The Plitvice Lakes National Park, founded in 1949 and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, is known for its unique geological formations, which include numerous waterfalls, lakes and travertine barriers. This earthcache takes a closer look at the geological formation of the area and the formation of the unique waterfalls.
Nacionalni park Plitvička jezera, osnovan 1949. godine i upisan na UNESCO-ov popis svjetske baštine 1979. godine, poznat je po svojim jedinstvenim geološkim formacijama, koje uključuju brojne vodopade, jezera i sedrene barijere. Ovaj zemaljski cache detaljno istražuje geološku formaciju područja i formiranje jedinstvenih vodopada.
Types of waterfalls
Waterfalls are geologic formations where water falls abruptly over a cliff edge or descends a steep slope. They are usually formed where the flow of water overcomes natural barriers, such as harder rock layers that resist erosion better than softer layers. See below for the types of waterfalls as they are divided.
Vrste slapova
Slapovi su geološke formacije gdje voda naglo pada preko ruba litice ili se spušta niz strmu padinu. Obično se formiraju tamo gdje protok vode nadvlada prirodne prepreke, poput tvrđih stijenskih slojeva koji bolje odupiru eroziji od mekših slojeva. Pogledajte u nastavku vrste slapova kako su podijeljene.
Types of waterfalls
(source: Eugene Magazine 2024, own custom modification)
Formation
The waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes are the result of complex geological processes. The travertine barriers that form the waterfalls are formed by the deposition of calcium carbonate from the mineral-rich water that flows over vegetation such as mosses and algae. This process takes place over thousands of years and is responsible for the formation of the characteristic terraces and barriers that divide the lakes.
Formacija
Slapovi u Nacionalnom parku Plitvička jezera rezultat su složenih geoloških procesa. Travertinski barijeri koji tvore slapove formiraju se taloženjem kalcijevog karbonata iz mineralno bogate vode koja teče preko vegetacije poput mahova i algi. Taj proces odvija se tijekom tisuća godina i odgovoran je za formiranje karakterističnih terasa i barijera koje dijele jezera.
Cross section diagram of Plitvice Lakes with waterfalls
(source: Plitvice-lakes.info 2024, own custom modification)
Plitvice waterfalls
The national park is located in the karst area of the Dinaric Alps, where there are underground rivers and springs. Karst processes lead to the formation of caves and sinkholes, which contribute to the unique hydrological conditions in the park. The water in the lakes and waterfalls is known for its varied colours, which change depending on the mineral content and the angle of sunlight.
The largest waterfall in the national park and in Croatia, Veliki Slap, is approximately 78 metres high. Unlike the other waterfalls in the park, which are formed by the overflow of water from one lake to another, Veliki Slap is fed by the Plitvica Potok River. This waterfall is known for its dramatic appearance and sound. There are more than ninety waterfalls in Plitvice National Park. Notable waterfalls include Labudovački Slap, Milanovački Slap and Galovački Buk.
Slapovi Plitvičkih jezera
Nacionalni park smješten je u krškom području Dinarida, gdje postoje podzemne rijeke i izvori. Krški procesi dovode do formiranja špilja i ponora, što doprinosi jedinstvenim hidrološkim uvjetima u parku. Voda u jezerima i slapovima poznata je po raznolikim bojama, koje se mijenjaju ovisno o mineralnom sadržaju i kutu sunčeve svjetlosti.
Najveći slap u nacionalnom parku i u Hrvatskoj, Veliki Slap, visok je otprilike 78 metara. Za razliku od drugih slapova u parku, koji se formiraju prelijevanjem vode iz jednog jezera u drugo, Veliki Slap opskrbljuje se rijekom Plitvica Potok. Ovaj slap poznat je po svojem dramatičnom izgledu i zvuku. U Nacionalnom parku Plitvička jezera nalazi se više od devedeset slapova. Značajni slapovi uključuju Labudovački Slap, Milanovački Slap i Galovački Buk.
LAB caches in Plitvice
As a bonus, you can also catch simple LABs around the lakes. You can access them via the Adventure lab app, by scanning the QR code below or by clicking HERE.
LAB keševi u Plitvicama
Kao bonus, možete također loviti jednostavne LAB-ove oko jezera. Možete im pristupiti putem aplikacije Adventure Lab, skeniranjem QR koda ispod ili klikom OVDJE.
And now to what you need to do to successfully log this cache... Your task will be to answer the tasks below and send me the answers to my email - geovasek01@gmail.com. Please write "Plitvice" in the subject line and don't forget to include your nickname in the message. If there is any confusion, I will get back to you. You can log in as soon as you receive the answers.
Your tasks
1) Describe how these waterfalls were formed. The answer can be found in the listing.
2) What is the difference between Veliki Slap waterfall and other waterfalls? The answer can be found in the listing.
3) For example at stages Travertine example, it is possible to observe the travertine that forms the waterfalls and the surrounding rocks. Describe the difference in colour, texture and grain between them.
4) Choose any three waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes, write their coordinates and what type of waterfall it is.
5) Take a photo of yourself or your personal item with waterfalls and attach it to the log!
I sada, kako biste uspješno zabilježili ovaj cache... Vaš zadatak bit će da odgovorite na zadatke u nastavku i pošaljete mi odgovore na moj e-mail - geovasek01@gmail.com. Molimo vas da u predmetu poruke napišete "Plitvice" i ne zaboravite uključiti vaš nadimak u poruci. Ako dođe do bilo kakve zabune, javit ću vam se. Možete zabilježiti svoj posjet čim primite odgovore.
Vaši zadaci
1) Opišite kako su ovi slapovi nastali. Odgovor se može pronaći u objavi.
2) Koja je razlika između Velikog slapa i ostalih slapova? Odgovor se može pronaći u objavi.
3) Na primjer, na etapi Travertine example, moguće je promatrati sedru koja tvori slapove i okolne stijene. Opišite razliku u boji, teksturi i zrnatosti među njima.
4) Odaberite bilo koja tri slapa na Plitvičkim jezerima, napišite njihove koordinate i o kojoj se vrsti slapa radi.
5) Fotografirajte sebe ili svoj osobni predmet sa vodopadima i pričvrstite je na dnevnik!
I hope you enjoy earthcache and if you have any other photos of the area they are certainly welcome. Have a successful hunt and I'll be glad for a favorite point...
Sources
BRITANNICA (2024): Waterfall. Available HERE (accessed 15. 6. 2024).
EUGENE MAGAZINE (2024): Types of waterfalls. Available HERE (accessed 23. 6. 2024).
GEOLOGYSCIENCE.COM (2023): Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia. Available HERE (accessed 23. 6. 2024).
NATIONAL PARK PLITVICE (2024): Official website of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Available HERE (accessed 20. 6. 2024).
PLITVICE-LAKES.INFO (2024): Waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes. Available HERE (accessed 20. 6. 2024).
WIKIPEDIA (2024): Plitvice Lakes National Park. Available HERE (accessed 15. 6. 2024).
Photos by Václav Jícha & internet