Vliches polje
A karst polje
Behind the Loutraki blockage
The valley and a drained part of the lake
Vliches polje
Between the Loutraki and the Katouna blockage lies a green valley with a lake. Both blockages prevent rainwater from flowing out of the valley. Evaporation and underground streams must be draining the lake. The water level varies with the amount of rain. The soil and erosion debris add to the layer of sediment, as it isn't taken away by a river.
The lowest point of the valley is now 50 meters above sea level, is the bottom rising? If so, could the Ionean sea have washed here?
Researchers say that the valley is a polje. A polje is a flat basin surrounded by steep walls. (Push the 'polje' button for a link to Wikipedia) The collected rainwater dissolves the carstic layers underneath, flattening and sinking the bottom of the polje as a result, not rising it as assumed.
So, the Ionean sea did not wash here, but water must have ruled the area for a long time to form this polje. Since underground streams, called ponors, can be effected by the underlaying fault lines, water levels could rise easily. Anyway, water formed a barrier between Acarnania and the mainland for a long time.
The lowest point of the valley is now 50 meters above sea level, is the bottom rising? If so, could the Ionean sea have washed here?
Researchers say that the valley is a polje. A polje is a flat basin surrounded by steep walls. (Push the 'polje' button for a link to Wikipedia) The collected rainwater dissolves the carstic layers underneath, flattening and sinking the bottom of the polje as a result, not rising it as assumed.
So, the Ionean sea did not wash here, but water must have ruled the area for a long time to form this polje. Since underground streams, called ponors, can be effected by the underlaying fault lines, water levels could rise easily. Anyway, water formed a barrier between Acarnania and the mainland for a long time.
Katouna
Loutraki