Hydrology and Geology

Hydrology

Most of the largest streams of Cyprus spring from the Troodos forest: Kourris, Kryos, Khapotami, Dhiarizos, Karkotis and Marathasa river .No other forest area hosts as many water springs as Troodos forest. At present about 50 springs with substantial flow are known, used for supplying drinking water to many villages of the Lemesos and Lefkosia districts. "Arkolachania" spring is the one with the biggest flow, with a minimum daily flow of 1500m3 and a maximum of 7000m3. The hydrological role of the forest is mainly the infiltration and purification of precipitated water, which is stored in natural underground reservoirs and constantly supplies springs with water.

The provision of pure, drinking water is a function of the forest, which is rapidly attaining growing importance as a consequence of the increased pollution of waters from excessive and unwise use of chemicals by man.

Geology

The distinctive geology of the Troodos Forest area has attracted international scientific interest. The various rock types of the forest belong to the ophiolithic complex, which is characteristic of the broader Troodos range and which is one of the better - developed worldwide. For this reason it has become the object of scientific study and it is widely accepted that the ophiolithic system of Troodos has influenced man's knowledge of the structure and birth of the ocean's crust like no other ophiolitic complex in the world.  The Troodos ocean crust was created 90 million years ago and it began to rise 70 million years ago. The first trace of land emerged only 15 million years ago.

The main rocks found in the Park area are serpentinite, dunite, wehrlite, pyroxenite, plagiogranite, gabbro, diabase and volcanic rocks at the lower altitudes.