Magma Geopark
{{Infobox park
| name = Magma Geopark
| alt_name =
| image = Magma UNESCO Global Geopark.png
| image_size = 300
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Different geological locations in Magma UNESCO Global Geopark
| type = UNESCO Global Geopark
| location = Rogaland/Agder counties, Norway
| coordinates = {{coord|58|26|52|N|6|0|22|E|display=inline}}
| area = {{convert|3000|km2|mi2|abbr=on|2}}{{cite web |title=MAGMA UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK-Global Network of National Geoparks |url=http://www.globalgeopark.org/GeoparkMap/geoparks/Norway/12570.htm |website=www.globalgeopark.org}}
| created = {{start date|2010}}
| operator =
}}
Magma Geopark is the second Geopark to be designated in Norway, having gained membership of both the European Geoparks Network and Global Network of National Geoparks in 2010.
Magma Geopark has several nature, cultural, historical and industrial attractions for both local visitors or tourists. The area has wide network routes and locations for outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, climbing and kayaking.
Geography
The Magma Geopark covers several municipalities of southwest Norway, namely Eigersund, Bjerkreim, Flekkefjord, Lund and Sokndal.{{cite web |title=Magma UNESCO Global Geopark |url=https://www.visitnorway.com/places-to-go/fjord-norway/the-stavanger-region/listings-stavanger/magma-unesco-global-geopark/262371/ |website=www.visitnorway.com}} It is designated to have an area of {{convert|3000|km2|mi2}}, including several islands.
The geopark's headquarters are located in the town of Egersund. The Jæren Line (a subsection of the Sørlandet Line) runs between Stavanger and Egersund every hour.{{cite web |title=The Jæren Railway |url=https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/getting-around/by-train/jaren-line/ |website=www.visitnorway.com}}
Geology
Magma Geopark has an area of {{convert|2329|km2|mi2}} based on the largest layered intrusion and anorthosite area found in Europe and it .
1,500 million years ago, the region had a landscape of red-hot magma and a mountain range called the Sveconorwegian.{{cite web |title=Geologi |url=https://magmageopark.no/no/geopark/geologi/ |website=Magma Geopark |language=nb-NO}}
The main rock type of the geopark anorthosite, which is more common on the Moon than on the surface of the Earth. Because of this, advertising for the geopark commonly depicts an explorer in a space suit. The anorthosite was formed approximately 930 million years ago at a depth of {{convert|20|km|mi}} below the Earth's surface.
Through millions of years, glaciers helped to form the landscape seen today.{{cite web |title=Magma UNESCO Global Geopark - Fjord Norway |url=https://www.fjordnorway.com/no/attraksjoner/magma-unesco-global-geopark |website=fjordnorway.com}}
Culture and History
File:Traditional houses at Helleren i Jøssingfjord, Norway.jpg
Norway's first cast-iron lighthouse, the Eigerøy Lighthouse, is situated within the geopark on Midbrødøya, just west of Eigerøya.
Jøssingfjorden, including two houses of the Helleren farm, resides within the geopark.{{cite web |title=Jøssingfjorden - Fjord Norway |url=https://www.fjordnorway.com/no/attraksjoner/jossingfjorden |website=fjordnorway.com}}
As with many geoparks, there are a number of mines within the park's designated area. Among these are:
- Blåfjell ilmenite mine
- Gursli molybdenum mine
- Ørsdalen tungsten mine{{cite web |last1=Gilje |first1=Bjørn Egil |title=Verdt å se - Bjerkreim kommune |url=https://www.bjerkreim.kommune.no/tjenester/kultur-idrett-fritid-og-turisme/fritid-og-turisme/turist-i-bjerkreim/verdt-a-se/ |website=www.bjerkreim.kommune.no |language=nb}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.magmageopark.com/Magma/ official website of Magma Geopark]
- [https://www.facebook.com/magmageopark Magma Geopark/Facebook]
- [https://twitter.com/MAGMAGEOPARK Magma Geopark/Twitter]
- [https://www.instagram.com/magmageopark/ Magma Geopark/Instagram]
- [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1q4UFW8BOhskXjNVStGLsA Magma Geopark/Youtube]
- [http://www.europeangeoparks.org Official website of the European Geoparks Network]
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