Mélange, Flysch and Cliffs in the Pieniny Klippen Belt (Poland): An Overview

Abstract

The Pieniny Klippen Belt (PKB) is located in the suture zone between the Central and Outer (Flysch) Carpathians. Its structure is an effect of prolonged processes of the Cretaceous–Miocene folding, thrusting and uplifting. In this zone, tectonic components of different ages and features, including strike-slip-bounded tectonic blocks, thrust units, as well as toe-thrusts and olistostromes, result in the present-day mélange characteristics of the PKB, where individual tectonic units are difficult to distinguish. In the PKB, both tectonic and sedimentary events triggered the mélange creation. The name “Klippen Belt” is derived from cliffs (German Klippen). These cliffs form harder, more erosion-resistant elements of the mélange, residing within less competent clastic deposits, sandstones, shales and marls that form flysch complexes. The cliffs often represent olistoliths, which glided down from elevated areas to the deeper basinal zones. Two olistostrome belts were distinguished. The older one resulted from subduction of the southern part of the Alpine Tethys, and the younger originated in response to the northward shift of the accretionary wedge. The other cliffs were placed within the surrounding clastic by tectonic deformational processes. The flower structure of the PKB was formed during the collision and strike-slip movement of the lithospheric plates. This structure is limited on both sides by deep-rooted faults. Several evolutionary stages could be distinguished in these areas. The rift-related stage is expressed by the opening of the Alpine Tethys that contains two major basins—Magura and Pieniny (Złatne) basins, separated by Czorsztyn Ridge. The reorganization of the Alpine Tethys basins and the development of the accretionary prism happened during the synorogenic stage. This process was initiated by the movement of the Central Carpathians. Thick flysch sequences with olistostromes were deposited in these basins. The Czorsztyn Ridge was destroyed during the late orogenic stages.

Morphodiversity as a Tool in Geoconservation: A Case Study in a Mountain Area (Pieniny Mts, Poland)

“…During the Late Cretaceous to the Neogene, the PKB Basin was shortened from its original width of 100-150 km to a few kilometers, and sometimes even a few hundred meters. The outcrops of the Klippen Basin were fractured, crushed, and squeezed, resulting in the formation of positive flower structures [99,100]. Today, the landscape of the Pieniny Mts is characterized by high relief dynamics and the presence of numerous klippen (rocky landforms).…”

“…Strongly fragmented rock outcrops with varying erosion resistance have shaped the morphology, with steep rocky peaks adjacent to deeply incised river valleys and streams. The cliffs and klippen located in the central and southern part of the Pieniny Właściwe are outcrops of PKB units, while isolated rocky outcrops located in other parts of the PKB are currently interpreted as olistoliths [99]. Strongly fragmented rock outcrops with varying erosion resistance have shaped the morphology, with steep rocky peaks adjacent to deeply incised river valleys and streams.…”

Lineaments in the Gravity Image of the Border Zone between the Central and Outer Carpathians

“…They contain olistoliths arranged in two belts. The mélange character of PKB is expressed by complex tectonics that shows both nappes and deep-rooted faults, and by the occurrence of olistostrome and wildflysch [22].…”

“…The Miocene andesitic dykes and sills are located near the PKB-Magura Nappe border (Figure 2). Intrusions cut through the Magura Nappe and the PKB form andesitic dykes and sills distributed along the Pieniny Andesitic Line (PAL) [22,26,27]. The sediments that form the Outer Carpathian nappes were originally deposited in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic basins belonging to the western part of the Tethyan realm [23,24].…”

“…This very well corresponds with the type of rocks in the PKB research area-in the western part, a mixture of different sedimentary rocks and in the eastern part, limestones. The southern boundary of the Pieniny Klippen Belt with the Podhale flysch is either invisible or very poorly visible, probably due to the small density contrast between the two geological structures [2,22].…”