Just outside the village of Nymphopetra lies the site known as the "Nymphopetres"a unique geological formation that has been declared a natural monument. It consists of an impressive series of upright limestone rocks, whose origin is surrounded by rich local folklore. Nymphopetra Park is a small and picturesque natural area. The name “Nymphopetra” literally means “Rock of the Nymph” and refers to this striking geological phenomenon of tall rock formations that resemble petrified human figures. According to local legend, these stones were once nymphs who were turned to stone as punishment for breaking a divine law. The park offers a tranquil atmosphere in the heart of nature, ideal for short walks, photography, and exploring the area’s folk traditions. Although it is a lesser-known destination, it highlights the unique character and mythical aura of the Macedonian countryside.
“May they all turn to stone!” she cried.
Ωστόσο η επιστημονική εξήγηση του φαινομένου των ιδιόμορφων σχηματισμών πετρωμάτων είναι εντελώς διαφορετική και άκρως ενδιαφέρουσα καθώς καταγράφει την έντονη γεωλογική δραστηριότητα της περιοχής κατά την διάρκεια της γεωλογικής της εξέλιξης και της διαγένεσης των πετρωμάτων που συγκροτούν το υπόστρωμα της περιοχής. Το πέτρωμα που συγκροτεί του ιδιόμορφους όρθιους σχηματισμούς βράχων ονομάζεται τραβερτίνης.
Ανήκει στα ιζηματογενή πετρώματα, τα οποία σχηματίζονται από απόθεση ή καταβύθιση υλικών που βρίσκονται σε αιώρηση ή διάλυση μέσα σε ένα ρευστό μέσο (νερό ή αέρας) και τη μετέπειτα συγκόλληση των υλικών που αποτέθηκαν μεταξύ τους.
The Scientific Explanation
However, the scientific explanation for the phenomenon of these unusual rock formations is entirely different and highly interesting, as it reflects the intense geological activity in the region during its geological evolution and the diagenesis of the rocks that form the area's bedrock. The rock that forms these distinctive upright formations is called travertine. It belongs to the category of sedimentary rocks, which are formed through the deposition or precipitation of materials suspended or dissolved in a fluid medium (such as water or air), followed by the cementation of the deposited materials into solid rock.
Χαρακτηρίζονται από τη στρώση των υλικών τους σε διαδοχικά επίπεδα και τα απολιθώματα, τα οποία βρίσκονται μόνο μέσα σε ιζήματα.
Οι διαδικασίες σχηματισμού ιζηματογενών πετρωμάτων είναι οι ακόλουθες:
• Διάβρωση και αποσάθρωση, που είναι οι φυσικοχημικές και βιολογικές διεργασίες που υφίστανται τα προϋπάρχοντα πετρώματα με αποτέλεσμα την καταστροφή τους.
• Μεταφορά των υλικών που προέκυψαν από την αποσάθρωση, με τον άνεμο και το νερό των ποταμών και των θαλασσών.
• Απόθεση των υλικών που βρίσκονται σε αιώρηση ή διάλυση. Η απόθεση γίνεται σε διαδοχικά στρώματα.
• Διαγένεση, που είναι η διαδικασία με την οποία ένα χαλαρό ίζημα μετατρέπεται σε συμπαγές πέτρωμα, με τη βοήθεια της πίεσης των υπερκείμενων στρωμάτων και της φυσικής συνδετικής ύλης.
They are characterized by the layering of their materials in successive levels and by the presence of fossils, which are found only within sedimentary rocks. The processes involved in the formation of sedimentary rocks are as follows: Weathering and erosion, which are the physicochemical and biological processes that act upon pre-existing rocks, leading to their breakdown. Transport of the weathered materials by wind and the waters of rivers and seas. Deposition of materials that are in suspension or dissolved in a fluid. Deposition occurs in successive layers. Diagenesis, the process through which loose sediments are transformed into solid rock, aided by the pressure of the overlying layers and natural cementing materials.
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Travertine is a clastic carbonate sedimentary rock, usually light brownish-yellow in color, sometimes gray, and characterized by a porous texture. Calcium carbonate is deposited around plant material, which, after decomposing and being removed, leaves pores in the rock. Apart from the Nymphopetra formations, travertine is commonly found in the Mygdonia Basin area, such as at the Loutra Apollonias, the delta of the Apollonia stream, specifically at the site called Apostle Paul’s Step, and other locations. Its frequent occurrence is explained by the recent geological evolution of the basin, where almost 1,000,000 years ago there was a vast, unified lake whose area exceeded the combined surface of the two modern lakes, Koroneia and Volvi, and which was significantly deeper. The region was also more geologically active, with strong presence of thermal springs emitting heated fluids rich in dissolved minerals. Continuous deposition of salts at the spring points likely under the surface of that huge lake at the time and the subsequent diagenesis processes shaped this vertical, chimney-like development of travertine. When these formations later emerged at the earth’s surface, they formed the distinctive shapes seen today at the Nymphopetra site.
Είναι ένας πεδινός οικισμός (υψόμ. 120 μ., 779 κάτ.) του νομού Θεσσαλονίκης. Βρίσκεται στο ανατολικό τμήμα του νομού, κοντά στη δυτική όχθη της λίμνης Βόλβης, 56 χλμ. ΒΑ της πόλης της Θεσσαλονίκης, στην πρώην επαρχία Λαγκαδά. Υπάγεται διοικητικά στον Δ.Δ Εγνατίας του δήμου Βόλβης. Μέχρι το 1928 ονομαζόταν Τσαλή Μαχαλέ.
It is a lowland settlement (altitude 120 m, population 779) in the Thessaloniki regional unit. It is located in the eastern part of the region, near the western shore of Lake Volvi, 56 km northeast of the city of Thessaloniki, in the former province of Lagkadas.
Administratively, it belongs to the community of Egnatia in the municipality of Volvi.
Until 1928, it was called Tsalí Mahale.
(The expression "Tsalí Mahalé" originates from Turkish and has the following meaning: "Tsalí" (Çalı) in Turkish means "bush," "low vegetation," or "plant with dense foliage." "Mahalé" (Mahalle) means "neighborhood" or "area." Therefore, the phrase "Tsalí Mahalé" could be translated as "neighborhood of bushes" or "area with dense vegetation.")
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