World Heritage Identification Number: 419
World Heritage since: 1987
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Protected Areas & National Parks
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇨🇦 Canada
Continent: Americas
UNESCO World Region: Europe and North America
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Exploring the Geological Marvel: Gros Morne National Park
Gros Morne National Park, a 1,805 km² expanse situated on the west coast of Newfoundland, Canada, stands as a testament to the intriguing process of continental drift. Established in 1977 and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, this park offers a unique opportunity to witness the exposure of deep ocean crust and the rocks from the Earth's mantle.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Situated on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland, the park provides a rare example of the process of continental drift, where deep ocean crust and the rocks of the earth's mantle lie exposed. More recent glacial action has resulted in some spectacular scenery, with coastal lowland, alpine plateau, fjords, glacial valleys, sheer cliffs, waterfalls and many pristine lakes.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (vii): Gros Morne National Park, an outstanding wilderness environment of spectacular landlocked, freshwater fjords and glacier-scoured headlands in an ocean setting, is an area of exceptional natural beauty.
Criterion (viii): The rocks of Gros Morne National Park collectively present an internationally significant illustration of the process of continental drift along the eastern coast of North America and contribute greatly to the body of knowledge and understanding of plate tectonics and the geological evolution of ancient mountain belts. In glacier-scoured highlands and spectacular fjords, glaciation has made visible the park’s many geological features.
Encyclopedia Record: Gros Morne National Park
Gros Morne National Park is a Canadian national park and World Heritage Site located on the west coast of Newfoundland. At 1,805 km2 (697 sq mi), it is the second largest national park in Atlantic Canada after Torngat Mountains National Park, which has an area of 9,700 km2 (3,700 sq mi).Additional Site Details
Area: 180,500 hectares
Number of Components: 1
(viii) — Outstanding example representing major earth stages
Coordinates: 49.6125 , -57.53138889
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Gros Morne National Park reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
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© Adavyd, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
