geology asbestos
Natural Environmental- Cyprus
The Pentadactylos Mountains began to emerge eleven million years ago at the end of the Miocene era, but the Mesaoria appeared much later, during the Pleistocene Age, a million years ago. Today, the Troodos massif, a bulky range with the 1951m Mount Olympus at its peak, dominates the south of the island. It consists of igneous rock and pillow lavas originally formed from molten rock beneath the 8,000- metre deep ocean that ocean separated the continents of Eurasia and Afro-Arabia. Its serpentine rocks contain rich deposits of copper, asbestos, chromites and iron pyrites. Troodos provides a unique opportunity for anyone interested in geology, because it is one of the rare places in the world where you can actually stand on the earth’s mantle. The Pentadactylos range, which runs parallel to the northern coastline, is the east Mediterranean’s southernmost range of the great Alpine-Himalaya chain. It consists of thrust masses of limestone of the Permian, Carboniferous and Cretaceous periods, with marl, sandstone and conglomerates from the Miocene era on the lower slopes. The Mesaoria, between the two mountain ranges, stretches from Morfou in the west to Famagusta in the east, with the capital, Nicosia, lying more or less in the middle. This central plain is mainly marl and shell-limestone, while in the eastern foothills of the Troodos range, chalk, limestone and gypsum are common.
The rock formations have played a significant role in the development of the landscape. The erosion resistant dunites, serpentines, gabbros and diabases of the Troodos massif are the main reason for its height and its harsh, rugged scenery, while less erosion-resistant chalk at lower altitudes have formed the rounded white landscape of the vineyards. The limestone cliffs of the Akamas have created karsts, with subterranean streams, reservoirs and caves containing stalagmites and stalactites. There are also deep gorges at the west of the island. The rivers flowing radially from the Troodos have opened steep-sided river valleys and there are significant waterfalls at Kalidonia, Mesapotamos and Fini. The Salt Lakes at Akrotiri and Larnaka lose their water is summer sue to evaporation and, until quite recently, the salt harvested from the dried-out lake at Larnaka was sold on the local market. Coupled with the rock types are the various kinds of soil, which give distinct colour to the landscape. Deep and fertile terra rosa has developed on the hard limestone of the Kokkinochoria (Red Villges) in the southeast, and rich brown soils have developed on the pillow lavas. The white limey soils, derived from the decomposition of limestone rocks, are widespread and the most suitable foor the cultivation of vines in the districts of Pafos and Lemesos (Limassol), while very fertile alluvial soils are present in the river valleys.
The natural vegetation of Cyprus is broadly split into four categories: forests, maquis, Mediterranean garrigue and herbaceous plants. The main forests trees at high altitude are pines, including the flat-topper Troodos pine. Cedar, plane, alder, maple and the endemic golden oak grow on the lower slopes and, near the coasts, juniper predominates. The golden oak has beeen declared the national tree of Cyprus. Maquis vegetation, which thrives on poor quality siliceous soil, includes rockroses, arbutus, myrtle and rosemary. The scrub vegetation of the garrigue is chiefly on limestone soil and includes the spiny burnet, capers and aromatics such as thyme, rosemary, oregano and lavender. Cyprus is characterized by an extremely high number of indigenous plant species, approximately 2000, of which almost 140 are emdemic, such as the Cyclamen cyprium, which has been declared the national flower of Cyprus. For nature lovers, early spring is the most rewarding period of the year. There is a riotous blossoming of poppies, anemones, cyclamen, iris, gladioli, tulips and crown daisies. Approximately fifty species, subspecies and varieties of orchid are found, including several endemics. Birds on the spring and autumn north –south migration use Cyprus as a stopping point and the two Salt Lakes (Larnaka and Akrotiri) offer a winter home to large flocks of greater flamingos. Nightingales, golden orioles, hoopoes, rollers and bee-eaters are among the visitors and residents include several endemic species, such as the Cyprus warble and the Cyprus Wheatear. The population of te Griffon Vulture has declined rapidly over recent years and the birds no longer visit many of their traditional nesting sites. The Game Service has seet up a small reserve at Agios loannis on the Xeros River and action is being taken to prevent the loss of the species.the endemic moufflon, a type of wild sheep, considered by namy to be Cyprus’ national animal. At one time, these beautiful shy animals were hunted almost to extinction. However, a captive-breeding programme has saved the species and today around 10,000 live in and around the Pafos Forest. They are best seen in a reserve at the Stavros tis Psokas Forest Station., in the Troodos range. Cyprus is one of the few remaining nesting grounds for the endangered Green Turtle and the Loggerhead Turtle. Turtles lay their eggs in the sand on isolated beaches. Gradual human encroachment into their territory and depredation of the nests and hatchling by foxes and other predators has severely jeopardised the survival of these primeval marine creatures.Northern Cyprus Holidays In 1978, the Cyprus Fisheries Department established a turtle hatchery at Lara Beach, one of the main nesting sites on the west coast. Turtle eggs are also transported from other beaches to hatch in safe conditions at Lara. Although not a wild animal in danger of extinction, the Cyprus donkey has always been an important feature of rural life. It was a form of transport, beast of burden and the means for drawing water from the wells. The Nubian Donkey is believed to be the domestic donkey’s ancestor and it is known that donkeys were domesticated before horses. What is not known is when the first donkeys arrived in Cyprus but the remains of an ass have been found in a tomb from the seventh century BC. Villagers from the remoter areas can still be seen riding and working with donkeys, and there is a Donkey Sanctuary at the village of Vouni, northwest of Lemesos (Limassol)
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