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Geopark Karavanke - Secrets written in stone Fajmut Štrucl Suzana B. Sc.1, Bedjanič Mojca B. Sc.2, Hartmann Gerald B. Sc.3, Uroš Herlec4, Walter Poltnig5, Rojs Lenka2,, Vodovnik Primož6, Varch Christian7 1 Podzemlje Pece, d.o.o., Tourist Mine and Museum; 2 Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation, Regional Unit Maribor; 3 LAG (regional cooperation) – Regionalkooperation Unterkarnten; 4 Oddelek za geologijo, Univerza v Ljubljani; 5 Joanneum Research Ressourcen - Institut für Wasser, Energie und Nachhaltigkeit Forschungs; -gruppe Wasser Ressourcen Management Resources; 6 RRA Koroška, Regional Development Agency for Koroška; 7 Obir-Tropfsteinhöhlen Errichtungs- u. Betriebsges.m.b.H. (Obir caves) Abstract: In 1988, when mining activities stopped and the Mežica mine began closing down, strong initiatives emerged for the conservation of the rich natural, technical and cultural heritage. In the framework of the tourist mine and museum Podzemlje Pece, valuable mine sections have been conserved and dedicated to education and tourism. In 2002, the Slovenian part of the Geopark area was recognized as valuable by geo-logical and environmental experts due to its extraordinary geological and geomorpho-logic heritage, which should be conserved and promoted appropriately. This part of the Geopark was later on also identified as a potential geopark area within the Cultural Heritage and Natural Values Conservation Strategy in accordance with the UNESCO international legal instruments and activities as well as the Resolution on the National Environmental Protection Programme. Approximately at the same time promotion, protection and marketing activities of the geological, as well as other natural and cul-tural heritage, also started on the Austrian side with the Obir caves at its centre. This natural monument has been open to the public since 1987 and has had more than one million visitors. The idea to work together for the joint promotion and marketing of the cross-border area started at the local level in the year 2007 within the cross-border
Authors: Fajmut Štrucl Suzana B. Sc., Podzemlje Pece, d.o.o., Tourist Mine and Museum.
E-mail: [email protected] Bedjanič Mojca B. Sc., Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation, Regional Unit
Maribor. E-mail: [email protected]
Hartmann Gerald B. Sc., LAG (regional cooperation) – Regionalkooperation Unterkarnten. E-mail: [email protected]
Uroš Herlec, Oddelek za geologijo, Univerza v Ljubljani. E-mail:[email protected]
Walter Poltnig, Joanneum Research Ressourcen - Institut für Wasser, Energie und Nachhaltigkeit Forschungsgruppe Wasser Ressourcen Management Resources. E-mail: [email protected]
Rojs Lenka, Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation, Regional Unit Maribor. E-mail: [email protected]
Vodovnik Primož, RRA Koroška, Regional Development Agency for Koroška. E-mail: [email protected]
Varch Christian, Obir-Tropfsteinhöhlen Errichtungs- u. Betriebsges.m.b.H. (Obir caves), E-mail: [email protected]
B. Sc. Fajmut Štrucl Suzana, et al.: Geopark Karavanke - Secrets written in stone 83
working group “Dežele pod Peco - Petzenland”. The idea was supported by local com-munities, regional authorities and expert institutions, and implemented with the project “Establishment of a cross-border Geopark between Peca/Petzen and Košuta/ Koschuta”, which was co-financed from EFRD within Operational Programme Slove-nia-Austria 2007-2013. The Geopark Karavanke, established in 2010 and from March 2013 member of the European geopark network, is managed by a cross-border part-nership network, including two key geo-centres, local communities and support institu-tions in the fields of natural, geological and cultural heritage protection as well as in regional development (Figure 1). Keywords: crossborder Geopark Karavanke; Slovenia; Austria; geological heritage; geo tourism
Figure 1 Logo of Geopark Karavanke
1 Surface area and administrative borders The crossborder Geopark Karavanke extends over an area of 1067 km2 with a popula-tion of 53,464 (Figure 2). It covers part of the south-eastern Alps, including territories of Slovenia and Austria. On the Slovenian side, the Geopark Karavanke area includes five municipalities and is located in the East Slovenia cohesion region (NUTS 2) and in the Koroška statistical region (NUTS 3). In Austria, the Geopark Karavanke in-cludes nine municipalities, located in the Bundesland Kärnten according to NUTS 2, and covers parts of the Unterkärnten and Klagenfurt-Villach regions, according to NUTS 3. Both of these NUTS 3 regions are considered remote within the countries they belong to, despite the fact that they are located centrally in Europe.
Lively break and thrust tectonics during the formation of the Savinja Alps and the Karavanke, as well as glacial and karstic geomorphologic processes and erosion, have created a unique and interesting relief in the area between the Peca and Košuta mountains. The Geopark Karavanke surface is mostly a hilly and mountainous area, with valleys along the Drava, Meža, Mislinja and Vellach/Bela rivers and the Jaun-tal/Podjunska valley in the north of the Geopark Karavanke. It covers the Eastern Karavanke, including its northern and southern mountain ranges, a part of Kam-niško-Savinjske Alps, and parts of the Košenjak, Pohorje, Strojna and Kömmel-berg/Komelj hills along the border. In the northern part of the Eastern Karavanke, which is the highest area of the Geopark Karavanke, the highest peaks are the Obir/Hochobir (2139 m), Košuta/Koschuta (2136 m), Peca/Petzen-Kordeževa glava (2126 m), Peca/Petzen-Bistriška špica (2113 m), Raduha (2125 m) and somewhat lower Uršlja gora (1699 m), while the highest peaks of the southern part are the vol-canic Smrekovec mountain chain (1577 m) and Olševa/Uschowa mountain (1929 m). The relief is quite unevenly formed due to the varied geologic structures and different tectonic events. The prevailing forms are rounded, stacked forms and plateaus. The
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limestone relief has characteristic steep slopes and narrow ridges. On the other hand, the magmatic and metamorphic relief has a more even and wider surface. The north-ern part of the Geopark Karavanke covers the Jauntal/Podjunska dolina demarcated by the river Drava/Drau in the north and the Karavanke in the south. Along the na-tional border, the highlands of Strojna are remarkable, thanks to their massiveness and their undulating slopes and gorges. Between Peca/Petzen and Uršlja gora in the north and Raduha and Smrekovec in the south, there are lower stacked highlands with gen-tle slopes that descend into the deeply carved Meža and Bistra river valleys. In the east, the Mislinja river valley demarcates the Eastern Karavanke and Pohorje moun-tain ranges.
Figure 2 Geopark Kravanke area
2 Tourism in Geopark Karavanke Tourism is the second most important service sector industry in the area of the Geopark Karavanke. In total, accommodations offer about 4.000 beds. The area is mostly visited by domestic tourists (Slovenia – 58.6%, Austria – 73.9%), followed by tourists from Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, Italy and Sweden. The average stay is five days. In summer and winter peak seasons, there is a higher concentration of visits, however, in the off-season, there are predominantly one-day visitors.
The tourism offer’s key elements are seasonal summer and winter activities, cul-tural, historic and natural sites, holidays at farms (in connection with traditional cui-sine) and health tourism (that accounts for the major share of overnight stays and is mostly located in the health spa of Bad Eisenkappel/Železna Kapla).
The most common summer activities are hiking, cycling and climbing, as well as visiting health resorts. The hilly and mountainous landscape, with its well managed hiking and mountain trails, offers numerous opportunities for different target groups. Sections of two international mountain trails cross the Geopark Karavanke territory: the E6 European long distance path and Via Alpina, as well as stages of the Slovenian Mountain Trail, the Koroška Alpine Trail and others, all dotted with 12 mountain
B. Sc. Fajmut Štrucl Suzana, et al.: Geopark Karavanke - Secrets written in stone 85
cabins. There are also more and more thematic hiking trails (Košuta Geotrail, educa-tional forest trails etc.).
There are several geomorphologically interesting rock walls, attractive to various types of climbers. During the months when climbing in the open air is not possible, indoor climbing walls are available, and in Feistritz ob Bleiburg/Bistrici pri Pliberku, there is a climbing tower that is used for ice climbing in winter.
The Geopark Karavanke area has a vast network of cycle paths. A part of the inter-national Drauradweg (River Cycling Route along the Drau/Drava river) as well as numerous local thematic cycle paths cross the area. Several forest and mountain roads are marked as mountain bike routes (for example, the cross-border mountain bike route around the Peca/Petzen Mountain) and one can also find here the first Slovenian mountain bike park. The two especially attractive activities for cyclists are cycling in the mine tunnels of the abandoned lead and zinc mine under the Peca (Podzemlje Pece) on the Slovenian side, and downhill biking on the Flow Country Trail from Petzen on the Austrian side (Figure 3).
Figure 3 Climbing in Geopark Karavanke (Foto. T. Jeseničnik).
Figure 4 Cycling in the mine tunnels - Podzemlje Pece (Foto. T. Jeseničnik).
Among the health tourism opportunities, water tourism is the most important. This is mostly due to the unique Bad Eisenkappel Kurzentrum-Kurbad thermal health re-
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sort and lakes on the Austrian side (Pirkdorfersee, Gösselsdorfersee and Sonnegersee); tourism at the only lake on the Slovenian side of the area – Ivarčko jezero – has stag-nated for years. The Drava river has gained potential as a navigable river, offering tourist tours on traditional rafts.
The main winter sport centre is the Petzen, with more than 20 km of skiing slopes. This offer is complemented by smaller ski slopes at lower altitudes on the Slovenian side (Črna, Poseka – Ravne na Koroškem, Rimski vrelec and Bukovnik), cross-coun-try ski trails and attractive areas for ski touring.
There are numerous cultural, historic and natural tourism attractions in the area, the most important being the Geopark Karavanke’s two key partners: the Podzemlje Pece tourist mine and the museum in Mežica, with more than 250,000 visitors since 1997 and the Obirske caves natural monument in Bad Eisenkappel/Železna Kapla, which has been visited by more than a million people since the animation and interpretation programm in the cave has been improved in 1991. Both tourist mines (combined with other Austrian and Slovenian mines) form a cross-border tourist mine transversal.
The number of tourist farms, together with accommodations and day-trip farms in the area, is steadily growing, as is the number of brand names under which different traditional farm products (in particular food) are marketed. The local catering industry puts a lot of emphasis on traditional cuisine.
The examples of cross-border entrepreneurial cooperation in the area of joint plan-ning and marketing of tourism are already in place. Such partnerships will be addi-tionally extended and strengthened through activities linked to the Geopark Kara-vanke in the future.
There are three key priority measures set for development of geo-tourism in Geopark Karavanke - product development, development of infrastructure and mar-keting.
Horizontal principles, which are included in all three priority measures are organ-izational networking among all key actors within and outside the region, improvement of service quality and sustainable development.
Product development activities include design of new integral packages for various target groups, with special stress on all weather and off-season programmes, integra-tion of skilled locals into implementation of tourism programs, organization of train-ing courses for existing and future tourist providers (general & special skills – e.g. geotrail and mountain bike tourist guides, quality standards, hospitality, language courses, etc.), plus implementation of annual programs of events.
Several investments are needed for development of infrastructure, among which the most important are creation of new Geopark Karavanke interpretation points (incl. sustainable presentation of nature sites, renewal of heritage objects of interest) and further development of other public tourist infrastructure (tourist information facilities, local tourist roads, thematic routes, signposting, resting places, etc.). This infrastruc-ture, together with various incentives, will be a basis for development of new tourist businesses (accommodation, tourist farms, outdoor activities facilities, theme parks, etc.) in the area.
Marketing of the Geopark Karavanke is outlined with joint marketing strategy and implemented with annual marketing plans/programs (production of new marketing tools, introduction of tourist information system within the region, presentations at trade fairs, workshops and events, e-marketing, study-tours, etc.). Program of mar-
B. Sc. Fajmut Štrucl Suzana, et al.: Geopark Karavanke - Secrets written in stone 87
keting & development activities of Geopark Karavanke is strongly supported by both destination managements on each side of the border.
3 Simple explanation of geological history and genesis of the Geopark Karavanke The Karavanke Mountains are built up of exceptionally varying sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks from Ordovician to Miocene in age, which were formed dur-ing late Caledonian, Variscian and Alpine orogeny cycles in the time span of more than 450 million years.
The prevailing area of the Geopark Karavanke has been formed by a succession of sediments originating from a carbonate platform of southern margins of the Palaeo-zoic Palaeo-Tethys Ocean and the successive Mesozoic Neo-Tethys Ocean. Mostly shallow water platform carbonate sediments now belong to the upper part of the Adri-atic micro-continental plate, which was in the time of sedimentation still attached to the northern part of a larger African continental plate, but it is now far away.
The tectonic geological heritage of the Geopark Karavanke area is exceptional. During the peak collisional - Eoalpine tectonic event between African and European continental plate in the Late Lower Cretaceous almost 100 million years ago the Tethys Ocean sediments were thrusted around 250kms towards the north over the European continental plate all the way from the Geopark Karavanke area into the di-rection of the recent Bavarian Plain. The recent Northern Calcareous Alps - far away from the Geopark Karavanke on the north of Austria are forming the northern front of the huge nappe with Tethys Ocean originating sediments formed previously in the broad oceanic area between both continental plates. Intercontinental collision induced high temperatures and pressure was the cause of synchronous extensive regional metamorphosis of very various rock types precursors succession. As a result of this process now we can find within the Geopark Karavanke varied metamorphic rock in the whole range from ultra-high metamorphosed eclogites and serpentinites to rocks of a very low stage of metamorphosis. All these rock now belong to the basement rocks of the European tectonic plate and geotectonic unit Eastern Alps. They are cropping out in the northern and eastern part of the Geopark Karavanke in the area, where the upper nappe of the Tethys sediments was eroded. Within the metamorphic rock succession there are also dikes of pegmatites with an interesting Mg-tourmaline - dravite and its type locality from where it was described for the first time. During the Eo-Alpine intercontinental collision the first Alpine orogene was formed, which was an even higher and broader mountain chain than the recent Alpine one, which is the result of the second uplifting phase. The first Alpine mountain chain had been almost eroded already before the end of the Eocene. Recent Karavanke Mountains have been formed as a part of the second - younger Alpine mountain range by uplifting from the Eocene shallow seas up to the recent elevations.
The mountain building is still going on as proven by the recent seismic activity and by high precision GPS measurements. The process of the recent Karavanke Moun-tains uplifting is the result of the second - repeated and still continuing compression phase between the continental plates and synchronous counter clockwise directed ro-tation of the Adriatic plate, which resulted also in the eastward lateral displacement of the huge ALCAPA (Alpine-Carpathian-Pannonian) tectonic blocks along the one of
88 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOHERITAGE
the most prominent European fault zones – Periadriatic lineament, which is also part of the Geopark Karavanke.
Periadriatic lineament forms the sub-vertical deep southern tectonic border of the extruded blocks of the European continental plate to the north with the African plate to the south. Along the several tens of kms deep Periadriatic lineament there was ex-ecuted dextral eastward lateral displacement of northern blocks for about 250kms.
Periadriatic lineament is the eastern continuation of the first order Judiacarian fault zone from Italy with the length more than 1000kms, which is running in the west-east direction in the studied area all the way towards Budapest in Hungary.
The compression between continental plates resulted in an extrusion of deep seated intrusive and metamorphic rocks and lateral displacement of high level sedimentary rock successions as short but wide divergent nappes, which formed exceptional form of so called “flower tectonic structure”.
Within the Periadriatic lineament fault zone, which is up to several kilometres wide, igneous and by the contact metamorphism overprinted regional metamorphic rocks are extruded and they form the “deep roots” of the central part of Karavanke Moun-tains and divide the geotectonic units of Northern and Southern Karavanke Moun-tains.
Northern Karavanke Mountains is a succession of nappes pushed from the Periadriatic lineament fault zone towards the north generally perpendicularly to the extension of the Periadriatic lineament. They are made up of Tethys Ocean sediments.
The succession of nappes thrusted from the Periadriatic lineament fault zone to-wards the south, which were also built up of the Tethys sediment, forms the recent Southern Karavanke Mountains, which are part of the Southern Alps and Dinaric orogen. Within the Periadriatic lineament fault zone an interesting variety of very di-verse rocks and tectonic contacts can be observed in the three sub parallel belts in the west-east direction on a relatively confined area.
The northern belt is formed by Late Permian to Middle Triassic differentiated se-ries of intrusive magmatic breccia in composition from olivine gabbro to monzo gabbro, monzonite, and sienogranite were formed.
Dikes of Granodioritporphyr within intrusive breccia have Rapakivi texture. Ex-ceptionally interesting and rare ocellar structured quartz growth is found within the gabbro fragments due to metasomatic replacement of mafic minerals by minerals re-placed from younger granitic magma.
Southern belt is built of Late Oligocene syn-tectonic emplaced tonalite. Tectonic movements during emplacement gave orientation to the mineral grains with the pris-matic form, so the tonalite has the “gneiss kind of look”.
Within the tectonic unit of middle Periadriatic lineament fault zone at the contact with magma during the process of contact metamorphosis the primary regional met-amorphic rocks were altered to migmatite and hornfels. Schists were impregnated by magma and metasomatically changed them into cordierite-knots-schist. Oldest rocks of the Geopark Karavanke are grey biotite-plagioclase paragneiss, in which there are up to 15 m thick layers of a fine grained intensely foliated amphibolite and up to 30 m thick concordant intercalations of microcline-gneiss.
North from the Periadriatic lineament fault zone there is a tectonic block built of shales, conglomeratic sandstones, basalt dikes and pillow lavas and their pyroclastic rock varieties, which were deposited in a rifting environment of the deep sea and are
B. Sc. Fajmut Štrucl Suzana, et al.: Geopark Karavanke - Secrets written in stone 89
probably of Ordovician age. North of this block with a sub vertical fault as the border is a stack of three north-
ward oriented sub horizontal nappes built of Triassic and Jurassic rocks, which is the core of Northern Karavanke Mountains. The oldest and lowest part of the Northern Karavanke Mountains are built up of Upper Permian to Lower Triassic terrigenous quartz sandstones and conglomerates with gradual upwards transition into marls and then into oolitic dolomites and platform fossiliferous limestones. Within the Anisian dolomites formed in the intra- to supratidal environment there is a unique type – one of its kind known so far Zn-Pb stratiform early diagenetic mineralisation at Topla. Three small mineral deposits were formed in an early diagenetic process within the paleokarst topography on the carbonate platform. Sulphides precipitated by the re-ducing action of cyanobacteria organic matter decay onto the previously deposited Zn and Pb carbonate minerals.
In Ladinian sedimented more than 1000 metre thick Wetterstein Fm. had three sedimentary facies: fore-reef, reef and lagoonal carbonates with rare localities of a spectacular fossil gastropod fauna.
Within porous and permeable parts of the rock succession the ore brine gave Pb and Zn mineralisation of the Mississippi Valley Type. Discordant vein type ore bodies were formed by precipitation of ore minerals (galena and sphalerite) within opened tectonic fissures at the time of the ore formation. Within porous emersion breccia horizons in the lagoonal facies of rocks strata-bound – concordant type of ore bodies were formed. Huge columnar breccia ore bodies are the result of old sub-merged karst cave roof collapse. Ore minerals form the cement to carbonate rock fragment. The Liassic (Pliensbachian) age of the epigenetic ore was proven by suc-cession of ore and gangue carbonate vein microscopy. As a part of secondary miner-alisation formed by the oxidation of primary minerals the generally seldom wulfenite colourful crystals are the world-known crown-mineral of the mining area.
There were more than 400 ore bodies in the area of Peca Mt. of more than 100 km2. More than 20 million tonnes of ore have been mined out during 350 years long min-ing history, which are presented in the Museum mine in Mežica. Carnian beds have three horizons of shales with ammonites and plesiosaurs bone remains. Limestone intercalations contain rich fossil molluscs and crinoid fauna. Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic beds are developed as carbonate platform shallow water and reef limestones, and partly closed lagoonal sedimentation with dolomites. In Middle Lias (Pliensbachian) there was a regional rifting tectonic phase, which opened deep fault joints and gave rise to the ore brines which formed epigenetic Pb-Zn mineralisation deep in the Wetterstein Fm. The rifting resulted also in the opening of the Jurassic Penninicum (Northern Tethys) Ocean and formation of deep water sediments with Mn-nodular ore. Lower cretaceous beds have orbitoides fossils. On the metamorphic basement on the north nummulites and alveolina foraminifera limestone was sedi-mented in Eocene north from Karavanke Mountains.
The Palaeozoic succession of Southern Karavanke Mountains comprises Ordovi-cian and Silurian shales, Upper Silurian and Devonian to Lower Carboniferous shal-low sea water massive coral reefs and various bedded lagoonal carbonate rocks. Lower Carboniferous “Hochwipfel” flysch was sedimented synchronously with the uplift of Variscian orogeny at the north on the continent. Synchronous volcanism gave dikes and pyroclastic rocks. Hydrothermal fluids produced nowadays non-economic
90 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOHERITAGE
ore veins and metasomatic types of Zn-Pb-Cu mineralisation. After the Lower Car-boniferous Variscian orogeny in the Upper Carboniferous molasse sedimentation of the Auernigg Fm. of quartz conglomerates and sandstones, and shales with unique and rich fossiliferous assemblage of plants and marine fauna accumulated in limestone intercalations during the short transgressions.
Asturian tectonic phase gave fluids for metasomatic iron carbonate – siderite, Pb and Zn mineralisation within lenses of marine limestones. In the Uppermost Carbon-iferous and Lower Permian limestones of Dovžanova soteska synchronously with Trogkoffel limestone were formed. Exceptionally rich brachiopod and other fossil fauna remains are known worldwide as top international paleontological heritage.
In the Middle Permian erosional phase synchronous to Saal tectonic phase basal breccia of Tarvisio Unit were formed and were followed by transition into quartz prevailing terrigenous continental clastic sediments of Gröden Fm. In the Upper Per-mian transgressive marine sedimentation with evaporitic mainly dolomite sedimenta-tion took place in more or less isolated lagoons. In Lower Triassic intercalations of oolitic limestones are common within mostly clastic sediment succession where there was gradual diminishing of terrigenous input. Towards the end of Lower Triassic and in the Anisian shallow water pure carbonate sediments prevailed.
The Middle Triassic tectonic phase of aborted rifting induced formation of tectonic trough and sedimentary facies differentiation from shallow water, slope and deep wa-ter basin sediments. Synchronously with the rifting volcanic activity from effusive basalt to rhyolite explosive (bimodal) took place.
Smaller Hg mineralisations of the Idria type as well as some Pb and Zn mineralisa-tion were formed as a result of hydrothermal activity. In the Upper Triassic were pre-vailing shallow water sedimentation in lagoons, and reefs. Within the wide spread tidal environment cyclic Lopher facies rocks dominated. Pliensbachian extensional tectonic activity in Lower Jurassic induced deeper water sedimentation with radio-larites and shales with Mn-nodules mineralisation. Mn-ore from Begunjščica Mt. was the source for the first industrial Mn-steel produced in a smelter at Jesenice and it is very important geological and cultural mining and metallurgical heritage.
In Southern Karavanke Mountains follows Eocene mostly fine grained clastic rocks with plant remains and some coal seams, and fresh water mollusc fossils assemblage. Time equivalent of the Late Oligocene Miocene tonalite magma intrusion was the intense effusive and explosive volcanic activity. The broad area of Smrekovec Moun-tains is formed by effusive andesite and its tuffs, and various pyroclastic and turbiditic rocks.
The area of Southern Karavanke Mountains was heavily deformed after the forma-tion of south-merging thrusts between Periadriatic lineament fault zone and sub par-allel Sava fault south of Southern Karavanke Mountains. There was around 250kms eastward displacement along the Periadriatic lineament and only around 90kms along the Sava fault. Elongated tectonic “lenses” of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic rocks were formed in Southern Karavanke Mountains along sub-parallel faults due to shear as the difference in the extent of the lateral displacement along main regional faults.
Carbon dioxide rich mineral and warm water springs are results of deep water mi-gration along extensional parts of deep faults and interesting hydrogeological heri-tage.
The youngest – postglacial sedimentary rock deposited at the carbon dioxide rich
B. Sc. Fajmut Štrucl Suzana, et al.: Geopark Karavanke - Secrets written in stone 91
springs is travertine. Quarries with the recent travertine “growing area” are a unique sedimentological heritage. World’s known important bone and stone tools of our early ancestors and Quaternary mammal bones were found in karst caves of the Olševa Mt. The main uplift phase of Karavanke Mountains began in the Sarmatian stage of Mio-cene, around 12 million years ago, as demonstrated by little older coal seams within the fine grained clastic succession of sands and clays sedimented in the previous tec-tonically calm stage on the Triassic limestones of the Karavanke Mountains and at the same time also on the metamorphic rocks of the European continental plate in their northern foreland.
Southern Karavanke Mountains were started to uplift first and its rocks were the first source of sediment transported to the north as proven by admixture of well-rounded quartz pebbles to the prevailing calcareous components sedimented in the basin to the northwest. The succession of clastic sedimentation has typical up-wards-coarsening demonstrating gradually faster uplifting in the eroded hinterland. Within the Late Sarmatian sediment can be found re-sedimented rock components originating from the Northern Karavanke Mountains. This proves that also the north-ern part of the mountain ridge started to be elevated and eroded. Also the coal bearing sediments deposited on Triassic limestones were uplifted together with the Karavanke Mountains and can be found on the southern slopes of the Northern Karavanke Mountains.
At the same time the metamorphic basement of the foreland sank and was filled with the coarse-grained debris from uplifted Northern Karavanke Mountains. The thickness of this foreland clastic sediment fill exceeds more than 1000 metres. The continuing pressure from the south was combined with further uplift, which leads to overthrusting of young sediments by the Northern Karavanke Mountains. The sub horizontal overthrusting plane is clearly visible at their northern foot, where Mesozoic rocks are lying above described clastic Miocene sediments. In the broad area west from Mežica, the Miocene very poorly cemented slope sediments – fossil scree with huge blocks are cropping out.
The Periadriatic lineament fault zone is recently tectonically almost non-active. Main active tectonic deformations and seismic activity moved sub-parallel to the neighbouring zones.
4 Geosites and geopark localities in the Geopark Karavanke area
Until now, 48 geosites, from those 14 Geopark Karavanke localities have been regis-tered in the Geopark Karavanke area. Geopark Karavanke sights are equipped with information or interpretation boards, they are presented in various publications, some are presented in leaflets and brochures or are already part of an existing educational, tourist or geologic trail. In the framework of the Geopark Karavanke, the continuous development of existing points, and the establishment of new ones, are planned. Until now more than 35 Geopark Karavanke localities (for example the Mežica mine – Glančnik tunnel, Moring, Topla, Helena and old Fridrih mines, Frančiškov tun-nel-Leše, Smrekovec, Obir gorge, Trögerner gorge, Vellacher Kotschna, Topla re-gional park etc.) have been equipped with boards as well as information and educa-tional material provided by the Geopark Karavanke that can be used by schools, tour-ists, locals etc.
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The geosites and Geopark Karavanke localities demonstrate the great geodiversity of the area (the oldest Palaeozoic stones, important mineral and fossil deposits, de-posits of metallic minerals that were won in the past, karst caves and other karst forms, evidence of volcanic activity etc.) which is exceptional and unique on a global level. Some of its treasures: One of the three richest deposits of Carnian crinoids in Europe, in the Helena creek valley; The Mežica mine has one of five lead-zinc ore outcrops of this type in the world; Wulfenite deposits in Mežica are the richest in Europe and one of the most fa-mous in the world; The Topla valley mine shows evidence of sediment creation of ore deposits of global importance; Dobrova pri Dravogradu is a typical deposit of dravite mineral and one of the five major deposits in the world; The Periadriatic lineament is the joint of two large lithosphere plates – the Afri-can and Eurasian plate – that can be observed in nature; Obir Tropfsteinhöhle is the most beautiful stalactite cave in Austria, discovered by coincidence during a lead-zinc ore excavation; One of the tallest waterfalls in the Korte/Trögerner Klamm natural reserve with the famous Tarviser breccia deposit; Slopes of dark grey pillow lava in the Obir gorge are evidence of volcanic activ-ity; Several mineral water sources along the break zone between Jezersko and Bad Eisenkappel/Železna Kapla; One of the biggest and most modern coalmines in Slovenia (in Leše) supplied the most important European ironworks with its ore;
The Geopark Karavanke also offers a lot of opportunities for experts. Geologists have been researching the area for a long time, producing more than 200 publications. A lot of geological research has been done in the area, university papers and theses written, and numerous technical and scientific articles published. Also, there have been several popular scientific articles and television programmes about the Geopark Karavanke area. Tourists are familiar with the rich underground world of the Peca mountain and Obir caves. The nature and rich cultural heritage of the area ensure and enable a number of different opportunities for active pastimes (cycling, hiking, family outings, visits to cultural monuments etc.). We are convinced that, in the future, we can further expand the offer and activities in the area with interesting interpretations of geologic heritage and links to the existing offer. In this way, we will draw and raise the interest of even more visitors, including those who have not yet been particularly interested in the area between the Peca and Košuta. We would like to welcome as many tourists and geo-tourists as possible from all over the world to the Geopark Karavanke.
Geosites and Geopark Karavanke localities have been classified into three cate-gories according to their purpose: educational (geo-education), touristic (geo-tourism) and scientific. Educational (Geo-education)
From the very beginning, we have been aware that geology awareness-raising, ed-ucation and promotion have to begin at a young age. For this reason, our activities are
B. Sc. Fajmut Štrucl Suzana, et al.: Geopark Karavanke - Secrets written in stone 93
are mostly intended for schools (and youth); with them we would like to establish partner relations and show the value of gaining knowledge from nature. Outdoor classrooms are one of the most effective teaching methods. Schools and natural sci-ences students regularly visit the Geopark Karavanke, deepening their knowledge from books and the classroom with practical examples in nature. We are aware that only informed visitors can help conserve and promote our geologic and other heri-tage. Scientific
The Geopark Karavanke area has been well researched by scientists and is of in-terest to the expert public. Since the beginning of systematic research, more than 200 expert publications have been published on national and international levels. However, research continues; new geologic technologies and methods are enabling further and more detailed research. Geosites that belong to this category and are mostly of na-tional and international importance. They are discussed in numerous publications and guides, some of them are also described in leaflets available at information points in the Geopark Karavanke （Figure 5）.
Figure 5 Geo- education in Geopark Karavanke (Foto. T. Jeseničnik).
Tourism (geo-tourism) The Geosites and Geopark localities are special natural treasures that have been at-
tracting visitors for a long time. Mines, where different kinds of ore were won in the past, have been adapted for tourism and attract the most visitors (the Mežica and Obirske jame mines). Special geologic features are of interest to casual visitors as well as to more active and demanding visitors that would like to gain more experience and knowledge about nature and geology. The varied geological basis is ideal for the development of numerous varied habitats that are home to diverse vegetation and fauna. These habitats, and their life forms, attract numerous visitors who are engaged in research and recreation or just enjoy the environment. By adding information and interpretation boards and connecting the geological heritage with the natural and cul-tural heritage of the area, we would like to attract new tourists from near and far as well as geotourists from all over the world (Figure 6).
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Figure 6 Geo-interpretation poin Topla (Foto: L. Rojs).
4.1 Some highlights of Geopark Karavanke
4.1.1 Tourist mine and museum – podzemlje pece – underground adventures in Geopark Karavanke
Lead mining under the mountain Peca began already in Roman times, the written re-cords show, that from 1665 until the end of the previous century, when the mine was finally closed down, 1000 km of tunnels were dug under the mountains of Koroška region. Today Tourism Mine and Museum - Podzemlje Pece is one of the main attrac-tions of Geopark Karavanke and the place for unique underground adventures like undergaround biking an kayaking.
People usually seek mountain biking enjoyment in the mountains, but what we have found is the passage through the mountains, along our abandoned and mysteri-ous tunnels, in the mine no longer in use under the Peca mountain.
What trey offer is a guided cycling tour, more than 5 km long, along a path, illu-minated by head- lamps warn on helmets, from one valley to another, where you can enjoy a safe, extraordinary and unforgettable adventure.
The cycling path runs along safe tunnels and it rises for only fifteen metres, but the potholes and bumps which remained from the removed tracks do not offer smooth cycling. The guide will stop on some interpretations points and explain you about mining history.
More than half of Mežica mine tunnels, from 12 to 20th level are due to closure of water pumps now flooded and here our adventure begins. Peddling through tunnels where mining trains were pulling the ore wagons, discovering the underground lake in once leaded rock and discovering the labyrinth of tunnels while peddling in fresh drinking mountain water (Figure 7).
B. Sc. Fajmut Štrucl Suzana, et al.: Geopark Karavanke - Secrets written in stone 95
Figure 7 Geo-experience in the Mežica mine (Foto: T. Jeseničnik).
4.1.2 Topla Landscape Park
Topla Valley is one of the most picturesque mountain valleys in Slovenia. Because of the many natural beauties, extraordinary cultural landscape and preserved ethnological heritage, it has been protected as a landscape park since 1966 together with the Peca peak and the surrounding slopes.
Similar to other valleys in the Karavanke mountains, Topla was populated as early as at the end of the 16th century. The typical image of the Carinthian landscape is revived by five old but preserved farms, which carefully nurture the rich ethnological heritage. The homesteads are characterized by the clustered organization of the buildings, called “celk”.
The blooming unfertilized meadows and pastures of this valley are an important habitat for butterflies, and a number of endangered plants have found shelter in the Burjak swamp, among which wild orchids are the most prominent. The beginning of May is the time when Auriculas and purple Alpine bellflowers begin to bloom, later joined by Alpine buttercups, Alpine azaleas and Kamnik orchids.
Sustainable forest management and a modified felling regime contribute to an ex-ceptional density of capercaillies not found almost anywhere else in Slovenia and Eu-rope.
As the entire Mežica Valley, the lives of people in Topla were strongly influenced by mining. The beginnings of lead and zinc ore excavations date back to the year 1834, however, today the Topla mine is closed and is a protected natural monument intended only for visitors.
The Topla ore deposit lies on the southern slope of the Peca mountain with entrances to the mine located between the Fajmut and Končnik farms. Here we can find Anisian carbonate rocks turned to ores. The formation of ore deposits is particularly interesting to experts, as the formation of a lead-zinc ore in this ore deposit is an extraordinary phenomenon on a global scale. Professionally speaking, it is a sinsedimental supratidal lead-zinc ore with typical sedimentary textures of sphalerite ore, paleokarstic relief and supratidal sedimentation (Figure 8).
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Figure 8 Landscape Park Topla (Foto: RRA Koroška).
4.1.3 Obir Stalactite Caves
The karst cave was accidentally discovered during ore excavation in the Markus tunnel in the mining area of the Unterschäffler Alpe/Lower Šefnarca. Before this, there was no natural access from the surface. The cave lies in the Wetterstein limestone with karst formations. Only guided tours can be taken along the most beautiful karst cave in the Karavanke mountains intended for tourists. From May to September it is accessible with a “cave” shuttle bus. Since the 1987 more then 1.000.000 people have been visited Obir Caves (Figure 9).
Figure 9 Obir Stalactite Caves (Foto: D. Zupanc).
4.1.4 Globasnitz/Globasnica
Globasnitz used to be the most important pilgrimage site in the eastern Alpine area. The Archaeological Pilgrim Museum in Globasnitz displays sumptuous mosaics of the Early Christian churches, the finds of coins and ceramics from the Hallstatt period, Celtic jewellery and the necropolises of the Eastern Goths. However, they also offer interesting workshops for children.
At Hemmaberg, there are the remains of a late Roman temple with excavations from five churches, and accommodation and residential quarters. A forest trail leads from the old church to the Rozalija cave, which is located on the northern side below the top. In the chapel built in 1860 and reconstructed in 1927, a statue of St. Rosalie is erected, who is regarded as the patron saint against the plague (Figure 10).
B. Sc. Fajmut Štrucl Suzana, et al.: Geopark Karavanke - Secrets written in stone 97
Figure 10 Hemmaberg (Foto: D. Zupanc).
4.1.5 Minerals – dravite and wulfenite
Dravite In the vicinity of the Dobrova village, a few kilometres from the town of Dravograd,
there is a world-renowned deposit of the mineral dravite. It is a honey-brown magne-sium tourmaline. Mineralogist Tschermak named it after the river Drava. Today, it can be admired in mineralogical collections all over the world Wulfenite
The mineral was named after the Austrian mineralogist F. X. Wulfen. Chemically, it is a lead-molybdenum oxide and is a secondary mineral of lead ore deposits. Its colour varies from yellow to orange-red and red-brown. The crystals usually take the shape of square plates but other shapes are possible, such as thin plates, cubes and prisms. It is one of the most beautiful minerals in Slovenia. The wulfenite deposit in the Mežica mine is one of the rare deposits left in Slovenia. At the same time, it is the richest in Europe and one of the most famous in the world (Figure 11).
Figure 11 Mineral wulfenite (Foto: M. Jeršek).
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5 The management structure of Geopark Karavanke The management structure of Geopark Karavanke is formed as an association in which are included all municipalities from the Geopark karavanke area, togheter with other key partners.
The Association comprises the following objectives: The conservation of geological and natural resources, and the cultural and natu-ral heritage in the territory of its members (to implement a management of pro-tected areas within the geopark and also to strengthen the awarness for conseva-tion of not protected, but from side of natural and cultural heritage importend, geo- and culturalsides) The fostering of awareness, information and education about and in the Geopark Karavanke, the European and Global Geoparks Network and its positioning as a geopark (on one side planed to estabish an educational program for schools and kindergardens within the geopark , and on the other side to be a potential area for activities of geologiest and sientists). The economic valorisation of the Geopark Karavanke, including through sus-tainable tourism (a longtime goal is to be established as an apline detsination on the european turistical market an as recreation room between the cities of Vil-lach-Klagenfurt an Kranj-Ljubljana-Celje). General cross-border cooperation and development of the region in terms of sustainable regional policy.
The bodies of the Association are the Assembly - the supreme body of the consor-tium, the Executive Board - the operational body of the Association, the Scientific Advisory Board - advises accompanied bodies and reviews the activities of the Geopark Karavanke in scientific terms, the Board of Auditors, the Chairman - con-ducts the current business based on associated partner, the working groups and project committees.
The expert council task is to offer professional support to the Geopark Karavanke partnership. It includes experts from different areas at a national and regional level, who are responsible for the area and its priorities in their respective professional do-mains. Members of the expert council are representatives of competent bodies from both countries: Geological Survey of Slovenia, Faculty of Natural Sciences and En-gineering at the University of Ljubljana - Department of Geology, Slovenian Institute of Nature Protection, Slovenian Ministry of Culture, Slovenian Ministry of the Envi-ronment and Spatial Planning, Slovenian Tourist Organization, Joanneum Research Graz, Tourism region of Klopeinersee-South Carinthia, Department 8 of the Kärnten provincial government, centre for environment, water and nature protection, Depart-ment 3 of the Kärnten provincial government, centre for regional development and municipalities.
The working groups are introduced to the objectives of the Geopark Karavanke and advise and support the Geopark Karavanke bodies via broad participation from the 14 municipalities. Project Committees are set to specific agendas, for example, for de-velopment projects so as to ensure broad public participation in the Geopark Kara-vanke.
All bodies are composed balanced with members from both sides of the border. As professional operational support to management of Geopark Karavanke the fol-
lowing associated partners are determined from the Assembly and the Executive
B. Sc. Fajmut Štrucl Suzana, et al.: Geopark Karavanke - Secrets written in stone 99
Board: Verein Regionalentwicklung Suuedkaernten (regional development South Carinthia), Obir Tropfstinhoelen (OTH, the Obir caves ), the RRA Koroška (regional development agency for Koroška region), the Zavod RS za varstvo narave (Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation) and Podzemlje Pece.
The Geopark Karavanke management and overall coordination is handled by the Verein Regionalentwicklung Suedkaernten. Support is provided by the Podzemlje Pece, which is taking over the operation of the Geopark Karavanke Information Cen-tre in Mežica and the geoscientific line of the Geopark Karavanke, as well. The In-stitute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation supports geoscience and nature conservation line and takes over the education technical direction of the Geopark Karavanke. The Geopark Karavanke Information Centre Eisenkappel is guided by the OTH, OTH also assumes the tourist line of the Geopark in coordination with the RRA Koroška and the Tourism region of Klopeinersee-South Carinthia. The agendas of regional development as a whole take on the RRA Koroška and the Verein Regionalentwicklung Suedkaernten.
The management team’s tasks are managing and coordinating promotional activi-ties, educational activities, research and development, information and communica-tion, providing support for the functioning of the expert council and working groups, coordination and communication with national UNESCO representatives, coordina-tion and communication with the bodies of the European Geopark Network (EGN), cooperation with Geoparks in the EGN network, implementation of policies for the protection of natural and cultural heritage etc.
As a shorttime vision concernig the manangement structure the goal of the Geopark Karavanke is to establish a legal structure with permanent equal cross-border partici-pation in the legal form of the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) to create a legal entity with highest bilateral legal certainty.
References “Geopark Karavanke”(2014). Retrieved on January 10, 2014, from the website : www.geopark-karawanke
en.com Suzana, F. S.,Mojca B., Uroš H., Walter P., Lenka R., Primož V. & Gerald H. (2011). Application for
membership in the Global/European Geoparks Network. Mežica, 38-46. Suzana, F. S.,Mojca B., Uroš H., Walter P., Lenka R., Primož V. & Gerald H. (2011). “First steps towards
establishment of cross-border Geopark between Slovenia and Austria”. In 10th European Geoparks Conference 2011. Sustainability through Knowledge Communicating Geoparks, Langesund. Nor-way,16–20.
Suzana, F. S.,Mojca B., Uroš H., Walter P., Lenka R., Primož V. & Gerald H. (2013). “Development of Geotourism in cross-border Geopark Karavanke /Karavanken,”. In 12th European Geoparks Confer-ence 2013. ur. Società Geologica Italiana. Italy,3-8.
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