SKAŁKA ROGOŹNICKA (ROGOŹNIK KLIPPE NATURE RESERVE)



Commune: Nowy Targ (pow. nowotarski, woj. małopolskie) , Nowy Targ (pow. nowotarski, woj. małopolskie)

Framework element or context represented:
Important element of the framework of the Pieniny Klippen Belt (Central Carpathians).

Primary geological/geomorphological interest:
The Czorsztyn Succession within the Pieniny Klippen Belt, type locality of the Tithonian and Lower Berriasian sequences, biostratigraphic ammonite level of the Tithonian Rogoźnik Coquina Member.

Comparative assessment justification:
The standard biota of Tithonian in the Alpine - Carpathian area. Unique site with rich fossils very well documented.

Protection status and accessibility:
The geosite is protected since 1961 as a nature reserve called “Skałka Rogoźnicka” and occupies 0.2526 ha. New project suggested enlargement of the area to 3.06 ha. The reserve is placed on the UNESCO List of World Geological Heritage. Properly traced out educational trail.

Character of site: Natural outcrops and abandoned quarry.

Area: 3.06 ha

Altitude: 680 m a.s.l.

Lithology: limestones, marls, shales

Discipline: Palaeobiology, Geomorphology, Palaeoenvironment, Stratigraphy of Phanerozoic, History of geology

Process Age: *all periods

Bedrock Age: Cretaceous, Jurassic, *all periods




Description of primary interest:
Long-term exploitation of limestones in the Skałki Rogoźnickie Hill has caused destruction of some natural crags. The protected "Skałka Rogoźnicka" is formed from sparite and micrite shelly limestones. In the lithostratigraphic division of the Czorsztyn Succession these sediments are distinguished as the stratotype of Rogoźnik Coquina Member of Dursztyn Limestone Formation. The coquina is an exeptional sediment, which contains numerous fossils of ammonites, belemnites, brachiopods, bivalves, crinoids and solitary corals. The mentioned fossils have been the subject of many studies during the last two centuries. Recently carried out detailed stratigraphic research works based on ammonites have stated the age of beds outcropping in the Skałka Rogoźnicka. The sequence consisting of 23 beds represents the Tithonian and the Lower Berriasian. The fauna of the Middle Tithonian deposits of the Skałka Rogoźnicka display in the best way the biostratigraphical ammonite level Semiformiceras semiforme in the Alpine-Carpathian region. There is proposal to incorporate the two adjacent quarries and their dumps into reserve. Mainly thick-bedded, red, micrite shelly Tithonian limestones contain assemblages of ammonites, brachiopods and crinoids are cropping out in the high wall of the eastern quarry. This is the stratotype of Rogoża Coquina Member of Dursztyn Limestone Formation. The assemblage of different facies of "crags" of the Tithonian-Berriasian age form the blocks and lenses tectonically wedged up among intensively folded Upper cretaceous marls.

Literature:

ALEXANDROWICZ Z., KROBICKI M., GONERA M., ALEXANDROWICZ W. P. 1997–Project of augmentation and educational organization of the Skałka Rogoźnicka nature reserve in Pieniny Klippen Belt (English sum.). Chrońmy Przyr. Ojcz. 53 (4): 58-73.     BARCZYK W. 1991–Succesion of the Tithonian to Berriasian brachiopod faunas at Rogoźnik, Pieniny Klippen Belt. Acta Geol. Pol., 41: 101-107.     BIRKENMAJER K. 1962–Monuments of inanimate nature in the Pieniny Klippen Belt. Part II: Klippen of Rogoźnik near Nowy Targ (English sum.). Ochr. Przyr. 28: 159-185.     BIRKENMAJER K. 1977–Jurassic and Cretaceous lithostratigraphic units of the Pieniny Klippen Belt, Carpathians, Poland. Stud. Geol. Pol. 45: 1-159.     KROBICKI M. 1994–Stratigraphic significance and palaeoecology of the Tithonian-Berriasian brachiopods in the Pieniny Klippen Belt, Carpathians, Poland. Stud. Geol. Pol. 106: 87-146.     KUTEK J., WIERZBOWSKI A. 1979–Lower to Middle Tithonian ammonite succesion at Rogoźnik in the Pieniny Klippen Belt. Acta. Geol. Pol. 29: 195-205.     KUTEK J., WIERZBOWSKI A. 1986–A new account on the Upper Jurrasic stratigraphy and ammonites of the Czorsztyn succession, Pieniny Klippen Belt, Poland. Acta. Geol. Pol., 36: 289-316.     PISERA A., DZIK J. 1979–Tithonian crinoids from Rogoźnik (Pieniny Klippen Belt, Poland) and their evolutionary relationship. Eclogae Geol. Helv. 72: 805-849.     WIERZBOWSKI A., REMANE J. 1992–The ammonite and calpionellid stratigraphy of the Berrasian and lowermost Valanginian in the Pieniny Klippen Belt (Carpathians, Poland). Eclogae Geol. Helv. 85: 871-891.