In Vogelsberg almost every village had one or even several small quarries where material was extracted for the construction of houses and walls. These were often placed on hilltops in order to extract the stones as efficiently as possible without having to remove the ground beforehand.

Initiative of the month April 2015

Basalt was also mined in Eichelsachsen near Schotten. The remains of this abandoned quarry form the basis for an excellent project of the Initiative-Group Eichelsachsen. In April 2015, the Group received the "Initiative of the Month April 2015" award from "Gemeinsam-Aktiv. Civic commitment in Hesse".

Thick pillars can be seen in the outcrop. If basaltic lava cools, it loses volume. This causes tensions within the rock. These are reduced by the formation of cracks, which ultimately lead to the formation of columns. The ends of the columns point to the former cooling direction - in a lava flow towards the cooler lower and upper sides.

Due to the force of erosion (weathering and rearrangement) large areas of the lava flow have already been eroded, so that today only a small part of the lava flow can be seen. This process can be observed today in the Geologischen Baumhecke (geological tree hedge).

Spur der Natur (Trace of nature)

Further typical rocks of the Vogelsberg are presented along the hedge of trees. Winding paths and interesting views await the visitor.

Download Flyer Geologische Baumhecke (Geological Tree Hedge)

In the immediate vicinity, the subsoil is characterised by volcanic fall deposits (tephra). This alternating storage of basaltic lava flows and today solidified ashes and agglomerates is typical for the geological construction of the Vogelsberg and important for the water balance of the region.