Racoș Geological Complex

The Racoș Geological Complex is a protected area of 95.2 hectares located in the commune of Racoș, in the northern part of the Munții Perșani, Brașov County. The reserve preserves the traces of a basaltic volcanic field that was active during the Quaternary and brings together three distinct geological features situated a few hundred metres apart from one another. The extinct volcano, with its summit at approximately 612 m altitude, retains deposits of volcanic slag, ash, volcanic bombs and pumice on its cone; local inhabitants used this porous rock to build some of their houses. The Emerald Lake, also known as Lacul Brazi, occupies a former basalt quarry in the north-eastern part of the complex: it is approximately 200 m long, has walls of over 50 m and a depth of around 18 m, which continues to increase. The greenish hue of the water comes from algae and basaltic rocks in the basin and varies depending on the season and the position of the sun. The basalt columns, declared a natural monument, were formed by the slow cooling of lava and appear as vertical prismatic structures 8–10 m tall. The complex is part of the Natura 2000 site Dealurile Homoroadelor and of the Carpaterra Geopark, which extends over more than 27,000 hectares. Access to the area around the extinct volcano has been restricted since 2021, following the development of the site as a filming location.