The Salt des Freu, also known as the Cascades d’Orient, is a very popular place for both hikers and canyoneers. It forms a beautiful landscape with one of the greatest waterfalls of the Balearic Islands.
Various views of the Salt des Freu. In the centre and on the right, the upper and lower falls, respectively.
The waterfall corresponds to a height difference of 41 m, with two main falls of 22 and 15 m. In the past the upper fall was exploited by a mill, the structure of which can still be seen.
From the geological point of view it is very interesting because in association with the watercourse there is an important deposit of a rock that is rare in this region: Sedimentary rock originated by the precipitation of calcium carbonate from supersaturated waters, especially in zones of karstic emergences.</p></div>">travertine.
Sedimentary rock originated by the precipitation of calcium carbonate from supersaturated waters, especially in zones of karstic emergences.</p></div>">Travertine is a rock of sedimentary origin formed by the precipitation of calcium carbonate from oversaturated waters, especially in zones of karstic upwellings. The precipitation tends to occur over plant materials, creating a porous internal structure with moulds of twigs and leaves.
Water mill in the vicinity of the waterfall.
Ancient travertine flows displaying their porous structure.
The formation of Sedimentary rock originated by the precipitation of calcium carbonate from supersaturated waters, especially in zones of karstic emergences.</p></div>">travertine flows is a relatively fast geological process, often linked to waterfalls (where the pressure of carbon anhydride decreases drastically), so their morphology is bell-shaped and at the back they tend to be hollow. Since the flow of water, and therefore the precipitation of Sedimentary rock originated by the precipitation of calcium carbonate from supersaturated waters, especially in zones of karstic emergences.</p></div>">travertine, varies throughout the year, successive flows
Diagram of the functioning of a travertine flow.
The high porosity of Sedimentary rock originated by the precipitation of calcium carbonate from supersaturated waters, especially in zones of karstic emergences.</p></div>">travertine makes it a lightweight material much used in construction and paving works.
In addition, it is a valuable material from both the paleoclimatic and paleontological points of view because it contains isotopes of oxygen which indicate the temperature existing at the moment of its formation and can fossilise both plant and animal remains.
