Commune: Drwinia (pow. bocheński, woj. małopolskie)
Framework element or context represented:
Late Glacial stratigraphy.
Primary geological/geomorphological interest:
Profil of glacial sand and loess documentated by malacofauna and TL dating.
Comparative assessment justification:
Typical profile of Vistulian loesses. Similar dokumented profiles in Hebdów, Śmiłowice, Opatowiec.
Protection status and accessibility:
Projected documentary site of inanimate nature.
Character of site: Natural outcrop.
Area: 1 ha
Altitude: 200 m a.s.l.
Lithology: sands, loesses
Discipline: Geomorphology, Palaeoenvironment, Stratigraphy of Quaternary
Process Age: Pleistocene, *all periods
Bedrock Age: Pleistocene, *all periods
Description of primary interest:
Typical profile for loess terrace widespread eastward of Cracow on the left bank of the Vistula River. The outcrop is composed of two profiles. In the lower one sand and loamy loesses intercalated with sand can be distinquished. According to the results of TL dating this segment of the log was formed between 69 and 37 Ka BP. A poor fauna of land snails have been described from this section. It represents open and relatively moist habitats and cold but not sever climate. The upper part of the profile in Trawniki is represented by yellow loess with traces of lamination and by loamy loess with convolutions. These sediments correspond with last Pleniglacial (TL data 23 Ka BP) and enclose two types of molluscan assemblages. The oldest one is dominated by land species preferring cold climate and moist, open environments. The water snails and bivalves are the main components of the youngest molluscan community. It corresponds with the occurrence and development of the small lake with rich plant vegetation. Sediments filling this water body forming the uppermost part of the profile.
Literature:
ALEXANDROWICZ S.W. 1995–Malacofauna of the Vistulian Loess in the Cracow Region (S Poland). Ann. UMCS, sec B, 50 (1): 1-28. ALEXANDROWICZ S.W., GĘBICA P. 1997–Malakofauna lessów I osadów holocenu terasy Wisły w Hebdowie koło Krakowa (Polish only). Kwart. AGH, Geologia 23 (1): 9-28. GĘBICA P. 1995–Evolution of the Vistula River Valley between Nowe Brzesko and Opatowiec during the Vistulian and Holocene (English sum.). Dokum. Geogr. 2: 5-91. GĘBICA P., STARKEL L. 1997–Evolution of the Vistula river valley at the northern margin og the Niepołomice Forest during the last 15 000 years. Geogr. Stud. Spec. Iss. 4: 71-93.