Transgraniczny Geopark Łuk Mużakowa

The Muskau Arch lies in southern part of Lubuskie voivoship and border zone of Saxony and Brandenburg. It forms glaciotectonical structure well visible in terrain morphology. Inside it, there are disturbed Neogene deposits with brown coal seams. Among the abundant fold and slice structures the numerous brown coal and accompanying glass sands and ceramic clays deposits has been investigated. Underground and opencast mining of brown coal was conducted from the middle of XIX century up to the second part of XX century. Nowadays, many post-mining evidences like antropogenic reservoir and artificial landforms are exposed in the Muskau Arch area. The natural processes of post-mining areas transformation both with the post-industrial cultural heritage and geological phenomenon are protected values as a Geopark. In the year 2006, the Muskau Arch has obtained certificate of the seventh German National Geopark and in the year 2009, of the first Polish National Geopark (National Muskau Arch Geopark). The aims are preservation of geological heritage as well as scientific and teaching purposes. Current efforts are made for establishing the transborder Muskau Arch Geopark, of the European Geopark rank with the UNESCO support.