Ţarcu Mountains
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ţarcu Mountains are a mountain range in the southwestern Romania, at the western edge of the Southern Carpathians. They are located between the Bistra Valley (to the north), Timiş River (to the east), Godeanu Mountains (to the south) and Râul Mare Valley (to the west).
[edit] Geology
Most rocks in the range are crystaline, with few areas with sedimentary rocks. As such, the mountains are massifs, cut by narrow valleys. Limestone is found only in a few places. Erosion has formed several very prominent platforms, such as the Borăscu platform. Glaciers were present during the ice ages, leaving glacial calderas and small glacial lakes, such as the Bistra Lake.
[edit] Climate
Because of the western climatic influences, the amount of rainfall in the Ţarcu Mountains is quite large. Snow may fall at altitudes above 1500 metres at any time in the year, while the snow pack usually lasts from October or November until June or even July in the glacial calderas of the highest peaks.
[edit] Important peaks
- Vârful Ţarcu, 2291 metres, has a weather station on its top.
- Vârful Pietrei, 2292 metres, dominating the Bistra Lake.
- Vârful Căleanu, 2290 metres.
- Muntele Mic, 1802 metres, has a ski resort.
- Măgura Marga, 1503 metres, dominating the Marga village.
- Vârful Cuntu, 1441 metres, has a weather station
