Vulkaneifel: the geological marvel!
Vulkaneifel is one of the districts in the northwestern state called Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. It is one of the sparsely populated districts of the state and also the fourth least densely populated districts of Germany. The district has its administrative center located in Daun.
History
This district was formed in the year 1815 when Eifel had become a part of Prussia. The district had fallen into severe economic crisis when most of the industries started having their traditional markets in France. Also, with the construction of the Nürburgring in the year 1927, the local economy got a boost in the form of an infrastructural project. On 1st January 2007, the district Daun was renamed as Vulkaneifel. It was the name of the landscape. Between 1970 and 1971 the district went through enlargement as the districts Mayen and Prum got dissolved and got added to the Daun district.
The Eifel Mountains which is located in the district contains volcanic lakes known as Maar. Kyll is the largest flowing river in this district.
Tourism
There are many places of interest in the Vulkaneifel. Maar lakes which are around Daun, the Manderscheid and the Caldera lakes of Laacher are one of the largest and also the youngest within the region. There are several hiking and cycling regions here in this region.
Lava-dome is a German volcanic museum in the Vulkaneifel situated in Mendig. Also, the Vulkaneifel has three geological parks spread over 2004, 45 km2. They are the Vulkaneifel European Geopark, the Vulkanpark Osteifel and also the Vulkanpark Brohltal.
Coat of arms
In the coat of arms, three symbols showing the three territories that historically made up the district is shown. Towards the left is the cross of the Trier, and the lion which represents the Counts of Blankenheim-Gerolstein. Also, the Escutcheon which is shown in the middle represents the arms of the Counts of Daun.
The volcanic Eifel
The Vulkan Eifel is a region situated in the Eifel mountain region in Germany. This place is defined to a great extent by the volcanic and geological history. There are various characteristics of this volcanic field. Some include the typical crater lakes caused by the explosions, maars, and also other various signs of volcanic activity like the volcanic tuffs, craters resulting from the volcano, streams of lava, and the Laacher See, a volcanic crater. The interesting part about this volcanic Eifel is that it is active even today. In the Laacher See, one can see the signs of activity with the escaping gasses.
Geographical Locations
This volcanic Eifel is spread from the Rhine to the Wittlich depression. The South Eifel broadens it in the south and also along the southwest. In the west, it gets broadened by Luxembourg along with Belgian Ardennes. In the north, there is the North Eifel with the Hohes Venn. In the eastern side, Rhine becomes its geographical boundary and no volcanic activity is found beyond this point.
The main center of volcanic Eifel region is majority around the Daun region and the Manderscheid. Also along the areas within the Mayen-Koblenz districts.
As the landscape of the region is largely affected by the volcanic activities, it is very common to come across various thick pumice, volcanic craters and basalt layers including maars which all have had their part in making a diverse landscape. Also since the entire volcanic Eifel is spread over about 2000 km2 the population as on 2007 was about 200,000.
The Vulkaneifel European Geopark and Nature Park: take a journey through the land of volcanoes and lakes formed by crates
There are various towering mountains which have been created by violent volcanic explosions and also fire from the depths which have created blasting holes in the volcanic Eifel. Also 10,900 years ago in Germany, a volcano called the Ulmwn Maar or better known as the Crater Lake was formed.
The volcanic Eifel is full of thick forests, charming villages, sprawling height, fragrant meadows and even clear streams. It is indeed a picturesque holiday destination which is really peaceful beyond any comparison. Unfortunately, under the found, it is not so peaceful. The violent forces that had once convinced this enchanting and also harsh landscape are all still very active.
The volcanic Eifel was formed by fire and water and even now it is the same fire and water elements that continue to form it today. There are approximately about 350 volcanoes in varying sizes, innumerable mineral and carbonated springs, massive crater lakes and even lab flow that continues to keep up with the legacy of Volcanic Eifel and it truly is striking! Besides this marvellous phenomenon the historical depths of volcanic Eifel is full of tropical reefs, sandstone, mighty lake deposits which have been witnessing the time of peace and turmoil which have been spread over more than 400 million years.
There are very few regions in our world that give us such an exquisite, fascinating and distinctive insight into the origins and developments so clearly. This is the reason why volcanic Eifel is a beautiful place brimming with natural heritage and it has been given the European Geopark status. It is also part of the UNESCO global geopark network. It also got the nature park status in the year 2010.
Visitors are taken through the beautiful and valuable treasures of this amazing landscape with the Geo-museums facility which have made accessing scientific phenomena easily accessible. Also, the visitors find inspiration during the various certified guided tours which further invite them to enjoy the thrills and tastes of the natural beauty by ways of walking, hiking, etc. In fact mountain cycling and biking helps one to explore and discover the beautiful multifaceted land which is full of beautiful mountains and lakes formed by craters.
Volcanism in the Eifel
Whenever Eifel is said, the first thing that comes to your mind is volcanoes. There is a Schalke Maar which is blue and round lake situated here as mentioned earlier. A maar is usually a volcano which is just another form. The maar is usually formed when the magma flows from the earth towards the surface where the water-bearing part on the way to the layers meet. Here the water will evaporate explosively ripping the surrounding rocks along with it. It is actually a hole in the surface of the earth which got filled with water.
The last volcanic eruption
It was almost 700,000 years ago when the young phase of the volcanic activities had begun. The last volcano which was the Ulmer maar broke out anomaly 10,000 years ago and has resulted in various geological marvels like the maar course, brick and carmine, volcanic cones, bombs and colourful rocks in ocher.
There are several mineral springs found in the Eifel region. In the north towards the Vulkaneifel is one of the stops that offers Gerolstein against the Helenenquelle. The water here tastes somewhat pleasantly sour and tingles delightfully. It is definitely an excellent refreshment after a hike.
The UNESCO Global Geopark
Also, UNESCO has recognised this global natural park as a “UNESCO Global Geopark.” It offers visitors a great opportunity to enjoy the pure and natural, geological and also the cultural heritage of this region fully.