Krousonas, one of the largest villages at the eastern foothills of Mount Psiloritis, is built among ancient faults. Beyond the impressive Tylissos-Krousonas fault, which delineates the mountain from the Heraklion plain, and several smaller parallel faults, there is also the Cretan Detachment Fault that dominates above the settlement.
A characteristic horizontal line on the mountainside, distinguishable by the difference in vegetation and terrain, marks the boundary between the "platy limestones" and the overlying "Tripolis" rocks. In between, there are various positions with small lenses of schists belonging to the "Phyllite-Quartzite" series.
The significance of the Tylissos-Krousonas fault for the entire region is substantial. This fault and its parallel counterparts act as barriers to the underground water descending from the mountains, creating underground reservoirs. These reservoirs supply water to Heraklion and many other settlements through boreholes.
The geosite description is a result of the deliverable of the research project Joint Innovative Activities for Outdoor Tourism-JoinOut. The project entitled "Partnership of Innovative Rural Tourism Actions" and distinctive title: "JoInOuT", is implemented within the framework of the Action "Cooperative Innovation Formations/SCC" - 2nd Call: Businesses" and is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by National Resources in the context of the Operational Program "Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPANEK)" of the NSRF 2014-2020" (Project code: ΓΓ2CL-0359457).
