Are these the best geological sites in the UK?

UK's best geological sites named by public

Members of the public have chosen the 10 geological sites they feel have done the most to shape the landscape and cultural heritage of the United Kingdom.

Stonehenge, Glencoe and Staffa in the Inner Hebrides are among the "geosites" chosen by the Geological Society of London to be celebrated as part of Earth Science Week, which begins today.

Divided into ten categories including landscapes, human habitations and sites of scientific importance, the list also features educational sites such as Scarborough's Rotunda Museum and the mountainous
wilderness of Assynt in the Scottish Highlands. Words: PA

These 10 "people's favourites" were chosen by 1,200 members of the public from a list of 100 geosites across the United Kingdom and Ireland handpicked by the society.

A geosite is anything that highlights the importance of geology to human civilisation - a beautiful landscape, an engineered site, a museum, historical site or structure featuring striking building stones.

As well as outcrops and landscapes, the full list of 100 identifies famous stone buildings such as Westminster Abbey and Durham Cathedral and feats of engineering including the Channel Tunnel, Bath Spa and Geevor Tin Mine.

Professor Rob Butler, who chairs the Geological Society's geoconservation committee, said: "The list highlights the huge range of incredible geology the UK and Ireland have to offer.

"From the Outer Hebrides to Cornwall, from rocks showing how the crust formed billions of years ago to young sediments pushed around by ice sheets a few thousand years ago, we are unique in having such a diverse geological heritage over a relatively small area."

Earth Science Week, which was founded in 2011, aims to make members of the public more aware of the word around them.

Professor Butler added: "Thousands of people have been inspired to find out more about Earth science from first encounters in front of geological landscapes or a museum. Earth Science Week and the 100 Great Geosites are designed to encourage even more of the general public to get involved and enjoy some of the geology that surrounds us all."

The final list of 100 was selected from over 400 nominations, the majority of which were submitted via social media, using the #100geosites hashtag.

An interactive map has been created to show the top 100 sites and winners of the public vote, and to help the public visit their nearest site.

See the full list of the people's favourite geosites in the gallery below - do you agree with these? Let us know!