Cascades of Chão do Brejo

Category: Nature > Waterfalls

District: Santarém > Mação > Castelo > Chão do Brejo

Location

The Cascatas do Chão do Brejo (Chão do Brejo Waterfalls) are located in the locality of Castelo, within the municipality of Mação. They are situated in the area known as Chão do Brejo, a place that, despite its name, maintains a strong connection with the surrounding nature. This site is marked by the presence of the Corga do Casal stream, which shapes the surrounding landscape and contributes to a tranquil and natural environment.

Genesis and Geology

The existence of these waterfalls is a direct result of a particular and continuous geological process, shaped by the action of water. The Corga do Casal stream flows over different rock layers. While the basal layers, which are more arenaceous and thinner, are easily eroded, the quartzite beds above them are much more resistant to wear. This contrast in rock hardness is fundamental to the formation of the waterfalls, with the harder layers remaining visible as platforms and the softer ones being gradually removed.

A Cascading Scenario

What makes the Cascatas do Chão do Brejo a point of interest is its nature as a succession of waterfalls. It is not a single imposing waterfall, but a series of small natural steps where the stream's water plunges. The constant flow of water creates a dynamic visual spectacle, accompanied by the soft, continuous sound of the falls, inviting attentive observation of the environment.

The Sculpture of Water

Each of the falls that compose this ensemble has a particular shape, resulting from the persistence and force of water on the rock. The Cascatas do Chão do Brejo are a living testament to nature's ability to sculpt the landscape over time. Observing this site allows one to appreciate the incessant action of the stream, which continuously shapes the rocks, revealing a small part of the region's geological history.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt