At this location we can see some very clear layering in the rock cut by the side of the road. This gives us a look at how exactly this region of the Greek mountain ranges was formed.
We find ourselves in the middle of the Pindus mountain range, more specifically in the area of the Athamanika or Tzoumerka mountains. The Pindus range was formed by the collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, leading to a subduction phase that eventually led to the formation of the Pindus range.
SUBDUCTION happens when two tectonic plates collide: one plate will slide downward, pushing the other plate upwards to create mountains.
In the case of the Pindus range and in this area specifically, we get to see the sedimentary layering of ancient seabed that was pushed up via subduction at the point where the African and Eurasian plates meet. Layers of solid shales alternate with layers of conglomerate clasts (gravel-sized pieces of rocks cemented loosely by finer grains of sand and other sediments). This makes for an impressive sight, but unfortunately it makes the structure of these mountains rather susceptible to rainwater erosion. In your travels you'll no doubt see more than a few areas where rainwater has caused various size collapses, washouts and rockfalls along the roads.
Now that you are here, take a moment to study the rock face that was cut away during the construction of this road. You will need to gather some information and take a few measurements, but you can also study the different materials and conglomerates that make up the mountains here. And as you continue along your travels you will be able to look across the many canyons of the Pindus range and compare what you see in different areas of the range to what you've noticed here.
To log this cache please send me a message with the answers to the following questions:
1. On average, how thick are the layers of solid rock?
2. The layers of rock here are slightly sloped. Estimate the angle of the slope of the layers at the posted? Compare this to the angle of the layers just down the hill at Waypoint 2.
3. Optional: you may add a picture of yourself at the posted if you wish.
Sources:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pindus
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology_of_Greece
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_orogeny