Cios we fliszu zachodniego Podhala

Abstract

JOINTS IN THE FLYSCH OF WESTERN PODHALE

A description is given of the spatial and morphological characters of joints encountered in the Flysch rocks of western Podhale. An analysis of the evidence found there leads to the following conclusions: 1) Irrespectively of the stratigraphic, facial or tectonic differences in the Flysch rocks of western Podhale, the occurrence has been observed throughout that area of a joint system that generally consists of two – locally of three – main directional sets. 2) The joints are older than the majority of faults and local fold structures. 3) The process of the manifestation of the joints in the rock massif is kinematic in character. This is expressed by the fact that the joints occur in various stages of development – from the directionally oriented zones of increased internal strains and the macroscopically undetectable cracks to fissures opened up in a varying degree. 4) The appearance of joint in result of directionally oriented zones of increased internal strains may be referred to the earliest phases of tectonic movements which are responsible for the formation of the Podhale depression. 5) The morphology of the joints closely resembles that of the fatigue-cracks which are apt to arise for example in metals.