Commune: Tarnów (pow. tarnowski, woj. małopolskie)
Framework element or context represented:
Biostratigraphy and tectonic of Neogene deposits near the main Carpathian overthrust.
Primary geological/geomorphological interest:
Badenian clays covered with Quaternary fluvial deposits and moraine blocks.
Comparative assessment justification:
One of the best outcrop of Miocene deposits at the northern border of Carpathians.
Protection status and accessibility:
Proposed to protection.
Character of site: Natural outcrop.
Area: c. 0.5 ha
Altitude: 200-250 m a.s.l.
Lithology: other metamorphic rocks, sandstones, gravels, silts, clays
Discipline: Palaeobiology, Stratigraphy of Quaternary, Stratigraphy of Phanerozoic
Process Age: Quaternary, *all periods
Bedrock Age: Quaternary, Neogene, *all periods
Description of primary interest:
The outcrop is situated in the Carpathian Foothills, on the northern marginal zone of the Outer Flysch Carpathians. Neogene and flysch deposits folded together are characteristic of this area. Neogene is represented by Miocene clays with well preserved assemblage of molluscs, representing the Badenian fauna. The landform, rising above the level of the Dunajec river, is mantled with Dunajec deposits, and forms a plain extending at an altitude of 240-242 m, sloping along a steep slumping wall into the Dunajec valley. The exposure at Zbylitowska Góra comprises quartzite and weathered sandstone gravels varying in size (2-25 cm in diameter). Severely weathered granite pebbles occur sporadically at the depths of 0-3.40 m and 4.80-5.95 below the ground. The pedestal, ca. 38 m high is built of Miocene clays. Here, the Scandinavian ice-sheet accumulated a moraine above the thick series of the Dunajec deposits. However, during the recession of the Cracovian ice-sheet the plain of Zbylitowska Góra has been cut by the Dunajec water flowing eastward over a level of some 240 m. Therefore, only large blocks survived the destruction of the moraine.
Literature:
ALEXANDROWICZ Z., POPRAWA D., RĄCZKOWSKI W. 1999–Stratotypes and other important geosites of the Polish Carpathians. Pol. Geol. Inst., Spec. Papers, 2: 33-46. URBANIAK J. 1974 - Stratygrafia miocenu przedgórza Karpat nad Dunajcem koło Tarnowa. Pr. Geol. Komis. Nauk Geol. PAN Oddz. W Krakowie 86: 1-89.