Jezzine Cliff

Overview

Jezzine Cliff rises above the town of Jezzine, about 40 km south of Beirut and 22 km from Sidon, at an elevation of 950 m. Its limestone formations are known as the “Falaise de Blanche” and referred to locally as “Chalouf,” reaching roughly 74 m in height.

The region is rich in water. Two springs — Nabaa Jezzine and Nabaa Azzibe — feed waterfalls along their courses. Nabaa Jezzine is the most famous: its course ends at the town’s north cliff, forming the region’s largest waterfall and giving Jezzine its nickname Aarous lchellel, “the spouse of the waterfall.” As the water passes through the old core, mills, and centre of town before dropping over the cliff, it creates a beautiful riparian corridor. Surrounded by mountain peaks and pine forests, and lined with restaurants and cafés, the waterfall is one of Jezzine’s main attractions.

Geology and biodiversity

Shaped by the tectonic activity of the Yammouneh Fault, the cliff exposes pivotal boundary layers — mainly sandstone and clay formations known as the Grès de Base, from the Early Cretaceous (roughly 145–100 million years ago). Just below a stratum rich in lignite lies a layer of national importance known as the “Jezzinian” regional stage, named after the town itself.

This stratum is remarkable for its micropaleontological content and is currently the only known source of Lebanese amber containing biological inclusions. These layers once formed coastal and estuarine environments, preserving marine bivalves and echinoderms alongside lignite deposits and amber fragments. Around 20 m below this boundary, an extraordinary amber deposit holds numerous biological inclusions, including arthropods.

Why it matters

Jezzine Cliff ties together micropaleontology, fauna, and flora, collectively telling the geological and ecological history of the area. Protecting the cliff and its surroundings preserves the natural landscape, its microscopic treasures, and the diversity of life it sustains.

What we are doing

• Awareness sessions promoting conservation of the geosite.
• Working toward recognition and protection by national and local authorities, guarding against both rapid natural degradation and destructive human activity.
• Building geoheritage into a holistic approach for sustainable tourism, where carefully managed visits let people learn about the cliff’s geological features and the multi-layered “story” that spans from recent times to millions of years ago.