Resumen de Geology and hydrogeology of the Jiul de Vest-Cernis,oara Basins, Romania
The Jiul de Vest, Lapusnicul Mare, and Cernis,oara Rivers are in the western part of the Southern Carpathian Mountain Range. They form the natural boundary between the Retezat and Godeanu Mountains to the north and west, respectively, and the Vâlcan Mountains to the South. The Piule-Iorgovanu Mountains (Retezatul Mic Mountains) are between the Buta and Jiul de Vest Rivers, and are an alpine karstic plateau (2,000 m above sea level) of Jurassic limestones. On this plateau, an extensive network of dry valleys was developed and shaped by glaciers, which deeply eroded the carbonate (limestones) and noncarbonate rocks. Limestones are exposed from 710-m elevation at Cerna Spring (Izvorul Cernei) to 2,080-m elevation in the Piule Mountains. Between the three rivers, hydrogeological connections have developed, supported by the continuity of the limestones and by structural-tectonic features. All three rivers contribute to the recharge of the most important karst spring in Romania, Cerna Spring.
