Magma Geopark

Magma Geopark, which joined the European Geoparks Network and the Global Network of National Geoparks in 2010, was the second geopark designated in Norway. It spreads across the municipalities of Eigersund, Bjerkreim, Lund and Sokndal in Rogaland and Flekkefjord further east, and its area is given as 2,329 km² (899 sq mi), based on the largest layered intrusion and anorthosite field in Europe, or about 3,000 km² (1,160 sq mi) including several islands. Anorthosite, the main rock of the park, is more common on the Moon than on the surface of the Earth, which is why the geopark's advertising often shows an explorer in a space suit; it formed about 930 million years ago, some 20 km (12 mi) below the surface, in the roots of the Sveconorwegian mountains, and glaciers later shaped the landscape seen today. Within the park are the Eigerøy Lighthouse, Norway's first cast-iron lighthouse, two houses of the Helleren farm on the Jøssingfjord and old mines for ilmenite at Blåfjell, molybdenum at Gursli and tungsten at Ørsdalen, and its routes are used for hiking, cycling, climbing and kayaking.

Background

Magma Geopark in south-western Norway, which joined the European and Global Geoparks Networks in 2010, was the second geopark named in the country. It spans the municipalities of Eigersund, Bjerkreim, Flekkefjord, Lund and Sokndal, with its headquarters in Egersund, and rests on Europe's largest anorthosite field and layered intrusion. Anorthosite, more common on the Moon than on the surface of the Earth, formed here some 930 million years ago about 20 km down, and glaciers later shaped the landscape. Its sights include the Eigerøy Lighthouse, the first cast-iron lighthouse in Norway, and several old mines.

Source: Wikipedia, "Magma Geopark"

What's there

• The anorthosite - the main rock of the park, formed some 930 million years ago and laid bare and shaped by glaciers.
• The Eigerøy Lighthouse - Norway's first cast-iron lighthouse, on Midbrødøya just west of Eigerøya.
• The old mines - Blåfjell for ilmenite, Gursli for molybdenum and Ørsdalen for tungsten.
• The outdoor routes - for hiking, cycling, climbing and kayaking.

When to go

Besides its geology, the park takes in sites of Norway's national heritage, from archaeological finds such as Viking graves to old buildings and industrial monuments like its former mines.

What to expect

This is a large area across five municipalities rather than a single site, covering some 2,329 km² by its geology and about 3,000 km² with its islands.

Nearby

From Egersund, the geopark's headquarters, the Eigerøy Lighthouse is about 8 km west-south-west, the Jøssingfjord about 25 km south-east and Flekkefjord about 42 km east-south-east, while Stavanger, linked to Egersund by hourly trains on the Jæren Line, is about 60 km north-north-west, all in a straight line.

Key facts