Summary

Geological heritage seeing trail in Viekšniai environs

Jonas Satkūnas

The relief of Viekšniai area and its proximate geological environment had been formed by the last glaciation, postglacial processes and river erosion. Based on the latest data of geological research (geological mapping, exposure investigations etc.), the assessment of geological units in the environs of Viekšniai has been performed. The most impressive geological traits in this area were found to be formed just before the last glacial (Venta palaeo-lake) time, during the advance of a glacier (formation of relief) and after it, when river valleys, exposures and horn-like positive relief forms. Unquestionable witnesses of glaciers are boulders–Skleipiai, Juodasis (Black One) and Velnio pėda (Devil’s Foot)–are important not only for their geological heritage, but also as landscape and mythology worth. The most important worth of geological heritage in the area of Viekšniai were found to be picturesque valleys of Venta and Virvytė rivers with Avižlis and Kaukolynė horns, as well as Purviai and Svirkančiai exposures. The latter ones are of international scientific significance.