Iceland’s Torfajökull and Skaftá Fires join global geology list

Iceland’s Torfajökull volcanic system and the Skaftá Fires have been added to the International Union of Geological Sciences’ list of 100 geological heritage sites, mbl.is reports. Iceland’s Nature Research Institute nominated both, describing their selection as an honour and international recognition of their scientific value.

The list recognises sites of outstanding scientific importance as unique examples of geological features, processes and discoveries. It was announced at an IUGS meeting in Loulé, Portugal, held from November 3 to 6.

This is the third time the union has compiled the list. The two Icelandic sites on its 2024 list were Vatnajökull and Reykjanes. The first list was published in 2022.

Other new entries include Mount Fuji in Japan, the Norwegian fjords, the San Andreas Fault in the United States, Aconcagua in Argentina and the Chocolate Hills in the Philippines.

The recognition is expected to raise the sites’ international profile and could support education, research and long-term protection. Many of the 100 sites are within national parks, geoparks or protected areas, while others have no protection or are only partly protected.

Geologists Robert A. Askew, Kristján Jónasson and Lovísa Ásbjörnsdóttir of the Nature Research Institute worked on Iceland’s nominations with Catherine R. Gallagher, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Earth Sciences. Geologist Nína Aradóttir of the Nature Research Institute presented the Torfajökull volcanic system and the Skaftá Fires at the meeting in Loulé.