The geology of the Taygetos mountains

INTRODUCTION

Greece registers the highest level of seismic activity in Europe and is an area where the geology is young and dynamic. Earthquakes are frequent and have shaped the course of Greek civilization and culture. Titanic and subterranean forces have shaped some fascinating and unique geological features, carving out rugged mountain ranges and rugged, undulating valleys.

THE FORMATION OF GREECE AND THE PELOPONNESE

200 million years ago, the area that would become Greece lay under the Tethys Ocean, sandwiched between the ancient supercontinents of Pangea and Laurasia. During the Triassic and Cretaceous periods, calciferous marine organisms died and sank to the bottom of the sea, gradually forming thick sedimentary deposits of dolomite and limestone.

As these two supercontinents rotated toward each other, the entire ocean of Tethys was subjected to slow, irresistible pressure. The enormous stresses caused by this gradual compression deformed the earth’s crust and led to constant uplifting and buckling of sedimentary rocks. The intense heat and pressure transformed the original limestone and sandstone into marble and quartzite, respectively.

This huge area of ​​elevation extends from the Alps to the mountains of Iran, all of them, geologically speaking, very young mountain ranges. The boundary regions of these tectonic plates are complex and changing; Greece occupies the slowly stretching Hellenic plate in a northeast/southwest direction. This microplate straddles the descending African plate to the southeast and the Turkish plate to the east.

The underlying geology is extremely complex, and the expanding Hellenic Plate has created a series of horsts and grabens. These form the backbone of the area, giving rise to jagged mountains and steep valleys. The constant kneading and squeezing of bedrock has caused high levels of tectonic and volcanic activity in the area, influencing the underlying fabric of Greek culture and history.

For example, the c1644 BC volcanic explosion at Thera (Santorini) destroyed the cultured Minoan civilization on Crete. Ancient Sparta was razed to the ground in 464, and the consequences of this destruction led to the First Peloponnesian War against Athens. More recently, Kalamata was heavily damaged in 1986, necessitating a complete rebuilding of the city.

THE FORMATION AND GEOLOGY OF THE TAYGETOS MOUNTAINS

The complex uplift of the entire eastern Mediterranean formed the inspiring mountains of the Peloponnese, and the area is crisscrossed by a complex network of interconnected fault lines. The gradual deformation of the Hellenic plate has created many localized faults within the peninsula, which constantly slide and shear. The Taygetos and Parnonas mountains are great horsts, with deep trenches on both sides. Thus, the mighty Taygetos mountain range is sandwiched by two faults, causing the large tremors that frequent the area.

ROCK FORMATIONS IN TAYGETOS

Due to its turbulent geological history, the Taygetos Mountains possess some interesting rock formations, consisting mainly of limestone and dolomite, formed when the area was under the Tethys Ocean. Quartz veins are embedded within this matrix, and many quartz-based crystals are found in the area, including citrine and amethyst.

The Parnonas Mountains, across the Evrotas Valley, contain Lapis Lacedaemonium, a rare type of serpentine porphyry found only around the town of Krokees. This semi-precious stone was one of the main exports of ancient Sparta, and the Romans mined it extensively, using it to adorn their villas and public buildings.

THE CAVERNS OF DIROS

The Diros Caverns, near Areopolis, are one of the longest cave systems in Greece and are popular with casual tourists and cavers alike. This hidden gem is ranked as the third most important cave system in the world. The cave system itself was known in ancient times and was referred to as an entrance to the underworld.

The sheer extent and scale of the caves was first discovered by I. Petrocheilos and his wife, Anna, in 1949. 1971 saw the beginning of a systematic process of mapping and cave diving, and this research is still ongoing. The explored length of the network is 6.2 km, but a large amount remains to be discovered. Scientists believe that the entire Peloponnese peninsula is filled with a huge network of interconnected caves.

The Diros Caves are extremely beautiful and contain many interesting rock formations and a series of impressive caverns. The Glyfada River runs through the calcium carbonate rocks, carving out a multitude of channels and carving cathedral-like caverns. The constant infiltration of rainwater, when the river level was lower, created many beautiful and interesting formations of stalagmites and stalactites.

MOUNT TAYGETOS

It is impossible to visit the region of Taygetos without looking at the pyramidal mount Taygetos. The mountain actually consists of five peaks, known locally as Pentedaktylos (Five Fingers), with the highest, Prophet Ilias, rising to 2,410 meters. The mountain is an imposing sight and looms ominously over the city of Sparta.

Taygetos was the site where ancient Sparta executed criminals, cruelly casting transgressors to their deaths. Sometimes the peak shines in the sun, other times a blanket of clouds caresses the summit. Throughout the winter, it is covered in a layer of pure white snow, and the pyramid stands out clearly against the crisp blue sky.