Fekete-hegy

High above the Káli Basin stands Fekete-hegy a majestic peak. Its dark basalt slopes tell a story of fiery beginnings. Millions of years ago volcanic eruptions shaped this landscape. Fekete-hegy is the largest basalt volcano in the Bakony-Balaton Uplands volcanic area. Its formation was a dramatic event. Molten basalt rose from deep within the earth. It met underground karst waters. Explosions sent volcanic material skyward. This created a maar volcano. Layers of pyroclastic rock built up. Later lava flows covered these layers. They formed the plateau we see today. The thick basalt lava flows reached a depth of 50 meters. This is Fekete-hegy’s distinctive cap. The volcano’s activity eventually subsided. A Stromboli-type scoria cone formed. Erosion has left its southern part as Boncsos-tető. You can still find porous red and grey basalt scoria layers here. Experts classify Fekete-hegy’s basalt rocks as part of the Tapolca Basalt Formation. Radiometric measurements of the basalt reveal a volcanic history spanning millions of years. The oldest basalt flows are 4.62 million years old. The youngest are 3.82 million years old. Volcanic activity ceased three million years ago. Erosion has transformed the once dramatic volcanic landscape into a stunning plateau. On Fekete-hegy’s plateau six small lakes dot the landscape. These unusual lakes are nestled in depressions. Their formation is a subject of debate. They likely formed in negative forms between lava flows. These lakes once teemed with fish. In the 19th century fishing was a significant activity here. Reed beds once surrounded the lakes. By the mid-20th century these had mostly disappeared except for the Monostori-tó. Walk along the blue trail to reach the Eötvös Károly lookout tower. This three-story tower offers breathtaking views. The Káli Basin stretches out below. Westward the Tapolca Basin hills rise. Beyond them the Keszthely Mountains beckon. Southward the shimmering waters of Lake Balaton greet your eyes. From the lookout you can also see Keleménies-kőhát. It’s a basalt formation with unique layered structures. The Vaskapu-árok is another geological wonder. This erosion gorge reveals the volcano’s inner structure. Layers of pyroclastic material and basalt are visible. Here you can see the remains of a tuff ring filled with solidified lava. Periodic springs are found in the Vaskapu-árok. Some of them such as the Boros Ádám-spring lie at the border between basalt and pyroclastic rock layers. Fekete-hegy is a testament to nature’s power. Its unique geology and history make it a fascinating place to explore. The views from the top are simply unforgettable.