The conglomerate is a marvel of nature and a treasure trove of data | Enterprise

The conglomerate acquired its title from the Latin phrase “conglomeratus”, which implies “collected, collected”. This title completely displays the way in which and construction of conglomerates.

“The spectacular Lithuanian rocks Šeimyniškii conglomerates (close to Užpaliė) seem like previous mountains, however the examine of their cement (calcite) carried out for the primary time in Lithuania was stunning – radiocarbon relationship confirmed that the age of cement formation is 3237±63 years. And these are historic instances, the Bronze Age, when folks already lived within the environment of Užpalia.

Photograph by V. Mikulėnas/Seimyniškių conglomerate

Thus, the gravel layer was shaped over the last ice age, 18-16 thousand years in the past. years, and its cementation, i.e. changing into a conglomerate, passed off solely greater than 3 thousand years in the past. years”, says LGT chief advisor dr. Jonas Satkūnas.

In keeping with him, conglomerates are shaped in two phases – initially, a layer or layer of coarse and water-permeable materials have to be deposited. The second stage – the dissolved hydrocarbons that entered the layer with the underground water crystallize attributable to focus and switch right into a mineral cementing the hitherto free materials.

Horizontal and diagonal layering will be seen in conglomerates – this is a crucial indicator of geological processes. Horizontal layering of superb particles normally signifies calm circumstances, akin to stagnant water our bodies. Coarse materials (scratch, gravel) stacked horizontally is the results of a very robust circulation.

Indirect stratification signifies alternating currents or ripples within the foreshore of the basin.

Conglomerates are beneficial to geologists – the evaluation of those rocks helps to grasp previous environmental modifications and geological circumstances.

“In Lithuania, outcrops of conglomerates on the floor of the earth are a comparatively uncommon phenomenon, so most of them are objects of pure heritage – the aforementioned Šeiminiškių rocks, Šventoji (Skališkių) cave close to Vilnius, Dovainonių, Žiegždrių outcrops on the shores of the Kaunas lagoon, Stakių rocks (Dieveniškės)”, – notes the geologist.

Thus, conglomerates are like pure archives that retailer details about the Earth’s previous and permit us to glimpse the processes that passed off thousands and thousands of years in the past. These rocks assist us perceive the historical past and evolution of our planet, and their analysis contributes to the development of geological science.

These illustrating the textual content had been despatched by Mr. Gediminas Simniškis to the Lithuanian Geological Service of the conglomerate positioned in Antakalny, Vilnius. In keeping with dr. J.Satkūno, sedimentary rock conglomerate is a superb work of nature: “You’ll be able to see the horizontal and diagonal layering, attribute of alluvial deposits laid by the melting of the Pleistocene glacier, later hydrochemically cemented with calcite. The rock deserves to be included within the sub-system of geotopes being developed by LGT.”