Commune: Szczawnica (pow. nowotarski, woj. małopolskie)
Framework element or context represented:
The rocky valley - a case of differentation of the Pieniny landscape.
Primary geological/geomorphological interest:
The rocky valley, type locality of the Smolegowa Limestone Formation, tectonic contact zone of different units, the basalt tor.
Comparative assessment justification:
The gap with high klippes, rocky stream bottom and exellant outcrops with the important stratotype.
Protection status and accessibility:
Two fragments of the Biała Woda valley are protected in one nature reserve called “Biała Woda” (1963). Close to the northern border of the reserve there is a basalt tor protected as a nature monument. The reserve is one element of proposed Pieniny Geopark.
Character of site: Rocky valley - gap.
Area: 33.7 ha
Altitude: 620-675 m a.s.l.
Lithology: other igneous rocks, limestones
Discipline: Geomorphology, Petrography, Stratigraphy of Phanerozoic, Tectonics
Process Age: *all periods
Bedrock Age: Paleogene, Cretaceous, Jurassic, *all periods
Description of primary interest:
The subsequent rocky valley is situated in the marginal zone of the Pieniny Klippen Belt. The gap section of this valley is incised in Jurassic white crinoidal limestones of the Czorsztyn Succession. The latter produce high klippes and are exposed in the valley bottom where they form steps. A protruding Smolegowa Skała (Smolegowa Rock) is a stratotype of the Smolegowa Limestone Formation (Bajos). From the south this succession is covered with Upper Cretaceous deposits of the Niedzica Succession. Along the right bank of the gorge the Czorsztyn Succession is thrust northward over the Upper Cretaceous-Paleogene flysch of the Grajcarek Succession. The discussed site is very interesting not only as the picturesque gorge but especially due to the tectonic contact of three units, the type locality of the thickest limestone formation of Czorsztyn Succession as well as the occurrence of the basalt intrusions. Close to the northern border of the reserve there is a basalt tor, which is a trace of a Tertiary intrusion.
Literature:
ALEXANDROWICZ S. W. 2003–Recent and subfossil molluse fauna on the Smolegowa Skała rocky hill in Jaworki (English sum.). Chrońmy Przyr. Ojcz. 59, 5: 39-57. ALEXANDROWICZ Z., ALEXANDROWICZ S.W. 2004–GEOPARKS - most valuable landscape parks in Southern Poland. Pol. Geol. Inst. Special Papers 13: 49-56. ALEXANDROWICZ Z., POPRAWA D., RĄCZKOWSKI W. 1999–Stratotypes and other important geosites of the Polish Carpathians. Pol. Geol. Inst., Spec. Papers, 2: 33-46. BIRKENMAJER K. 1977–Jurassic and Cretaceous lithostratigraphic units of the Pieniny Klippen Belt, Carpathians, Poland. Stud. Geol. Pol. 45: 1-159. BIRKENMAJER K., NAIRN A. E. 1969–Palaeomagnetic studies in Poland rocks. III Neogene igneous rocks of the Pieniny Mts. Carpathians. Rocz. Pol. Tow. Geol. 38: 475-489. BIRKENMAJER K. 1979–Przewodnik geologiczny po pienińskim pasie skałkowym (Polish only). Wyd. Geol. Warszawa.