla
te
boun
dary
bet
wee
n th
e Pa
cific
and
Au
stra
lian
Ind
ian
plat
es e
xpos
ed
with
act
ive fa
ults
and
ong
oing
tect
onic
m
ovem
ents
The
me
4 M
acqu
arie
Is
land
pro
vides
a u
niqu
e ex
ampl
e of
exp
osur
e of
the
ocea
n cr
ust o
f vo
lcan
ic o
rigin
abo
ve th
e se
a le
vel a
nd
of g
eolo
gica
l evid
ence
for s
ea-fl
oor
spre
adin
g
1997
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mam
mot
h Ca
ve
Natio
nal P
ark
6M
amm
oth
Cave
pre
sent
s ne
arly
ever
y ty
pe o
f cav
e fo
rmat
ion
know
n G
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es in
volve
d in
thei
r for
mat
ion
cont
inue
Tod
ay t
his
huge
and
co
mpl
ex n
etw
ork
of c
ave
pass
ages
pro
vides
a
clea
r co
mpl
ete
and
acce
ssib
le re
cord
of t
he w
orld
rsquos
geom
orph
ic a
nd c
limat
ic c
hang
es O
utsi
de th
e ca
ve
the
kars
t top
ogra
phy
is s
uper
b w
ith fa
scin
atin
g la
ndsc
apes
and
all
of th
e cl
assi
c fe
atur
es o
f a k
arst
dr
aina
ge s
yste
m v
ast r
echa
rge
area
com
plex
ne
twor
k of
und
ergr
ound
con
duits
sin
k ho
les
cra
cks
fis
sure
s a
nd u
nder
grou
nd ri
vers
and
spr
ings
Them
e 6
The
long
est c
ave
in th
e w
orld
with
590
km
of s
urve
yed
river
pa
ssag
es o
ften
larg
e in
dim
ensi
on
and
gent
ly sl
opin
g T
he k
arst
is
deve
lope
d in
Low
er C
arbo
nife
rous
(M
issi
ssip
pian
) lim
esto
ne a
nd c
ave
evol
utio
n co
mm
ence
d fo
llow
ing
uplif
t an
d ex
posu
re 3
to 4
milli
on y
ears
ag
o E
xten
sive
sin
khol
e pl
ain
at th
e su
rface
Lar
ge s
prin
gs R
ich
trogl
obiti
c fa
una
The
inflo
w m
argi
n of
the
kars
t is
loca
ted
beyo
nd th
e pa
rk b
ound
ary
1981
(vii)
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Mes
sel P
it Fo
ssil
Site
1M
esse
l Pit
Foss
il Si
te is
con
side
red
to b
e th
e si
ngle
be
st s
ite w
hich
con
tribu
tes
to th
e un
ders
tand
ing
of th
e Eo
cene
whe
n m
amm
als
beca
me
firm
ly es
tabl
ishe
d in
all
prin
cipa
l lan
d ec
osys
tem
s T
he
stat
e of
pre
serv
atio
n of
its
foss
ils is
exc
eptio
nal a
nd
allo
ws
for h
igh-
qual
ity s
cien
tific
wor
k
Them
e 1
Mes
sel P
it is
the
riche
st
site
in th
e w
orld
for u
nder
stan
ding
th
e liv
ing
envir
onm
ent o
f the
Eoc
ene
be
twee
n 57
milli
on a
nd 3
6 m
illion
ye
ars
ago
1995
(viii)
Natu
ral
Germ
any
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Mig
uash
a Na
tiona
l Par
k1
Mig
uash
a Na
tiona
l Par
k is
the
mos
t out
stan
ding
fo
ssil
site
in th
e w
orld
from
the
stan
dpoi
nt o
f its
re
pres
enta
tion
of v
erte
brat
e lif
e an
d its
illu
stra
tion
of th
e De
voni
an P
erio
d kn
own
as th
e Ag
e of
Fis
hes
Th
e si
te is
of p
aram
ount
impo
rtanc
e be
caus
e it
has
the
larg
est n
umbe
r and
the
best
-pre
serv
ed fo
ssil
spec
imen
s in
the
wor
ld o
f sar
copt
eryg
ian
fish
whi
ch
gave
rise
to th
e fir
st fo
ur-le
gged
air-
brea
thin
g te
rrest
rial v
erte
brat
es mdash
the
tetra
pods
Them
e 1
Mig
uash
a is
the
outs
tand
ing
foss
il si
te in
the
wor
ld
illust
ratin
g th
e De
voni
an a
s th
e lsquoA
ge
of F
ishe
srsquo a
nd d
ispl
ays
the
high
est
dive
rsity
in th
e w
orld
of t
he lo
be-
finne
d fis
hes
that
gav
e ris
e to
the
first
fo
ur-le
gged
air-
brea
thin
g te
rrest
rial
erte
brat
es mdash
the
tetra
pods
1999
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mis
take
n Po
int
1M
ista
ken
Poin
t fos
sils
con
stitu
te a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g re
cord
of a
crit
ical
mile
ston
e in
the
hist
ory
of li
fe
on E
arth
lsquow
hen
life
got b
igrsquo a
fter a
lmos
t thr
ee
billio
n ye
ars
of m
icro
be-d
omin
ated
evo
lutio
n T
he
foss
ils ra
nge
in a
ge fr
om 5
80 to
560
milli
on y
ears
th
e lo
nges
t con
tinuo
us re
cord
of E
diac
ara-
type
m
egaf
ossi
ls a
nyw
here
and
pre
date
by
mor
e th
an
40 m
illion
yea
rs th
e Ca
mbr
ian
expl
osio
n b
eing
the
olde
st fo
ssil
evid
ence
of a
nces
tors
of m
ost m
oder
n an
imal
gro
ups
Mis
take
n Po
int c
onta
ins
the
wor
ldrsquos
ol
dest
-kno
wn
exam
ples
of l
arge
arc
hite
ctur
ally
com
plex
org
anis
ms
incl
udin
g so
ft-bo
died
anc
estra
l an
imal
s E
colo
gica
lly M
ista
ken
Poin
t con
tain
s th
e ol
dest
and
mos
t dive
rse
exam
ples
of E
diac
aran
de
ep-s
ea c
omm
uniti
es in
the
wor
ld th
us p
rese
rvin
g ra
re in
sigh
ts in
to th
e ec
olog
y of
thes
e an
cest
ral
anim
als
and
the
early
col
oniza
tion
of th
e de
ep-s
ea
floor
Oth
er a
ttrib
utes
con
tribu
ting
to th
e pr
oper
tyrsquos
Ou
tsta
ndin
g Un
ivers
al V
alue
incl
ude
the
wor
ldrsquos
fir
st e
xam
ples
of m
etaz
oan
loco
mot
ion
exc
eptio
nal
pote
ntia
l for
radi
omet
ric d
atin
g of
the
asse
mbl
ages
an
d ev
iden
ce fo
r the
role
of a
ncie
nt o
xyge
n le
vels
in
the
regi
onal
and
glo
bal a
ppea
ranc
e of
com
plex
m
ultic
ellu
lar l
ife
Them
e 1
The
se ru
gged
coa
stal
cl
iffs
of d
eep
mar
ine
orig
in d
ate
to
the
mid
dle
of th
e Ed
iaca
ran
Perio
d c
580
-560
milli
on y
ears
ago
The
y re
cord
lsquowhe
n lif
e go
t big
rsquo th
e fir
st
abun
dant
app
eara
nce
of la
rge
bi
olog
ical
ly co
mpl
ex o
rgan
ism
s af
ter
thre
e bi
llion
year
s of
mai
nly
mic
robi
al
evol
utio
n
2016
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Mon
te S
an
Gior
gio
1M
onte
San
Gio
rgio
is th
e sin
gle
best
kno
wn
reco
rd
of m
arin
e lif
e in
the
Tria
ssic
per
iod
and
reco
rds
impo
rtant
rem
ains
of l
ife o
n la
nd a
s w
ell T
he p
rope
rty
has
prod
uced
dive
rse
and
num
erou
s fo
ssils
man
y of
w
hich
sho
w e
xcep
tiona
l com
plet
enes
s an
d de
taile
d pr
eser
vatio
n T
he lo
ng h
istor
y of
stu
dy o
f the
pro
perty
an
d th
e di
scip
lined
man
agem
ent o
f the
reso
urce
hav
e cr
eate
d a
wel
l doc
umen
ted
and
cata
logu
ed b
ody
of
spec
imen
s of
exc
eptio
nal q
ualit
y an
d ar
e th
e ba
sis
for a
rich
ass
ocia
ted
geol
ogic
al li
tera
ture
As
a re
sult
M
onte
San
Gio
rgio
pro
vides
the
prin
cipa
l poi
nt o
f re
fere
nce
rele
vant
to fu
ture
disc
over
ies
of m
arin
e Tr
iass
ic re
mai
ns th
roug
hout
the
wor
ld
Them
e 1
Mon
te S
an G
iorg
io is
re
gard
ed a
s th
e be
st fo
ssil
reco
rd o
f m
arin
e lif
e fro
m th
e Tr
iass
ic P
erio
d (c
25
0ndash20
0 m
illion
yea
rs a
go)
2003
(201
0)(v
iii)Na
tura
lIta
ly
Switz
er-
land
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
88 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 89
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mor
ne T
rois
Pi
tons
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk
4Th
e pr
oper
ty e
ncom
pass
es e
xtra
ordi
nary
and
inta
ct
exam
ples
and
arra
ys o
f geo
mor
phol
ogic
feat
ures
as
a re
sult
of a
ser
ies
of v
olca
nic
erup
tions
The
dist
inct
ive
geol
ogy
and
land
form
s of
Mor
ne Tr
ois
Pito
ns
Natio
nal P
ark
are
com
prise
d of
thre
e m
ajor
type
s of
ge
olog
ical
form
atio
ns v
olca
nic
pile
s g
laci
s slo
pes
and
souf
riere
s T
he p
rope
rty d
ispla
ys a
mag
nific
ent
spec
trum
of v
olca
nic
activ
ity in
the
form
of s
tream
s of
var
ious
col
ors
inte
rspe
rsed
with
fum
arol
es m
ud
pond
s an
d ho
t spr
ings
inc
ludi
ng th
e m
assiv
e Bo
iling
Lake
Ong
oing
geo
-mor
phol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
of
redu
ctio
n ar
e ta
king
pla
ce in
a la
rgel
y un
dist
urbe
d se
tting
of s
tunn
ing
scen
ic v
alue
and
maj
or s
cien
tific
inte
rest
Them
e 4
Sce
nic
volc
anic
feat
ures
of
grea
t sci
entifi
c in
tere
st in
this
nat
iona
l pa
rk a
re c
ente
red
on th
e 1
342
m
high
vol
cano
kno
wn
as M
orne
Tro
is
Pito
ns M
ore
than
50
fum
arol
es
hot s
prin
gs t
hree
fres
hwat
er la
kes
a
lsquoboi
ling
lake
rsquo and
five
vol
cano
es
loca
ted
on th
e pa
rkrsquos
nea
rly 7
000
ha
to
geth
er w
ith th
e ric
hest
bio
dive
rsity
in
the
Less
er A
ntille
s
1997
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Dom
inic
aLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Mos
i-oa-
Tuny
a
Vict
oria
Fal
ls5
3Th
e M
osi-o
a-Tu
nya
Vic
toria
Fal
ls a
nd a
ssoc
iate
d ei
ght s
teep
sid
ed g
orge
s ha
ve b
een
form
ed th
roug
h th
e ch
angi
ng w
ater
fall
posi
tions
ove
r a g
eolo
gica
l tim
e sc
ale
The
gor
ges
are
an o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of ri
ver c
aptu
re a
nd th
e er
osive
forc
es o
f the
wat
er
still
cont
inue
to s
culp
ture
the
hard
bas
alts
The
se
gorg
es ta
ke a
zig
zag
cour
se o
f a d
ista
nce
of a
bout
15
0 km
alo
ng th
e Za
mbe
zi Ri
ver b
elow
the
falls
Se
ven
prev
ious
wat
erfa
lls o
ccup
ied
the
seve
n go
rges
bel
ow th
e pr
esen
t fal
ls a
nd th
e De
vilrsquos
Ca
tara
ct in
Zim
babw
e is
the
star
ting
poin
t for
cut
ting
back
to a
new
wat
erfa
ll In
add
ition
an
aeria
l vie
w
of th
e fa
lls s
how
s po
ssib
le fu
ture
wat
erfa
ll po
sitio
ns
Upst
ream
are
a s
pect
acul
ar s
erie
s of
rive
rine
isla
nds
form
ed d
urin
g th
e on
goin
g ge
olog
ical
an
d ge
omor
phol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
The
pro
perty
is
cha
ract
erize
d by
ban
ded
basa
lt of
anc
ient
lava
flo
w K
alah
ari s
ands
tone
s an
d ch
alce
dony
out
of
whi
ch s
tone
arte
fact
s of
Hom
o ha
bilis
dat
ing
thre
e m
illion
yea
rs s
tone
tool
s of
the
mid
dle
Ston
e Ag
e an
d w
eapo
ns a
dorn
men
ts a
nd d
iggi
ng to
ols
of th
e la
te S
tone
Age
that
indi
cate
occ
upat
ion
by h
unte
r-ga
ther
ers
Them
e 5
3 T
hese
are
am
ong
the
mos
t spe
ctac
ular
wat
erfa
lls in
the
wor
ld T
he Z
ambe
zi Ri
ver
whi
ch is
m
ore
than
2 k
m w
ide
at th
is p
oint
pl
unge
s no
isily
dow
n a
serie
s of
bas
alt
gorg
es a
nd ra
ises
an
iride
scen
t mis
t th
at c
an b
e se
en m
ore
than
20
km
away
The
Mos
i-oa-
Tuny
a V
icto
ria
Falls
is th
e w
orld
rsquos g
reat
est s
heet
of
fallin
g w
ater
and
sig
nific
ant w
orld
wid
e fo
r its
exc
eptio
nal g
eolo
gica
l and
ge
omor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
1989
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Zam
bia
Zi
mba
-bw
e
Afric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
88 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 89
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Mou
nt E
tna
4M
ount
Etn
a is
one
of t
he w
orld
rsquos m
ost a
ctive
and
ic
onic
vol
cano
es a
nd a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
ong
oing
geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
and
vol
cani
c la
ndfo
rms
The
stra
tovo
lcan
o is
cha
ract
erize
d by
al
mos
t con
tinuo
us e
rupt
ive a
ctivi
ty fr
om it
s su
mm
it cr
ater
s an
d fa
irly
frequ
ent l
ava
flow
eru
ptio
ns fr
om
crat
ers
and
fissu
res
on it
s fla
nks
Thi
s ex
cept
iona
l vo
lcan
ic a
ctivi
ty h
as b
een
docu
men
ted
by h
uman
s fo
r at l
east
27
00 y
ears
ndash m
akin
g it
one
of th
e w
orld
rsquos lo
nges
t doc
umen
ted
reco
rds
of h
isto
rical
vo
lcan
ism
The
dive
rse
and
acce
ssib
le a
ssem
blag
e of
vol
cani
c fe
atur
es s
uch
as s
umm
it cr
ater
s
cind
er c
ones
lav
a flo
ws
lava
cav
es a
nd th
e Va
lle
de B
ove
depr
essi
on h
ave
mad
e M
ount
Etn
a a
prim
e de
stin
atio
n fo
r res
earc
h an
d ed
ucat
ion
To
day
Mou
nt E
tna
is o
ne o
f the
bes
t-st
udie
d an
d m
onito
red
volc
anoe
s in
the
wor
ld a
nd c
ontin
ues
to
influ
ence
vol
cano
logy
geo
phys
ics
and
othe
r Ear
th
scie
nce
disc
iplin
es M
ount
Etn
arsquos
noto
riety
sci
entifi
c im
porta
nce
and
cul
tura
l and
edu
catio
nal v
alue
are
of
glo
bal s
igni
fican
ce
Them
e 4
Mou
nt E
tna
is th
e hi
ghes
t M
edite
rrane
an is
land
mou
ntai
n an
d on
e of
the
mos
t act
ive s
trato
volc
ano
in
the
wor
ld T
he e
rupt
ive h
isto
ry o
f the
vo
lcan
o ca
n be
trac
ed b
ack
500
000
year
s an
d at
leas
t 27
00 y
ears
of t
his
activ
ity h
as b
een
docu
men
ted
The
al
mos
t con
tinuo
us e
rupt
ive a
ctivi
ty
of M
ount
Etn
a co
ntin
ues
to in
fluen
ce
volc
anol
ogy
geop
hysi
cs a
nd o
ther
Ea
rth s
cien
ce d
isci
plin
es T
he d
ivers
e an
d ac
cess
ible
rang
e of
vol
cani
c fe
atur
es s
uch
as s
umm
it cr
ater
s
cind
er c
ones
lav
a flo
ws
and
the
Valle
de
Bov
e de
pres
sion
hav
e m
ade
the
site
a p
rime
dest
inat
ion
for r
esea
rch
and
educ
atio
n
2013
(viii)
Natu
ral
Italy
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Naha
nni N
atio
nal
Park
53
6In
Nah
anni
Nat
iona
l Par
k th
ere
is e
xcep
tiona
l re
pres
enta
tion
of o
n-go
ing
geol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
no
tabl
y flu
vial e
rosi
on t
ecto
nic
uplif
t fo
ldin
g an
d ca
nyon
dev
elop
men
t w
ind
eros
ion
kar
st a
nd
pseu
do-k
arst
land
form
s a
nd a
var
iety
of h
ot s
prin
gs
The
maj
or g
eolo
gic
and
geom
orph
olog
ic fe
atur
es
prov
ide
a co
mbi
natio
n of
geo
logi
cal p
roce
sses
that
ar
e gl
obal
ly un
ique
Them
e 5
3 L
ocat
ed a
long
The
So
uth
Naha
nni R
iver i
s on
e of
the
mos
t spe
ctac
ular
wild
rive
rs in
Nor
th
Amer
ica
this
par
k co
ntai
ns d
eep
cany
ons
and
huge
wat
erfa
lls T
he
geom
orph
olog
y of
the
prop
erty
is
outs
tand
ing
in it
s w
ealth
of f
orm
an
d co
mpl
exity
of e
volu
tion
Flu
vial
proc
esse
s an
d fe
atur
es p
redo
min
ate
W
ithin
the
prop
erty
are
exa
mpl
es o
f al
mos
t eve
ry d
istin
ct c
ateg
ory
of ri
ver
or s
tream
that
is k
now
n G
eolo
gic
and
geom
orph
olog
ic fe
atur
es in
clud
e th
e m
eand
ers
of a
ncie
nt ri
vers
now
ra
ised
hig
h ab
ove
pres
ent r
iver l
evel
s
Them
e 6
Wor
ldrsquos
fore
mos
t exa
mpl
e of
kar
st d
evel
opm
ent i
n co
ld c
limat
e co
nditi
ons
Con
tain
s a
spec
tacu
lar
kars
t lan
dsca
pe i
nclu
ding
pol
jes
ca
ves
and
gor
ges
and
hot
spr
ing
with
larg
e tu
fa m
ound
Lan
dsca
pe is
su
bjec
t to
activ
e fro
st p
roce
sses
1978
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Cana
daEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
90 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 91
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Nam
ib S
and
Sea
10Th
e pr
oper
ty re
pres
ents
an
exce
ptio
nal e
xam
ple
of o
ngoi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es in
volvi
ng th
e fo
rmat
ion
of th
e w
orld
rsquos o
nly
exte
nsive
dun
e sy
stem
in a
coa
stal
fog
dese
rt th
roug
h tra
nspo
rt of
mat
eria
l ove
r tho
usan
ds o
f kilo
met
res
by ri
ver
ocea
n cu
rrent
and
win
d A
lthou
gh th
e pr
oper
ty
enco
mpa
sses
onl
y th
e Ae
olia
n el
emen
ts o
f thi
s on
goin
g ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
the
oth
er e
lem
ents
of
the
lsquocon
veyo
r sys
tem
rsquo are
ass
ured
The
dive
rsity
of
the
ever
-cha
ngin
g du
ne fo
rmat
ions
scu
lpte
d by
pr
onou
nced
dai
ly an
d se
ason
al c
hang
es in
dom
inan
t w
ind
dire
ctio
ns is
als
o ex
cept
iona
l at a
glo
bal s
cale
w
ithin
suc
h a
rela
tivel
y sm
all a
rea
Them
e 10
Hos
ts d
ivers
e du
ne
land
scap
es r
epre
sent
ing
an a
lmos
t co
mpl
ete
cata
logu
e of
dun
e ty
pes
(sta
r lin
ear
trans
vers
e b
arch
ans)
as
wel
l as
othe
r des
ert s
urfa
ce fe
atur
es
such
as
inte
rdun
e co
rrido
rs g
rave
l pl
ains
eph
emer
al c
hann
els
and
play
as
2013
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lNa
mib
iaAf
rica
Ngor
ongo
ro
Cons
erva
tion
Area
41
Ngor
ongo
ro c
rate
r is
the
larg
est u
nbro
ken
cald
era
in
the
wor
ld T
he c
rate
r to
geth
er w
ith th
e Ol
mot
i and
Em
paka
ai c
rate
rs a
re p
art o
f the
eas
tern
Rift
Val
ley
who
se v
olca
nism
dat
es b
ack
to th
e la
te M
esoz
oic
ear
ly Ne
ogen
e an
d is
fam
ous
for i
ts g
eolo
gy T
he
prop
erty
als
o in
clud
es L
aeto
li an
d Ol
duva
i Gor
ge
whi
ch c
onta
in a
n im
porta
nt p
alae
onto
logi
cal r
ecor
d re
late
d to
hum
an e
volu
tion
Them
e 4
The
Ngo
rong
oro
Cons
erva
tion
Area
spa
ns v
ast
expa
nses
of h
ighl
and
plai
ns
sava
nna
sav
anna
woo
dlan
ds a
nd
fore
sts
cent
erd
on th
e sp
ecta
cula
r Ng
oron
goro
Cra
ter
Afric
arsquos
larg
est
cald
era
The
me
1 N
goro
ngor
o ha
s yie
lded
a lo
ng s
eque
nce
of e
viden
ce
of h
uman
evo
lutio
n an
d hu
man
-en
viron
men
t dyn
amic
s in
clud
ing
early
ho
min
id fo
otpr
ints
dat
ing
back
36
m
illion
yea
rs
1979
(201
0)(iv
)(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)M
ixed
Unite
d Re
publ
ic
of
Tanz
ania
Afric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
90 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 91
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Papa
h āna
umo-
ku
ākea
42
8Th
e pr
oper
ty p
rovid
es a
n illu
stra
ting
exam
ple
of
isla
nd h
otsp
ot p
rogr
essi
on f
orm
ed a
s a
resu
lt of
a
rela
tivel
y st
atio
nary
hot
spot
and
sta
ble
tect
onic
pl
ate
mov
emen
t Co
mpr
isin
g a
maj
or p
ortio
n of
the
wor
ldrsquos
long
est a
nd o
ldes
t vol
cani
c ch
ain
the
scal
e
dist
inct
ness
and
line
arity
of t
he m
anife
stat
ion
of
thes
e ge
olog
ical
pro
cess
es in
Pap
ahān
aum
okuā
kea
are
unriv
alle
d an
d ha
ve s
hape
d ou
r und
erst
andi
ng
of p
late
tect
onic
s an
d ho
tspo
ts T
he g
eolo
gica
l va
lues
of t
he p
rope
rty a
re d
irect
ly co
nnec
ted
to
the
valu
es in
Haw
airsquoi
Volc
anoe
s Na
tiona
l Par
k an
d W
orld
Her
itage
pro
perty
and
join
tly p
rese
nt a
ver
y si
gnifi
cant
test
imon
y of
hot
spot
vol
cani
sm
Them
e 4
2 P
apah
ānau
mok
uāke
a is
a v
ast a
nd is
olat
ed li
near
clu
ster
of
smal
l lo
w ly
ing
volc
anic
isla
nds
and
atol
ls w
ith th
eir s
urro
undi
ng o
cean
ro
ughl
y 25
0 km
to th
e no
rthw
est o
f th
e m
ain
Haw
aiia
n Ar
chip
elag
o an
d ex
tend
ing
over
som
e 1
930
km T
his
linea
r clu
ster
form
s th
e no
rthw
est
exte
nsio
n of
the
Empe
ror S
eam
ount
Ch
ain
The
me
8 M
uch
of th
e pr
oper
ty
is m
ade
up o
f pel
agic
and
dee
pwat
er
habi
tats
with
not
able
feat
ures
suc
h as
sea
mou
nts
and
subm
erge
d ba
nks
ex
tens
ive c
oral
reef
s la
goon
s an
d 14
km
2 em
erge
nt la
nds
dist
ribut
ed
betw
een
a nu
mbe
r of e
rode
d hi
gh
isla
nds
pin
nacl
es a
toll
isla
nds
and
cays
2010
(iii)(
vi)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Mixe
dUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Phon
g Nh
a-Ke
Ba
ng N
atio
nal
Park
6Ph
ong
Nha-
Ke B
ang
Natio
nal P
ark
is p
art o
f a
larg
er d
isse
cted
pla
teau
whi
ch e
ncom
pass
es th
e Ph
ong
Nha
Ke
Bang
and
Hin
Nam
no k
arst
s T
he
limes
tone
is n
ot c
ontin
uous
and
dem
onst
rate
s co
mpl
ex in
terb
eddi
ng w
ith s
hale
s an
d sa
ndst
ones
Th
is h
as le
d to
a p
artic
ular
ly di
stin
ctive
topo
grap
hy
The
cave
s de
mon
stra
te a
dis
cret
e se
quen
ce o
f ev
ents
lea
ving
behi
nd d
iffer
ent l
evel
s of
anc
ient
ab
ando
ned
pass
ages
evid
ence
of m
ajor
cha
nges
in
the
rout
es o
f und
ergr
ound
rive
rs c
hang
es in
the
solu
tiona
l reg
ime
dep
ositi
on a
nd la
ter r
e-so
lutio
n of
gia
nt s
pele
othe
ms
and
unus
ual f
eatu
res
such
as
sub
-aer
ial s
trom
atol
ites
On
the
surfa
ce t
here
is
a s
triki
ng s
erie
s of
nat
ural
land
scap
es r
angi
ng
from
dee
ply
diss
ecte
d ra
nges
and
pla
teau
x to
an
imm
ense
pol
je T
here
is e
viden
ce o
f at l
east
one
pe
riod
of h
ydro
ther
mal
act
ivity
in th
e ev
olut
ion
of
this
anc
ient
mat
ure
kars
t sys
tem
The
Son
Doo
ng
Cave
firs
t exp
lore
d in
200
9 c
ould
con
tain
the
wor
ldrsquos
larg
est c
ave
pass
age
in te
rms
of d
iam
eter
an
d co
ntin
uity
The
pla
teau
is o
ne o
f the
fine
st
and
mos
t dis
tinct
ive e
xam
ples
of a
com
plex
kar
st
land
form
in S
outh
east
Asi
a an
d th
e pr
oper
ty is
of
grea
t im
porta
nce
for e
nhan
cing
our
und
erst
andi
ng
of th
e ge
olog
ic g
eom
orph
ic a
nd g
eo-c
hron
olog
ical
hi
stor
y of
the
regi
on
Them
e 6
Ext
ensi
ve a
nd c
ompl
ex
kars
t dev
elop
men
t in
diss
ecte
d pl
atea
u en
viron
men
t to
129
0 m
ab
ove
sea
leve
l tha
t con
tinue
s ac
ross
bo
rder
into
Lao
s L
ong
hist
ory
of
kars
t lan
dsca
pe e
volu
tion
pos
sibl
y si
nce
early
Mes
ozoi
c M
ajor
cav
es
and
unde
rgro
und
river
s an
d ex
tens
ive
encl
osed
dep
ress
ions
(pol
je)
2003
(201
5)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Viet
Nam
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
92 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 93
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Pirin
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk9
The
prin
cipa
l Ear
th s
cien
ce v
alue
s of
the
prop
erty
re
late
to it
s gl
acia
l geo
mor
phol
ogy
dem
onst
rate
d th
roug
h a
rang
e of
feat
ures
incl
udin
g ci
rque
s d
eep
valle
ys a
nd o
ver 7
0 gl
acia
l lak
es T
he m
ount
ains
of
the
prop
erty
sho
w a
var
iety
of f
orm
s an
d ha
ve
been
dev
elop
ed in
sev
eral
diff
eren
t roc
k ty
pes
Fu
nctio
ning
nat
ural
pro
cess
es a
llow
for s
tudy
of t
he
cont
inue
d ev
olut
ion
of th
e la
ndfo
rms
of th
e pr
oper
ty
and
help
to u
nder
stan
d ot
her u
plan
d ar
eas
in th
e re
gion
Them
e 9
The
prin
cipa
l Ear
th s
cien
ce
valu
es o
f the
pro
perty
rela
te to
its
glac
ial g
eom
orph
olog
y de
mon
stra
ted
thro
ugh
a ra
nge
of fe
atur
es in
clud
ing
cirq
ues
dee
p va
lleys
and
ove
r 70
glac
ial l
akes
1983
(201
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)Na
tura
lBu
lgar
iaEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Pito
ns
Man
agem
ent
Area
4Th
e Pi
tons
Man
agem
ent A
rea
cont
ains
the
grea
ter
part
of a
col
laps
ed s
trato
volc
ano
cont
aine
d w
ithin
th
e vo
lcan
ic s
yste
m k
now
n to
geo
logi
sts
as th
e So
ufrie
re V
olca
nic
Cent
re P
rom
inen
t with
in th
e vo
lcan
ic la
ndsc
ape
are
two
rem
nant
vol
cani
c pe
aks
Gr
os P
iton
and
Petit
Pito
n T
he P
itons
occ
ur w
ith a
va
riety
of o
ther
vol
cani
c fe
atur
es in
clud
ing
cum
ulo
dom
es e
xplo
sion
cra
ters
pyr
ocla
stic
dep
osits
(p
umic
e an
d as
h) a
nd la
va fl
ows
Col
lect
ively
thes
e fu
lly il
lust
rate
the
volc
anic
his
tory
of a
n an
desi
tic
com
posi
te v
olca
no a
ssoc
iate
d w
ith c
rust
al p
late
su
bduc
tion
Them
e 4
The
Pito
ns M
anag
emen
t Ar
ea c
onta
ins
a co
llaps
ed
stra
tovo
lcan
o kn
own
as th
e So
ufrie
re
Volc
anic
Cen
tre P
rom
inen
t with
in th
e vo
lcan
ic la
ndsc
ape
are
two
erod
ed
rem
nant
s of
lava
dom
es G
ros
Pito
n an
d Pe
tit P
iton
with
a v
arie
ty o
f oth
er
volc
anic
feat
ures
incl
udin
g cu
mul
o-do
mes
exp
losi
on c
rate
rs p
yroc
last
ic
depo
sits
(pum
ice
and
ash)
and
lava
flo
ws
2004
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Sain
t Lu
cia
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
92 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 93
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Plitv
ice
Lake
s Na
tiona
l Par
k5
6Th
e ke
y ex
traor
dina
ry p
roce
ss w
hich
has
bee
n sh
apin
g an
d co
ntin
ues
to s
hape
the
Plitv
ice
lake
sy
stem
is th
e tu
fa c
reat
ion
whi
ch fo
rms
barri
ers
acro
ss th
e w
ater
cour
se D
ue to
the
char
acte
ristic
s of
kar
st b
ase
the
wat
ers
of P
litvic
e La
kes
are
natu
rally
sup
ersa
tura
ted
with
cal
cium
car
bona
te
Unde
r cer
tain
phy
sico
-che
mic
al a
nd b
iolo
gica
l co
nditi
ons
the
diss
olve
d ca
lciu
m c
arbo
nate
is
depo
site
d on
the
botto
ms
and
mar
gins
of t
he la
kes
as
wel
l as
on o
bsta
cles
in th
e w
ater
cou
rses
Ove
r tim
e th
is p
roce
ss le
ads
to th
e fo
rmat
ion
of p
orou
s
sim
ulta
neou
sly
hard
and
frag
ile li
mes
tone
bar
riers
w
hich
reta
in th
e w
ater
of c
reek
s an
d riv
ers
The
la
ke s
yste
m is
a s
ubje
ct to
con
stan
t cha
nges
larg
ely
due
to th
e dy
nam
ics
of g
row
th a
nd e
rosi
on o
f tuf
a ba
rrier
s A
clo
ser l
ook
at th
e ba
rrier
s re
veal
s th
e ub
iqui
tous
rem
ains
of m
osse
s an
d ot
her t
erre
stria
l an
d aq
uatic
org
anis
ms
inha
bitin
g th
e hi
ghly
spec
ializ
ed h
abita
t Th
e sc
ale
and
inta
ctne
ss o
f th
e tu
fa fo
rmat
ion
phen
omen
a at
Plit
vice
Lake
s am
ount
to a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
a la
rgel
y un
dist
urbe
d on
-goi
ng p
roce
ss E
xten
sive
rese
arch
on
the
form
atio
n a
ge a
nd s
truct
ure
and
ecol
ogic
al
char
acte
ristic
s illu
stra
te th
e m
ajor
sci
entifi
c im
porta
nce
of th
e pr
oper
ty
Them
e 5
6 I
nter
natio
nal t
ype-
site
fo
r tuf
a-da
mm
ed la
kes
Car
bona
te
biol
ith b
arrie
rs c
onfin
e 16
lake
s up
to
08
km
2 in
are
a an
d up
to 4
6 m
de
ep M
ixed
limes
tone
and
dol
omiti
c lim
esto
ne c
atch
men
t are
a
1979
(200
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)Na
tura
lCr
oatia
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Purn
ulul
u Na
tiona
l Par
k3
6Th
e Bu
ngle
Bun
gles
are
by
far
the
mos
t ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
con
e ka
rst i
n sa
ndst
ones
an
ywhe
re in
the
wor
ld a
nd o
we
thei
r exis
tenc
e an
d un
ique
ness
to s
ever
al in
tera
ctin
g ge
olog
ical
bi
olog
ical
ero
sion
al a
nd c
limat
ic p
heno
men
a
The
sand
ston
e ka
rst o
f Pur
nulu
lu N
atio
nal P
ark
is o
f gre
at s
cien
tific
impo
rtanc
e in
dem
onst
ratin
g so
cle
arly
the
proc
ess
of c
one
kars
t for
mat
ion
on s
ands
tone
- a
phe
nom
enon
reco
gnis
ed b
y ge
omor
phol
ogis
ts o
nly
rece
ntly
and
still
not
com
plet
ely
unde
rsto
od T
he B
ungl
e Bu
ngle
Ran
ges
of th
e pa
rk a
lso
disp
lay
to a
n ex
cept
iona
l deg
ree
evid
ence
of g
eom
orph
ic p
roce
sses
of d
isso
lutio
n
wea
ther
ing
and
eros
ion
in th
e ev
olut
ion
of la
ndfo
rms
unde
r a s
avan
nah
clim
atic
regi
me
with
in a
n an
cien
t st
able
sed
imen
tary
land
scap
e
Them
e 3
6 D
isse
cted
san
dsto
ne
plat
form
that
repr
esen
ts a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
qua
rtz
sand
ston
e flu
vioka
rst w
ith b
eehi
ve-
shap
ed h
ills s
epar
ated
by
narro
w
sinu
ous
gorg
es
2003
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Aust
ralia
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
94 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 95
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Pyreacute
neacutees
- M
ont
Perd
u9
6Th
e ca
lcar
eous
mas
sif o
f Mon
t Per
du p
rese
nts
a se
ries
of c
lass
ic g
eolo
gica
l lan
dfor
ms
such
as
the
deep
ly-in
cise
d ca
nyon
s an
d sp
ecta
cula
r cirq
ues
Th
e re
gion
is d
istin
guis
hed
by it
s lo
catio
n at
the
tect
onic
col
lisio
n po
int b
etw
een
the
Iber
ian
and
wes
t Eur
opea
n pl
ates
The
pro
perty
pre
sent
s an
ex
cept
iona
l geo
logi
cal u
nity
form
ing
a ca
lcar
eous
m
assi
f with
Mon
t Per
du a
t its
cen
tre T
he re
sulti
ng
land
scap
e is
con
side
rabl
y di
ffere
nt o
n th
e no
rther
n sl
opes
(Fra
nce)
and
the
sout
hern
slo
pes
(Spa
in)
Them
e 9
Com
pose
d of
cla
ssic
al
geol
ogic
al la
ndfo
rms
not
ably
deep
ly-in
cise
d ca
nyon
s on
the
sout
hern
Sp
anis
h si
de a
nd s
pect
acul
ar c
irque
w
alls
on
the
north
ern
slop
es w
ithin
Fr
ance
Cen
tred
arou
nd th
e pe
ak o
f M
ont P
erdu
that
rise
s to
33
48 m
Th
eme
6 O
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of
alpi
ne g
laci
ated
kar
st to
33
52 m
with
ex
tens
ive k
arre
nfel
d d
eep
cany
ons
de
ep c
aves
and
sub
terra
nean
rive
r sy
stem
s In
corp
orat
es c
ompl
ete
kars
t sy
stem
s
1997
(199
9)(ii
i)(iv)
(v)
(vii)
(viii)
Mixe
dFr
ance
Sp
ain
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Riacuteo
Plaacutet
ano
Bios
pher
e Re
serv
e
5Th
e pr
oper
ty c
ompr
ises
two
mai
n ge
omor
phol
ogic
al
area
s T
hese
are
the
stee
p m
ount
ain
rang
e ha
rbou
ring
the
head
wat
ers
of R
iacuteo P
laacuteta
no a
nd
the
flat t
o un
dula
ting
coas
tal p
lain
s T
he la
tter i
s co
mpo
sed
of te
rrace
s of
rece
nt m
arin
e se
dim
ents
an
d pa
rtly
unde
rlain
by
a be
lt of
infe
rtile
dee
ply
wea
ther
ed P
leis
toce
ne q
uartz
san
dy g
rave
ls T
he
Riacuteo
Plaacutet
ano
mea
nder
s fo
r som
e 45
km
thro
ugh
the
low
land
s fo
rmin
g ox
-bow
lake
s b
ackw
ater
sw
amps
an
d na
tura
l lev
ees
At a
bout
100
ma
sl
inla
nd
the
foot
hills
beg
in a
brup
tly T
he ru
gged
gra
nite
m
ount
ains
whi
ch ri
se to
Pun
ta P
iedr
a at
14
18
ma
sl
hav
e m
any
stee
p rid
ges
rem
arka
ble
rock
fo
rmat
ions
suc
h as
Pic
o Da
ma
a 1
50 m
pin
nacl
e
and
man
y w
ater
falls
one
reac
hing
150
m in
hei
ght
Two
third
s of
the
Plaacutet
ano
Rive
r run
thro
ugh
a ru
gged
par
t of t
he m
ount
ains
with
long
stre
tche
s of
whi
te w
ater
In
one
cata
ract
in a
dee
p fo
rest
ed
gorg
e th
e riv
er d
isap
pear
s un
der m
assi
ve b
ould
ers
Th
e m
ount
ains
are
par
t of t
he C
ordi
llera
Cen
tral
whi
ch c
orre
spon
ds to
wha
t was
the
Hond
uras
In
terc
ontin
enta
l Dep
ress
ion
dur
ing
the
Cret
aceo
us
Perio
d
Them
e 5
The
pro
perty
con
tain
s ne
arly
the
full
leng
th o
f the
Riacuteo
Pl
aacutetan
o fr
om it
s m
ount
aino
us
head
wat
ers
to it
s m
eand
ers
thro
ugh
flat t
o un
dula
ting
coas
tal p
lain
s
1982
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lHo
ndur
asLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
94 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 95
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Sang
ay N
atio
nal
Park
4Sa
ngay
(a p
erfe
ct c
one-
shap
ed v
olca
no) i
s no
tabl
e gl
obal
ly fo
r its
long
per
iod
of c
ontin
uous
act
ivity
Th
e ar
ea e
xhib
its a
rugg
ed to
pogr
aphy
with
dee
p
stee
p-si
ded
valle
ys a
bund
ant c
liffs
and
man
y ro
cky
jagg
ed p
eaks
A n
umbe
r of l
arge
rive
rs d
rain
ing
east
war
ds in
to th
e Am
azon
Bas
in a
re c
hara
cter
ized
by fa
st a
nd d
ram
atic
var
iatio
ns in
wat
er le
vel
Run-
off i
s ex
trem
ely
rapi
d du
e to
hig
h ra
infa
ll an
d st
eep
slop
es E
rosi
on is
a c
onst
ant d
ange
r al
thou
gh
cont
rolle
d by
thic
k fo
rest
veg
etat
ion
Num
erou
s w
ater
falls
occ
ur e
spec
ially
in th
e ha
ngin
g va
lleys
of
the
glac
ial z
one
alon
g th
e ea
ster
n ed
ge o
f the
Co
rdille
ra
Them
e 4
With
its
outs
tand
ing
natu
ral
beau
ty a
nd tw
o ac
tive
volc
anoe
s th
e pa
rk il
lust
rate
s th
e en
tire
spec
trum
of
eco
syst
ems
rang
ing
from
trop
ical
ra
info
rest
s to
gla
cier
s w
ith s
triki
ng
cont
rast
s be
twee
n th
e sn
owca
pped
pe
aks
and
the
fore
sts
of th
e pl
ains
1983
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lEc
uado
rLa
tin
Amer
ica
and
the
Carib
bean
Shar
k Ba
y W
este
rn A
ustr
alia
17
Shar
k Ba
y co
ntai
ns i
n th
e hy
pers
alin
e Ha
mel
in
Pool
the
mos
t dive
rse
and
abun
dant
exa
mpl
es
of s
trom
atol
ites
(har
d d
ome-
shap
ed s
truct
ures
fo
rmed
by
mic
robi
al m
ats)
in th
e w
orld
Ana
logo
us
stru
ctur
es d
omin
ated
mar
ine
ecos
yste
ms
on E
arth
fo
r mor
e th
an 3
000
milli
on y
ears
Th
e st
rom
atol
ites
of H
amel
in P
ool w
ere
the
first
m
oder
n li
ving
exam
ples
to b
e re
cogn
ised
that
ha
ve a
mor
phol
ogic
al d
ivers
ity a
nd a
bund
ance
co
mpa
rabl
e to
thos
e th
at in
habi
ted
Prot
eroz
oic
seas
As
suc
h th
ey a
re o
ne o
f the
wor
ldrsquos
bes
t exa
mpl
es
of a
livin
g an
alog
ue fo
r the
stu
dy o
f the
nat
ure
and
evol
utio
n of
the
Earth
rsquos b
iosp
here
up
until
the
early
Ca
mbr
ian
Th
e W
oora
mel
Sea
gras
s Ba
nk is
als
o of
gre
at
geol
ogic
al in
tere
st d
ue to
the
exte
nsive
dep
osit
of
limes
tone
san
ds a
ssoc
iate
d w
ith th
e ba
nk f
orm
ed
by th
e pr
ecip
itatio
n of
cal
cium
car
bona
te fr
om
hype
rsal
ine
wat
ers
Them
e 1
Abu
ndan
t stro
mat
olite
s (c
olon
ies
of m
icro
bes
that
form
har
d
dom
e-sh
aped
dep
osits
) tha
t are
m
oder
n re
pres
enta
tives
of s
ome
of th
e ol
dest
form
s of
life
on
Earth
The
me
7 T
he W
oora
mel
Sea
gras
s Ba
nk is
of
gre
at g
eolo
gica
l int
eres
t due
to th
e ex
tens
ive d
epos
it of
lim
esto
ne s
ands
as
soci
ated
with
the
bank
for
med
by
the
prec
ipita
tion
of c
alci
um c
arbo
nate
fro
m h
yper
salin
e w
ater
s
1991
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
96 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 97
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Škoc
jan
Cave
s6
The
Škoc
jan
Cave
s an
d th
eir s
urro
undi
ngs
are
the
maj
or lo
calit
ies
for k
arst
topo
grap
hy a
nd a
re th
e pl
ace
whe
re fu
ndam
enta
l ter
ms
such
as
lsquokar
strsquo
and
lsquodol
inersquo
hav
e th
eir o
rigin
Thi
s is
not
onl
y a
stro
ng in
dica
tion
of th
e pr
oper
tyrsquos
impo
rtanc
e fo
r sc
ienc
e b
ut m
ore
spec
ifica
lly o
f its
impo
rtanc
e fo
r th
e hi
stor
y of
Ear
th s
cien
ces
An
impr
essi
ve a
rray
of e
xcep
tiona
l kar
st m
anife
stat
ions
the
resu
lt of
pa
st a
nd p
rese
nt g
eolo
gica
l ge
omor
phol
ogic
al
spel
eolo
gica
l and
hyd
rolo
gica
l pro
cess
es a
re c
lear
ly at
dis
play
for s
cien
tists
and
vis
itors
alik
e w
ithin
a
rela
tivel
y sm
all a
rea
The
hea
rt of
the
prop
erty
the
mai
n ca
ve s
yste
m w
ith th
e un
derg
roun
d st
retc
hes
of th
e Re
ka R
iver
has
been
form
ed in
a th
ick
laye
r of
cre
tace
ous
limes
tone
The
con
stan
tly d
ynam
ic
syst
em is
an
outs
tand
ing
text
book
exa
mpl
e of
co
ntac
t Kar
st w
ith w
ell-d
evel
oped
feat
ures
suc
h as
a
blin
d va
lley
colla
psed
dol
ines
ope
ning
s c
hasm
s an
d ca
ves
Rem
arka
bly
this
geo
logi
cal d
ivers
ity
supp
orts
an
equa
lly fa
scin
atin
g bi
olog
ical
dive
rsity
w
hich
has
impo
rtant
impl
icat
ions
for l
and
and
wat
er
man
agem
ent
Them
e 6
Loc
ated
in th
e lsquoc
lass
ical
rsquo ka
rst o
f Eur
ope
The
pro
perty
co
mpr
ises
a s
inki
ng ri
ver a
t the
end
of
blin
d va
lley
the
expo
sed
cour
se o
f the
un
derg
roun
d riv
er fl
owin
g ac
ross
the
base
of d
eep
colla
pse
depr
essi
ons
an
d a
larg
e riv
er c
ave
with
a h
igh
cany
on p
assa
ge I
t is
repr
esen
tativ
e of
the
inpu
t of a
n al
loge
nic
river
into
a
kars
t sys
tem
1986
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Slov
enia
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
96 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 97
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Sout
h Ch
ina
Kars
t6
The
Sout
h Ch
ina
Kars
t Wor
ld H
erita
ge P
rope
rty
reve
als
the
com
plex
evo
lutio
nary
hist
ory
of o
ne o
f the
w
orld
rsquos m
ost o
utst
andi
ng la
ndsc
apes
Shi
lin a
nd L
ibo
are
glob
al re
fere
nce
area
s fo
r the
kar
st fe
atur
es a
nd
land
scap
es th
at th
ey e
xhib
it T
he s
tone
fore
sts
of S
hilin
de
velo
ped
over
270
milli
on y
ears
dur
ing
four
maj
or
geol
ogica
l tim
e pe
riods
from
the
Perm
ian
to p
rese
nt
illust
ratin
g th
e ep
isodi
c na
ture
of t
he e
volu
tion
of th
ese
kars
t fea
ture
s Li
bo c
onta
ins
carb
onat
e ou
tcro
ps o
f di
ffere
nt a
ges
shap
ed o
ver m
illion
s of
yea
rs b
y er
osive
pr
oces
ses
into
impr
essiv
e Fe
ngco
ng a
nd F
engl
in
kars
ts L
ibo
also
con
tain
s a
com
bina
tion
of n
umer
ous
tall k
arst
pea
ks d
eep
dolin
es s
inkin
g st
ream
s an
d lo
ng ri
ver c
aves
Wul
ong
repr
esen
ts h
igh
inla
nd k
arst
pl
atea
us th
at h
ave
expe
rienc
ed c
onsid
erab
le u
plift
with
gi
ant d
olin
es a
nd b
ridge
s W
ulon
grsquos
land
scap
es c
onta
in
evid
ence
for t
he h
istor
y of
one
of t
he w
orld
rsquos gr
eat
river
sys
tem
s th
e Ya
ngtze
and
its
tribu
tarie
s Hu
anjia
ng
Kars
t is
an e
xten
sion
of th
e Li
bo K
arst
com
pone
nt
Toge
ther
the
two
sites
pro
vide
an o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of fe
ngco
ng k
arst
and
also
pre
serv
e an
d di
spla
y a
rich
dive
rsity
of s
urfa
ce a
nd u
nder
grou
nd k
arst
fe
atur
es G
uilin
Kar
st is
con
sider
ed th
e be
st k
now
n ex
ampl
e of
con
tinen
tal f
engl
in a
nd p
rovid
es a
per
fect
ge
omor
phic
expr
essio
n of
the
end
stag
e of
kar
st
evol
utio
n in
Sou
th C
hina
Gui
lin is
a b
asin
at a
rela
tivel
y lo
w a
ltitud
e an
d re
ceive
s ab
unda
nt a
lloge
nic
(rain
fed)
w
ater
from
sur
roun
ding
hills
lea
ding
to a
fluv
ial
com
pone
nt th
at a
ids
feng
lin d
evel
opm
ent
resu
lting
in
feng
lin a
nd fe
ngco
ng k
arst
sid
e-by
-sid
e ov
er a
larg
e ar
ea S
cient
ific
stud
y of
kar
st d
evel
opm
ent i
n th
e re
gion
ha
s re
sulte
d in
the
gene
ratio
n of
the
lsquoGui
lin m
odel
rsquo of
feng
cong
and
feng
lin k
arst
evo
lutio
n S
hibi
ng K
arst
pr
ovid
es a
spe
ctac
ular
feng
cong
land
scap
e w
hich
is
also
exc
eptio
nal b
ecau
se it
dev
elop
ed in
rela
tivel
y in
solu
ble
dolo
mite
rock
s Sh
ibin
g al
so c
onta
ins
a ra
nge
of m
inor
kar
st fe
atur
es in
cludi
ng k
arre
n tu
fa d
epos
its
and
cave
s Jin
fosh
an K
arst
is a
uni
que
kars
t tab
le
mou
ntai
n su
rroun
ded
by m
assiv
e to
wer
ing
cliffs
It
repr
esen
ts a
pie
ce o
f diss
ecte
d pl
atea
u ka
rst i
sola
ted
from
the
Yunn
an-G
uizh
ou-C
honq
ing
plat
eau
by d
eep
fluvia
l incis
ion
An
ancie
nt p
lana
tion
surfa
ce re
mai
ns o
n th
e su
mm
it w
ith a
n an
cient
wea
ther
ing
crus
t Be
neat
h th
e pl
atea
u su
rface
are
dism
embe
red
horiz
onta
l cav
e sy
stem
s th
at a
ppea
r at h
igh
altit
ude
on c
liff fa
ces
Jin
fosh
an re
cord
s th
e pr
oces
s of
diss
ectio
n of
the
high
el
evat
ion
kars
t pla
teau
and
con
tain
s ev
iden
ce o
f the
re
gion
rsquos in
term
itten
t upl
ift a
nd k
arst
ifica
tion
since
the
Ceno
zoic
It is
a s
uper
lativ
e ty
pe-s
ite o
f a k
arst
tabl
e m
ount
ain
Them
e 6
Sev
en s
ites
of a
ser
ial
prop
erty
that
repr
esen
t kar
st e
volu
tion
in s
outh
ern
Chin
a S
hilin
com
pris
es
ston
e fo
rest
s on
a ro
lling
plat
eau
in
Yunn
an J
info
shan
is a
n is
olat
ed h
igh
plat
eau
with
hug
e ho
rizon
tal c
aves
su
spen
ded
abov
e de
ep s
urro
undi
ng
valle
ys W
ulon
g is
pla
teau
kar
st
with
spe
ctac
ular
tian
keng
nat
ural
br
idge
s de
ep c
aves
and
gor
ges
Sh
ibin
g illu
stra
tes
unus
ual c
one
kars
t de
velo
pmen
t in
dolo
mite
bed
rock
Li
bo h
as e
xten
sive
fore
sted
con
e ka
rst
(feng
cong
and
feng
lin)
polje
s g
orge
s an
d ca
ves
with
Hua
njia
ng b
eing
an
exte
nsio
n of
the
prot
ecte
d ar
ea G
uilin
sh
ows
the
culm
inat
ion
of s
ubtro
pica
l ka
rst d
evel
opm
ent w
ith s
pect
acul
ar
cone
s an
d to
wer
s be
side
the
Rive
r Li
The
se a
reas
pro
vide
type
-site
s fo
r th
eir p
rinci
pal k
arst
feat
ures
2007
(201
4)(v
ii)(v
iii)Na
tura
lCh
ina
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Škoc
jan
Cave
s6
The
Škoc
jan
Cave
s an
d th
eir s
urro
undi
ngs
are
the
maj
or lo
calit
ies
for k
arst
topo
grap
hy a
nd a
re th
e pl
ace
whe
re fu
ndam
enta
l ter
ms
such
as
lsquokar
strsquo
and
lsquodol
inersquo
hav
e th
eir o
rigin
Thi
s is
not
onl
y a
stro
ng in
dica
tion
of th
e pr
oper
tyrsquos
impo
rtanc
e fo
r sc
ienc
e b
ut m
ore
spec
ifica
lly o
f its
impo
rtanc
e fo
r th
e hi
stor
y of
Ear
th s
cien
ces
An
impr
essi
ve a
rray
of e
xcep
tiona
l kar
st m
anife
stat
ions
the
resu
lt of
pa
st a
nd p
rese
nt g
eolo
gica
l ge
omor
phol
ogic
al
spel
eolo
gica
l and
hyd
rolo
gica
l pro
cess
es a
re c
lear
ly at
dis
play
for s
cien
tists
and
vis
itors
alik
e w
ithin
a
rela
tivel
y sm
all a
rea
The
hea
rt of
the
prop
erty
the
mai
n ca
ve s
yste
m w
ith th
e un
derg
roun
d st
retc
hes
of th
e Re
ka R
iver
has
been
form
ed in
a th
ick
laye
r of
cre
tace
ous
limes
tone
The
con
stan
tly d
ynam
ic
syst
em is
an
outs
tand
ing
text
book
exa
mpl
e of
co
ntac
t Kar
st w
ith w
ell-d
evel
oped
feat
ures
suc
h as
a
blin
d va
lley
colla
psed
dol
ines
ope
ning
s c
hasm
s an
d ca
ves
Rem
arka
bly
this
geo
logi
cal d
ivers
ity
supp
orts
an
equa
lly fa
scin
atin
g bi
olog
ical
dive
rsity
w
hich
has
impo
rtant
impl
icat
ions
for l
and
and
wat
er
man
agem
ent
Them
e 6
Loc
ated
in th
e lsquoc
lass
ical
rsquo ka
rst o
f Eur
ope
The
pro
perty
co
mpr
ises
a s
inki
ng ri
ver a
t the
end
of
blin
d va
lley
the
expo
sed
cour
se o
f the
un
derg
roun
d riv
er fl
owin
g ac
ross
the
base
of d
eep
colla
pse
depr
essi
ons
an
d a
larg
e riv
er c
ave
with
a h
igh
cany
on p
assa
ge I
t is
repr
esen
tativ
e of
the
inpu
t of a
n al
loge
nic
river
into
a
kars
t sys
tem
1986
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Slov
enia
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Stev
ns K
lint
111
Stev
ns K
lint i
s a
glob
ally
exce
ptio
nal t
estim
ony
to th
e im
pact
of m
eteo
rite
impa
ct o
n th
e hi
stor
y of
life
on
Earth
The
pro
perty
pro
vides
a g
loba
lly
exce
ptio
nal r
epre
sent
atio
n of
the
evid
ence
of t
he
Chixu
lub
met
eorit
e im
pact
that
took
pla
ce a
t the
end
of
the
Cret
aceo
us P
erio
d c
67
milli
on y
ears
ago
Th
is im
pact
is w
idel
y be
lieve
d by
mod
ern
scie
ntis
ts
to h
ave
caus
ed th
e en
d of
the
Age
of th
e Di
nosa
urs
an
d le
d to
the
extin
ctio
n of
mor
e th
an 5
0 o
f life
on
Ear
th T
his
is th
e m
ost r
ecen
t of t
he m
ajor
mas
s ex
tinct
ions
in E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry C
ompa
rativ
e an
alys
is
indi
cate
s th
is is
the
mos
t sig
nific
ant a
nd re
adily
ac
cess
ible
site
of h
undr
eds
avai
labl
e to
see
the
sedi
men
tary
reco
rd o
f the
ash
clo
ud fo
rmed
by
the
met
eorit
e im
pact
the
act
ual s
ite o
f the
impa
ct b
eing
de
ep u
nder
wat
er o
ffsho
re th
e Yu
cata
n pe
nins
ula
In
add
ition
the
pro
perty
has
icon
ic s
cien
tific
impo
rtanc
e as
the
mos
t sig
nific
ant a
nd a
cces
sibl
e of
the
thre
e lo
calit
ies
whe
re th
e ra
dica
l the
ory
for
aste
roid
driv
en e
xtin
ctio
n w
as d
evel
oped
thro
ugh
the
sem
inal
wor
k of
Wal
ter a
nd L
uis
W A
lvare
z w
ith
thei
r co-
wor
kers
Ste
vns
Klin
t is
high
ly si
gnifi
cant
in
term
s of
its
past
pre
sent
and
futu
re c
ontri
butio
n to
sci
ence
esp
ecia
lly p
erta
inin
g to
the
defin
ition
of
and
expl
anat
ion
of th
e Cr
etac
eous
Pal
eoge
ne (K
Pg
) bou
ndar
y Th
e ou
tsta
ndin
g fo
ssil
reco
rd a
t Ste
vns
Klin
t pr
ovid
es a
suc
cess
ion
of th
ree
biot
ic a
ssem
blag
es
incl
udin
g th
e m
ost d
ivers
e en
d-Cr
etac
eous
mar
ine
ecos
yste
m k
now
n T
he m
illion
yea
rs re
cord
ed in
the
rock
at S
tevn
s Kl
int p
rovid
es e
viden
ce o
f a c
limax
pr
e-im
pact
com
mun
ity f
auna
that
sur
vived
a m
ass
extin
ctio
n ev
ent
and
the
subs
eque
nt fa
unal
reco
very
an
d in
crea
sed
biod
ivers
ity fo
llow
ing
this
eve
nt T
he
foss
il re
cord
sho
ws
whi
ch ta
xa b
ecam
e ex
tinct
an
d w
hich
sur
vived
and
reve
als
the
tem
po a
nd
mod
e of
evo
lutio
n of
the
succ
eedi
ng p
ost i
mpa
ct
faun
a th
at d
ivers
ified
to th
e m
arin
e fa
una
of to
day
thus
pro
vidin
g im
porta
nt c
onte
xt fo
r the
mai
n K
Pg
boun
dary
laye
r exp
osed
at S
tevn
s Kl
int
Them
e 11
Bea
rs e
viden
ce o
f the
as
tero
id im
pact
bel
ieve
d to
hav
e ca
used
the
mas
s ex
tinct
ion
that
led
to
the
end
of th
e Ag
e of
the
Dino
saur
s
Icon
ic s
cien
tific
impo
rtanc
e du
e to
its
asso
ciat
ion
with
the
radi
cal t
heor
y fo
r as
tero
id d
riven
ext
inct
ion
The
me
1
An e
xcep
tiona
l fos
sil r
ecor
d is
vis
ible
at
the
prop
erty
sho
win
g th
e co
mpl
ete
succ
essi
on o
f fau
na a
nd m
icro
-fau
na
char
ting
the
reco
very
afte
r the
mas
s ex
tinct
ion
2014
(viii)
Natu
ral
Denm
ark
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
98 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 99
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Swis
s Al
ps
Jung
frau
-Ale
tsch
92
The
prop
erty
pro
vides
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of th
e fo
rmat
ion
of th
e Hi
gh A
lps
resu
lting
from
upl
ift a
nd
com
pres
sion
whi
ch b
egan
20-
40 m
illion
yea
rs a
go
With
in a
n al
titud
e ra
nge
from
809
m to
42
74 m
th
e re
gion
dis
play
s 40
0 m
illion
-yea
r-ol
d cr
ysta
lline
rock
s th
rust
ove
r you
nger
car
bona
te ro
cks
due
to
the
north
war
d dr
ift o
f the
Afri
can
tect
onic
pla
te
Adde
d to
the
dram
atic
reco
rd o
f the
pro
cess
es
of m
ount
ain
build
ing
is a
gre
at a
bund
ance
and
di
vers
ity o
f geo
mor
phol
ogic
al fe
atur
es s
uch
as
U-sh
aped
gla
cial
val
leys
cirq
ues
hor
n pe
aks
val
ley
glac
iers
and
mor
aine
s T
his
mos
t gla
ciat
ed p
art o
f th
e Al
ps c
onta
ins
the
Alet
sch
glac
ier
the
larg
est a
nd
long
est i
n Eu
rope
whi
ch is
of s
igni
fican
t sci
entifi
c in
tere
st in
the
cont
ext o
f gla
cial
his
tory
and
ong
oing
pr
oces
ses
par
ticul
arly
rela
ted
to c
limat
e ch
ange
Them
e 9
Gla
cial
feat
ures
incl
ude
U-sh
aped
gla
cial
val
leys
cirq
ues
hor
n pe
aks
val
ley
glac
iers
and
mor
aine
s
This
mos
t gla
ciat
ed p
art o
f the
Alp
s co
ntai
ns th
e Al
etsc
h gl
acie
r th
e la
rges
t and
long
est i
n Eu
rope
whi
ch
is o
f sig
nific
ant s
cien
tific
inte
rest
in
the
cont
ext o
f gla
cial
his
tory
and
on
goin
g pr
oces
ses
par
ticul
arly
rela
ted
to c
limat
e ch
ange
The
me
2 T
he
prop
erty
pro
vides
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of th
e fo
rmat
ion
of th
e Hi
gh A
lps
resu
lting
from
upl
ift a
nd
com
pres
sion
whi
ch b
egan
20-
40
milli
on y
ears
ago
With
in a
n al
titud
e ra
nge
from
809
m to
42
74 m
the
re
gion
dis
play
s 40
0 m
illion
-yea
r-ol
d cr
ysta
lline
rock
s th
rust
ove
r you
nger
ca
rbon
ate
rock
s du
e to
the
north
war
d dr
ift o
f the
Afri
can
tect
onic
pla
te
2001
(200
7)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)Na
tura
lSw
itzer
-la
ndEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Swis
s Te
cton
ic
Aren
a Sa
rdon
a2
Earth
rsquos h
isto
ry g
eolo
gica
l and
geo
mor
phic
feat
ures
an
d pr
oces
ses
The
Sw
iss
Tect
onic
Are
na S
ardo
na
prov
ides
an
exce
ptio
nal d
ispl
ay o
f mou
ntai
n bu
ildin
g te
cton
ics
and
has
been
reco
gnis
ed a
s a
key
site
fo
r geo
logi
cal s
cien
ces
sinc
e th
e 18
th c
entu
ry T
he
clea
r exp
osur
e of
the
Glar
us O
verth
rust
is a
key
but
no
t the
onl
y si
gnifi
cant
fea
ture
The
exp
osur
es o
f th
e ro
cks
belo
w a
nd a
bove
this
feat
ure
are
visib
le
in th
ree
dim
ensi
ons
and
take
n to
geth
er h
ave
mad
e su
bsta
ntia
l con
tribu
tions
to th
e un
ders
tand
ing
of
mou
ntai
n bu
ildin
g te
cton
ics
Its
geol
ogic
al fe
atur
es
can
be re
adily
app
reci
ated
by
all v
isito
rs T
he
prop
erty
can
be
diffe
rent
iate
d fro
m o
ther
sim
ilar
site
s by
the
com
bina
tion
of th
e cl
ear e
xpos
ure
of
the
phen
omen
on in
a m
ount
ain
setti
ng i
ts h
isto
ry
of s
tudy
and
its
ongo
ing
cont
ribut
ion
to g
eolo
gica
l sc
ienc
es
Them
e 2
The
Sw
iss
Tect
onic
Are
na
Sard
ona
prov
ides
an
exce
ptio
nal
disp
lay
of m
ount
ain
build
ing
tect
onic
s an
d ha
s be
en re
cogn
ised
as
a ke
y si
te fo
r geo
logi
cal s
cien
ces
sinc
e th
e 18
th c
entu
ry T
he c
lear
exp
osur
e of
th
e Gl
arus
Ove
rthru
st is
a k
ey b
ut
not t
he o
nly
sign
ifica
nt f
eatu
re T
he
expo
sure
s of
the
rock
s be
low
and
ab
ove
this
feat
ure
are
visib
le in
thre
e di
men
sion
s an
d ta
ken
toge
ther
hav
e m
ade
subs
tant
ial c
ontri
butio
ns to
the
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
mou
ntai
n bu
ildin
g te
cton
ics
2008
(viii)
Natu
ral
Switz
er-
land
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
100 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 101
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Tajik
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk (M
ount
ains
of
the
Pam
irs)
92
5Th
e Pa
mir
Mou
ntai
ns a
re a
maj
or c
entre
of
glac
iatio
n on
the
Eura
sian
con
tinen
t and
Taj
ik
Natio
nal P
ark
illust
rate
s w
ithin
one
pro
tect
ed
area
an
outs
tand
ing
juxt
apos
ition
of m
any
high
m
ount
ains
val
ley
glac
iers
and
dee
p riv
er g
orge
s al
ongs
ide
the
cold
con
tinen
tal d
eser
t env
ironm
ent
of th
e hi
gh P
amir
Plat
eau
land
form
s A
n ou
tsta
ndin
g la
ndfo
rm fe
atur
e of
the
prop
erty
rsquos g
eolo
gica
lly
dyna
mic
terra
in is
Lak
e Sa
rez
It w
as c
reat
ed b
y an
ea
rthqu
ake-
gene
rate
d la
ndsl
ide
of a
n es
timat
ed
six
billio
n to
nnes
of m
ater
ial a
nd is
pos
sibl
y th
e yo
unge
st d
eep
wat
er a
lpin
e la
ke in
the
wor
ld I
t is
of in
tern
atio
nal s
cien
tific
and
geom
orph
olog
ical
ha
zard
sig
nific
ance
bec
ause
of t
he o
n-go
ing
geol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
influ
enci
ng it
s st
abilit
y an
d th
e so
rt of
lacu
strin
e ec
osys
tem
whi
ch w
ill de
velo
p ov
er ti
me
Taj
ik N
atio
nal P
ark
furth
erm
ore
offe
rs a
un
ique
opp
ortu
nity
for t
he s
tudy
of p
late
tect
onic
s an
d co
ntin
enta
l sub
duct
ion
phen
omen
a th
ereb
y co
ntrib
utin
g to
our
fund
amen
tal u
nder
stan
ding
of
Earth
bui
ldin
g pr
oces
ses
Them
e 9
The
Pam
ir M
ount
ains
are
a
maj
or c
entre
of g
laci
atio
n on
the
Eura
sian
con
tinen
t and
Taj
ik N
atio
nal
Park
illu
stra
tes
with
in o
ne p
rote
cted
ar
ea a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ju
xtap
ositi
on o
f m
any
high
mou
ntai
ns v
alle
y gl
acie
rs
and
deep
rive
r gor
ges
alon
gsid
e th
e co
ld c
ontin
enta
l des
ert e
nviro
nmen
t of
the
high
Pam
ir Pl
atea
u la
ndfo
rms
Th
eme
2 T
ajik
Nat
iona
l Par
k of
fers
a
uniq
ue o
ppor
tuni
ty fo
r the
stu
dy
of p
late
tect
onic
s an
d co
ntin
enta
l su
bduc
tion
phen
omen
a th
ereb
y co
ntrib
utin
g to
our
fund
amen
tal
unde
rsta
ndin
g of
Ear
th b
uild
ing
proc
esse
s T
hem
e 5
An
outs
tand
ing
land
form
feat
ure
of th
e pr
oper
tyrsquos
ge
olog
ical
ly dy
nam
ic te
rrain
is
Lake
Sar
ez I
t was
cre
ated
by
an
earth
quak
e-ge
nera
ted
land
slid
e of
an
est
imat
ed s
ix bi
llion
tonn
es o
f m
ater
ial a
nd is
pos
sibl
y th
e yo
unge
st
deep
wat
er a
lpin
e la
ke in
the
wor
ld
It is
of i
nter
natio
nal s
cien
tific
and
geom
orph
olog
ical
haz
ard
sign
ifica
nce
beca
use
of th
e on
-goi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pr
oces
ses
influ
enci
ng it
s st
abilit
y an
d th
e so
rt of
lacu
strin
e ec
osys
tem
whi
ch
will
deve
lop
over
tim
e
2013
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Tajik
ista
nAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Tala
man
ca
Rang
e-La
Am
ista
d Re
serv
es
La
Amis
tad
Natio
nal P
ark
9Th
e Ta
lam
anca
Ran
ge is
a v
ery
parti
cula
r sam
ple
of th
e re
cent
geo
logi
cal h
isto
ry o
f the
Cen
tral
Amer
ican
Isth
mus
the
rela
tivel
y na
rrow
stri
p of
land
co
nnec
ting
North
and
Sou
th A
mer
ica
and
sepa
ratin
g th
e Pa
cific
and
Atla
ntic
Oce
ans
The
pro
perty
sho
ws
impr
essi
ve m
arks
of Q
uate
rnar
y gl
acia
l act
ivity
w
hich
has
sha
ped
glac
ial c
irque
s g
laci
al la
kes
and
deep
U-s
hape
d va
lleys
whi
ch c
anno
t be
foun
d an
ywhe
re e
lse
in C
entra
l Am
eric
a
Them
e 9
Qua
tern
ary
glac
ial a
ctivi
ty
has
shap
ed g
laci
al c
irque
s g
laci
al
lake
s an
d de
ep U
-sha
ped
valle
ys
that
can
not b
e fo
und
anyw
here
els
e in
Ce
ntra
l Am
eric
a
1983
(199
0)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Cost
a Ri
ca
Pana
ma
Latin
Am
eric
a an
d th
e Ca
ribbe
an
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
100 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 101
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Tasm
ania
n W
ilder
ness
91
No c
urre
nt re
trosp
ectiv
e st
atem
ent o
f OUV
The
co
ntem
pora
ry in
scrip
tion
is b
ased
on
the
follo
win
g Ea
rth s
cien
ce v
alue
s R
ock
form
atio
ns g
laci
al
depo
sits
ext
ragl
acia
l pro
cess
es a
nd g
laci
o-ka
rst
land
form
s of
his
pro
perty
pro
vide
a re
cord
of m
ajor
st
ages
of E
arth
rsquos h
isto
ry a
nd to
geth
er w
ith th
e as
soci
ated
eco
logy
pro
vide
livin
g ev
iden
ce o
f the
pr
evio
us e
xiste
nce
of th
e so
uthe
rn s
uper
cont
inen
t of
Gon
dwan
a an
d its
sub
sequ
ent f
ragm
enta
tion
The
as
soci
ated
pro
cess
es a
re o
ccur
ring
at la
rge
scal
e in
a v
arie
ty o
f und
istu
rbed
env
ironm
ents
pro
vidin
g a
benc
hmar
k ag
ains
t whi
ch th
e ef
fect
s of
hum
an
activ
ities
can
be
mea
sure
d
Them
e 9
1 R
ock
form
atio
ns g
laci
al
depo
sits
ext
ragl
acia
l pro
cess
es a
nd
glac
io-k
arst
land
form
s of
his
pro
perty
pr
ovid
e a
reco
rd o
f maj
or s
tage
s of
Ea
rthrsquos
his
tory
and
toge
ther
with
the
asso
ciat
ed e
colo
gy p
rovid
e liv
ing
evid
ence
of t
he p
revio
us e
xiste
nce
of th
e so
uthe
rn s
uper
cont
inen
t of
Gon
dwan
a an
d its
sub
sequ
ent
fragm
enta
tion
1982
(199
0)(ii
i)(iv)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)
Mixe
dAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Tass
ili n
rsquoAjje
r3
The
geol
ogica
l con
form
atio
n of
Tass
ili nrsquo
Ajje
r inc
lude
s Pr
ecam
bria
n cr
ysta
lline
elem
ents
and
sed
imen
tary
sa
ndst
one
succ
essio
ns o
f gre
at p
aleo
-geo
grap
hica
l an
d pa
leo-
ecol
ogica
l inte
rest
Them
e 3
San
dsto
ne p
late
aus
and
esca
rpm
ents
that
are
hig
hly
diss
ecte
d w
ith a
rang
e of
ero
sion
al fe
atur
es
1982
(i)(ii
i)(vii
)(v
iii)M
ixed
Alge
riaAr
ab
Stat
es
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
102 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 103
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Te W
ahip
ouna
mu
ndash So
uth
Wes
t Ne
w Z
eala
nd
91
2Te
Waumlh
ipou
nam
u - S
outh
Wes
t New
Zea
land
is
cons
ider
ed to
be
the
best
mod
ern
exam
ple
of th
e pr
imitiv
e ta
xa o
f Gon
dwan
alan
d se
en in
mod
ern
ecos
yste
ms
ndash an
d as
suc
h th
e pr
oper
ty is
of g
loba
l sig
nific
ance
The
pro
gres
sive
brea
k-up
of t
he s
outh
ern
supe
r-con
tinen
t of G
ondw
anal
and
is co
nsid
ered
on
e of
the
mos
t im
porta
nt e
vent
s in
the
Earth
rsquos ev
olut
iona
ry h
istor
y Ne
w Z
eala
ndrsquos
sepa
ratio
n be
fore
th
e ap
pear
ance
of m
arsu
pial
s an
d ot
her m
amm
als
and
its lo
ng is
olat
ion
since
wer
e ke
y fa
ctor
s en
ablin
g th
e su
rviva
l of t
he a
ncie
nt G
ondw
anan
bio
ta o
n th
e isl
ands
of
New
Zea
land
to a
gre
ater
deg
ree
than
else
whe
re
The
livin
g re
pres
enta
tives
of t
his
ancie
nt b
iota
inclu
de
fligh
tless
kiw
is c
arni
voro
us la
nd s
nails
14
spec
ies
of
podo
carp
and
gen
era
or b
eech
Th
e So
uth
Wes
t is
also
an
outs
tand
ing
exam
ple
of th
e im
pact
of t
he P
leist
ocen
e ep
och
of E
arth
hist
ory
Ice-
carv
ed la
ndfo
rms
crea
ted
by th
ese
lsquoIce
Agersquo
gla
ciers
do
min
ate
the
mou
ntai
n la
nds
and
are
espe
cially
w
ell-p
rese
rved
in th
e ha
rder
plu
toni
c ig
neou
s ro
cks
of F
iord
land
Gla
cier-c
ut fi
ords
lak
es d
eep
U-sh
aped
va
lleys
han
ging
val
leys
cirq
ues
and
ice-s
horn
spu
rs
are
grap
hic
illust
ratio
ns o
f the
pow
erfu
l influ
ence
of
thes
e gl
acie
rs o
n th
e la
ndsc
ape
Dep
ositio
nal
land
form
s of
Ple
istoc
ene
glac
ial o
rigin
are
also
im
porta
nt e
spec
ially
in W
estla
nd w
est o
f the
Alp
ine
Faul
t Ch
rono
logi
cal s
eque
nces
of o
utw
ash
grav
els
and
mor
aine
ridg
es in
ele
gant
cur
ves
and
loop
s ou
tline
the
shap
es o
f bot
h fo
rmer
pie
dmon
t gla
ciers
and
Hol
ocen
e ldquop
ost-g
lacia
lrdquo va
lley
glac
iers
Them
e 9
Sou
th-w
est N
ew Z
eala
nd
is a
lso
an o
utst
andi
ng e
xam
ple
of th
e im
pact
of t
he P
leis
toce
ne e
poch
of
Earth
his
tory
Ice
-car
ved
land
form
s cr
eate
d by
thes
e lsquoIc
e Ag
ersquo g
laci
ers
dom
inat
e th
e m
ount
ain
land
s a
nd
are
espe
cial
ly w
ell-p
rese
rved
in th
e ha
rder
plu
toni
c ig
neou
s ro
cks
of
Fior
dlan
d G
laci
er-c
ut fi
ords
lak
es
deep
U-s
hape
d va
lleys
han
ging
va
lleys
cirq
ues
and
ice-
shor
n sp
urs
are
grap
hic
illust
ratio
ns o
f the
po
wer
ful i
nflue
nce
of th
ese
glac
iers
on
the
land
scap
e D
epos
ition
al la
ndfo
rms
of P
leis
toce
ne g
laci
al o
rigin
are
als
o im
porta
nt e
spec
ially
in W
estla
nd
wes
t of t
he A
lpin
e Fa
ult
Chro
nolo
gica
l se
quen
ces
of o
utw
ash
grav
els
and
m
orai
ne ri
dges
in e
lega
nt c
urve
s an
d lo
ops
out
line
the
shap
es o
f bo
th fo
rmer
pie
dmon
t gla
cier
s an
d Ho
loce
ne lsquop
ost-
glac
ialrsquo
valle
y gl
acie
rs
Them
e 1
2 T
he p
rogr
essi
ve b
reak
-up
of t
he s
outh
ern
supe
r-co
ntin
ent o
f Go
ndw
ana
is c
onsi
dere
d on
e of
the
mos
t im
porta
nt e
vent
s in
the
Earth
rsquos
evol
utio
nary
his
tory
New
Zea
land
rsquos
sepa
ratio
n be
fore
the
appe
aran
ce
of m
arsu
pial
s an
d ot
her m
amm
als
an
d its
long
isol
atio
n si
nce
wer
e ke
y fa
ctor
s en
ablin
g th
e su
rviva
l of
the
anci
ent G
ondw
anan
bio
ta o
n th
e is
land
s of
New
Zea
land
to a
gre
ater
de
gree
than
els
ewhe
re
1990
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lNe
w
Zeal
and
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
102 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 103
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Teid
e Na
tiona
l Pa
rk4
Teid
e Na
tiona
l Par
k is
an
exce
ptio
nal e
xam
ple
of a
rela
tivel
y ol
d s
low
mov
ing
geo
logi
cally
co
mpl
ex a
nd m
atur
e vo
lcan
ic s
yste
m I
t is
of g
loba
l im
porta
nce
in p
rovid
ing
dive
rse
evid
ence
of t
he
geol
ogic
al p
roce
sses
that
und
erpi
n th
e ev
olut
ion
of o
cean
ic is
land
s a
nd th
ese
valu
es c
ompl
emen
t th
ose
of e
xistin
g vo
lcan
ic p
rope
rties
on
the
Wor
ld
Herit
age
List
suc
h as
the
Haw
aii V
olca
noes
Na
tiona
l Par
k It
offe
rs a
dive
rse
and
acce
ssib
le
asse
mbl
age
of v
olca
nic
feat
ures
and
land
scap
es in
a
rela
tivel
y lim
ited
area
The
are
a is
a m
ajor
cen
tre
for i
nter
natio
nal r
esea
rch
with
a lo
ng h
isto
ry o
f in
fluen
ce o
n ge
olog
y an
d ge
omor
phol
ogy
espe
cial
ly th
roug
h th
e w
ork
of v
on H
umbo
ldt
von
Buch
and
Ly
ell
whi
ch h
as m
ade
Mou
nt T
eide
a s
igni
fican
t site
in
the
hist
ory
of v
olca
nolo
gy
Them
e 4
Tei
de N
atio
nal P
ark
feat
ures
th
e Te
ide-
Pico
Vie
jo s
trato
volc
ano
that
at
37
18 m
is
the
high
est p
eak
on
Span
ish
soil
Ris
ing
750
0 m
abo
ve
the
ocea
n flo
or i
t is
rega
rded
as
the
wor
ldrsquos
third
-tal
lest
vol
cani
c st
ruct
ure
and
stan
ds in
the
Las
Cana
das
cald
era
Tei
de is
of g
loba
l im
porta
nce
in p
rovid
ing
evid
ence
of t
he g
eolo
gica
l pr
oces
ses
that
und
erpi
n th
e ev
olut
ion
of o
cean
ic is
land
s
2007
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Spai
nEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
The
Dolo
mite
s3
1Th
e Do
lom
ites
are
of in
tern
atio
nal s
igni
fican
ce
for g
eom
orph
olog
y as
the
clas
sic
site
for t
he
deve
lopm
ent o
f mou
ntai
ns in
dol
omiti
c lim
esto
ne
The
area
pre
sent
s a
wid
e ra
nge
of la
ndfo
rms
rela
ted
to e
rosi
on t
ecto
nism
and
gla
ciat
ion
The
qu
antit
y an
d co
ncen
tratio
n of
ext
rem
ely
varie
d lim
esto
ne fo
rmat
ions
is e
xtra
ordi
nary
in a
glo
bal
cont
ext
incl
udin
g pe
aks
tow
ers
pin
nacl
es a
nd
som
e of
the
high
est v
ertic
al ro
ck w
alls
in th
e w
orld
Th
e ge
olog
ical
val
ues
are
also
of i
nter
natio
nal
sign
ifica
nce
not
ably
the
evid
ence
of M
esoz
oic
carb
onat
e pl
atfo
rms
or lsquo
foss
ilized
ato
llsrsquo
parti
cula
rly
in te
rms
of th
e ev
iden
ce th
ey p
rovid
e of
the
evol
utio
n of
the
bio-
cons
truct
ors
afte
r the
Per
mia
nTr
iass
ic b
ound
ary
and
the
pres
erva
tion
of th
e re
latio
nshi
ps b
etw
een
the
reef
s th
ey c
onst
ruct
ed
and
thei
r sur
roun
ding
bas
ins
The
Dol
omite
s al
so
incl
ude
seve
ral i
nter
natio
nally
impo
rtant
type
se
ctio
ns fo
r the
stra
tigra
phy
of th
e Tr
iass
ic P
erio
d
The
scie
ntifi
c va
lues
of t
he p
rope
rty a
re a
lso
supp
orte
d by
the
evid
ence
of a
long
his
tory
of s
tudy
an
d re
cogn
ition
at t
he in
tern
atio
nal l
evel
Tak
en
toge
ther
the
com
bina
tion
of g
eom
orph
olog
ical
an
d ge
olog
ical
val
ues
crea
tes
a pr
oper
ty o
f glo
bal
sign
ifica
nce
Them
e 3
Roc
k-co
ntro
lled
cliff
s an
d pl
atea
us w
ith a
dditi
onal
role
of
glac
iatio
n T
hem
e 1
The
Dol
omite
s co
ntai
n an
out
stan
ding
reco
rd o
f Tr
iass
ic re
ef s
yste
ms
and
thei
r bio
tas
2009
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Italy
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
104 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 105
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Thre
e Pa
ralle
l Ri
vers
of Y
unna
n Pr
otec
ted
Area
s
23
5Th
e pr
oper
ty is
of o
utst
andi
ng v
alue
for d
ispl
ayin
g th
e ge
olog
ical
his
tory
of t
he la
st 5
0 m
illion
yea
rs
asso
ciat
ed w
ith th
e co
llisio
n of
the
Indi
an P
late
with
th
e Eu
rasi
an P
late
the
clo
sure
of t
he a
ncie
nt T
ethy
s Se
a a
nd th
e up
liftin
g of
the
Him
alay
a Ra
nge
and
the
Tibe
tan
Plat
eau
The
se w
ere
maj
or g
eolo
gica
l ev
ents
in th
e ev
olut
ion
of th
e la
nd s
urfa
ce o
f Asi
a an
d th
ey a
re o
n-go
ing
The
dive
rse
rock
type
s w
ithin
th
e pr
oper
ty re
cord
this
his
tory
and
in
addi
tion
th
e ra
nge
of k
arst
gra
nite
mon
olith
and
Dan
xia
sand
ston
e la
ndfo
rms
in th
e al
pine
zon
e in
clud
e so
me
of th
e be
st o
f the
ir ty
pe in
the
mou
ntai
ns o
f th
e w
orld
Them
e 2
The
pro
perty
is o
f ou
tsta
ndin
g va
lue
for d
ispl
ayin
g th
e ge
olog
ical
his
tory
of t
he la
st 5
0 m
illion
ye
ars
asso
ciat
ed w
ith th
e co
llisio
n of
the
Indi
an P
late
with
the
Eura
sian
Pl
ate
the
clos
ure
of th
e an
cien
t Tet
hys
Sea
and
the
uplif
ting
of th
e Hi
mal
aya
Rang
e an
d th
e Ti
beta
n Pl
atea
u
Them
es 3
5 D
eepl
y ca
rved
val
leys
of
maj
or ri
vers
that
pas
s th
roug
h st
eep
gorg
es w
hich
in
plac
es a
re 3
000
m
deep
and
are
bor
dere
d by
gla
ciat
ed
peak
s m
ore
than
60
00 m
hig
h
2003
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lCh
ina
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Tong
ariro
Na
tiona
l Par
k4
No a
ppro
ved
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV B
asis
of
insc
riptio
n ar
e E
arth
rsquos E
volu
tiona
ry H
isto
ry -
The
pa
rk li
es a
t the
sou
th-w
este
rn te
rmin
us o
f a P
acifi
c ch
ain
of v
olca
noes
alig
ned
alon
g a
maj
or te
cton
ic
plat
e bo
unda
ry O
ngoi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es -
Th
e pa
rkrsquos
vol
cano
es c
onta
in a
com
plet
e ra
nge
of
volc
anic
feat
ures
Them
e 4
Ton
garir
o Na
tiona
l Par
k in
clud
es th
ree
activ
e vo
lcan
oes
w
hich
hav
e cu
ltura
l and
relig
ious
si
gnifi
canc
e fo
r the
Mao
ri pe
ople
and
sy
mbo
lize
the
spiri
tual
link
s be
twee
n th
is c
omm
unity
and
its
envir
onm
ent
1990
(199
3)(v
i)(vii
)(v
iii)M
ixed
New
Ze
alan
dAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Tran
g An
La
ndsc
ape
Com
plex
6Tr
ang
An is
a s
uper
b ge
olog
ical
pro
perty
that
di
spla
ys i
n a
glob
ally
exce
ptio
nal w
ay t
he fi
nal
stag
es o
f tow
er-k
arst
land
scap
e ev
olut
ion
in a
hu
mid
trop
ical
env
ironm
ent
Deep
dis
sect
ion
of
an u
plift
ed li
mes
tone
mas
sif o
ver a
per
iod
of fi
ve
milli
on y
ears
has
pro
duce
d a
serie
s of
cla
ssic
al
kars
t lan
dfor
ms
incl
udin
g co
nes
tow
ers
enc
lose
d de
pres
sion
s (c
ockp
its)
inte
rior-
drai
ning
val
leys
(p
olje
s) f
oot-
cave
s an
d su
bter
rane
an c
ave
pass
ages
de
cora
ted
with
spe
leot
hem
s T
he p
rese
nce
of
trans
ition
al fo
rms
betw
een
lsquofeng
cong
rsquo kar
st w
ith
ridge
s co
nnec
ting
tow
ers
and
lsquofen
glin
rsquo kar
st w
here
to
wer
s st
and
isol
ated
on
allu
vial p
lain
s is
an
extre
mel
y si
gnifi
cant
feat
ure
of th
e pr
oper
ty T
rang
An
is a
n un
usua
l aut
ogen
ic k
arst
sys
tem
bei
ng
rain
-fed
onl
y an
d hy
drol
ogic
ally
isol
ated
from
rive
rs
in th
e su
rroun
ding
terra
in F
orm
er in
unda
tion
by
the
sea
trans
form
ed th
e m
assi
f int
o an
arc
hipe
lago
fo
r som
e pe
riods
tho
ugh
it is
fully
em
erge
nt o
n la
nd to
day
Fluc
tuat
ions
of s
ea le
vel a
re e
viden
ced
by a
n al
titud
inal
ser
ies
of e
rosi
on n
otch
es in
clif
fs
with
ass
ocia
ted
cave
s w
ave-
cut p
latfo
rms
bea
ch
depo
sits
and
mar
ine
shel
l lay
ers
Them
e 6
Tow
er k
arst
in it
s en
d st
ages
nea
r sea
leve
l Nu
mer
ous
navig
able
foot
-cav
es a
nd e
xten
sive
sw
amp
notc
h an
d m
arin
e no
tch
deve
lopm
ent r
eflec
ting
sea
leve
l ch
ange
s
2014
(v)(v
ii)(v
iii)M
ixed
Viet
Nam
Asia
and
th
e Pa
cific
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
106 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 107
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Ulu ṟ
u-Ka
ta T
juṯa
Na
tiona
l Par
k
3No
cur
rent
retro
spec
tive
Stat
emen
t of O
UV b
ut
the
follo
win
g te
xt re
late
d to
crit
erio
n (v
iii) h
as b
een
deve
lope
d pr
evio
usly
as a
dra
ft th
at w
ill lik
ely
be
cons
ider
ed in
the
futu
re b
ased
on
the
date
of
insc
riptio
n T
he in
selb
ergs
(ste
ep-s
ided
isol
ated
hi
lls ri
sing
abr
uptly
from
the
Earth
) of U
luṟu
and
Kata
Tju
ṯa ar
e ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
es o
f tec
toni
c
geoc
hem
ical
and
geo
mor
phic
pro
cess
es U
luṟu
and
Kata
Tju
ṯa ar
e st
rikin
g ex
ampl
es o
f geo
logi
cal a
nd
eros
iona
l pro
cess
es o
ver t
ime
and
they
refle
ct th
e ag
e a
nd re
lativ
ely
stab
le n
atur
e o
f the
Aus
tralia
n co
ntin
ent
Such
sta
bilit
y at
the
cont
inen
tal l
evel
is
glo
bally
rare
The
geo
logy
of U
luṟu
and
Kata
Tj
u ṯa d
emon
stra
te o
ngoi
ng g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es
of re
mar
kabl
e in
tere
st T
he s
ides
of U
luṟu
are
mar
ked
by a
num
ber o
f unu
sual
feat
ures
whi
ch
can
be a
scrib
ed to
diff
erin
g pr
oces
ses
of e
rosi
on
For e
xam
ple
the
feat
ure
know
n as
nga
ltaw
ata
a
cere
mon
ial p
ole
asso
ciat
ed w
ith M
ala
Tjuk
urpa
is
asc
ribed
to s
heet
ing
of m
assi
ve ro
ck p
aral
lel t
o th
e ex
istin
g su
rface
Dur
ing
rain
per
iods
the
runo
ff fro
m U
luṟu
casc
ades
dow
n th
e fis
sure
s fo
rmin
g w
ater
falls
som
e up
to 1
00 m
etre
s hi
gh C
aves
at
the
base
of U
luṟu
are
form
ed b
y a
wid
espr
ead
arid
zo
ne p
roce
ss o
f gra
nula
r dis
inte
grat
ion
know
n as
ca
vern
ous
wea
ther
ing
Them
e 3
Thi
s pa
rk fe
atur
es
inse
lber
gs o
f san
dsto
ne (U
luṟu)
and
co
nglo
mer
ate
(Kat
a Tj
u ṯa) t
hat r
ise
spec
tact
acul
arly
abov
e th
e va
st re
d sa
ndy
plai
n of
cen
tral A
ustra
lia
1987
(199
4)(v
)(vi)(
vii)
(viii)
Mixe
dAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Valleacute
e de
Mai
Na
ture
Res
erve
1Sh
aped
by
geol
ogic
al a
nd b
iolo
gica
l pro
cess
es
that
took
pla
ce m
illion
s of
yea
rs a
go t
he p
rope
rty
is a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
an
earli
er a
nd m
ajor
st
age
in th
e ev
olut
iona
ry h
isto
ry o
f the
wor
ldrsquos
flo
ra I
ts e
colo
gy is
dom
inat
ed b
y en
dem
ic p
alm
s
and
espe
cial
ly by
the
coco
-de-
mer
fam
ous
for i
ts
dist
inct
ively
larg
e do
uble
nut
con
tain
ing
the
larg
est
seed
in th
e pl
ant k
ingd
om T
he V
alleacute
e de
Mai
co
nstit
utes
a li
ving
labo
rato
ry i
llust
ratin
g of
wha
t ot
her t
ropi
cal a
reas
wou
ld h
ave
been
bef
ore
the
adve
nt o
f mor
e ad
vanc
ed p
lant
fam
ilies
Them
e 1
Sta
ted
to c
onst
itute
a li
ving
labo
rato
ry i
llust
ratin
g of
wha
t oth
er
tropi
cal a
reas
wou
ld h
ave
been
bef
ore
the
adve
nt o
f mor
e ad
vanc
ed p
lant
fa
milie
s
1983
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lSe
y-ch
elle
sAf
rica
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
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Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Vatn
ajoumlk
ull
Natio
nal P
ark
- Dy
nam
ic N
atur
e of
Fire
and
Ice
4 9
The
coex
isten
ce a
nd o
ngoi
ng in
tera
ctio
n of
an
activ
e oc
eani
c rif
t on
land
a m
antle
plu
me
the
atm
osph
ere
and
an ic
e ca
p w
hich
has
var
ied
in s
ize a
nd e
xten
t ov
er th
e pa
st 2
8 m
illion
yea
rs m
ake
the
prop
erty
un
ique
in a
glo
bal c
onte
xt E
arth
sys
tem
inte
ract
ions
ar
e co
nsta
ntly
build
ing
and
resh
apin
g th
e pr
oper
ty
crea
ting
rem
arka
bly
dive
rse
land
scap
es a
nd a
w
ide
varie
ty o
f tec
toni
c v
olca
nic
and
glac
iovo
lcan
ic
feat
ures
Esp
ecia
lly in
tere
stin
g an
d un
ique
in th
is re
gard
are
the
basa
ltic
lava
shi
elds
(Ice
land
shi
elds
) vo
lcan
ic fi
ssur
es a
nd c
one
row
s v
ast fl
ood
lava
s
and
feat
ures
of i
ce d
omin
ant g
laci
o-vo
lcan
ism s
uch
as tu
yas
and
tinda
r In
tere
stin
gly
the
wel
l exp
osed
vo
lcan
ic fe
atur
es o
f the
pro
perty
hav
e be
en u
sed
as a
nalo
gues
for s
imila
r fea
ture
s on
the
plan
et
Mar
s G
eoth
erm
al h
eat a
nd s
ubgl
acia
l eru
ptio
ns
prod
uce
mel
twat
er a
nd jouml
kulh
laup
s th
at m
aint
ain
glob
ally
uniq
ue s
andu
r pla
ins
to th
e no
rth a
nd
sout
h of
the
Vatn
ajoumlk
ull i
ce c
ap a
s w
ell a
s ra
pidl
y ev
olvin
g ca
nyon
s In
add
ition
the
pro
perty
con
tain
s a
dyna
mic
arra
y of
gla
cial
- and
geo
mor
phol
ogic
al
feat
ures
cre
ated
by
expa
ndin
g or
retre
atin
g gl
acie
rs
resp
ondi
ng to
cha
nges
in c
limat
e T
hese
feat
ures
ca
n be
eas
ily a
cces
sed
and
expl
ored
at t
he s
nout
s of
Va
tnaj
oumlkul
lrsquos m
any
outle
t gla
cier
s an
d th
eir f
orel
ands
es
peci
ally
in th
e so
uthe
rn lo
wla
nds
mak
ing
the
prop
erty
a fl
agsh
ip g
laci
al re
sear
ch lo
catio
n
Them
e 4
9 T
his
is a
n ic
onic
vo
lcan
ic re
gion
that
als
o fe
atur
es th
e co
ntin
enta
l drif
ting
curre
ntly
activ
e in
this
par
t of A
tlant
ic O
cean
with
te
n ce
ntra
l vol
cano
es e
ight
of w
hich
ar
e su
bgla
cial
Tw
o of
thes
e ar
e am
ong
the
mos
t act
ive in
Icel
and
The
in
tera
ctio
n be
twee
n vo
lcan
oes
and
the
rifts
that
und
erlie
the
Vatn
ajoumlk
ull
ice
cap
take
s m
any
form
s th
e m
ost
spec
tacu
lar o
f whi
ch is
the
joumlku
lhla
up
ndash a
sudd
en fl
ood
caus
ed b
y th
e br
each
of t
he m
argi
n of
a g
laci
er
durin
g an
eru
ptio
n
2019
(viii)
Natu
ral
Icel
and
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
108 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 109
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Viru
nga
Natio
nal
Park
4Vi
rung
a Na
tiona
l Par
k is
loca
ted
in th
e ce
ntre
of t
he
Albe
rtine
Rift
of t
he G
reat
Rift
Val
ley
In th
e so
uthe
rn
part
of th
e pa
rk t
ecto
nic
activ
ity d
ue to
the
exte
nsio
n of
the
Earth
rsquos cr
ust i
n th
is re
gion
has
cau
sed
the
emer
genc
e of
the
Viru
nga
mas
sif c
ompr
ising
eig
ht
volc
anoe
s s
even
of w
hich
are
loca
ted
tota
lly o
r pa
rtial
ly in
the
park
Am
ong
them
are
the
two
mos
t ac
tive
volc
anoe
s of
Afri
ca ndash
Nya
mur
agira
and
nea
rby
Nyira
gong
o ndash
whi
ch b
etw
een
them
are
resp
onsib
le
for t
wo-
fifth
s of
the
hist
oric
vol
cani
c er
uptio
ns o
n th
e Af
rican
con
tinen
t and
whi
ch a
re c
hara
cter
ized
by th
e ex
trem
e flu
idity
of t
he a
lkal
ine
lava
The
act
ivity
of
Nyira
gong
o is
of w
orld
impo
rtanc
e as
a w
itnes
s to
vo
lcan
ism o
f a la
va la
ke t
he b
otto
m o
f its
cra
ter i
s in
fact
fille
d by
a la
ke o
f qua
si pe
rman
ent l
ava
that
em
ptie
s pe
riodi
cally
with
cat
astro
phic
con
sequ
ence
s fo
r the
loca
l com
mun
ities
The
nor
ther
n se
ctor
of
the
park
incl
udes
abo
ut 2
0 o
f the
mas
sif o
f Mon
ts
Rwen
zori
ndash th
e la
rges
t gla
cial
regi
on o
f Afri
ca a
nd
the
only
true
alpi
ne m
ount
ain
chai
n of
the
cont
inen
t It
bord
ers
the
Rwen
zori
Mou
ntai
ns N
atio
nal P
ark
of
Ugan
da i
nscr
ibed
as
Wor
ld H
erita
ge w
ith w
hich
it
shar
es th
e lsquoP
ic M
argu
erite
rsquo th
ird h
ighe
st s
umm
it of
Af
rica
(51
09 m
)
Them
e 4
The
Viru
nga
mas
sif
com
pris
es e
ight
vol
cano
es s
even
of
whi
ch a
re lo
cate
d to
tally
or
parti
ally
in th
e pa
rk A
mon
g th
em
are
the
two
mos
t act
ive v
olca
noes
of
Afri
ca ndash
Nya
mur
agira
and
nea
rby
Nyira
gong
o ndash
whi
ch b
etw
een
them
ar
e re
spon
sibl
e fo
r tw
o-fif
ths
of th
e hi
stor
ic v
olca
nic
erup
tions
on
the
Afric
an c
ontin
ent a
nd w
hich
are
ch
arac
teriz
ed b
y th
e ex
trem
e flu
idity
of
the
alka
line
lava
The
act
ivity
of
Nyira
gong
o is
of w
orld
impo
rtanc
e as
a w
itnes
s to
vol
cani
sm o
f a la
va
lake
the
bot
tom
of i
ts c
rate
r is
in fa
ct
fille
d by
a la
ke o
f qua
si p
erm
anen
t la
va th
at e
mpt
ies
perio
dica
lly w
ith
cata
stro
phic
con
sequ
ence
s fo
r the
lo
cal c
omm
uniti
es
1979
(vii)
(viii)
(x)
Natu
ral
Dem
-oc
ratic
Re
publ
ic
of th
e Co
ngo
Afric
a
Volc
anoe
s of
Ka
mch
atka
4Th
e ad
ditio
n of
Klu
chev
skoy
Nat
ure
Park
as
the
sixt
h co
mpo
nent
of t
he p
rope
rty fu
rther
add
s to
the
over
all c
over
age
of th
e ra
nge
of K
amch
atka
rsquos n
atur
al
feat
ures
The
add
ition
to th
e si
te c
lear
ly m
eets
cr
iterio
n (v
iii) in
its
own
right
as
an o
utst
andi
ng
exam
ple
of g
eolo
gica
l pro
cess
es a
nd la
ndfo
rms
and
ther
efor
e co
ntrib
utes
in a
ver
y si
gnifi
cant
way
to th
e ex
pand
ed p
rope
rty a
s a
who
le m
eetin
g cr
iterio
n (v
iii)
Them
e 4
One
of t
he m
ost
outs
tand
ing
volc
anic
regi
ons
in th
e w
orld
with
a h
igh
dens
ity o
f act
ive
volc
anoe
s a
var
iety
of t
ypes
and
a
wid
e ra
nge
of re
late
d fe
atur
es T
he s
ix si
tes
incl
uded
in th
e se
rial p
rope
rty
grou
p to
geth
er th
e m
ajor
ity o
f vol
cani
c fe
atur
es o
f the
Kam
chat
ka p
enin
sula
Th
e in
terp
lay
of a
ctive
vol
cano
es a
nd
glac
iers
form
s a
dyna
mic
land
scap
e of
gr
eat b
eaut
y
1996
(200
1)(v
ii)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Russ
ian
Fede
ra-
tion
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
108 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 109
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Vred
efor
t Dom
e11
Vred
efor
t Dom
e is
the
olde
st l
arge
st a
nd m
ost
deep
ly er
oded
com
plex
met
eorit
e im
pact
stru
ctur
e in
th
e w
orld
It i
s th
e si
te o
f the
wor
ldrsquos
gre
ates
t sin
gle
kn
own
ener
gy re
leas
e ev
ent
It co
ntai
ns h
igh
qual
ity
and
acce
ssib
le g
eolo
gica
l (ou
tcro
p) s
ites
whi
ch
dem
onst
rate
a ra
nge
of g
eolo
gica
l evid
ence
s of
a
com
plex
met
eorit
e im
pact
stru
ctur
e T
he ru
ral a
nd
natu
ral l
ands
cape
s of
the
seria
l pro
perty
hel
p po
rtray
th
e m
agni
tude
of t
he ri
ng s
truct
ures
resu
lting
from
th
e im
pact
The
ser
ial p
rope
rty is
con
side
red
to b
e a
repr
esen
tativ
e sa
mpl
e of
a c
ompl
ex m
eteo
rite
impa
ct s
truct
ure
A c
ompr
ehen
sive
com
para
tive
anal
ysis
with
oth
er c
ompl
ex m
eteo
rite
impa
ct
stru
ctur
es d
emon
stra
ted
that
it is
the
only
exam
ple
on E
arth
pro
vidin
g a
full
geol
ogic
al p
rofil
e of
an
astro
blem
e be
low
the
crat
er fl
oor
ther
eby
enab
ling
rese
arch
into
the
gene
sis
and
deve
lopm
ent o
f an
astro
blem
e im
med
iate
ly po
st im
pact
Them
e 11
The
old
est
larg
est
and
mos
t dee
ply
erod
ed c
ompl
ex
met
eorit
e im
pact
stru
ctur
e in
the
wor
ld T
he s
ite o
f the
wor
ldrsquos
gre
ates
t si
ngle
kno
wn
ener
gy re
leas
e ev
ent
2005
(viii)
Natu
ral
Sout
h Af
rica
Afric
a
Wad
den
Sea
7Th
e W
adde
n Se
a is
a d
epos
ition
al c
oast
line
of
unpa
ralle
led
scal
e an
d di
vers
ity I
t is
dist
inct
ive in
be
ing
alm
ost e
ntire
ly a
tidal
flat
and
bar
rier s
yste
m
with
onl
y m
inor
rive
r infl
uenc
es a
nd a
n ou
tsta
ndin
g ex
ampl
e of
the
larg
e-sc
ale
deve
lopm
ent o
f an
intri
cate
and
com
plex
tem
pera
te-c
limat
e sa
ndy
barri
er c
oast
und
er c
ondi
tions
of r
isin
g se
a-le
vel
High
ly dy
nam
ic n
atur
al p
roce
sses
are
uni
nter
rupt
ed
acro
ss th
e va
st m
ajor
ity o
f the
pro
perty
cre
atin
g a
varie
ty o
f diff
eren
t bar
rier i
slan
ds c
hann
els
fla
ts g
ullie
s s
altm
arsh
es a
nd o
ther
coa
stal
and
se
dim
enta
ry fe
atur
es
Them
e 7
The
larg
est u
nbro
ken
syst
em o
f int
ertid
al s
and
and
mud
fla
ts in
the
wor
ld
2009
(201
4)(v
iii)(ix
)(x)
Natu
ral
Denm
ark
Ge
rman
y Ne
ther
-la
nds
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Wad
i Al-H
itan
(Wha
le V
alle
y)1
Wad
i Al-H
itan
is th
e m
ost i
mpo
rtant
site
in th
e w
orld
to
dem
onst
rate
one
of t
he ic
onic
cha
nges
that
mak
e up
the
reco
rd o
f life
on
Earth
the
evo
lutio
n of
the
wha
les
It p
ortra
ys v
ividl
y th
eir f
orm
and
mod
e of
life
du
ring
thei
r tra
nsiti
on fr
om la
nd a
nim
als
to a
mar
ine
exis
tenc
e It
exc
eeds
the
valu
es o
f oth
er c
ompa
rabl
e si
tes
in te
rms
of th
e nu
mbe
r co
ncen
tratio
n an
d qu
ality
of i
ts fo
ssils
and
thei
r acc
essi
bilit
y an
d se
tting
in a
n at
tract
ive a
nd p
rote
cted
land
scap
e
Them
e 1
Wad
i Al-H
itan
is th
e m
ost i
mpo
rtant
site
in th
e w
orld
to
dem
onst
rate
one
of t
he ic
onic
ch
ange
s th
at m
ake
up th
e re
cord
of
life
on
Earth
the
evo
lutio
n of
the
wha
les
durin
g th
eir t
rans
ition
from
la
nd a
nim
als
to a
mar
ine
exis
tenc
e
2005
(viii)
Natu
ral
Egyp
tAr
ab
Stat
es
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
110 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 111
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Wes
t Nor
weg
ian
Fjor
ds ndash
Ge
irang
erfjo
rd
and
Naeligroslash
yfjo
rd
9Th
e W
est N
orw
egia
n Fj
ords
are
cla
ssic
sup
erbl
y de
velo
ped
fjord
s c
onsi
dere
d as
the
type
loca
lity
for
fjord
land
scap
es in
the
wor
ld T
hey
are
com
para
ble
in s
cale
and
qua
lity
to o
ther
exis
ting
fjord
s on
the
Wor
ld H
erita
ge L
ist a
nd a
re d
istin
guis
hed
by th
e cl
imat
e an
d ge
olog
ical
set
ting
The
pro
perty
dis
play
s a
full
rang
e of
the
inne
r seg
men
ts o
f tw
o of
the
wor
ldrsquos
long
est a
nd d
eepe
st fj
ords
and
pro
vides
w
ell-d
evel
oped
exa
mpl
es o
f you
ng a
ctive
gla
ciat
ion
durin
g th
e Pl
eist
ocen
e ic
e ag
e T
he ic
e- a
nd w
ave-
polis
hed
surfa
ces
of th
e st
eep
fjord
sid
es p
rovid
e su
perb
ly ex
pose
d an
d co
ntin
uous
thre
e-di
men
sion
al
sect
ions
thro
ugh
the
bedr
ock
The
reco
rd o
f the
po
stgl
acia
l iso
stat
ic re
boun
d of
the
crus
t and
its
geom
orph
ic e
xpre
ssio
n in
the
fjord
land
scap
e ar
e si
gnifi
cant
and
repr
esen
t key
are
as fo
r the
sc
ient
ific
stud
y of
slo
pe in
stab
ility
and
the
resu
lting
ge
ohaz
ards
Them
e 9
The
pro
perty
dis
play
s a
full
rang
e of
the
inne
r seg
men
ts o
f tw
o of
the
wor
ldrsquos
long
est a
nd d
eepe
st
fjord
s a
nd p
rovid
es w
ell-d
evel
oped
ex
ampl
es o
f you
ng a
ctive
gla
ciat
ion
durin
g th
e Pl
eist
ocen
e ic
e ag
e T
he
ice-
and
wav
e-po
lishe
d su
rface
s of
th
e st
eep
fjord
sid
es p
rovid
e su
perb
ly ex
pose
d an
d co
ntin
uous
thre
e-di
men
sion
al s
ectio
ns th
roug
h th
e be
droc
k T
he re
cord
of t
he p
ostg
laci
al
isos
tatic
rebo
und
of th
e cr
ust a
nd
its g
eom
orph
ic e
xpre
ssio
n in
the
fjord
land
scap
e ar
e si
gnifi
cant
and
re
pres
ent k
ey a
reas
for t
he s
cien
tific
stud
y of
slo
pe in
stab
ility
and
the
resu
lting
geo
haza
rds
2005
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Norw
ayEu
rope
an
d No
rth
Amer
ica
Wet
Tro
pics
of
Quee
nsla
nd1
The
Wet
Tro
pics
con
tain
s on
e of
the
mos
t com
plet
e an
d di
vers
e liv
ing
reco
rds
of th
e m
ajor
sta
ges
in
the
evol
utio
n of
land
pla
nts
from
the
very
firs
t pt
erid
ophy
tes
mor
e th
an 2
00 m
illion
yea
rs a
go to
th
e ev
olut
ion
of s
eed-
prod
ucin
g pl
ants
incl
udin
g th
e co
ne-b
earin
g cy
cads
and
sou
ther
n co
nife
rs
(gym
nosp
erm
s) f
ollo
wed
by
the
flow
erin
g pl
ants
(a
ngio
sper
ms)
As
the
Wet
Tro
pics
is th
e la
rges
t par
t of
the
entir
e Au
stra
lasi
an re
gion
whe
re ra
info
rest
s ha
ve p
ersi
sted
con
tinuo
usly
sinc
e Go
ndw
anan
tim
es i
ts li
ving
flora
with
the
high
est c
once
ntra
tion
of p
rimiti
ve a
rcha
ic a
nd re
lict t
axa
know
n is
the
clos
est m
oder
n-da
y co
unte
rpar
t for
Gon
dwan
an
fore
sts
In a
dditi
on a
ll of
Aus
tralia
rsquos u
niqu
e m
arsu
pial
s an
d m
ost o
f its
oth
er a
nim
als
orig
inat
ed
in ra
info
rest
eco
syst
ems
and
the
Wet
Tro
pics
stil
l co
ntai
ns m
any
of th
eir c
lose
st s
urviv
ing
mem
bers
Th
is m
akes
it o
ne o
f the
mos
t im
porta
nt li
ving
reco
rds
of th
e hi
stor
y of
mar
supi
als
as
wel
l as
of
song
bird
s
Them
e 1
The
livin
g pl
ants
in th
is
prop
erty
are
sta
ted
to re
pres
ent
lsquomaj
or s
tage
s in
the
evol
utio
n of
land
pl
ants
fro
m th
e ve
ry fi
rst l
and
plan
ts
to h
ighe
r pla
nts
(Gym
nosp
erm
s an
d An
gios
perm
s)rsquo
1988
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
110 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 111
Prop
erty
2021
th
emes
(m
ain)
2021
th
emes
(a
ncil-
lary
)
Just
ifica
tion
unde
r crit
erio
n (v
iii)
Rela
tions
hip
to id
entifi
ed th
emes
Date
in
scrib
ed
(ext
ensi
on)
Crite
riaCa
tego
rySt
ate
Regi
on
Will
andr
a La
kes
Regi
on5
1Th
e Au
stra
lian
geol
ogica
l env
ironm
ent
with
its
low
to
pogr
aphi
c re
lief a
nd lo
w e
nerg
y sy
stem
s is
uniq
ue
in th
e lo
ngev
ity o
f the
land
scap
es it
pre
serv
es a
nd
the
Willa
ndra
Lak
es p
rovid
es a
n ex
cept
iona
l win
dow
in
to c
limat
ic an
d re
late
d en
viron
men
tal c
hang
es o
ver
the
last
100
000
yea
rs T
he W
illand
ra L
akes
lar
gely
unm
odifi
ed s
ince
they
drie
d ou
t som
e 18
500
yea
rs
BP p
rovid
e ex
celle
nt c
ondi
tions
for r
ecor
ding
the
even
ts o
f the
Ple
istoc
ene
Epoc
h a
nd d
emon
stra
te h
ow
non-
glac
iate
d zo
nes
resp
onde
d to
the
maj
or g
lacia
l-in
terg
lacia
l fluc
tuat
ions
Th
e de
mon
stra
tion
at th
is pr
oper
ty o
f the
clo
se
inte
rcon
nect
ion
betw
een
land
form
s an
d pe
doge
nesis
pa
laeo
chem
istry
clim
atol
ogy
arch
aeol
ogy
arch
aeom
agne
tism
rad
ioca
rbon
dat
ing
pal
aeoe
colo
gy
and
faun
al e
xtin
ctio
n re
pres
ents
a c
lass
ic la
ndm
ark
in
Plei
stoc
ene
rese
arch
in th
e Au
stra
lasia
n ar
ea W
illand
ra
Lake
s Re
gion
is a
lso o
f exc
eptio
nal im
porta
nce
for
inve
stig
atin
g th
e pe
riod
whe
n hu
man
s be
cam
e do
min
ant i
n Au
stra
lia a
nd th
e la
rge
spec
ies
of w
ildlife
be
cam
e ex
tinct
and
rese
arch
con
tinue
s to
elu
cidat
e w
hat r
ole
hum
ans
play
ed in
thes
e ev
ents
Them
e 5
1 W
illand
ra L
akes
pro
vides
an
exc
eptio
nal w
indo
w in
to c
limat
ic
and
rela
ted
envir
onm
enta
l cha
nges
ov
er th
e la
st 1
000
00 y
ears
a p
erio
d of
maj
or c
limat
ic c
hang
es w
hen
hum
ans
beca
me
dom
inan
t in
Aust
ralia
an
d la
rge
spec
ies
of w
ildlif
e be
cam
e ex
tinct
1981
(iii)(
viii)
Mixe
dAu
stra
liaAs
ia a
nd
the
Paci
fic
Yello
wst
one
Natio
nal P
ark
4Ye
llow
ston
e is
one
of t
he w
orld
rsquos fo
rem
ost s
ites
for t
he s
tudy
and
app
reci
atio
n of
the
evol
utio
nary
hi
stor
y of
the
Earth
The
par
k ha
s a
glob
ally
unpa
ralle
led
asse
mbl
age
of s
urfic
ial g
eoth
erm
al
activ
ity t
hous
ands
of h
ot s
prin
gs m
udpo
ts a
nd
fum
arol
es a
nd m
ore
than
hal
f of t
he w
orld
rsquos a
ctive
ge
yser
s N
early
150
spe
cies
of f
ossi
l pla
nts
rang
ing
from
sm
all f
erns
and
rush
es u
p to
larg
e Se
quoi
a an
d m
any
othe
r tre
e sp
ecie
s h
ave
been
iden
tified
in th
e pa
rkrsquos
abu
ndan
t fos
sil d
epos
its T
he w
orld
rsquos la
rges
t re
cogn
ized
cald
era
(45
km b
y 75
km
ndash 2
7 m
iles
by
45 m
iles)
is c
onta
ined
with
in th
e pa
rk
Them
e 4
Yel
low
ston
e Na
tiona
l Pa
rk is
the
wor
ldrsquos
firs
t nat
iona
l pa
rk s
et a
side
to p
rese
rve
a w
ide
varie
ty o
f you
ng v
olca
nic
and
rela
ted
hydr
othe
rmal
feat
ures
Yel
low
ston
e co
ntai
ns h
alf o
f all
the
wor
ldrsquos
kno
wn
geot
herm
al fe
atur
es w
ith m
ore
than
10
000
exam
ples
It a
lso
has
the
wor
ldrsquos
larg
est c
once
ntra
tion
of
geys
ers
(mor
e th
an 3
00 g
eyse
rs o
r tw
o th
irds
of a
ll th
ose
on th
e pl
anet
)
1978
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)(x
)Na
tura
lUn
ited
Stat
es o
f Am
eric
a
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Yose
mite
Nat
iona
l Pa
rk9
Glac
ial a
ctio
n co
mbi
ned
with
the
gran
itic
bedr
ock
has
prod
uced
uni
que
and
pron
ounc
ed la
ndfo
rm
feat
ures
incl
udin
g di
stin
ctive
pol
ishe
d do
me
stru
ctur
es a
s w
ell a
s ha
ngin
g va
lleys
tar
ns
mor
aine
s an
d U-
shap
ed v
alle
ys G
rani
tic la
ndfo
rms
such
as
Half
Dom
e an
d th
e ve
rtica
l wal
ls o
f El
Capi
tan
are
clas
sic
dist
inct
ive re
flect
ions
of g
eolo
gic
hist
ory
No o
ther
are
a po
rtray
s th
e ef
fect
s of
gl
acia
tion
on u
nder
lying
gra
nitic
dom
es a
s w
ell a
s Yo
sem
ite d
oes
Them
e 9
Gla
cial
act
ion
com
bine
d w
ith th
e gr
aniti
c be
droc
k ha
s pr
oduc
ed u
niqu
e an
d pr
onou
nced
la
ndfo
rm fe
atur
es in
clud
ing
dist
inct
ive
polis
hed
dom
e st
ruct
ures
as
wel
l as
hang
ing
valle
ys t
arns
mor
aine
s an
d U-
shap
ed v
alle
ys
1984
(vii)
(viii)
Natu
ral
Unite
d St
ates
of
Amer
ica
Euro
pe
and
North
Am
eric
a
Annex 1 Table of geological World Heritage Properties
112 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
From Wells 1996 p 40-41
Annex 2 Contextual framework for World Heritage fossil propertiesContextual framework for World Heritage Fossil Sites 40
Summary Recommendations
RECOMMENDATION 1Choose sites that contain well-preserved fossil accumulations of high species diversity which in combination best document the story of community and environmental change through time
RECOMMENDATION 2The events to be represented in the history of life should where possible encompass the iconography of a tree of life not a ladder of progress
RECOMMENDATION 3Choose fossil Lagerstatten and make provision for expanding the List or substituting sitesfossils to better tell any chapter of the story
RECOMMENDATION 4Separate Precambrian history from Phanerozoic history (the roots from the upper branches of the evolutionary tree respectively) Present Precambrian history as major events such as the origin of life multicellularity etc andPresent Phanerozoic history in terms of communities andor stages in the evolution of major groups
Contextual framework for World Heritage Fossil Sites 41
RECOMMENDATION 5All published Precambrian fossil sites should be reviewed by anexpert panel to select those worthy of evaluation for Heritagelisting This may be best achieved through a panel drawn fromthe international palaeontological societies
RECOMMENDATION 6Phanerozoic sites should be chosen so as to be representative in timeand space of both community structure and selected phylogeneticlineages
RECOMMENDATION 7Any fossil Lagerstatten chosen from the Phanerozoic shouldwherever possible be of high diversity and include significantinvertebrate as well as vertebrate assemblages
RECOMMENDATION 8A condition for granting World Heritage status should makeprovision for curation study and display of any sitefossils
RECOMMENDATION 9Specialists in the major Phanerozoic groups and time periodsshould be consulted to refine and update the indicative list Thismay be best achieved through a panel drawn from theinternational palaeontological societies
Footnote Fossil Lagerstatten A term used by the German palaeontologistAdolf Seilacher to describe exceptionally rich fossil deposits He dividedsuch deposits into two categories (i) Conservation Lagerstatten which aredeposits yielding fossils of exceptional preservation which are notnecessarily abundant (ii) Concentration Lagerstatten yielding highnumbers of fossils The two categories are not necessarily mutuallyexclusive and some sites contain both high numbers and high quality offossils
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 113
From Preparing World Heritage Nominations UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2011 p 42)
Annex 3 IUCN fossil site evaluation checklist
IUCN has undertaken a global thematic study on geological World Heritage (Dingwall et al2005) The study provides further guidance on this criterion and enables further considera-tion of the scope of the World Heritage List in relation to thirteen different thematic groupsof geological properties
EXAMPLE
Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) (Egypt)
Wadi Al-Hitan Whale Valley in the Western Desert ofEgypt contains invaluable fossil remains of the earliestand now extinct suborder of whales ArchaeocetiThese fossils represent one of the major stories of evo-lution the emergence of the whale as an ocean-goingmammal from a previous life as a land-based animalThis is the most important site in the world for thedemonstration of this stage of evolution It portrays
Co
nt
en
ts
Prep
arin
g W
orld
Her
itag
e N
omin
atio
ns bull
Sec
ond
edit
ion
201
1
42
World Heritage background1
copy U
NES
CO
V
eacuteron
ique
Dau
ge
IUCN fossil site evaluation checklist
1 Does the site provide fossils which cover an extended period of geological time ie how wide is the geological window
2 Does the site provide specimens of a limited number of species or whole biotic assemblages ie how rich is the species diversity
3 How unique is the site in yielding fossil specimens for that particular period of geologicaltime ie would this be the rsquotype localityrsquo for study or are there similar areas that are alternatives
4 Are there comparable sites elsewhere that contribute to the understanding of the totalrsquostoryrsquo of that point in timespace ie is a single site nomination sufficient or should a serial nomination be considered
5 Is the site the only main location where major scientific advances were (or are) beingmade that have made a substantial contribution to the understanding of life on Earth
6 What are the prospects for ongoing discoveries at the site
7 How international is the level of interest in the site
8 Are there other features of natural value (eg scenery landform vegetation) associatedwith the site ie does there exist within the adjacent area modern geological or biological processes that relate to the fossil resource
9 What is the state of preservation of specimens yielded from the site
10 Do the fossils yielded provide an understanding of the conservation status of contemporary taxa andor communities ie how relevant is the site in documenting the consequences to modern biota of gradual change through time
Source Wells (1996)
114 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
With permission from Goldscheider et al (2020) red triangles on Figure 18 depicting the locations of World Heritage Properties with karst OUV their numbers referring to the list of World Heritage karst sites
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
5 Australia Purnululu 2003 viiviii Outstanding example of quartz sand-stone fluviokarst with beehive-shaped hills separated by narrow sinuous gorg-es Developed on rocks of Devonian age
Tropical savannah re-gime
9 Canada Nahanni Nation-al Park
1978 viiviii Worldrsquos foremost example of karst development in cold climate condi-tions Contains a spectacular karst landscape including poljes caves and gorges and hot spring with large tufa mound Landscape is subject to active frost processes
Cold continental climate with wide monthly vari-ations in temperature and precipitation Alpine tundra and mountainous taiga environments with discontinuous perma-frost Rich diversity of vegetation and wildlife
10 Canada Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks
1984 (1990)
viiviii Includes large areas of limestones and dolomites Outstanding example of glaciokarst terrain Many karren sub-terranean streams springs and caves Columbia Icefield partly overlies and intrudes Castleguard Cave
Located across conti-nental divide between 1036 m to 3954 m Continental cool temper-ate alpine climate with mountain permafrost Rich diversity of vegeta-tion and wildlife
11 China Huanglong 1992 vii Hot springs emerging from carbon-ate rocks have precipitated extensive calcareous travertine deposits along valley floor with numerous rimstone pools Represents depositional output landforms of deeply circulating karst groundwater system
Warm temperate con-tinental alpine environ-ment Forested valleys surrounded by moun-tains to 5000 m
12 China Jiuzhaigou Valley
1992 vii Extensive areas of limestone and do-lomite Carbonate tufa deposits from cold springs have formed a series of tufa-dammed lakes and tufa-coated cascades along valley floor Represents depositional output landforms of shal-low karst groundwater system with significant epikarst water contribution
Warm temperate con-tinental alpine environ-ment Forested valleys surrounded by moun-tains to 4800 m
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 115
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
13 China Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area
1992 vii A mixed quartz sandstone (66) and limestone (33) area most notable for 3100 sandstone pillars and peaks to 200 m high separated by ravines and gorges Limestone part contains about 40 known caves with rich decoration and two natural bridges one of which is 357m high Includes entire Suoxi karst catchment Particularly outstand-ing for its spectacular sandstone fluvio-karst relief
Humid warm temperate climate with deciduous forest Altitude range 450 m to 1264 m
15 China South China Karst
2007 (2014)
vii viii Seven sites of a serial nomination that represent karst evolution in southern China Shilin comprises stone forests on a rolling plateau in Yunnan Jinfos-han is an isolated high plateau with huge horizontal caves suspended above deep surrounding valleys Wu-long is plateau karst with spectacular tiankeng natural bridges deep caves and gorges Shibing illustrates unusual cone karst development in dolomite bedrock Libo has extensive forested cone karst (fengcong and fenglin) poljes gorges and caves with Huanji-ang being an extension of the protect-ed area Guilin shows the culmination of subtropical karst development with spectacular cones and towers beside the River Li These areas provide type-sites for their principal karst features
Continental humid sub-tropical plateau (Shilin Jinfoshan Wulong) to subtropical monsoonal (Shibing Libo Huanji-ang Guilin) Extensive natural forest cover at Libo-Huanjiang
16 Croatia Plitvice Lakes National Park
1979 (2000)
viiviii ix International type-site for tufa-dammed lakes Carbonate biolith barriers confine 16 lakes up to 08 km2 in area and up to 46 m deep Mixed limestone and dolomitic limestone catchment area
Continental humid warm temperate Mixed co-niferous and deciduous forested catchment
22 France Spain
Pyreacuteneacutees - Mont Perdu
1997 (1999)
iii iv v vii viii
Outstanding example of alpine glaci-ated karst to 3352 m with extensive karrenfeld deep canyons deep caves and subterranean river systems Incor-porates complete karst systems
Humid maritime alpine climate to north and drier Mediterranean climate to south with associated complex vegetation zo-nation
23 Greece Meteora 1988 iiiivvvii Sheer towers and pillars 10 to gt100 m high developed in early Tertiary deltaic quartz conglomerate often fluted with closely spaced vertical karren (the tow-ers support almost inaccessible mon-astery buildings) Fluviokarst
Mean altitude 300 m rising to 1000 m Medi-terranean climate
24 Hungary Slovakia
Caves of Ag-gtelek Karst and Slovak Karst
1995 (2000)
viii Area contains 712 caves Variety of cave types including Dobšinskaacute Ice Cave and speleothem forms with stalagmites to 327 m high Surface landscape is a temperate doline karst with some evidence of a prior humid tropical or subtropical influence which has evolved intermittently since the Cretaceous
Continental humid tem-perate
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
116 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
25 Indonesia Lorentz National Park
1999 viii ix x Largest protected area in SE Asia (235M ha) Continuous transect from snow caps (5030 m) to tropical coast Worldrsquos best example of tropical alpine glaciated karst Extensive humid trop-ical karst occurs at lower elevations Huge sinking rivers and springs
From the mountains to the sea Tropical glaci-ated alpine to lowland tropical rainforest
29 Korea Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes
2007 vii viii Oustanding example of vulcanokarst a special style of pseudokarst This in-cludes Geomunoreum lava tubes which are notable for spectacular decoration with carbonate speleothems the car-bonate being derived from overlying calcareous dune sands blown in from the coast
Warm temperate mon-soonal
30 Mada-gascar
Tsingy de Be-maraha Strict Nature Reserve
1990 vii x Extensive areas of very sharp limestone pinnacle karst known locally as lsquotsingyrsquo with joint corridors up to 80 m deep occupied by forest Traversed by river gorges May be the worldrsquos most spec-tacular pinnacled terrain
Tropical seasonally arid
31 Malaysia Gunung Mulu 2000 vii viii ix x
The park has a significant area of karst in Miocene limestone that contains large underground rivers and gt290 km of explored caves including Sarawak Chamber (700 m long 300-400 m wide and up to 100m high) ndash the worldrsquos largest underground room Caves con-tain major speleothem deposits and 15 million year sediment sequences Rich cave biota especially notable for bats and swiftlets Surface features include giant collapse dolines and spectacular razor-sharp pinnacle karst (ca 50 m high)
Humid tropical rainforest with 17 vegetation zones covering altitude range to 2377 m
34 Palau Rock Islands Southern La-goon
2012 iii v vii ix x
A superb example of 445 partly drowned well-karstified coral islands with flooded closed depressions as marine lakes
Western Pacific oceanic tropical humid
35 Philip-pines
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park
1999 vii x Spectacular tropical karst landscape in middle Miocene limestone on Pala-wan Island extending from mountains to the sea Contains polygonal karst towers and polje Major underground river drains directly to the sea lower portions of cave are tidal and navigable for 6 km
Humid tropical rainforest environment Most sig-nificant forest in Palawan Biogeographical Prov-ince
37 Russian Federa-tion
Lena Pillars Nature Park
2012 viii Dolomitic limestone pillars along edges of Lena River and tributaries Pillars were isolated by paleo-dissolution along joints beneath thick gravel cover and are revealed along valley sides by frost processes and fluvial undercutting Karst features include groundwater circulation and small flutes
Worldrsquos most extreme continental climate with permafrost at base of soil extending to depth of several hundred me-tres
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention | 117
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
38 Russian Federa-tion
Western Cau-casus
1999 vii x A geologically complex region rising to over 3000 m The northern section consists of alpine karst in Triassic lime-stones much of it glaciated Includes glaciokarst features many deep gorges and deep caves Incorporates com-plete karst systems
Temperate to alpine con-tinental climate Largely undisturbed deciduous and coniferous forest and alpine meadows
40 Slovenia Škocjan Caves 1986 vii viii Located in the lsquoclassicalrsquo karst of Eu-rope The property comprises a sink-ing river at the end of blind valley the exposed course of the underground river flowing across the base of deep collapse depressions and a large river cave with a high canyon passage It is representative of the input of an allo-genic river into a karst system
Continental Mediterra-nean climate
42 South Africa
Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa
1999 (2005)
iii vi A cluster of karst sites in Proterozoic dolomite bedrock that contain remains of some of the earliest hominids as well as many other species The caves contain internationally outstanding ex-amples of cave sediments with fossils that were deposited over an interval of several million years into very ancient karst systems
Subtropical High Veldt savannah environment
45 Turkey Hierapo-lis-Pamukkale
1988 iii iv vii Extensive and 200 m high valleyside travertine terrace with rimstone pools formed by carbonate deposition from geothermal water emerging at 59oC Used as a spa since 2nd century BC Possibly the worldrsquos earliest karst tour-ist site still in use Significant human impact
Warm temperate Medi-terranean environment
46 UK Pitcairn Islands
Henderson Island
1988 vii x Raised coral atoll 30 km2 in area with rough karstified lsquomakatearsquo plateau sur-face at about 30 m above sea level with central depression that may have been former lagoon Island is bounded by 15 m high cliffs and fringing reef to 200 m wide Limestone considered late Ter-tiary in age An outstanding example of early phase of karstification with intact natural processes but scientifically unevaluated Some caves
Tropical humid maritime climate supporting thick cover of trees and dense undergrowth The only raised and forested atoll with its ecology intact
48 USA Mammoth Cave National Park
1981 vii viii x The longest cave in the world with 590 km of surveyed river passages often large in dimension and gently sloping The karst is developed in Lower Car-boniferous (Mississippian) limestone and cave evolution commenced fol-lowing uplift and exposure three to four million years ago Extensive sinkhole plain at the surface Large springs Rich troglobitic fauna The inflow margin of the karst is located beyond the Park boundary
Humid warm temperate continental climate De-ciduous forest cover
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
118 | Geological World Heritage a revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
No State Party
World Heritage Property
Inscribed (extend-ed)
Criteria Key Karst Features Environmental context
49 USA Carlsbad Cav-erns National Park
1995 vii viii Huge caverns extensively decorated with speleothems are a major feature of the park The 81 known caves mainly occur in uplifted Permian reef lime-stones Outstanding karst extends into neighbouring Guadalupe National Park The regionrsquos caves provide the worldrsquos foremost example of evolution by sul-phuric acid dissolution which occurred progressively between 12 and four million years ago Surface topography on back-reef dolomites and limestones is dominated by dry valleys High bio-diversity including about 1 million bat population
Subtropical semi-arid continental climate
50 Venezu-ela
Canaima Na-tional Park
1994 vii viii ix x
The most outstanding example in the world of cave development in quartzite (Precambrian age) Caves occur to 108 km long and 383 m deep En-closed depressions and stream-sinks on plateau (tepuy) surface around 2650 m Springs emerge in tepuy walls A fluviokarst landscape
Humid tropical upland rainforest environment
51 Viet Nam Ha Long Bay 1994 (2000)
vii viii The worldrsquos most extensive and best- known example of tropical tower karst invaded by the sea The Park area includes about 775 islands some with caves Incorporates areas of fengcong and fenglin karst Significant human impact from surrounding development
Humid tropical mon-soonal environment
52 Viet Nam Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
2003 (2015)
viii Extensive and complex karst develop-ment in dissected plateau environment to 1290 m above sea level that con-tinues across border into Laos Long history of karst landscape evolution possibly since early Mesozoic Major caves and underground rivers and ex-tensive enclosed depressions (polje)
Humid tropical mon-soonal environment with largely undisturbed ev-ergreen primary forest Rich biodiversity
53 Viet Nam Trang An Land-scape Complex
2014 v vii viii Tower karst in its end stages near sea level Numerous navigable foot-caves and extensive swamp notch and ma-rine notch development reflecting sea level changes
Humid tropical mon-soonal environment in coastal context
Annex 4 Distribution of karstifiable rocks and potential karst aquifers across the world
Geological W
orld Heritage A revised global framew
ork for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention
IUCN
INTERNATIONAL UNIONFOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE
WORLD HEADQUARTERSRue Mauverney 281196 Gland SwitzerlandTel +41 22 999 0000Fax +41 22 999 0002wwwiucnorg
Geological World Heritage A revised global framework for the application of criterion (viii) of the World Heritage ConventionPatrick J Mc Keever and Guy M NarbonneWith contributions by Ulrika Aringberg Loviacutesa Aacutesbjoumlrnsdoacutettir Joseacute Brilha Tom Casadevall Tove Damholt Piotr Migoń S Felix Toteu Paul Williams and Kyung Sik Woo