Lava came first; the river revealed the layers
UNESCO describes a late Quaternary basaltic plateau, deep river gorges, basalt cliffs, and columnar joints among the area’s characteristic features. The visible landscape records both volcanic activity and later erosion.
Why columnar joints look like stone pillars
As hot lava cools and contracts, fractures can divide the rock into polygonal columns. Their form varies with lava thickness, cooling conditions, and later erosion.
A geopark connects geology with communities
A UNESCO Global Geopark is not only about preserving rocks. Education, geotourism, local history, safety, and sustainable regional development are part of understanding and managing the landscape.