SITES OF BULGARIA
NATURE PHENOMENONS
The
Stone Forest – 18 km to the west of Varna city you will
see the remarkable nature area – Standing stones. Stone columns
rise up to 5 – 6 meters, and they reach from 0,5 to 2,5 m in thickness.
They
consist of chalky sandstone, containing numerous fossils – nummulite,
clams, small snails. Sands and scarce vegetation render a desert
view to the surrounding area. Scientists believe they have been
the result of the works of the sea and wind. The most popular
and accepted hypotesis is that 50 million years ago Southeastern
Europe was the bottom of a sea – Lyutesko sea. In the course of
time three layers have deposited on the sea bottom.
The
lowest one consisted of grey-yellow strata, brought by the rivers,
running into the shallow seaside waters. The second thick layer
was quartz sand. The upper most layer was formed by lime and was
rich in various fossils.Some millions of years after that the
water withdrew. Under the influence of the athmosphere conditions
the upper most layer slowly began to collapse. The rain waters,
that went through it were saturated with lime. That limy waters
welded together the quartz sands of the lower layer and formed
sound stone columns. This process was similar to the way stalactites
in caves were formed.
