Glass Mountain (Orenburg)

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Photos

  • Гора Стеклянная (Оренбург). Photography 1
  • Гора Стеклянная (Оренбург). Photography 2
  • Гора Стеклянная (Оренбург). Photography 3
  • Гора Стеклянная. Photography 4
  • Гора Стеклянная. Photography 5
  • Гора Стеклянная. Photography 6
  • Гора Стеклянная. Photography 7
  • Гора Стеклянная. Photography 8

Description

Mount Steklyannaya is a gently sloping hill with an absolute height of 215.2 m, located 6 km southwest of the village of Panika. This geological natural monument of regional significance attracts attention with its unique deposits and rich historical context.

Geological description

On the northern slope of the hill, on the northeastern side of the road, there is a large quarry for the extraction of dark gray and black clays of the Aptian stage of the Lower Cretaceous. The clays contain flat-shaped siderite concretions, which are replaced by limonite on the surface. These deposits are an important source of information about the geological past of the region.

On the southwestern side of the road there are small quarries where opoka-like rocks, sandstones and shell rock of the Upper Jurassic are exposed, with layers of concretion phosphorites. The visible thickness of the section reaches 5 m. Here, there are rich accumulations of Jurassic marine fauna, including well-preserved ammonite shells, belemnite rostra, and valves of various pelecypods and brachiopods.

Geological significance

The reference sections of Steklyannaya Mountain remain relevant today. They are the closest object to Orenburg where you can get acquainted with the fauna of the Jurassic sea. The best section of the Aptian stage of the Cretaceous system includes dark gray to black clays with siderite concretions and gypsum veins. In the neighboring quarry, shell rock and other rocks of the Callovian stage of the Upper Jurassic were exposed, which makes this site valuable for educational practices.

Initially, the Upper Jurassic paleofauna on Steklyannaya Mountain was discovered by D.N. Sokolov, who called this location "the closest island of the Jurassic to Orenburg." These reference sections continue to be used for geological research and educational purposes.

Recreational and educational aspects

Glass Mountain is an excellent place for educational and informative excursions on geology and natural history. Visitors can enjoy not only the study of geological deposits, but also picturesque views of the southern part of Orenburg and the endless Orenburg steppes. An asphalt road Orenburg-Mikhailovka runs through the hill, providing convenient access to this unique natural site.

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