PGOM Pirineus Geological Open Museum

Very interesting, open-air geologic museum, large samples

It is an open-air geological museum that aims to bring to the public basic concepts about geology, with special attention to that of the Pyrenees, and about the evolution of the Earth and life.nAll in a simple and playful way but without losing the scientific rigor.nThe museum is structured in three areas: the Garden of the Rocks, the Avenue of Geological Times and the Lighthouse.nnThus, the Jardí de les Roques is located in the Parc del Barranc del Joncar and exhibits 13 representative blocks of rocks from the Pyrenees corresponding to specific geological periods, such as basalt columns, slate or various types of limestone. Each block has a lectern with its basic information.nnThis is the second existing Rock Garden in Catalonia. The first is located in the Alt Pirineu Natural Park, specifically in Rubió. Both complement each other, as the one in the Natural Park illustrates older periods, from the Cambrian to the Triassic, and the one inaugurated today in Tremp, more recentnnFor its part, Avinguda dels Temps Geològics has been set up on Passeig Pompeu Fabra and reproduces, using different colored pavements, the International Table of Geological Times.nnThis table is the frame of reference of the Earth Sciences in which the evolution of the planet is inscribed and explained. It combines a numerical scale to measure the age of the Earth in millions of years and a scale in relative units of time that allows to divide this age in eons, like the Archaean, or in periods, like the Cretaceous or the Jurassic, until nowadays. The Table is completed with a note of the main milestones of life on Earth in its corresponding period, such as the formation of the Moon, the disappearance of dinosaurs or the appearance of the first humans, among others. Altogether, it tells 4.6 billion years of history of our planet.nAn architectural representation of this table has been built on the pavement on Passeig Pompeu Fabra de Tremp, using stained concrete slabs of different colors, made specifically to identify the different periods, with the name of each one and the main landmarks engraved on them. .nnThe beginning of each period is marked with circular bronze plates. The luminaire embedded in the pavement locates the moments when the five most important extinctions of life on Earth occurred. Information stands help interested citizens to interpret the meaning of Geological Time Avenue.nnFinally, the lighthouse is a 6 meter high tower with night lighting, made of steel, with three gabions or lattice boxes filled with dry stone. It is located at the confluence of the Jardí de les Roques and Avinguda dels Temps Geològics, as a landmark that connects the two spaces.