Commune: Zawoja (pow. suski, woj. małopolskie)
Framework element or context represented:
Sedimentary structures and stratigraphy of the Flysch Carpathians.
Primary geological/geomorphological interest:
Different types of lamination and hieroglyphs of thin bedded Hieroglyphic Beds in the Flysch Carpathians.
Comparative assessment justification:
The site encloses examples of most important sedimentary structures, typical of thin bedded type of the Carpathian Flysch as well as a lot of trace fossils and other hieroglyphs.
Protection status and accessibility:
The locality is proposed to protection as a documentary site.
Character of site: Natural outcrop.
Area: about 0.2 ha
Altitude: 640 m a.s.l.
Lithology: sandstones, marls, shales, silstones, claystones
Discipline: Palaeoenvironment, Stratigraphy of Phanerozoic
Process Age: *all periods
Bedrock Age: Paleogene, *all periods
Description of primary interest:
The site of Hieroglyphic Beds of Middle Eocene age is located on the right steep bank (15 m height) of the small stream called Marków in Zawoja Wilczna within the Magura Unit. The sequence of medium- and thin-bedded greenish sandstones with glauconite intercalated by variegated shales and mudstones is well accessible. Sandstones are fine-grained and several of their layers contain plant detritus. These sandstones are of different types of lamination. In particular layers horizontal and cross lamination as well as convolutions can be usually well visible. They correspond with intervals Tb, Tc and Td of the Bouma sequence. Shales represent interval Te. The mentioned sediments are typical deposits accumulated by low-density turbidity currents probably on depositional lobes within a submarine fan system. Hieroglyphic Beds contain a relatively rich and differentiated assemblage of trace fossils. Such taxons as Cylindrites and Scolicia. Spirophycus bicornis i Taphrhelminthopsis, Protopaleodictyon fornicatum, Paleomeandron, Paleodictyon, Cosmorhaphe and Zoophycos occur commonly. They indicate living conditions and colonization of sea floor by animals. Different types of mechanical hieroglyphs are noted, too. In the lower part of the described section a single layer of siliceous, yellowish marlstone is exposed. It belongs to the Łącko Marls litotype.
Literature:
DŻUŁYŃSKI S., SIMPSON F. 1966–Influence of bottom irregularities and transported tools upon experimental scour markings. Rocznik Pol. Tow. Geol. 36, 3: 285-294. DŻUŁYŃSKI S., WALTON E.K. 1965–Sedimentary features of flysch and greywackes. Elsevier Publ. Amsterdam, 274 pp. KSIĄŻKIEWICZ M. 1961–Life conditions in Flysch Basins. Rocznik Pol. Tow. Geol. 31, 1: 3-21. KSIĄŻKIEWICZ M. 1961–On some sedimentary structures of the Carpathian Flysch. Rocznik Pol. Tow. Geol. 31, 1: 37-46. RODZINKA J. 2003–Protection of sedimentary structures in the flysch of the Magura Unit in Zawoja (English sum.). Chrońmy Przyr. Ojcz. 59, 4: 39-52. SIMPSON F. 1970–Sedimentation of the Middle Eocene of Magura Series, Polish western Carpathians. Rocznik Pol. Tow. Geol. 40, 2: 209-286. UNRUG R. 1969–Przewodnik geologiczny po zachodnich Karpatach (Polish only). Wyd. Geol.