Geology of the Middle Miocene Korytnica basin (southern slopes of the Holy Cross Mts, Central Poland) in the light of geophysical data and photogeological analysis

Abstract

Interpretation of vertical electrical soundings and analysis of radar images and aerial photographs allow to recognize the structure of the Middle Miocene (Badenian) Korytnica basin, southern slopes of the Holy Cross Mts, Central Poland. The opinion about tectonical control of the Korytnica basin is presented. The basin was established as a result of the action of Alpine faults and rejuvenation of Laramide faults. In the centre of the Korytnica basin an oval depression attaining about 80 m, is situated. This depression is divided from the low of Korytnica village by narrow pre-Miocene substrate ridge. The clay deposits filling the basin are an almost isometric lithosome, and its partly syntectonical character is postulated. The sedimentation of the brown-coal deposits and the green clays, being the lower members of whole sequence, shows no connection with the Badenian transgression. Two zones can be distinguished in the basin: shallow north-eastern and deeper south-western zone. The lack of the hyphothetical Jawor ridge suggests that isolation of the basin from the open sea was only of hydrodynamic nature.