Definition
The Tablelands is a high, flat-topped plateau on the south side of Gros Morne National Park made almost entirely of peridotite — rock from the Earth's mantle, thrust up onto the continent rather than the ordinary crustal rock that makes up most visible land.
Why it matters
Mantle rock is almost never visible at the surface anywhere on Earth. Field mapping here in the 1960s–1980s helped establish the modern theory of plate tectonics, and it's the single biggest reason Gros Morne became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The rock's chemistry is also inhospitable to most plants, which is why the landscape looks barren compared to the forest around it.
Examples
The Tablelands interpretive trail near Woody Point (4–7.5 km return, easy) walks directly across this exposed mantle rock.
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Last updated: August 2, 2026 · Editorial team