Geodiversity

Geodiversity or geological diversity is the diversity of minerals, rocks (whether 'solid' or 'drift'), fossils, soils, land forms and geological processes that constitute the topography, landscape and the underlying structure of the Earth.

This term can be applied to any particular region, county or country. The degree of geodiversity depends upon the range of geological and paleontological features relative to the region or area discussed. A relatively higher (richer) geodiversity occurs in areas which are characterised by the presence of many different geological structures, especially if these belong to differing geological eras (such as occur in the British Isles). A relatively lower diversity occurs in areas which are characterised by large tracts of similar geological structures, for example the Earth's deserts.