...and focused on GIOLA
The nearest surroundings of Giola is formed mainly by
gneisses, schists and marbles of the Rhodope Massif. Marble
sequences, corresponding to the Falacron Marbles intercalated by
schists and gneisses, are up to 500m thick and are separated from
the underlying gneisses by a transition zone about 300 m thick
termed the T-zone consisting of alternances of dolomitic and
calcitic marbles intercalated by schists and gneisses. The
position of the Giola is indicated in the map above in context of
the geology of the whole island.
The rocks have undergone several periods of regional
metamorphism, to at least upper amphibolite facies, and there was a
subsequent phase of retrograde metamorphism. At least three periods
of regional deformation have been identified, the most important
being large scale isoclinal folding with axes aligned north-west.
The T-zone is deformed and is interpreted by some authors as a
regional thrust of pre-major folding age. There are two major high
angle fault systems aligned north-west and north-east
respectively.
Source: Most of the "clever"
texts are from wikipedia.org
Giola or sometimes
also called "Eye of Zeus" is a cavity in marble shore, which
forms a basin with salt water. During a high tide, the basin is
filled with marine water, that runs into the cavity over the
shallow barrier that separates the "eye" and the Aegean sea.
They say that God
was very generous when he gave the nature to the Thassos. One of
the most beautiful natural and God’s gift is the swimming
pool in the rock, Giola. Color of the water is crystal clear
and transparent, light green or dark green. Color of water is
particularly beautiful because of the contrast with the dark blue
sea water, in less than a meter from the pool. It is
interesting to see the pool when the sea is rough, and when the
waves lap on it. Water in it is always warmer than the sea, and
swimming in the pool is real pleasure.This pool is called
Afrodite’s tear, according to legend, Zeus created the pool
for her so she could swim in it. According to another legend, a
pool is an eye with which Zeus oversaw his mistress.
How to get here
When you drive from
Astris to Aliki, there is a way down to the sea at the waypoint
"Turn right" The Sign points to "Sirines Apartments". Follow the
road, do not go directly to the beach, but in the end of the
"road" turn left along the fence. You will see an arrow and
inscription GIOLA very soon. Continue to the parking waypoints
according to your courage and/or your car's endurance. We strongly
recommend you to park the car on the waypoint Parking 2, especially
when you have a rented car.
The path to the
giola and to the cache begins near the parking waypoint Parking 1
and leads down the hill to the see. It is marked with orange and
green spots and arrows, so you can not get lost :-)
Do not forget to take your swimsuit with you, bathing is allowed in
the giola, but you are doing so on your own risk! Please be careful
during the high tide, waves that throw water into the basin are
surprisingly strong and may cause you an unpleasant surprise, when
you will try to get out of the "eye"
HOW TO LOG THIS CACHE
If you want
to log this cache, please send me via profile answers
to the following questions:
1. Because
we are in Greece, we will refer to Archimedes...What is the
relative density (to water) of the marble rock? Collect a sample of
the stone that forms the surrounding of the "eye" and measure its
relative density as it is a characteristic property of every type
of rock and it is also related to the location. Example of the
measurement procedure can be found for example here.
2. What
is the approximate volume of the water in the "Eye" in cubic meters
(consider it an ideal right circular cylinder)
3. Name the
chemical elements that form marble. (Eg. Iron,
Nitrogen....)
4. Attach a photo of you and/or your GPSr at the "eye"
(optional, but we are looking forward to see your
pictures)