Basaltsteinbruch Weitendorf, Natural monument and quarry in Wildon, Austria
Basaltsteinbruch Weitendorf is an active quarry near Wildon that extracts dark volcanic rock. The quarry walls display distinctive columnar rock formations in the lower sections, with stone ranging from dark gray to black in color.
The rock originated from volcanic activity roughly 18 million years ago that shaped the Styrian Basin. This ancient geological process created the basalt deposits that miners extract today.
Fossils embedded in the rock layers tell the story of an ancient sea that once covered this area. Visitors can observe shells and marine remains that connect the present landscape to its distant past.
The quarry is an active mining site with restricted visitor access for safety reasons. It is advisable to check conditions beforehand and maintain respectful distance from work vehicles and operational areas.
Groundwater accumulates within the quarry to form a lake that may be repurposed as thermal storage for the city of Graz. This creative reuse plan shows how mining sites can become infrastructure assets for energy systems after extraction ends.
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