I visited this amazing area a few times in the past decades. First in the seventies, and later on in 2015 and 2017. What a great area to hike the mountains and to observe all kinds of formed landscapes.
I was especially interested bij this sinkhole, as one will handly notice it when racing accross the area :)
About this specific spot:
The sinkhole developed as a result of gypsum dissolution in the surface water.
The gypsum originated in the Upper Permian (about 255 m years ago). The surface water seeped in from a geological fault, dissolved the gypsum and formed caves. The caves partially collapsed forming the nearly 30 m deep sinkhole.
From the beginning of the 16th century to 1860 copper shale was mined in the whole area. An old pit was also found on the ground of the sinkhole. Up to today the surface water accumulates at the bottom of the sinkhole and runs in the depth. There it flows through a cave, which was discovered during mining. Right there the mine drainage water was passed.
After mining was given up in this area, pits and tunnels fell into disrepair. Today they are inaccessible. In 1994, the surface water flowing into the sinkhole was dyed. But it was not possible to find out where it drains off. It is likely that the subterraneous water runs southwards in direction to the Helme valley.
About the Unesco Geopark:
"The Harz, Braunschweiger Land UNESCO Global Geopark is located in Northern Germany and encloses the Harz Mountains and the northern situated "Braunschweiger Land" up to the Flechtingen Ridge.
The Harz Mountains are composed of Paleozoic sediments and magmatic rocks. They have been extensively documented over the past 1,000 years in historical accounts of mining and research. The Braunschweiger Land/Ostfalen area is famous for its fossil-rich sediments of the Mesozoic and Neozoic eras. A unique landscape with numerous deposits (iron ore, brown coal, salt, oil) came about here as a result of the elevation of salt structures. The "Classic Square Mile of Geology" is an area at the Northern reaches of the Harz Mountains near the town of Goslar (the Prussian Mile is equivalent to 7,53 km). The essence of this area, also called the "Golden Square Mile", consists of the close contact between the Variscan bedrock and the precipitous Mesozoic overlying rock, with many reference outcrops. This coexistence of the Palaeozoic Harz Mountains and the Mesozoic foreland describes the importance of the whole UNESCO Global Geopark perfectly.
Sustaining local Communities
The UNESCO Global Geopark covers an area which was divided between the Federal Republic of Germany in the west and the German Democratic Republic in the east for more than 40 years. For this region, the UNESCO Global Geopark is an instrument to overcome the consequences of the division. The natural landscapes in the region belong together anyway. Municipalities within the UNESCO Global Geopark are as members of the districts, which are situated completely within the UNESCO Global Geopark, directly or at least indirectly involved in the development of the UNESCO Global Geopark.
The cultural history of the region with its renowned monuments, including the world heritage of Goslar and Quedlinburg is closely linked to the geological characteristics of the landscape. Additionally, the region contains important sites in early human history such as prehistoric graves. Neanderthal remains and the world’s oldest spears, the Schöningen Spears, have been excavated nearby. Nowadays, the Harz Mountains belong to the five most famous tourist destinations of Germany. The main attraction is the Brocken mountain (1,141 m). In addition, there are also visitor’s mines, caves and museums, for example the world cultural heritage site of Rammelsberg. On numerous geo-trails and nature paths and at geopoints, visitors can experience the attractions of the Geopark either independently or under the guidance of trained personnel. For this purpose, information booklets and leaflets are available, for example the "Landmarks", which give an overview of the Geopark region. For the establishment of the landmark network, local partners are involved. In co-operation with museums and schools, special educational activities are continuously being developed.
Visitors can experience the attractions of the UNESCO Global Geopark independently or under the guidance of trained personnel. The emphasis is on activities for children and juveniles, but also for adults. The target is to illustrate the basic facts in easy learning-units. This may be done on a day trip or during school trips, but it may also be part of regular lessons. Regional products like food, jewelry and books are produced in the region and are sold by partners such as hotels and restaurants."
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