Gainfeld Conglomerate

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A conglomerate about 310 million years old!

The resistant rib forming the waterfall is composed of the so-called Gainfeld Conglomerate. The Gainfeldbach is the eponymous locality of the rock (locus typicus). In geology, rock names are often designated based on the location where they were first described. In the Geopark, there are many designations that carry local names, such as the Werfen Formations or the Dachstein Limestones. The Gainfeld Conglomerate is a coarse conglomerate composed of pebbles and cobbles consisting of quartz, quartzites, gneisses, and marbles.

The clasts are often tectonically elongated or stretched, as seen in the illustration. The Gainfeld Conglomerate originated in the Upper Carboniferous (about 310 million years ago), is partially associated with copper ore veins, and is remarkably hard and tough, thus difficult to erode. It is responsible for the terrain step at the waterfall. The polished state of the Gainfeld Conglomerate is clearly visible below the waterfall bridge due to the action of water.