The Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage site: a review of recent research

Recent research at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site has significantly advanced understanding of the Late Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian) period, a critical interval for coal formation. The site's exceptional preservation of biota in their environmental context offers unique insights into this era. Post-1950 studies have focused on general geology, paleobiology, and paleoecology, revealing microevolutionary patterns and refining the taxonomy of flora and trace fossils. Despite these advancements, key questions remain, particularly regarding the uppermost formations (Springhill Mines and Ragged Reef), paleosols, and floral ichnofossils. The site continues to be a fertile ground for discovery, with ongoing interest in addressing unresolved issues.

Grey, M., & Finkel, Z. V. (2011). The Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage site: a review of recent research. Atlantic Geology, 47, 185–200. https://doi.org/10.4138/atlgeol.2011.009