Putikov vŕšok, Nature reserve in District of Žarnovica, Slovakia
Putikov vŕšok is a nature reserve in the District of Žarnovica featuring a volcanic cone that rises 432 meters above sea level. The summit displays visible crater outlines with red clay, loess deposits, and volcanic granules, while a 26-meter cave called Sezam is also present within the formation.
The site gained protected status in 1997 as part of the Štiavnické vrchy Protected Landscape Area to preserve its geological features. This designation reflects efforts to maintain the record of the region's volcanic past.
The name reflects the local connection to volcanic activity, and visitors can observe how the red clay and volcanic material shape the appearance of the landscape today. The site remains a reference point for understanding the region's geological character.
The reserve is accessible to visitors interested in exploring the crater features and the Sezam cave. Sturdy footwear is recommended due to the rocky and uneven terrain of the volcanic formation.
This volcanic formation represents the most recent eruption site in Central Europe, with its last activity occurring more than 102,000 years ago. This vast time span makes the reserve a rare testament to the region's deep geological story.
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