To celebrate the first UNESCO’s International Geodiversity Day on 6th October, CIE students joined an online geodiversity seminar and a local geotour organised by the Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong (AGHK).

During the “Celebrating the first UNESCO International Geodiversity Day” online seminar, students learnt more about the meaning and importance of geodiversity from Professor Murray Gray from the School of Geography, Queen Mary University of London, UK and Mr. Alvin Ng from the Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFCD), HKSAR Government. Prof. Murray Gray shared that geodiversity was the variety of earth materials, forms and processes that constituted and shaped the Earth, and was essential to our biodiversity and human well-being. Mr. Alvin Ng introduced the rich geodiversity and geological features in the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, which was made up of eight geo-areas distributed across the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region and Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region.

CIE joins hand with the Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong to celebrate the first UNESCO International Geodiversity Day through an online seminar to discuss the importance of geodiversity and geoheritage.

To further enhance students’ learning experience, students from Geography and Resources Management (GRMG) Concentration Studies joined an exciting geotour organised by AGHK and sponsored by AFCD to visit Lai Chi Chong, one of the major local geosites. Led by experienced geopark guides from AGHK, students learnt about the geological formation of Tolo Channel in Northeast new Territories and observed the 400 million years old rocks at Wong Chung Kok Tsui. Furthermore, they visited Lai Chi Chong geosite and were fascinated by the late Jurassic volcanic sedimentary rocks, sedimentary rocks, the graded and rhythmic bedding structure and the spectacular fold which were formed by different geological processes in different geological periods.

GRMG students visited Lai Chi Chong geosite to see the tuff, volcaniclastic sedimentary rock, sedimentary rock as well as a large fold which were formed under the impact of various geological processes over the ages.

Dr. Karen Woo, Academic Coordinator of GRMG Concentration studies said, “These educational activities help CIE students understand the importance of geodiversity and explore the local earth history. Students are inspired and willing to take more efforts to communicate with others on this increasingly important geoconservation topic.”