Geological Observatory

The outcrops visible on Mount San Vicino, Mount Conero, and the nearby Bottaccione Gorge in Gubbio are an extraordinary geological encyclopedia, unique in their kind, and have attracted generations of geologists and others from around the world to this area. The study of these rocks has led to a series of significant discoveries regarding major events that shaped Earth's history. In particular, the thin layer of clay present in the outcrops corresponding to the K/Pg boundary supports the theory that dinosaurs and other creatures became extinct during that period, following a global catastrophe caused by a meteorite collision with Earth. Iridium and other rare elements are evidence of this.

For over thirty years, the OGC, thanks to its ideal geographical location gracefully lodged among those geologically precious mountains, nicknamed "The Mountains of Saint Francis" by one of its founders, Walter Alvarez, has welcomed hundreds of students and researchers from various European and American universities and institutes, hosting annual courses. Above all, it has produced more than a hundred publications in scientific journals and dozens of other articles by numerous international authors who have benefited from the logistical support that OGC has provided during their fieldwork.