The Carpathian Mountains

The Carpathian Mountains, a range of mountains in central Europe. The area is forming for the greater part of their extent a natural boundary of Hungary, in the shape of a semicircular belt of nearly 800 miles in length, extending from Orsova on the Servian frontier, to Presburg. Its breadth is considerable, reaching a maximum of 240 to 250 miles, between the Banat and Transylvania.

The Carpathian Mountain chain may be divided into two great sections, the East and the West Carpathians, the former curving from the mouth of the Nera to the source of the Theiss, and forming the boundary between Austria and Romania. The latter proceeded from the sources of the Theiss and the Pruth, terminating on the banks of the Danube west of Presburg, and forming the boundary between Hungary and Galicia.

To the western Carpathians belongs the remarkable group of the Tatra, in which is situated the culminating summit of the whole system, the Gerlsdorf Peak, 8,737 feet. Several other peaks exceed 8,000 feet. The loftiest summit of the eastern Carpathians reaches an elevation of 8,318 feet. The most remarkable and frequented passes are those of Teregova, leading from Orsova to Temcswar; of Vulkar, forming the valley in which the Schyl flows; and of the Rothenthurm, in a gorge formed by the Aluta at the foot of Mount Szurul.

The outer bend of the Carpathians is much steeper than that which descends toward the valleys of Transylvania and Hungary. The only important rivers that actually rise in the chain are the Vistula, the Dniester, and the Theiss. The formation of the Carpathians took place mostly in the Tertiary period, and was practically completed at the end of the Miocene. The eastern part of the Carpathian chain, from Orsova to the source of the Burcza, near Kronstadt, is entirely composed of primitive rocks. These are succeeded by grauwacke, which extends to the sources of the Theiss and is only interrupted by a primitive group between the pass of Borgo and the source of the Viso.

A great chain of trachyte appears on the frontiers of the Bukowina and stretches to the point where the Aluta begins to flow southwest. To the west of this chain, on approaching the plains, an extensive tract of sandstone belonging to the coal formation begins to appear and covers the greater part of Transylvania. Tertiary formations surround the vast plains of Hungary, which consist of a rich alluvium, and must once have been the bed of a lake. Basalt frequently occurs, but no distinct traces of extinct volcanoes have been found.

The Carpathian Mountains range is rich in minerals, including gold, silver, quicksilver, copper, and iron. Salt occurs in beds, which have sometimes a thickness of 600 or 700 feet, and are apparently inexhaustible. On the plateaus corn and fruit are grown to the height of 1,500 feet; higher up the mountain steeps are covered with forests of pine, some of them as high as 5,500 feet. About 6,000 feet seems to be the vegetable limit. Above it, a few lichens may be found, but in general, nothing is seen but bare, steep rocks, many of them in the form of conical peaks.

The Eisriesenwelt "World of the Ice Giants"

The Eisriesenwelt is a natural limestone and ice cave located in Werfen, Austria, about 40 km south of Salzburg. The inside of cave the Hochkogel mountain in the Tennengebirge section of the Alps, formed during the later Tertiary period during the Würm glaciation period of the Pleistocene. The Tennengebirge Mountains were formed during the late Tertiary period; during the mountain range is one of largest karst plateau in the Salzburger Alps, and the Eisriesenwelt. The cave is visited by approximately 200,000 tourists every year; it is the largest ice cave in the world, stretching over 42 kilometers. Only very little area is permissible to view, however the rest of cave is not allowed which is formed of limestone. Eisriesenwelt Cave is flowed through the mountain eroding passageways nearly 100 million years ago, cracks and crevices in the limestone became more developed as water eroded the rocks away.

Actually, Salzach River formed Eisriesenwelt, eroded passageways into the mountain. The ice formations in the cave were formed by thawing snow which drained into the cave and froze during winter. The cave is open round the year, makes the chilly winter blow into the cave and freezes the snow inside. However, in summer season, a cold wind blows towards the entrance and prevents the formation from melting. In spring the water from melting snow seeps through the cracks in the rock and when it reaches the colder lower areas of the caves it freezes and turns slowly into the wonderful ice formations visible inside the caves.

A natural scientist Anton Posselt from Salzburg discovers the Eisriesenwelt in 1879. The stunning cave was famous only to locals, who have faith in that it was an entrance to Hell, refused to explore it. Today the Eisriesenwelt cave is owned by the National Austrian Forest Commission (de), which has leased it to the Salzburg Association of Cave Exploration since 1928. Moreover, in 1955 a cable car was built, shortening the 90-minute climb to 3 minutes. The cave is open from May 1 to October 26 every year. Temperatures inside the cave are usually below freezing, and warm clothing is recommended; however be in mind that photography is not allowable once visitors are inside the cave. The World of the Ice Giants is one of Salzburg’s top attractions.

Gruner See Park Turns into Lake in Summer

Grüner See, is also called “Green Lake”, is a strange lake in Styria, Austria, near the town of Tragoss, located at the foot of the snow-capped Hochschwab Mountains. In the winter season, green lake is only 1 to 2 meter deep and the surrounding area is available to use as a county park. But as the temperature begins rising in spring/summer, the ice and snow on the mountaintops starts to melt and runs down into the basin of land below. The green lake swells up to overwhelm the whole area including the park. Moreover in the summer season, the lake reaches its extreme depth of around 12 meter and is appealed to look the most majestic site at this time. The green lake supports a variety of fauna such as snails, water fleas, small crabs, fly larvae, and different species of trout. The whole year, visitors enjoy the majestic beauty of green lake, and can leisurely stroll around the picturesque lagoon, enjoying the fabulous landscape from one of the benches set near the water's edge.

Furthermore, the green lake gets its unique green coloring, and the name, from the grass and foliage beneath, and many thanks to the fresh snow melting the ice-cold water is crystal clear. Though, the lake temperature is rather cold at 4 to 8 °C, yet it’s an admired place among divers who can feel the essence of green meadows in the edge zone of the lake chiefly in June when the water is at its highest. The alpine grasses and flowers of the meadow are visible in full bloom under the water. Therefore, you can even see benches, a bridge and walking trails. It is a particular favorite place for hikers; they love to hike at here. Starting July, the lake starts to recede and by winter, the lake is back to its original size and the park is comeback once more to the hikers. Due to heavy load of tourist, that has occurred and expected damage of this sensitive environment, the all watersports activities have been prohibited since 1 January 2016. Swimming, boats and dogs will also be prohibited to limit the pollution of the lake. Hence, the below incredible images show a lake that floods every year, covering everything in the surrounding area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hallstatt, Austria