Commune: Jeleniewo (pow. suwalski, woj. podlaskie)
Framework element or context represented:
Pleistocene ice-sheet sediments.
Primary geological/geomorphological interest:
Spectacular accumulation of the erratic boulders.
Comparative assessment justification:
One of the reachest accumulations of erratic boulders in Poland.
Protection status and accessibility:
This area is protected since 1972 as a nature reserve within the Suwalski Landscape Park.
Character of site: Erratic boulders.
Area: 0.98 ha
Altitude: 225 - 230 m a.s.l.
Lithology: granitoids, other igneous rocks, gneisses, other metamorphic rocks
Discipline: Geomorphology, Petrography, Stratigraphy of Quaternary
Process Age: Quaternary, *all periods
Bedrock Age: Quaternary, *all periods
Description of primary interest:
The accumulation of erratic boulders is located on the western side of the Czarna Hańcza River at the tributary Kozikówka stream. This area is situated within the extent of the youngest, Vistulian (Weichselian) Glaciation. The Bachanowo erratic boulders field which is erosional remains of the esker older than Turtul esker comprises about 10 000 stones of mainly igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Scandinavian origin, mostly of about 0.5-3.0 m in diameter, and several boulders of about 6.0-8.7 m in diameter.
Literature:
BER A. 1999–Preliminary list of the Quaternary geosites in Northern and Central Poland, their age and geological position. Pol. Geol. Inst., Spec. Papers, 2: 77-85. BER A. 2001–Ważne czwartorzędowe stanowiska geologiczne Polski północnej i środkowej (Polish only). In: W trosce o Ziemię. Księga ku czci Prof. S. Kozłowskiego: 224-239. KUL Lublin. CZERNICKA-CHODKOWSKA D. 1977–Zabytkowe glazy narzutowe na obszarze Polski (Polish only). Katalog cz. I: 55. Wyd. Geol. Warszaw. KRZYWICKI T. 1993–Wycieczka B-1. Czwartorzęd, hydrogeologia, archeologia i ochrona środowiska doliny Czarnej Hańczy i Szeszupy (Polish only). Przewodnik 64 Zjazdu Pol. Tow. Geol. Na Ziemi Suwalskiej. Wyd. Państw. Inst. Geol. Warszawa.