Velnias Sinkhole, Natural sinkhole near Biržai, Lithuania.
Velnias Sinkhole is a deep circular depression in the karst landscape near Biržai, formed by the dissolution of limestone and gypsum rock beneath the surface. The visible layers reveal the geological history of the region and show how underground water movement gradually carved out this formation.
This geological structure developed over thousands of years as water slowly dissolved underground rock and created the hollow depression. The process was part of the natural karst development that shaped northern Lithuania and produced thousands of similar formations across the region.
The name comes from Lithuanian mythology, where Velnias is a deity connected to the afterlife and natural phenomena in ancient Baltic beliefs. People who visit view the site as a place where landscape and folklore intersect, reflecting how local traditions remain woven into the land itself.
Sturdy footwear is essential as the ground around the depression can be uneven and slippery, especially after rain. Visitors should stay on marked paths and move carefully to safely explore the site.
The site is an important study location for hydrologists and geologists investigating how water shapes the landscape. Researchers use such formations to better understand groundwater patterns and erosion processes that have influenced the northern region over time.
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