Miguasha National Park
A protected area with Devonian fossils crucial to evolution.
Miguasha National Park, also known as Miguasha Provincial Park, is a protected area near Carleton-sur-Mer on the Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec, Canada. Created in 1985 by the Government of Quebec, it was designated a World Heritage Site in 1999 for its wealth of fossils that display a crucial time in the evolution of life on Earth. The site is also referred to as the Miguasha Fossil Site, the Bay of Escuminac Fossil Site, the Upper Devonian Escuminac Formation, and the Hugh-Miller Cliffs, and on fossil specimens as 'Scaumenac Bay' or 'Scaumenac Bay P.Q.'
Quick Facts
- Iucn Category
- III
- Location
- Nouvelle, Avignon Regional County Municipality, Quebec, Canada
- Nearest City
- Dalhousie, New Brunswick
- Area
- 87,3 ha
- Established
- 6 February 1985
- Governing Body
- SEPAQ
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The coastal cliffs of Miguasha are Upper Devonian strata of grey sedimentary rock belonging to the Escuminac Formation, composed of alternating layers of sandstone and shale, 350–375 million years old. The area today supports mainly birch, aspen, and fir forests. The park's museum features exhibits about the fossils and paleontology of the park, with a collection including over 9,000 specimens of fossil fish and plants.
Reader's Guide
Miguasha National Park is significant for its exceptional fossil record from the Upper Devonian period, a crucial time in the evolution of life on Earth. The site preserves rare and ancient species, including fish, fauna, and spore fossils. For example, Spermasporites is thought to be one of the oldest seed plant genera on Earth. The park's designation as a World Heritage Site in 1999 underscores its global importance for paleontology. The museum's collection of over 9,000 specimens provides a valuable resource for scientific study and public education. The park's legacy lies in its contribution to understanding the transition of life from water to land, as evidenced by the diverse fossil assemblage found in the Escuminac Formation.
Did You Know?
- Miguasha was created in 1985 by the Government of Quebec and designated a World Heritage Site in 1999.
- The park's museum collection includes over 9,000 specimens of fossil fish and plants.
- The coastal cliffs are Upper Devonian strata of grey sedimentary rock, 350–375 million years old.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Miguasha National Park?
Miguasha National Park is a protected area on Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula that safeguards an extraordinary assemblage of Upper Devonian fossils. It was created by the Quebec government in 1985 and earned its World Heritage Site designation in 1999.
Where is Miguasha National Park located?
The park sits near Carleton-sur-Mer on the Gaspé Peninsula in eastern Quebec, Canada. It goes by several other names, including the Miguasha Fossil Site, the Bay of Escuminac Fossil Site, and the Hugh-Miller Cliffs.
Why was Miguasha National Park designated a World Heritage Site?
UNESCO recognized the site in 1999 because its fossil beds document a pivotal chapter in the evolution of life on Earth. The Escuminac Formation preserves over 9,000 specimens of fish and plants dating back 350 to 375 million years.
What kind of fossils can you find at Miguasha National Park?
The park's cliffs yield more than 9,000 museum specimens of fossil fish and plants from the Upper Devonian period. These fossils come from the Escuminac Formation and span roughly 350 to 375 million years of geological history.
When was Miguasha National Park established and how did it become a World Heritage Site?
The Quebec government created the park in 1985 to protect its fossil-rich coastline. Fourteen years later, in 1999, UNESCO granted it World Heritage Site recognition for its irreplaceable record of early vertebrate evolution.
More in World Heritage Sites in Canada 1-24
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