Geology and Hydrology

The nature park is situated upon the „Keuperbergland“ (Upper Triassic), which is a part of the swabian-franconian „Schichtstufenland“ (sedimental structure of the land). On the western and northern border of the park, hills based on the Keuper-layer raise upon the landscape which is formed by limestone. Starting with Gypsum-keuper on the bottom of river valleys, the geological structure continues with sandstone („Schilfsandstein“), lower coloured marl, sandstone („Kieselsandstein“) and upper coloured marl. The plateaus are formed by a third kind of sandstone („Stubensandstein“) in the area of the „Löwensteiner Berge“, „Mainhardter Wald“ and „Murrhardter Wald“. Because of ist lower altitude the „Waldenburger Berge“ finish with the second kind of sandstone („Kieselsandstein„) on the top.

 

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The upper Keuper-layer consists of „Knollenmergel“ , a kind of marl which is infamous for its danger of landslides. You can find it in the „Löwensteiner Berge“ as well as near Welzheim and Gschwend. Upon this layer, on the top of the plateaus around Welzheim, Alfdorf and Frickenhofen the fertile soil consits of black Jurassic (Lias alpha).

Explanatory panels near Aspach, Öhringen-Michelbach and Welzheim present our local geology.

The highest hills of the nature park are Hohe Brach (586m), Hagberg (585m), Hohentannen (565m), Stocksberg (539m), Flinsberg (535m) and Juxkopf (533m). The lowest point is situated in Obersulm (200m above sea-level).

Small brooks like Schweizerbach, Walkersbach and Wieslauf are flowing into the Rems, Lauter and Bottwar into the Murr and the brooks Brettach, Ohrn, Kupfer, Bibers, Fichtenberger Rot and Lein into the Kocher. Bigger tributaries like Rems, Murr, Schozach, Sulm and Kocher flow into the Neckar which joins the Rhein. Since the valley of the Rhein is lower, the speed of the water in tributaries increased and shaped the typical steep gorges and V-formed valleys.

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