When we talk about nature, we often immediately think of plants and animals. But there is another fundamental aspect that represents its foundation: geodiversity. This term refers to the variety of rocks, minerals, fossils, landscape forms, and natural processes that, over millions of years, have shaped the Earth. Just as biodiversity is essential for life, geodiversity creates the physical conditions that make it possible. Where soil, rocks, and landscapes are diverse, we are more also likely to encounter a rich variety of environments and living organisms. Getting to know geosites means better understanding the land in which we live, appreciating its natural history, learning to respect it, and finding new keys to sustainable development. Valuing geodiversity, in fact, is not just an academic exercise but also a cultural, educational, and environmental investment for future generations. Within this wealth we find the geosites. These are special places where the Earth’s history is written in the rocks. A geosite can recount the story of ancient seas, extinct volcanoes, glaciations, or tectonic events. Some are known for their fossils, others for their landscape forms (the so-called geomorphosites), and still others for the chemical or mineralogical composition of their rocks. Observing a geosite is like turning a page in a book of our planet’s geological history. These places are visible testimonies of deep time, often fascinating and accessible to the public. They are also extraordinary educational tools and valuable resources for sustainable tourism. The Mayor Antonio Del Fiol Local Councilor responsible for Environment, Tourism, and Culture Fabio Pegoraro Despite its small size, Friuli Venezia Giulia is incredibly rich in geosites. The region’s geological diversity spans nearly half a billion years of natural history, encompassing mountains, caves, coastlines, fossil rivers, and unique rock formations. A law to protect geological heritage In 2016, the Regional government of Friuli Venezia Giulia passed a regional law (No. 15/2016) protecting its geological and speleological heritage. The law recognizes the scientific, cultural, and educational importance of geosites and their promotion and publicizing, including for tourism and planning purposes. Geodiversity is the variety of rocks, landscape forms, and natural processes that have shaped the Earth. It is the “geological heritage” that recounts the story of our planet and creates the conditions for life.
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