Public chooses the top 10 geological sites in the UK

Among the geosites chosen by the public, which are going to be celebrated during Earth Science Week, include Stonehenge, Glencoe and Staffa.

16:55 13 October 2014

In connection to Earth Science Week, the public has voted for the top ten geological sites in the UK.

Some that made it to the list and which are considered to have contributed most to shape the landscape and cultural heritage of the country include Stonehenge and Glencoe and Staffa in the Inner Hebrides.

The list also features educational sites such as Scarborough’s Rotunda Museum, the mountainous wilderness of Assynt in the Scottish Highlands, and the folding and faulting of Millook Haven in Cornwall.

Professor Rob Butler, who chairs the Geological Society’s geoconservation committee, said: “The list highlights the huge range of incredible geology the UK and Ireland have to offer.

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

He added: “Thousands of people have been inspired to find out more about Earth science from first encounters in front of geological landscapes or a museum.

Earth Science Week and the 100 Great Geosites are designed to encourage even more of the general public to get involved and enjoy some of the geology that surrounds us all.”

The people’s top 10 favourite geological sites in the UK:

- Landscape: Assynt, Scottish Highlands

- Industrial and Economic Importance: The Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire

- Historical and Scientific Importance: Siccar Point, Berwickshire

- Educational: The Rotunda Museum in Scarborough, Yorkshire

- Adventurous: Staffa, the Inner Hebrides

- Human Habitation: Stonehenge, Wiltshire

- Coastal: Hunstanton Cliffs, Norfolk

- Outcrops: Craster, Northumberland

- Folding and faulting: Millook Haven, Cornwall

- Fire and Ice: Glencoe, Scottish Highlands