Geodiversity of GeoMôn
Discover Anglesey’s world-class geoheritage – a UNESCO global geopark of geological wonders.
Anglesey has such special geology that it is recognised by UNESCO as a “global geopark” – a place where the rocks, fossils, landscapes are world-class. Whether you are a geologist or simply enjoy natural beauty and landscape, Anglesey is one of over 200 Geopark sites in the world and more recently recognised as one of the top 100 geosites in the world!
The name GeoMôn is a combination of ‘Geo’ for all things geological /geographical / environmental and ‘Môn’, the Welsh language name for Anglesey.
GeoMôn is a place with spectacular geological heritage stretching back almost 2,000 million years (nearly half the life of our planet) and more than 100 rock types. It is home to the oldest fossils in England or Wales. Each rock type creates its own landscape either from its own characteristics, or from the way it reacts to the forces of erosion, or by how it weathers to form soils which underpin biodiversity and land use. All of Anglesey is recognised as part of GeoMôn Geopark.
Stunning rocky cliffs, extensive sandy beaches, small rocky coves, sand dunes, mud flats, salt marshes and farmland are all found in GeoMôn. A wide variety of ancient monuments, castles and settlements, of quarries and mines are indicators of the human exploitation; the human landscape is defined by building stones influencing architecture and by soils influencing agriculture and forestry.
This page will guide you through the complex but fascinating geology of Anglesey. Geology is not just diverse rocks of varying ages, it is the whole of landscape, soils, geoheritage etc.
1. Details of our geology, rock types, structures, mineral and fossils
2. Our geoconservation work
3. All about our soils and land use
4. Heritage on GeoMôn
Anglesey is very varied; in this section we will explore both natural biodiversity and human heritage from archaeology to more recent issues.