Joggins Fossil Cliffs and Centre

Joggins is a tiny, rural community on the west shore of Chignecto Bay in the Bay of Fundy. This old Nova Scotia mining village would be unremarkable were it not for the cliffs exposed along the bay’s shoreline. These cliffs reveal the most complete geological record of the Carboniferous period, also known as the coal age. Joggins Fossil Cliffs and Centre protects and educates the public on this palaeontological treasure.

The Carboniferous period lasted from 359 million years ago to 299 million years ago. It predated the reign of dinosaurs by 100 million years and is noted for the extensive coal formations that developed across the globe during this time. It also marks the rise of the first reptiles and large plants such as scale trees as well as the creation of supercontinent Pangaea.

The preserved rock record at Joggins is so special that a 15 km stretch of cliffs have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Joggins Fossil Cliffs and Centre teaches and displays much regarding these remarkable cliffs. There are terrific fossils on display. You can also walk the beach to see similar examples in situ. 300 million year old trees frozen in time exactly where they grew.

We visited Joggins Fossil Cliffs and Centre a decade ago and it is well worth the effort to get there. Located an hour southeast of Moncton, NB and a half-hour south of Amherst, NS, it’s in a beautiful, quaint part of Nova Scotia. And you can catch the Fundy tides while you’re at it. Couple this with a visit to Fundy Geological Museum in Parrsboro for a wonderful earth science adventure.