Meride Limestone Formation

Photographer: Andrea Rapposelli
Summary Authors: Andrea Rapposelli, Stu Witmer

Seen above are three pictures taken from the Val Mara visitor platform looking into the gorge of the Gaggiolo River. The rocks here, are from the Middle Triassic (245 -228 million years ago) and are primarily from the Meride Limestone formation. The 65 foot (20 m) high wall has been laid down over the course of about 60,000 years. Each one meter of rock corresponds approximately to 3,000 years. These rocks have been studied since the 1930s yielding a variety of species including more than 20 reptiles, 50 fish, over 100 invertebrates and a variety of plants, mostly conifers. Today Monte San Giorgio is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Photos taken September 27, 2020.

• Terrazza della Val Mara, Switzerland Coordinates: 45.89204, 8.94572
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