Last Friday 20th May, we could jump forward in time and imagine how the Basin of Òdena was 36.000.000 years ago.Once up in la Tossa de Montbui and thanks to geologist Elisabet Tort’s explanations, we could prove how during the Eocene period, our territory was much warmer and it was surrounded by an inner sea where oysters, conches and sea urchins surrounded by coral reeves used to live.
After the fault located about the Bruc area was broken, our region raised over the East territories. This was what created the Mediterranean sea. Thus, our inner sea moved to lower lands and when the remaining water evaporated, it created a high-gypsum area in Igualada and Òdena.The fauna that used to live in our sea got fossilized and, nowadays, we can find it in the marls. These are the Basin of Òdena’s typical grey rocks, which tell us about a period in which this region was under the sea.
We made the most of this visit because we will guide the high school students of IES Montbui in June.
But the general public and anyone interested in our natural heritage can visit la Tossa de Montbui on Sundays morning from 10.30 am to 14.00 pm. There, a guide from Fundació la Tossa can tell you thoroughly the rich cultural and natural heritage of Santa Margarida de Montbui.
Thanks to Elisabet for her explanations and the nice morning she provided us.
Translated by Mónica Garrido