200 million years ago, Haute-Provence was covered by a huge ocean named Thetys, inhabited by ammonites, polyparies and sea urchins.
For many millions of years, sediments from the land bordering this ocean were deposited on the sea beds in successive layers. Then, 80 to 85 million years ago these layers were pushed up above the waters, and new life forms appeared, in particular dinosaurs.
A few million years later, the sea returned. Then in the Tertiary period our region emerged with the birth of the Alps. The layers of rock were pushed upwards, and sometimes folded vertically. In the Quaternary period, glaciers covered the North of the "département" and gigantic rivers carved out the valleys. Finally, only 10,000 years ago, the climate became warmer and Haute-Provence took on its present appearance.
Today the terrain is composed of a series of geological layers from different periods. Some layers contain fossilised animals : ammonites, bachyteriums, sirenians, ichthyosaurs, etc.
By studying these layers it is possible to reconstitute the history of the region since its origin, and also understand today's landscapes. This is the daily task of the team of specialists at the Haute-Provence Geological Reserve.

Réserve Naturelle Géologique de Haute-Provence
Email : contact@resgeol04.org
Web : http://www.resgeol04.org