Have you heard of Jutulhogget? It is not the most famous tourist destination in Norway. But maybe it will be? For now, the deep gorge has ended up on an exclusive world list. As one of the first 100 places in the world, Jutulhogget is on the list of geological landmarks with great importance for understanding the earth’s history. ON THE WORLD’S EXCLUSIVE LIST: To be selected as a landmark that can represent the world’s geological heritage by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), it must, among other things, be scientifically recognized internationally. Jutulhogget met the requirements, NGU reports. Photo: Bjørn Opsahl / news 2.4 kilometers long – It is first and foremost nice to have it on the list – that Norway is represented, says researcher Fredrik Høgaas at the Geological Survey of Norway (NGU). He has, together with research colleague Tom Heldal, worked on the nomination and the scientific justification for the Jutulhogget to end up on the geological world list. – This is very pleasant. From the Norwegian side, we proposed to include both Norway’s geological national monument Leka on the coast of Trøndelag and Jutulhogget in this list of our shared geological heritage, says NGU researcher Tom Heldal. More than 200 experts from nearly 40 nations and ten international organizations proposed relevant geosites. 181 sites from 56 countries were evaluated by 33 international experts. The first 100 have now been selected. JUTULHOGGET: Here news’s Kari Toft visits the Jutulhogget in 2011. Photo: Jørn Nordli / news The Jutulhogget is 2.4 kilometers long and 140 meters deep, and thus one of Northern Europe’s longest gorges. The Geological Survey of Norway reports that Jutulhogget is in good company on the exclusive list. Among other things, we find some of the best fossil remains of dinosaurs from Canada and the first evidence of early development of human ancestors from Tanzania. The marine rocks at the top of Mount Everest are also on the list. GRAND CANYON: Iconic places such as the Grand Canyon in the USA, the Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina, the Santorini caldera in Greece, the Sugarloaf Mountain in Brazil and the Uluru sandstone formation in Australia are also on the list. Photo: WikipediaCommons/ Caaz Hope the award draws tourists Jutulhogget’s formation arose right after the last ice age, approximately 10,400 years ago. – There were enormous amounts of water that drained over from Østerdalen and towards Tylldalen, which managed to burrow into the rock and create the huge geological monument that stands there today, says Høgaas. He hopes the award can be used to attract more tourists to Jutulhogget. – We also hope that a little more will be arranged. There are more spectacular vantage points if you walk along the fell, he says. ON THE LIST: The Uluru mountain in Australia – also known as Ayers Rock or simply The Rock, is on the list together with Jutulhogget in the North Østerdalen. Photo: Flickr/ Peter Nijenhuis Mayor of Alvdal Mona Murud is proud. She supports the proposal to Høgaas to provide more facilities for tourists to Jutulhogget. – Absolutely. Jutulhogget is a fantastic attraction that as many people as possible should see. Then we get a job together with Rendalen municipality to make arrangements so that natural diversity is destroyed, she says. STOLT: – I think it’s very exciting – and very deserved. Jutulhogget is a cool and educational place to visit. Photo: Stein S Eide / news The “first 100” geological attractions in the world are collected in an anniversary book, which will be presented during the IUGS’ celebration in Zumaia in northern Spain from 25 to 28 October. The backdrop for the award is the 60th anniversary of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).
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