vineri, 16 august 2013

Journey into the Heart of Buzău County, Romania (Part IV - Last Part)

       With small steps, we are approaching to the end of our journey into the heart of Buzau Land. Today we will focus on two extraordinary phenomena, almost unique in Europe - The Mud Volcanoes (which is a geological and botanical reserve) and the Living Fire (which is a geological reserve).

         The Mud Volcanoes


         The Mud Volcanoes, a beautiful geological and botanical reserve, are shared by municipalities of Scortoasa (Pâclele Mari) and Berca (Pâclele Mici). The etymology of the word "Pâcle" (Mist) comes from an old legend of the area, from the name of a gentleman named Pâcleanu, which laid the foundation of the village with the same name. "Pâcle", in the popular sense, means "dimple filled with mud." Mud volcanoes are also called by locals "Boilings" due to the fact that they flicker and boil continuously. In the village of Beciu there are also found another type of volcanoes, water volcanoes  that are filled with salt water. Legend says that everything is thrown into these volcanoes, sooner or later comes up to the surface.

         Mud Volcanoes are actually a phenomenon almost unique in Europe.The  reserve has an area of ​​approximately 15 ha (Pâclele Mari) and 10 ha (Pâclele Mici) and it's also a Natura 2000 Site. Volcanoes are a sudden eruption of mud or water accompanied by gas. In time, vegetation adapted to salty soil, and it is halophilous now. The area meets very rare species of plants in Europe: Nitraria schoberi (Gărdurariţa), Obion verrucifera and Artemisia santonicum.
 
 
Mud Volcanoes, Buzau
Foto: Gabriela Iftode
 
 
Mud Volcanoes, Buzau
Foto: Gabriela Iftode

 
Mud Volcanoes, Buzau
Foto: Gabriela Iftode

 
Mud Volcanoes, Buzau
Foto: Gabriela Iftode

 
Nitraria schoberi
Foto: Gabriela Iftode
 
 The Living Fire, Lopatari, Buzau
 
         The Living Fire is a natural monument of geological interest, located in the Lopătari village, Buzau County. Living Fire was called by locals, since ancient times, "Smoleanu", meaning " fire that burns continuously, without any stop."

         This monument is an emanation of the natural gas area, due to the existence of oil deposits, its flames reaching from 10 to 30 cm tall.
 
 
The Living Fire, Buzau
Foto: Gabriela Iftode
 
Gabriela Iftode
     16/08/13
 
 

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