Csólyospálos Geological Site

Area: 1 ha

Legal declaration by Decree No. 14/1978. OKTH

Biogeographic region: Sand Ridge

Visitors can find a globally important natural value near Csólyospálos. The permanent and ephemeral soda lakes and water-logged depressions of the Danube-Tisza Interfluve accumulated carbonate-rich deposits during the Holocene, which turned into meadow limestone and dolomite due to summer droughts, the shallow water depth and, as a consequence of these, the high rate of evaporation and the special water chemistry. The petrification of the carbonate-rich mud was initiated by both organic and chemical processes and resulted in 20-60 cm thick solid carbonate layers.

There was such a lake near Csólyospálos, too. The meadow limestone formed in it was then covered by a 1-2 m thick layer of sand and loess during the past millennia. The Csólyospálos Geological Site is established at one of the formerly common stone pits (quarries), which were used to mine stone from the bottom of soda lakes scattered along the eastern edge of the Ridge of the Danube-Tisza Interfluve. Meadow limestone here had a brownish white colour due to its iron oxide content and was called “wasp stone” by local people because of its porous structure resembling wasps’ nest. Meadow limestone (also called lacustrine limestone) is the only good-quality but easily processable solid construction material of the Kiskunság. It was used for paving roads, the basement and sometimes the walls of large buildings and churches. Therefore, the site has also cultural and historic relevance. The geological site and the high-quality study trail can be accessed from the dirt road starting north of Csólyospálos, opposite to the cemetery. Please do not leave the trail when visiting this strictly protected area.