Joggins Fossil Cliffs

Joggins Fossil Cliffs is a coastal formation along the Bay of Fundy that spans roughly 15 kilometers and reveals layers of sedimentary rock containing numerous fossils. The exposed rock layers display petrified remains of plants and animals from different periods.

The cliffs were studied by scientists in the 1800s, including Sir Charles Lyell, who documented their significant fossil collections. These early investigations established the foundation for our modern understanding of life from that ancient period.

The Fossil Centre displays exhibitions about local geological discoveries and serves as a meeting point for scientists from around the world. Visitors can observe ongoing research activities and understand how paleontologists continue to make new discoveries today.

An on-site interpretive center offers guided tours along the cliffs where you can examine fossilized remains within exposed rock layers. The best time to visit is during low tide when additional rock surfaces become accessible.

The cliffs hold the most complete known fossil record of terrestrial life from the Pennsylvanian period, displaying traces of early reptiles and ancient rainforest plants. This remarkable documentation offers visitors a rare window into an ecosystem that vanished millions of years ago.