Warming at the Coast Presents Challenges: Visitors to Olando Kepurė Are Urged to Be Cautious
The recent warming trend in the Pajūrio region has led to ground landslides at the Olando Kepurė cliffs, prompting authorities to issue warnings for visitor safety.
Last weekend, specialists from the Pajūrio Regional Park noticed the emergence of ground rock landslides at the Olando Kepurė cliffs. These types of landslides are not unusual, typically occurring each spring, as frozen ground waters from winter gradually thaw and wash away sand through the cliff's drainage channels. These natural processes also lead to the formation of impressive 'ice stalactite sculptures' that attract many visitors each year. The current situation is exacerbated by fluctuating temperatures, where variations from above to below freezing can detach larger pieces of the cliff, resulting in more pronounced landslides. This year’s particularly cold winter, followed by sudden warming and greater temperature swings in recent weeks, indicates that more widespread sand slides may occur earlier in the season. As a precaution, the administration of protected areas in the Mažoji Lietuva region has advised visitors to exercise caution while approaching the cliffs, especially as the risk of larger landslides remains high during this transitional period. Authorities aim to ensure visitor safety while also highlighting the natural beauty and dynamic geological processes at the site.