Geology

This is the only region of the Adriatic where major geological changes had taken place in geological history (i.e. 220 million years ago) thanks to the penetration of DIAPIR – a mass of deep pre-salt that burst towards the surface raising sedimentary rock plates that had been formed by sand and petrified shells of various creatures. The wide bay of Komiža is located right in the core of these remains of volcanic tectonic activity. The peaks formed by deep seated (igneous) processes rise above the sea like the islands of Jabuka and Brusnik, while some of them never reached the surface and are now well-known as fishing seamounts: underwater islands Kavalina (off the coast of Brusnik) and Gatula, Sika od Trešjovca and Tara near the island of Biševo.

One particularly interesting geological feature is found on Palagruža, the furthest island of the Vis archipelago, where one special mineral was found and identified for the first time. In the geological nomenclature, this rock with dark coatings was named PELAGOSITE, after the Italian name for the island – Pelagosa (from the Greek word pelagos – open sea, i.e. open-sea island).

One remarkable geological feature of the Komiža Bay is petrified lava, formed more than 200 million years ago in a volcano eruption. Molten lava emerging onto Earth’s surface cooled rapidly, creating mineral-rich volcanic hills surrounding the beaches around Komiža. PREHNITE, the most beautiful specimen of a mineral rock, was formed by pressure from gases and vapours, crystallising into mineral ‘flowers’ which can be found at Kamenice beach.
If you find these attractive semi-precious gemstones at the beach, keep them safe and they will do the same for you. Prehnite is a general balancer and very calming. Emotionally, prehnite clears and opens the heart, and gently lifts the spirits. It facilitates acceptance of circumstances in our lives that are beyond our control. The sense of peace and serenity offered by prehnite and its energies is always welcome in an ever more hectic world like the one that we all share today.

*Geopark Vis Arhipelago is part of the European and global network of UNESCO World Geoparks, with main goals of protection, education and sustainable development (geotourism).