In 2001, UNESCO decided to designate 6 October each year as International Geodiversity Day. It is a day used around the world to bring people closer to nature in all its facets. On this day, we should learn about the different aspects and functions of geodiversity and understand why it is important to protect our geodiversity.

Why is geodiversity important?

Geodiversity is the abiotic equivalent of biodiversity and describes the variety of geological, geomorphological, pedological and hydrological features and processes.

Geodiversity therefore consists of minerals, rocks, sediments, fossils, soil, water, landforms, tectonic elements and their structures and arrangements. It includes all natural processes that influence, maintain or change the material or form (e.g. tectonics, erosion, …). Human interventions and processes are not included.

Biodiversity and geodiversity make up the natural diversity of our planet.

International Geodiversity Day in Luxembourg

This year, from 6 to 8 October, a series of events will be organised in Luxembourg to allow everyone to discover the geodiversity of our country. In the city, in the UNESCO Global Geopark Mellerdall, in the Minett UNESCO Biosphere and also in the old slate mines of Martelange.

Nature walks, guided tours, underground explorations and conferences… The Geodiversity Days have something for everyone.

The events are organised by the ‘naturmusée‘ in close collaboration with the Luxembourg UNESCO Commission, the Minett UNESCO Biosphere and the UNESCO Global Geopark Mëllerdall. Other partners of the Geodiversity Days are ProGeo (International Association for the Conservation of Geological Heritage), the Musée de l’Ardoise Martelange and the Association Géologique du Luxembourg (AGL).