Nature » Geology

Geological History 1

In the Upper Trias (230-210 million years ago) the region was situated in the tropical area and its climate was similar to the current climate of the Caribbean. In a boundless and shallow coastal sea characterized by tidal fluctuations, the sediments which later on will give origin to the Main Dolomia deposited. The Main Dolomia is the most widespread rock in the Park. It forms the socle of great part of the Park mountains. The abrupt and almost inaccessible Monti del Sole are almost exclusively set in this formation.
Subsequently, after stretching movements of the earth's crust, a much deeper sea drill, the Belluno basin, developed between two Platforms or Wrinkles (Trentino and Friuli). The Park area found itself in the transitional area between the Belluno basub and the Trento wrinkle, where different sedimentary environments could be found.
In the western area, the carbonate muds deposited, which later will give origin to the formation of the Grey Limestones (more or less rich in dolomia and sometimes rich in fossils) while, in the Jurassic period (170 million years ago), the collapse of the Trento platform took place and a long pause in the sedimentation process favored the accumulation of rests of marine organisms. In this way, the Inferior Red Ammonite originated, a reddish limestone characterized by evident nodules.
The basin of Belluno was interested by calcareous formations rich in clayey or flinty components (Soverzene and Igne Formations).