Sedimentary and igneous rocks make up the geological structure of the area. Sedimentary rocks, namely limestone, dolomite and flysch, are found in the Tymphí mountain range (2497 m), while igneous rocks, namely ophiolites, form the structure of Mount Smolikas (2637 m).
Between 201 and 66 million years ago, the Hellenic area was submerged under the Tethys Ocean, situated between two lithospheric plates, where limestone rocks were formed. Later, between 66 and 23 million years ago, the ocean began to recede due to the collision of the lithospheric plates, creating the first mountains of the Pindus mountain range.
From the opening of the Tethys Ocean, igneous rocks emerged that were formed 200 million years ago in the Earth's mantle at a depth of 100 kilometres. The compressional forces that followed caused these rocks to uplift and advance over the neighbouring sedimentary rocks. These are the rocks that today constitute the mountain range of Smolikas.
New sediment deposits in neighbouring seas, with materials originating from land, created rocks of the flysch group, such as sandstones and mudstones.
23 million years ago, the present-day rivers were formed, carving their paths through the rocks, dissolving them and forming gorges.
20 million years ago, due to strong compressive stresses prevalent in the Hellenic realm at the time, as a consequence of the collision between the African and Eurasian plates, the Pindus zone was thrust over Ionian. The sediments deform, creating folds and faults. Large faults are evident in the carbonate mass of Tymfi, among which the Astraka (Papigo) and Konitsa faults stand out, responsible for the
