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Geological characteristics

In Hungary, surrounded by the mountains at the edge of the Carpathian Basin and located in the vicinity of a great number of fault lines, many mineral water and hot water springs erupt from the underground. Due to post volcanic activities in the mountains of volcanic origin one can find a great number of hot water and mineral springs.  Before the Peace Treaty of Trianon (1920) it was Transylvania and the region of Upper Hungary that had the largest number of mineral and hot water baths, since it was only after the First world war that in the plain areas of the basin geological drilling was performed in order to explore the thermal treasure. (Beluszky 2006).

The unparalleled richness and the diversity of thermal waters in today’s Hungary are due to the country’s geological and hydrological charateristics. One such feature is that in the Carpathian Basin the Earth’s crust is about 10 km thinner than elsewhere (24-26 km), thus the glowing substance inside the earth can be found nearer to the surface. On the other hand, the Basin is ’wrapped’ in rocks, mud and sand, which are good ’insulators’. 

Another reason for this unparalleled richness is that - due to the varied geographical structures of the Carpathian Basin - its waters have different mineral content, consequently, they can be utilized to prevent or cure many different types of diseases and they can be used in bathing and drinking cures as well.  Similar to thermal waters, the steam- and gas eruptions from the underground can be related  to post-volcanic activities as well.  From a medical point of view it is primarily the so-called mofettas - a name applied to dry volcanic discharge consisting chiefly of carbon dioxide - which are of primary significance.