International Geodiversity Day

What Is International Geodiversity Day?

October 6th is "International Geodiversity Day." It was proclaimed at the 41st session of the UNESCO General Conference in 2021, and observances began around the world in 2022. "Geodiversity" refers to the diversity of non-living nature, such as rocks, minerals, fossils and landforms. The day aims to deepen people's understanding worldwide of why Earth's non-living diversity matters.

Another Kind of Diversity, Alongside Biodiversity

When we hear "diversity" in nature, we tend to think of the biodiversity of plants and animals. Underneath it all lies the diversity of the land itself.

• Geodiversity: the diversity of all non-living nature, including minerals and fossils
• Proclamation: the 41st UNESCO General Conference in 2021 designated October 6th as an international day
• First observed: activities began worldwide in 2022
• Guardians: UNESCO Global Geoparks around the world protect and manage examples of geodiversity

UNESCO Global Geoparks in Japan

A geopark is an area that conserves geological and landscape heritage while using it for education and tourism. Japan has UNESCO Global Geoparks, including Muroto in Kochi Prefecture, which share information and hold events around International Geodiversity Day. With its many volcanoes and earthquakes, the Japanese archipelago is a place where a varied, ever-changing landscape is close at hand.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Look up a nearby geopark or spot with unusual landforms or rocks
• Find out what kind of land and geology your hometown sits on
• Examine stones on a riverbank or beach and enjoy their colors and patterns
• Visit a museum exhibit of minerals or fossils

The Ground Beneath Our Feet Is Rich in Diversity Too

Our lives, and the lives of all living things, rest on a diverse Earth. On October 6th, take a look at the stones and landforms we usually overlook, and think about how our planet came to be.