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 selected as the main gateway and office. Moster Amfi is a cultural arena with all facilities, built in a marble quarry, already hosting a mining exhibition and being adjacent to the largest cultural icon in a very large area; Moster Old Church. Sunnhordland Museum with its exhibitions and knowledge also serves as a gateway to the geopark, and in spring 2020, the Folgefonn Center in Rosendal finally joined as a geopark gateway. With these three solid institutions on board, Geopark Sunnhordland is already exceptionally well-equipped in terms of facilities presenting our world-class geological heritage!

Based at Moster Amfi and the other two visitor centers, the geopark aims to convey our geological and landscape history to schools and the tourism industry. It seeks to strengthen knowledge and identity for residents and contribute to increased revenue for the tourism sector. Information will be provided at selected geological sites in the terrain, through websites, printed materials, training for guides, educators, and tourism stakeholders, as well as at meeting points throughout the region, with the visitor centers acting as focal points. 

The UNESCO status provides Sunnhordland with international credibility as a sustainable travel destination..