Trollfjell Geopark

Trollfjell Geopark along the coast in Mid-Norway, covers an area of 10,082 km2. Approx. 70 % is sea and 30 % land. The area as a whole has more than 12,000 islands. In the center of it all, you’ll find the famous mountain with a hole in it; Torghatten.

THE STORY OF EARTH’S EVOLUTION

Geology is concerned with the formation of planet Earth, of former oceans, drifting continents and the creation and erosion of mountain ranges. In Trollfjell Geopark, geological features reveal exciting events in the geological history of the region. The bedrock displays evidence of an ocean that existed about 600-­400 million years ago – the Iapetus Ocean. We can see how it first expanded and then shrank until the continents on either side collided creating a huge mountain range, which in turn was worn down by erosion. The Quaternary geology tells us about ice ages, the movement of glaciers and how the land formerly weighed down by ice is rising from the sea.

The bedrock diversity in Trollfjell Geopark is the basis for biological diversity. Some bedrock is poor in nutrients, resulting in barren mountains, whereas in other areas the bedrock forms nutrient-rich soils that support lush vegetation. Calcareous bedrock results in karst and caves.

On the island Leka, you can – in broad daylight – witness the ocean bottom created 500 million years ago when America ‘crashed’ with Europe.

Much to see

Torghatten, the most famous mountain in the park, has a whole through it. It has been dug out by water and ice in the softer parts of the mountain over the years. The whole is 160 meters long, 35 meters high and 20 meters wide.

The Vega islands are also part of the park, and Vega is unique enough to have its own UNESCO listing! The listing of Vega is a tribute to generations of farmer’s and fisherman’s sustainable way of living a. And also to the women which were tending and collecting eider down and eggs while the men went to sea.

The park consists of 46 different locations that all tell its part of the earth’s evolution. The bedrock diversity in Trollfjell Geopark is the basis for biological diversity.

Check out Trollfjell Geopark’s website for detailed information.