UNESCO Global GeoPark Ries


The Ries Geopark focuses on the Nördlinger Ries meteorite crater and encompasses the impact crater, the Ries rim and the areas where ejecta is still preserved today. The so-called Ries event was the impact of a meteorite or asteroid 14.5 million years ago. This led to the destruction of the upper rock layers, which were vaporised by the high energy, and compressed the layers below, which rebounded after the impact. This formed a rock consisting of partially melted and crumbled rock, known as suevite. Material was ejected at the edge and formed a crater rim. In addition, thrust faults occurred at the rim, pushing older rock over younger rock.

The central point of contact is the Rieskratermuseum (Ries Crater Museum) in Nördlingen, which is definitely worth a visit. Here you can also obtain information material about the GeoPark and the various geotopes. One of these is actually a group of two caves, which is why we have included this GeoPark in our list. However, the GeoPark itself has no connection to caves, the only link is that the meteorite struck a karst area.