Steinbruch Steltenberg, Limestone quarry in Hagen, Germany.
Steinbruch Steltenberg is a limestone quarry located on Steltenberg mountain and operates to extract limestone and dolomite from rock formations. The site's excavated walls expose layers of stone that accumulated over millions of years in an ancient seafloor environment.
The mountain formed hundreds of millions of years ago when the area was covered by an ancient sea filled with coral reefs and shelled creatures. The rocks extracted today are the hardened remains of those prehistoric marine organisms and their skeletons.
The quarry continues a regional tradition of extracting limestone, and visitors can see how this work has shaped local construction and industry. The site demonstrates how people have long relied on the mountain's resources to build their region.
The quarry is not open to casual visitors and requires permission from the operating company before entering. Since this is an active industrial site, contact the operator in advance and follow all safety instructions when visiting.
Alongside limestone, the rocks contain well-formed quartz crystals that can grow quite large. These minerals are unexpected finds for visitors expecting only limestone and reveal the geological variety within the mountain.
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