Geneza glin lessowa tych Pogórza Cieszyńskiego i Beskidów Śląskich

Abstract

ORIGIN OF THE LOESS-LIKE CLAYS IN THE CIESZYN UPLAND AND THE BESKIDY ŚLĄSKIE RANGE

Loess-like clay deposits of the Cieszyn Upland and the Beskidy Ślaskie Range, encountered in river terraces and on Flysch rockbed or in weathering clays have been commonly regarded as wind products while their age has been associated with the Baltic glaciation. Investigations reported by the writer show that the loess-like clays have been formed "in situ", owing to the action of weathering on clays of various age and origin. These weathering processes, at work within the aeration zone, are responsible for the destruction of the original structure of deposits and the formation of the loess-like structure. Investigation results indicate the, need for great discretion in age determination of the studied series and in the recognition of loess-like clays as a determined stratigraphic horizon.