Indonesia sits at the heart of the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most geologically active zones on Earth. This position has shaped the country’s dramatic landscapes, from towering volcanoes and super-calderas to ancient karst systems and fossil-rich river valleys.
To protect and manage this extraordinary heritage, Indonesia has embraced the geopark concept, an integrated approach that combines geological conservation, education, local culture, and sustainable economic development.
A geopark is not simply a protected natural area. Under the framework of UNESCO Global Geoparks, it represents a living landscape where geology, biodiversity, and human history are managed together for long-term sustainability. As of 2025, Indonesia has 12 UNESCO Global Geoparks, placing the country among the world’s leaders in geological heritage conservation.
From Volcanoes to Karst Towers: Indonesia’s Geopark Diversity
Indonesia’s geoparks reflect the immense geological variety created by tectonic collisions, volcanic activity, and ancient oceans. Batur Geopark in Bali, Indonesia’s first UNESCO Global Geopark, showcases the living legacy of Mount Batur, an active volcano whose eruptions have shaped both the landscape and local livelihoods. Lava fields, calderas, and volcanic rocks define the area, making it a textbook example of volcanism in Southeast Asia.
On Java, Mount Sewu Geopark stretches across Gunungkidul, Wonogiri, and Pacitan, forming one of the largest tropical karst landscapes in the region. Its cone-shaped limestone hills, underground rivers, and caves also preserve archaeological traces of early human life, linking geology with deep cultural history.
Further east, Mount Rinjani Geopark in Lombok combines dramatic volcanic terrain with exceptional biodiversity. The Rinjani caldera, crater lake, and surrounding forests host endemic species, illustrating how geological processes directly influence ecological richness.
Supervolcanoes, Blue Fire, and Ancient Fossils
Few places on Earth rival the scale of Lake Toba Geopark in North Sumatra. Formed by a massive supervolcanic eruption tens of thousands of years ago, Lake Toba is not only a geological wonder but also a cultural heartland for Batak communities. Its recognition highlights how catastrophic geological events can later become foundations for human civilization and tourism.
In East Java, Ijen Geopark is globally known for its rare blue fire phenomenon and the world’s most acidic crater lake. The geopark also reflects the close interaction between humans and extreme geology, as sulfur mining and volcanic activity coexist within the same landscape.
Indonesia’s geological story is not limited to volcanoes. Merangin Geopark in Jambi preserves fossilized plant remains dating back more than 290 million years to the Early Permian period. These fossils provide rare insights into ancient ecosystems and place Indonesia on the global map of paleobotanical research.
Karst, Oceans, and the Edge of the Continents
In eastern Indonesia, geology meets the sea in spectacular ways. Raja Ampat Geopark in Southwest Papua, often called “the Emerald Karst of the Equator,” combines limestone islands rising from turquoise waters with one of the richest marine ecosystems on Earth. Its geopark status reinforces the idea that geological heritage extends beyond land into the oceans.
Sulawesi’s Maros Pangkep Geopark, recognized in 2023, contains one of the world’s largest karst areas, second only to South China. Towering limestone formations and prehistoric caves with ancient rock art underline the region’s global scientific and cultural value.
On Java, Kebumen Geopark protects some of the island’s oldest rock formations, dating back more than 120 million years. Meanwhile, Meratus Geopark in South Kalimantan preserves ophiolite rocks formed by ancient oceanic crust pushed upward during continental collisions, offering a rare window into Earth’s deep tectonic history.
Why Indonesia’s Geoparks Matter Globally
Indonesia’s 12 UNESCO Global Geoparks are more than a national achievement. They position the country as a living laboratory for understanding Earth processes, climate history, and human adaptation.
By integrating conservation with education and community-based tourism, geoparks help ensure that geological heritage delivers long-term benefits without being exploited or degraded.
As global interest in sustainable travel and environmental education grows, Indonesia’s geoparks stand as proof that geological richness can become a strategic asset. From the Ring of Fire to ancient seabeds lifted into mountains, Indonesia’s landscapes tell stories that matter not only to Southeast Asia, but to the world.
