Schneckenstein (Fels)

Schneckenstein

The Schneckenstein is an approximately 23 -meter-high cliff near the settlement Schneckenstein in Saxony. It reaches an absolute height of 883 m above sea. Sea level and is located in the forested area between blades Thal, Muldenberg and Tannenbergsthal in southeastern Vogtland at the transition to Western Ore Mountains. The rock by its peculiar geological structure and the associated wealth of topaz has been known.

History

The rock is known detectable since the 17th century, there are about the origin of the name of several assumptions, we can now assume that it comes from its original form. Discovered in 1727 by a draper Christian herb topazes on the Schneckenstein. Between 1734 and 1800 built on Schneckenstein from the bill royal crown topazes, with approximately two- thirds of the original rock were removed. 1800 Rock of Freiberg was passed as a research object. Since 1938, the rock stands as a natural monument. The rock is a popular viewpoint, but also often the target of " amateur mineralogists " and looters. In GDR times, beginning in 1973, the rock was enclosed and not to enter. After the reunification of the fence was dismantled and made ​​the rocks open to visitors again. However, he had to be fenced again after a short time. Today the rock is guarded and can be accessed at certain times of the day also inside the enclosure.

Geology and Geography

The screw stone is a quartz - topaz - Brekzienfels in kontaktmetamorphen Cambrian schists near the contact to Eibenstocker granite. The body of rock falls tubular very steeply to the east. Its origin lies in the late phase of the Variscan orogeny. Due to the intrusion of the granite Eibenstocker the slate were first kontaktmetamorph overprinted and converted into quartz - tourmaline - schist. Subsequently, it came to an eruptive event in which the rock has been brecciated. The the regulated shale fragments indicate a " smoother " and less on an explosive event. Then there was an aging, in which the brecciated rock with quartz and topaz has been cemented. After the depth Topas leadership decreases in favor of tourmaline. In lesser amounts also cassiterite and sulfides occur.

The neighboring Zinnerzgrube Tannenberg examined the breccia beginning of the 1960s as part of their Zinnerzerkundung. In about 80 m below the ground surface of the breccia body was passed through at a stretch and open horizontally by several cross passages and holes. The body had here a kidney- like shape and an average expansion WNW- ESE of 110 m, and WSW- ENE of 35 m. At the surface, the breccia In contrast, in a more oval shape, with similar dimensions. The breccia and porphyry rise chimney, was proved by drilling to about 450 m depth to the granite contact. Your proportions differed significantly from those here at the surface and in the area by mining open-minded. This type of Trümmerbrekzie is adjacent to two other smaller deposits west of the rock in Europe unique. A similar rock is known only from Mount Bischoff in Tasmania.

The classification of the worm as a stone mountain is not entirely unproblematic. Although it is stated on many maps and literary works as a mountain, but this is mainly due to its visibility and its tourist importance. Geomorphological features of the rock has no significance and stands alone because of its geological harder structure of its environment, a gently sloping hillside to the north of Kiel ( 942 m), from.

Many Topaz finds the worm stone ( and from all over the world) can be today at the Topaz Room of minerals center look in Schneckenstein.