Vogelsberg Mountains facts for kids
The Vogelsberg Mountains are a group of low mountains located in central Germany. You can find them right in the middle of the state of Hessen. These mountains were formed by ancient volcanic activity long ago. They are separated from the Rhön Mountains by the Fulda River and its valley.
The Vogelsberg is quite old, about 19 million years old! It's special because it's Germany's only shield volcano. A shield volcano has wide, gentle slopes, like a warrior's shield lying on the ground. It's also the largest area of basalt rock in Central Europe. Basalt is a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock. The mountains are made of many layers of this rock, which spread out from the top in ring-shaped steps.
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Highest Peaks and Nature Reserve
The two highest mountains in the Vogelsberg are Taufstein and Hoherodskopf. Taufstein stands tall at 773 meters (2,536 feet). Hoherodskopf is a bit shorter at 763 meters (2,503 feet). Both of these peaks are now part of a special protected area. This area is called the Hoher Vogelsberg Nature Reserve. It helps protect the unique plants and animals that live there.
What is a Shield Volcano?
A shield volcano is different from the cone-shaped volcanoes you might imagine. Instead of steep sides, it has very gentle slopes. This shape is created by lava that flows easily and spreads out over a large area. Over millions of years, many layers of this flowing lava built up the Vogelsberg. This makes it a huge, wide mountain range.
Exploring the Vogelsberg
The Vogelsberg region is a great place for outdoor activities. You can find many trails for hiking and biking. In winter, some areas even offer opportunities for skiing. The nature reserve helps keep the area beautiful and safe for wildlife. It's a fantastic example of how ancient volcanoes shaped the land we see today.
Images for kids
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View from the Bismarck Tower on the Taufstein (2015)
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View from the Anterior Vogelsberg between Wermertshausen and Rüddingshausen to the "real" Vogelsberg
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The Uhuklippen natural monument, March 2009
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The Nidder in the Vogelsberg
See also
In Spanish: Vogelsberg para niños
