Celebrating Everything that Makes and Shapes the Earth: UNESCO International Geodiversity Day

Attend Victoria’s International Geodiversity Day event Saturday, October 5th, free and family-friendly!

To celebrate UNESCO International Geodiversity Day, geologists, seismologists, cavers and other experts invite everyone to the Royal BC Museum lobby to learn about the natural portion of the planet above and below ground, 10am– 3pm, Saturday, October 5th, 2024.

Meet multiple groups that work on, play in or research the Earth we live on. Hands-on activities for children include beach pebble identification and a fossilization run-around. Expert presentations on the half hour.

Learn about what’s going on under the ocean at the marine geology table. Meet seismologists who can tell you about earthquakes, natural hazards and the just-launched earthquake early warning system.

Geodiversity is the Earth’s minerals, rocks, fossils, soils, sediments, landforms, topography and hydrological features such as rivers and lakes.

Future geoscientists, are you wondering about a unique science career with the federal government? Meet seismologists, natural hazard modelers and marine geologists that work in the labs of Natural Resources Canada in Sidney.

Rocks can’t keep their secrets anymore! Dr. Rock, Tark Hamilton, will identify and age date any rocks, so bring your own mystery rocks and fossils.

Most people in Greater Victoria are not aware of how dependent we are on geodiversity as a society. Visit the Geodiversity Day event at the RBCM to get a better understanding of the Earth’s dynamic processes so citizens can make informed policy choices to foster a more sustainable society.

Geodiversity is everywhere and affects everything.

Groups attending include:

Geological Survey of Canada and Canadian Hazard Information Service of Natural Resources Canada

British Columbia Geological Survey

Royal British Columbia Museum

University of Victoria Centre of Earth and Ocean Sciences

University of Victoria Department of Geography

Ocean Networks Canada

Victoria Lapidary and Mineral Society

BC Speleological Federation

Victoria Paleontological Society

Dino Lab