On October 4th, during the theatrical festival “Forest Spells” in Žemaitija National Park, while celebrating the International Geodiversity Day, together with like-minded people we embarked on an educational journey through the secrets of the earth.
We introduced children and adults to the natural diversity of the earth and talked about rocks, soils, landforms, minerals, and the processes that shape our planet.
We didn’t just observe geology – we had the chance to “get hands-on” with it. Here’s what we discovered:
- We learned about fossils – how traces of ancient life have been preserved in rocks and what they can tell us about the world millions of years ago.
- We explored water pH – how the “mood” of water (acidic or alkaline) affects humans, animals, and plants.
- Microscope – an invisible world opened up: grains of sand, crystals, and minerals that geologists study every day.
- We saw a miniature earth cross-section in the layer box – rocks, clay, sand, black soil, and grass – like a real multi-layered “earth cake.”
- We heard the story of Lake Plateliai – how, as glaciers melted, this deep and mysterious lake with its islands, legends, and even ancient ship remains was formed.
- We explored the burbot from the depths of Lake Plateliai – we got to know the life of this nocturnal predator and its “home” on the bottom of the lake.
All these activities showed that geology connects everything – from a piece of rock to a fish’s habitat, from underground water to mountain peaks. It helps us read the history of the earth and understand how every layer, every grain of sand, and every drop of water tells its own story.
This event was dedicated to presenting the activities of the “Geosites” project and reminding us that geology is not only a science but also an everyday experience we can all feel ourselves.
By celebrating International Geodiversity Day – a global event that highlights the value of rocks, soils, landscapes, and the processes that shape our planet – we were reminded that our planet is the greatest book in the world — we just need to open its pages!
