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Photo: Ranveig Marie
GEOPARK SUNNHORDLAND
The archipelago, fjords, and mountains in Sunnhordland offer a very rich and diverse geology that has significantly influenced both the region and the Vestlandet area. Our geology has even left its mark on Copenhagen and St. Croix in the Caribbean.
Geopark Sunnhordland obtained the status of a Norwegian Geopark in 2018 and UNESCO Global Geopark in May 2023. The Geopark Sunnhordland with its UNESCO status is a strong and positive regional marker, meant to become a tool for sustainable tourism and provide upcoming generations with insight into how landscapes have formed and how the bedrock has influenced our culture. Through knowledge, respect for the nature we live in and rely on increases.
Board and organization
Geopark Sunnhordland is 100% owned by Region Sunnhordland IKS.
The Board Members are:
Vegard Bjørnevik, chairman and mayor of Kvinnherad
Birgit Sønstabø Esperø, Deputy Chairman and representative of Vestland County Council
Liv Kari Eskeland, Member of Parliament
John Inge Svendsen, geologist (emeritus)
Una Kolle, Managing Director of the Folgefonn Centre
Hilde Eide Helland, Manager of Visit Sunnhordland
Leif Tore Trædal, researcher at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
Employees
Background
The geology of Sunnhordland has intrigued people from the Stone Age to the Oil Age,and the list of geological literature and major studies from this area is remarkably long.
The island archipelago and the coastal geology have shaped our culture for 11,000 years. They influenced tools, communication, food, traditions, and business. Stone Age people used greenstone and rhyolite from Bømlo for an incredible 6,000 years. Bergen's medieval churches were constructed using claystone from this area. Most medieval baking stones along the coast and North Sea islands are made of chlorite schist from Ølve. Our marble is found in Copenhagen and the Danish-Norwegian island of St. Croix in the Caribbean. Copper laid the foundation for major industry, and Norway's largest gold mine created dreams and industry in Lykling. 'Bergen city is built of Bømlo stone,' writes Øystein J. Jansen and Tom Heldal in the book 'Stone City Bergen.' In modern times, the fjord depths here, including the Utsira High, enabled the construction and deployment of several of the largest oil rigs. International studies of erosion cracks in Bømlo granite contributed to oil discoveries.
Moster Amfi has been chosen as the main visitor centre. MA is a cultural arena with all facilities, is built in a marble mine, has a mining exhibition and is a neighbour to the largest cultural icon in a very large area: Moster Old Church. Sunnhordland Museum, with its presentation of the rich cultural history of the region, and the Folgefonn Centre in Rosendal, with its presentation of the water cycle and the nature and culture around the glacier and fjord, are optimal geopark portals. With these three solid institutions on the team, Geopark Sunnhordland is exceptionally well qualified in terms of facilities that present our geo-heritage of international class!
Based in Mosterhamn and the three portals, the geopark will communicate our geological and landscape history to schools and the tourism industry. It will help to strengthen knowledge and identity for residents, and contribute to increased sales for a sustainable tourism industry. Information will be provided at selected geostations in the terrain, via websites, printed material, training of guides, educators and tourism operators, as well as at meeting points around Shld with the portals as hubs.
UNESCO Global Geopark status gives Sunnhordland international credibility as a sustainable destination with geology and landscapes of international and scientific value.
The Sunnhordland Geopark was recognised by UNESCO as a Global Geopark in 2023.