Nature reserve Bonarka, Nature reserve in Krakow, Poland
Nature reserve Bonarka is located in Krakow and covers about 2 hectares with exposed rock layers and an abandoned quarry site. The visible geological strata date from the Cretaceous period and reveal distinct ancient seabeds.
The site was designated as a protected reserve in 1961 after quarrying operations ended. Prior to that, Upper Cretaceous marl was extracted here for roughly a century to supply a local cement factory.
The reserve draws researchers and students who come to examine its geological layers and the fossils embedded within. School groups visit to learn about the ancient history preserved in the exposed rock formations.
Access is through marked trails that allow visitors to safely explore the geological formations on site. The area requires respectful behavior since it is protected land where fragile natural features must be preserved.
The area contains a rare erosion surface from the Cretaceous period that is not found anywhere else in this form across Europe. This distinctive geological feature makes it valuable for scientists throughout the continent.
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