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| The naturalistic peculiarities
of the Matildic lands |
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On
the left:
The "calanchi", typical erosion chines of the
Emilian Apennines;
The Rock of Bismantova. |
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The
calanques
The calanques constitute one of the most impressive landscapes
of the matildic area. The Canossa castle raises on a large amphitheatre
made of terrific lunar calanques. The calanques appear as a
series of barren yellowish basins with various stony fragments
in them. They are composed of different layers of clays left
dozens of millions of years ago on the depths of an ancient
basin. The disforestation operated by men during the centuries,
added to the erosion of the vegetal surface, has evidenced the
barren substratus that, deprived of the protection of the fertile
soil, appear in all its impressive dryness. At the same time,
some vegetal species particularly persistent, like the rare
orchids, can colonize this savage unfriendly environment.
The caves
In the matildic area there's a large emergence of some gypsum
called 'messinians' that, because of its friability, can be
used industrially (the caves of Vezzano, in the region of Reggio
Emilia, are still visible even if they are not exploited as
they were in the past). The gypsy stone, easily eroded by water,
produces dolines (a carsic phenomenon of the surface), that
is to say sinkings of the ground where the water penetrates,
from the depth in the underground layers creating some caves
(hypogeum carsism).
The most fascinating is the Tana della Mussina, near Albinea,
near Reggio. This cave, remarkably extended, let appear some
prehistoric traces. We suggest you to visit the cave with the
help of an expert guide.
The salty springs
The so-called "salse" are springs of salty mud and
watery cold mud forming some sort of cones, on the top of which,
some gaseous and bituminous materials are fermenting. It is
a sort of "vulcanic" phenomenon, even of there's no
real connection between these springs and the melted mineral
materials ejected by vulcanoes. Briefly, these springs are really
impressive but not dangerous. Tourists and excursionists seem
to appreciate them truly.
In the matildic area you can find them in the municipality of
Lesignano Bagni, in Rivalta and, around Reggio, in Casola di
Querciola and Regnano, both near Viano. |
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