OCEAN, RIVERS, AND MYTHS
Roghi geosite is considered exceptional not only because it is presenting a typical sedimentary sequence deposited tens of million years ago at the bottom of the Pindos Ocean but also for the observation of the northern border of the Kalavryta Basin and the understanding of its formation. Roghi along with the areas of the neighboring Skepasto constitute the Ceryneia Mt. This mountainous region is very well known from the ancient Greek mythology and more specifically it is related to one of Hercules Labours- the capture of the Golden Hind of Artemis, a mythical creature that lived in Ceryneia.
Geodiversity
Roghi geosite consists of sedimentary rocks (laminated limestones, sandstones, marls and laminar radiolarites) dated to about 145-139 million years ago, as well as gray platy limestones dated to 139-66 million years ago. These are the remnants of Pindos Ocean in this area on which the younger sediments were deposited.
Because of the formation of the Corinth Rift, the area was uplifted and fractured. Large normal faults were formed. The normal faulting resulted in a series of half grabens (they look like “half” sedimentary basins) which were filled with sediments and later were uplifted for several hundred meters.
In the area of Roghi there is the large normal fault of Kerpini –which created the space for the accumulation of sediments. The deposits in the area of Roghi are represented by conglomeratic facies (Kerpini conglomerates) which lay uncomformably on the older sediments. They were deposited in an alluvial fan-fluvial system. From the peak of Mt Roghi and southeast another important fault can be observed, that of Roghi. It can be easily discerned as a lineament running parallel to the existing gorge to the south), bringing in contact the limestones with the younger Kerpini conglomerates.
Biodiversity
The Geosite is near the Natura 2000 Protected Area “FARANGI VOURAIKOU” (GR2320003), which is designated as Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and near the Special Protection Area (SPA) for avifauna “OROS CHELMOS (AROANIA)-FARANGI VOURAIKOU KAI PERIOCHI KALAVRYTON” (GR2320013). The avifauna of the area is of great interest and includes birds of prey such as the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), and the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo).
