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SPRINGS

67. Epano Zakros Spring

The Epano Zakros spring has been formed due to the contact between two water permeable Tripolitsa limestone formations, which are thrust on the non permeable metamorphic rocks of the Phyllite-Quartzite unit. The water moves through the caves ofZakro’s mountains until it reaches its exit at the spring. The water from the spring irrigates the entire surrounding region, while it preserved important ecosystems that even reach Kato Zakros. In the past, it supported several watermills, some of which are preserved to this day.

68. Skalia Spring

The spring at Skalia has been formed due to the contact between the water permeable Magasa limestone formations, which are thrust on the non permeable flysch of the Tripolitsa unit. The spring preserves a small seasonal mire, which is vital to many organisms in the region.

69. Flegas Spring

Flega spring has been formed due to the contact between two water permeable Tripolitsa limestone formations, which are thrust on the non permeable metamorphic rocks of the Phyllite-Quartzite unit. The spring only functions during certain periods and as an artesian spring, expelling water with high pressure and supplying Chochlakies gorge and the surrounding hamlets with water.

70. Toplou Monastery Spring

At the exit of Toplou Monastery gorge to the sea, several springs can be observed, which create small natural lakes in the cavities of the Miocene rocks. The springs are created from the unconformable conduct of the stratigraphically overlying,water permeable Miocene rocks with the non permeable Tripolitsa flysch rocks.

71. Zou Spring

One very important spring for the Eastern Crete, is located south of the village of Zou. The spring is shaped on the tectonic contact between the limestones and dolomites of Tripolis unit and the rocks of Phyllites-Quartzites that lie underneath. The intense karstic erosion of the Tripolis rocks lead the water inside their mass, where it moves with gravity until the large tectonic contact with the Phyllites-Quartzites unit, which hamper the water’s movement. There the water starts to move horizontally until it meets the relief, where the spring is shaped.

72. Agios Georgios Spring