Šomoška stone waterfall

Šomoška rock waterfall
Basalt rock
The stone waterfall

Šomoška stone waterfall (Slovak: Kamenný vodopád, Hungarian: A somoskői bazaltorgonák) is a natural feature, also known as a rock or stone waterfall, located in southern Slovakia, approximately 12 kilometers south of the town of Fiľakovo, in the Cerová vrchovina Protected Landscape Area. The rock waterfall is located on a hill next to the Šomoška Castle,[1] where it was accidentally discovered during the re-construction of the gothic castle.[2] Parts of the stone waterfall were used during the building of the castle walls.[3]

Basalt structures like the Šomoška rock waterfall are considered a rarity in Europe.[4]

Description

The rock waterfall was formed approximately 4 million years ago (Pliocene) as a result of solidification of basaltic lava.[5] It is located on the eastern slope of the castle hill, which forms a basalt neck measuring 160 x 130 m.[6] Five hexagonal columns, formed during slow cooling, are typical of basalt.[7] However, such formation and characteristic curvature, demonstrated by the rock waterfall, are unique in Europe.[8] Individual columns measure 15–20 cm in width and are inclined at an angle of 60–80°.[9] The entire waterfall is approximately 9 m high and 15 m wide.[5][8] Recrystallized inclusions of surrounding rocks can be found near the edges of the andesite bodies. Following the intrusion, hydrothermal activity took place, leading to the formation of various hydrothermal minerals. These minerals, including pyrite, magnetite, calcite, aragonite, dolomite, quartz, and zeolites, primarily developed in the cracks of the andesite body.[10]

Location

The waterfall is located within the boundaries of the Šomoška National Nature Reserve (Národná prírodná rezervácia Šomoška) and the cross-border (Slovak-Hungarian) Novohrad-Nógrád Geopark.[11]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Somoska-stone-waterfall.

References

  1. ^ Štefanek, Jozef. "Šomoška". Slovak castles and chateaux. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  2. ^ "Bazaltzuhatag a Somos-kövön". MTSZ (in Hungarian). 2024-01-12. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  3. ^ a.s, Petit Press. "Unique stone waterfall is located on Slovak-Hungarian border". The Slovak Spectator. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
  4. ^ Mallows, Lucy (2007). Slovakia. Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN 978-1-84162-188-3.
  5. ^ a b Slobodníková, Oľga (2022). "Kamenný vodopád, more a hrad" (PDF). sazp.sk. Ministerstvo životného prostredia Slovenskej republiky. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  6. ^ Kovár, František (2023-11-21). "Kamenný vodopád na juhu Slovenska je unikát európskeho formátu". INovinky (in Slovak). Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  7. ^ s.r.o, Global (2021-07-30). "Chystáte sa navštíviť Lučenec? TÝCHTO 7 vecí by ste v…". bystrica.dnes24.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  8. ^ a b "Patrí suverénne k najpôsobivejším prírodným výtvorom na Slovensku. Dokonca v celej Európe je považovaný za veľkú raritu". Pravda.sk (in Slovak). 2025-08-06. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  9. ^ "Somoskői bazaltorgona (SK)". Bükki Nemzeti Park Igazgatóság (in Hungarian). 2021-04-13. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  10. ^ "Šiatorská Bukovinka". Bükki Nemzeti Park Igazgatóság (in Slovak). 2021-04-13. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  11. ^ "Kamenný vodopád | Iné atrakcie Šiatorská Bukovinka | KamNaVylet.sk". www.kamnavylet.sk (in Slovak). Archived from the original on 2025-06-21. Retrieved 2025-12-23.

48°10′29″N 19°51′38″E / 48.1746°N 19.860581°E / 48.1746; 19.860581

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