A person stands on a rugged, rocky cliff overlooking a vast ocean. The sky is a blend of blue hues with scattered clouds, as the setting sun casts a warm light across the scene. Grass and textured rock formations are visible in the foreground.
Explore our
Geology & Fossils

They’ve been waiting to welcome visitors for millions of years.

Geology Hot Spots

Geology Hot Spots

Famous Fossils

Famous Fossils

Remarkable Rocks

Remarkable Rocks

Plan & Book

Plan & Book

Newfoundland and Labrador is home to some of the world's greatest geological discoveries. With more than 29,000 kilometres of diverse coastline to explore, you’re bound to encounter unique geological experiences everywhere you go.

Aerial view of a rocky coastline with white waves crashing against the rocks. A person wearing a red jacket is lying on the large flat rock surface near the water's edge, surrounded by greenery.
Experience
Geology Hot Spots
A person stands on a large, rugged slope by the ocean at sunset. The sky is a mix of clouds and colorful hues, creating a serene and picturesque scene.

Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve
UNESCO World Heritage Site

Journey to the southernmost tip of the Avalon Peninsula and take a guided tour of Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk across the ancient seafloors to find an entire community of 565-million-year-old fossils.

A person sits on a rocky outcrop in a vast, arid landscape. The sky is filled with dramatic clouds, casting shadows on the golden-brown earth. Sparse greenery is visible in the foreground, and distant hills are seen under the vibrant blue sky.

Gros Morne National Park
UNESCO World Heritage Site

Gros Morne National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site played a major role in the understanding of plate tectonics. Put on your hiking boots and go on a guided tour to explore a fragment of the Earth’s mantle and the iconic red rocks of the Tablelands.

Aerial view of a winding river flowing through a lush green valley, bordered by a towering, rugged mountain with sunlit peaks. Cloudy sky overhead casts dynamic shadows on the landscape.

Labrador

Labrador is rich in minerals, and it proudly lays claim to rocks that date back billions of years. Within this ancient land resides the Torngat Mountains National Park, where coastal cliffs and glacially carved fjords give us a rare glimpse into Earth’s geological history.

A natural stone arch rises from the ocean, surrounded by choppy waters. The arch is topped with green grass, contrasting with the rugged gray rocks. In the distance, grassy land and more rocky formations are visible under a cloudy sky.

Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark

On the upper half of the Bonavista Peninsula is the 280-kilometre-long Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark. This park is home to 27 historic communities and 10 unique sites that offer geological marvels like 560-million-year-old fossils, towering sea stacks, and curved sea arches.

A person stands on a grassy hill overlooking a vast blue lake surrounded by land covered with vibrant autumn foliage. A blue sky with scattered clouds is above the scenic view.

Dover

From the small town of Dover, you can see a geological scar left behind by two ancient continents that collided millions of years ago. Head up to the lookout to spot where sections of the world came together to create the island of Newfoundland.

A solar panel in the foreground with a winding road leading to a stone tower on a rocky hill. The sky is clear and blue, and two people are walking along the road.

St. John’s

Underground at Signal Hill in St. John’s is the Johnson Geo Centre, where you can explore the volcanoes, earthquakes, and natural forces that shaped our world. When you’re heading back to the surface, take a trip to The Rooms to meet Haootia, one of the first animals ever to have muscle tissue.

A modern building with a glass facade and a logo that says "Manuels River." Two people are walking on a path in front of it. The lawn has several picnic tables and blue Adirondack chairs. A pine tree is on the left, and the sky is partly cloudy.

Manuels River

Head just outside of St John’s to Manuels River Hibernia Interpretation Centre in Conception Bay South and travel back 650 million years. Discover ancient volcanoes, beaches, and the giant trilobite fossil that made this area famous. Take a guided fossil tour along the hiking trail or take in the enchanting café view that overlooks the river.

Cliffs overlooking a calm sea under a cloudy sky, with grassy tops and rugged rock faces. The horizon is visible in the distance, giving a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.

Bell Island

Leave one rock and head to another with a short ferry ride to Bell Island. Explore the famous No. 2 mine to find the iron-rich layers that date back more than 450 million years. This tour will take you on a journey back to 1896 to experience what it was like to work underground.

Aerial view of a rugged coastline with rocky cliffs and lush green hills meeting the deep blue ocean. Waves crash against the rocks under a clear sky, with distant headlands visible on the horizon.

Fortune Head Ecological Reserve

On the Burin Peninsula, you’ll see the exposed cliffs at Fortune Head Ecological Reserve. Within these cliffs are fossilized burrows of animals that existed over 540 million years ago.

Two people walk on a grassy path alongside a rocky coastline. Rugged cliffs rise in the background under a clear sky, while the ocean sits calmly to their left.

St. Lawrence

As you journey through the Burin Peninsula, you’ll pass by St. Lawrence, which is famous for having some of the world’s largest fluorite deposits. Tour the local Miner’s Museum to learn how it's used to make gorgeous jewelry and specialty items. At the end of the tour, add your own personal touch by polishing a gemstone with assistance from the museum’s staff.

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Close-up of an ancient stone slab with faintly carved symbols or writing, illuminated by a warm light. The surface is textured and weathered, suggesting historical significance.
Explore
Famous Fossils
Abstract patterns etched into a rough, textured stone surface, illuminated to highlight the intricate grooves and lines.

Haootia

Found just outside of Port Union on The Murphy’s Cove to Lodge’s Pond Trail, Haootia quadriformis is a 560-million-year-old fossil that tells the story of when animals first flexed their muscles. Get familiar with this rare creature that’s on display at The Rooms in St. John’s.

A detailed close-up of a yellow trilobite fossil embedded in dark rock, showcasing its segmented body, long spines, and intricate patterns. The fossil is well-preserved, revealing the creature's ancient, prehistoric features.

Trilobite

Trilobites are ancient marine invertebrates that helped us understand how animals evolved skeletons. You can see the remarkable giant trilobite fossil just outside of St. John’s at Manuels River Hibernia Interpretation Centre.

A close-up of a textured gray stone surface with faint circular patterns and a small cross shape in the upper area. The surface shows subtle variations in shade and texture.

Quidi Vidi Fossil

While walking along the boulders that surround Quidi Vidi Lake in St. John's, you can find some of the oldest signs of life in the world. These armour stone rocks are roughly 570 million years old, and this is one of only a dozen places on the planet where you can find fossils this old.

Rocky shoreline with blue-green ocean waves washing over the rocks. A distant lighthouse stands on a small island under a clear blue sky. The scene is bright and sunny, with contrasting textures of rough rocks and smooth water.

Thrombolites

Thrombolites are some of the earth’s most primitive life forms that date back 650 million years. These living rocks are only found in two places in the world, one of which is Flower’s Cove.

A long, dark wooden structure embedded in rocky terrain surrounded by shallow water. The wood appears aged and weathered, contrasting with the light-colored stone and the rippling water. Small green plants are scattered around.

Carboniferous Fossil Trees

Within the fossilized forest of Stephenville, you’ll find 305 million-year-old tropical trees that grew when the province was still a part of Pangea. This fossil bed is believed to be where the world’s first seed-producing trees grew on slopes.

Waves crash against layered rock formations on a rugged coastline. The foreground shows textured, striated rock surfaces, while the background features a turbulent, cloudy sky and a choppy sea.
Discover
Remarkable Rocks
Close-up of a vibrant blue mineral with dark veins and patches. The surface features intricate patterns and textures, resembling cracks and lines, giving it a dynamic and organic appearance.

Labradorite

Labradorite is the provincial mineral of Newfoundland and Labrador. When light interacts with this vibrant crystal, it reveals the stunning shades of colour hiding within. You can view a large specimen at the Johnson Geo Centre or find handcrafted jewellery in shops across the province.

A large, orange-red sandstone rock formation with a prominent vertical crack stands against a clear blue sky. The rugged cliff and sparse vegetation are visible in the background.

Peridotite

Peridotite is a type of rock that is found in Gros Morne National Park. It begins as a dark green colour when it’s hidden deep under the Earth. But the moment it reaches the surface, it becomes the rusty, red landscape that the Tablelands is known for.

Abstract image featuring a crystalline pattern with shades of green and turquoise. The surface has a translucent texture with angular shapes, adding a complex and vibrant visual effect.

Fluorite

Fluorite is the most colourful mineral in the world. That’s why it gets carved and polished to create vibrant gemstones that are sold in gift shops. Many industries also use it to create tools like non-stick pans and solar panels.

The View From Here

Two hikers with backpacks explore a grassy coastal landscape under a blue sky with scattered clouds. The ocean is calm, and a rocky hill rises in the background, creating a serene, adventurous scene.
Aerial view of a vast landscape featuring rugged, golden-brown cliffs and a deep blue lake in the foreground. The sky is partly cloudy, casting shadows over the terrain. The scene is expansive and dramatic.
A person in a red jacket stands on rocky cliffs overlooking the ocean. Waves crash against the rocks under a cloudy blue sky. A rugged coastline with cliffs is visible in the background.
A scenic view of a rocky coastline with steep cliffs covered in grass and shrubs. The ocean is calm, meeting the land under a partly cloudy sky. The horizon stretches far, creating a tranquil and expansive seascape.
A stunning landscape of towering, rugged mountains with rocky cliffs, surrounded by clear turquoise water under a bright blue sky with wispy clouds. Lush greenery spread across the shoreline completes the breathtaking scene.
Two people walk along a rugged, rocky landscape under a clear blue sky. The foreground features textured rock formations, while the background includes a distant view of a sloped hill.
Aerial view of a rocky coastline with waves crashing against the rocks. The sea appears turquoise, and the land is a mix of grass and stone. The shoreline forms a rugged, uneven edge between land and sea.
A red wooden house on stilts stands by the rocky coastline under a cloudy sky. Two people sit on the deck overlooking the ocean, with waves crashing against the distant rocks. A small lighthouse is visible on the rocky island in the background.
A person in a purple jacket sits on a rocky hilltop under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Surrounding them are colorful patches of vegetation, including yellow and red plants, with distant hills visible in the background.
Close-up of fossilized traces in a rock surface under cloudy skies. A person's legs are partially visible at the top of the slope, emphasizing the scale of the rocky terrain.

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