Commune: Chęciny (pow. kielecki, woj. świętokrzyskie)
Framework element or context represented:
Hydrothermal calcite veins in Devonian limestones discordantly overlaid by the Permian-Triassic, the Świętokrzyskie (Holy Cross) Mts., Kielce subregion.
Primary geological/geomorphological interest:
Variscan tectonics (discordance) and hydrothermal phenomena, historical quarrying.
Comparative assessment justification:
The site with well exposed forms and phenomena representative for geo(morpho)logical evolution of the region: Variscan and post-Variscan hydrothermal forms, Variscan tectogenesis and Cenozoic morphogenesis.
Protection status and accessibility:
Natural reserve “Góra Zelejowa” (since 1954) – well accessible by touristic trail.
Character of site: Hill with geological outcrops, karst forms and natural rocky relief.
Area: 67 ha
Altitude: 300-372 m a.s.l.
Lithology: hydrotermal veins, sandstones, conglomerates, breccias, limestones, gravels, sands, clays
Discipline: Geomorphology, Mineralogy, Tectonics, Geology of mineral deposits
Process Age: Neogene, Paleogene, Devonian, *all periods
Bedrock Age: Neogene, Paleogene, Triassic, Permian, Devonian, *all periods
Description of primary interest:
Góra Zelejowa represents structural hill (rising 70 m above surrounding plains) formed of Devonian bedded limestones steeply dipping to the north (60-90º NNE). Devonian limestones are cut by three large transversal calcite veins (with calcite-limestone breccias) reaching thickness 4-16 m. The coarse-crystalline calcite represents hydrothermal, low-temperature mineralization related to post-Variscan evolution (Late Carboniferous-Early Triassic). White and pink (hematite bearing) calcite, called “różanka zelejowska”, was quarried on the Zelejowa Góra (in several small quarries) from 16th to the half of 20th century and used as a marble. After Variscan tectogenesis and uplift Zelejowa was a hill, which was gradually buried by Permian and Triassic sediments. It is documented by relics of paleosurface covered by blankets of sediments: a) paleo-cliff and coastal zone covered by littoral Zechstein breccia or conglomerate – on the northern slope of the hill; b) paleokarst form filled with Permian-Early Triassic conglomerate – on the hill ridge; c) blocks of sandstone and other sediments (clays, gravels, sands) representing weathered Bundsandstein rocks redeposited to Cenozoic paleokarst forms: sinkhole, fissures, shafts. Spatial position of paleokarst forms and lack of Triassic sediments “in situ” in the vicinity of the hill now, suggest they affiliation to one of the oldest phases of Cenozoic karstification. Partly bare, uncovered rocky ridge and slopes of the Zelejowa Góra have undergone to current karstification, what is manifested by grikes and microlapies. Small caves registered on the hill represent mainly pseudokarst, gravitational forms.
Literature:
KARDAŚ R., ROMANEK A. 1978–Zelejowa – western quarry. In: Piątkowski T.S., Wagner K. eds., Symp. on Central Europ. Permian. Guide of exc. Part 2. Inst. Geol., Warszawa: 58-60. MAJCHERT H. 1966–Fossil karst in the southwestern area of the Holy Cross Mts. (English sum.). Pr. Muz. Ziemi, 9: 132-145. MIGASZEWSKI Z.M., HAŁAS S., DURAKIEWICZ T. 1996–The age and origin of the calcite mineralization in the Holy Cross Mts based on lithologic-petrographic and isotopic evidence (English sum.). Przegl. Geol. 44, 3: 275-281. RADWAŃSKI A., RONIEWICZ P. 1972–Permian (Zechstein) littoral structures in the Holy Cross Mts. Acta Geol. Pol. 22, 1: 17-24. RUBINOWSKI Z. 1971–The non-ferrous metals ores of the Świętokrzyskie Mts and their metallogenic position (English sum.). Biul. Inst. Geol., 241, 166 pp. RUBINOWSKI Z. 1976–On the protection of natural environment of the Chęciny-Małogoszcz area in the Góry Świętokrzyskie (English sum.). Pr. Muz. Ziemi 25: 119-131. RZEPA C. 1974–Karstic grooves in Zelejowa Mt range (English sum.). Roczn. Nauk.-Dydakt. WSP Kraków, 55: 135-146. URBAN J. 2002–Kras kopalny trzonu paleozoicznego Gór Świętokrzyskich (in Polish only). Streszcz. Ref. Wygł. w 2001 r., Pol. Tow. Geol., 11: 53-69. URBAN J. (in print)–Caves and karst sites of Poland as a contribution to geological heritage of Central Europe. Pol. Geol. Inst., Spec. Pap. WRÓBLEWSKI T. 1979–Problematyka pozostałości chęcińskiego górnictwa kruszcowego w świetle konserwatorskiej ochrony przyrody i turystycznego zagospodarowania (Polish only). Stud. Kiel., 1/21: 67-79. WRÓBLEWSKI T. 2001–Geodiversity conservation in the Góry Świętokrzyskie region (English sum.). Państw. Inst. Geol., Warszawa, 88 pp.