Geological Phenomena

The Mud Volcanoes of Pâclele Mari and Pâclele Mici, a rare and spectacular natural phenomenon, are among the few places in Europe where mud volcanoes can be seen, giving the landscape a lunar-like appearance.

Pâclele Mari is the best known and most visited mud volcano site in Buzău, even if it not as spectacular as the platou of Pacele Mici. Situated in the municipality of Scorțoasa (near Berca), this arid plateau hosts numerous active and inactive mud cones.

“Paclele Mici” is the second major plateau of mud volcanoes in the Scorțoasa commune near Berca, a short distance from “Paclele Mari”. Although less visited, the location is much more spectacular than Paclele Mari. The site covers about 10 hectares and is considered to be the largest field of mud volcanoes in Europe.

The Boiling Volcanoes of Berca (“Fierbătoarele”) are a lesser-known area of mud volcanoes in Buzău County, featuring bubbling mud pools, small oil volcanoes, and a rugged volcanic labyrinth surrounded by forested hills. Accessible via off-road trails, this site offers a raw, scientific, and scenic experience, blending natural phenomena with active oil installations.

The Living Fire of Lopătari is a rare natural phenomenon where natural gases ignite upon reaching the earth’s surface, creating continuous flames that can reach up to one meter high. Part of the UNESCO-listed Ținutul Buzăului Geopark, this spectacular site is best viewed at night and is surrounded by legends, including that of a fire-breathing dragon defeated by a local hero.

The Grunj of Mânzălești, also known as White Mountain, is a striking geological formation of white marls and dacitic tuffs, rising 20 meters high at the confluence of the Slănic and Jgheab streams. Part of a nature reserve, this solitary rock, once a gathering place for village festivities, continues to fascinate with its unique landscape, salt caves, and surrounding karst lakes.

The Salt Mountain in Buzău County, is a spectacular natural reserve featuring unique salt formations, canyons, and spikes. Located near Lopătari, this rare geological phenomenon offers visitors a striking landscape, fresh air, and an open-air saltpan experience, best explored during the dry season.

The Bădila Limestone Blocks, a geological and paleontological reserve in Buzău County, feature over 400 limestone formations dating from the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous. Located along the Buzău River between Rușavăț and Bădila, these blocks contain marine fossils and provide a stunning natural landscape within the Buzău Land Geopark.

The Trovants of Odăile, also known as “The Mushrooms of Odăile,” are unique sandstone formations with mushroom-like shapes, officially discovered in 2022 and integrated into the Ținutul Buzăului Geopark. These 14-million-year-old geological wonders, protected under UNESCO status, attract visitors with their mysterious appearance, legends of “living stones,” and scenic hiking trails in the sub-Carpathian hills of Buzău County.

Trovants in Buzău County are a unique geological phenomenon, and the most famous formations are found at Ulmet. These unusual stones, also known as “Babele” or “Stone Mushrooms”, are natural forms of cemented sandstones, formed by a complex geological process.

The Amber Reserve of Buzău, located in Colți commune, protects Romania’s most valuable amber deposits, known for their exceptional color diversity and fossil content. Visitors can explore the Amber Museum, showcasing rare amber pieces and mining tools, or join guided tours to the valley where amber has been traditionally found.

The Mud Volcanoes of Beciu, located in Scorțoasa commune, Buzău County, are an isolated and unique site where mud and crude oil erupt continuously, creating boiling lakes and small eruptions. Unlike other mud volcano sites, Beciu features intensely active pools surrounded by green meadows, offering a striking visual contrast. Accessible via Scorțoasa or Beceni, the area remains undeveloped for tourism, making it a raw and authentic natural experience.

In the village of Beciu in the commune of Scorțoasa, oil gushes to the surface from layers of rock more than 10 million years old, creating a natural spectacle rarely seen in Europe. Initially considered a possible environmental accident, this outcrop has been confirmed as a natural phenomenon and turned into a tourist attraction of the UNESCO Geopark of Buzau.