Joggins Formation, Geological formation in Nova Scotia, Canada.
The Joggins Formation is a geological formation in Nova Scotia featuring coastal cliffs that display layered rock strata from the Carboniferous period. These exposed cliff faces reveal thousands of meters of sedimentary deposits in a natural cross-section accessible to visitors.
Coal mining operations began in the early 18th century when French settlers discovered and extracted deposits from the site. These activities marked the beginning of industrial resource extraction in the region and drew attention to the area's geological resources.
The site holds UNESCO World Heritage status due to its fossil collections, which include skeletal remains of early vertebrates preserved within ancient tree stumps.
The cliffs are accessible via marked trails, and the Joggins Fossil Centre serves as a visitor hub with displays and guidance. Visiting during low tide makes walking easier and reveals more of the fossil-bearing rock face.
The site preserves some of the oldest known fossils of land-dwelling vertebrates embedded within ancient hollow tree trunks. These discoveries fundamentally changed scientific understanding of early animal evolution and the colonization of terrestrial environments.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
