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THE DOLOMITES |
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An ancient sea
bed.
The geological history of the Dolomites is an extremely interesting
one, and its uniqueness is what has defined the distinctive beauty
of these legendary rocky peaks and walls. Much of the beauty of
these mountains is due to their chemical composition, which is rich
in the mineral Dolomite, a double carbonate of magnesia and calcium
(CaMg(CO3)2). This limestone is extremely resistant to erosion and
is distinguished by a remarkable brilliance, which is what
fascinated its discoverer, the French nobleman Deodat De Dolomieu
(1750-1801).
The Dolomites began to form 280 million years ago as vast coral
reefs and deposits of aquatic organisms, standing on a robust plinth
of porphyry submerged under the Tethys Ocean.
230 million years ago, two large volcanoes also formed in this area.
One of these can now be found at Predazzo, while the other is the
Buffaure, at the entrance to the Val San Nicoḷ. |
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Over the aeons, countless strata
of organic material were deposited, which were slowly transformed
into limestone by the pressure of the water above. These strata are
frequently interrupted, however, by pockets of lava and detritus.
Special conditions found in certain areas led to the formation of
different minerals, such as the red sandstone at the feet of the
Latemar or the carboniferous veining in the Catinaccio.
From the Cretaceous era onward (million years ago), these minerals
began to be pushed upward as the African continental plate collided
with the European plate, revealing two types of rock – Dolomite and
volcanic – which are formed by completely different processes and
are usually found in totally different environments.
Dolomite rock is much more resistant to the effects of the sun,
rain, cold and running water than volcanic rocks, which erode and
crumble away easily. As a result, the tall, towering Dolomite peaks
now stand near or sprout from green valleys and gentle slopes, where
black rocks of volcanic origin are found.
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