Commune: Dzierżoniów (pow. dzierżoniowski, woj. dolnośląskie) , Dzierżoniów (pow. dzierżoniowski, woj. dolnośląskie)
Framework element or context represented:
Stratigraphy of the oldest crystalline massif.
Primary geological/geomorphological interest:
Palaeozoic different rocks and ophiolite complex.
Comparative assessment justification:
Unique area of the Paleozoic crystalline complex elevated in the northern, marginal zone of the Bohemian Massif.
Protection status and accessibility:
Ślęża Landscape Park established in 1988 occupied area of 8190 ha and has a large buffer zone - 7450 ha. It comprises two geological reserves (Ślęża Mt. and Radunia Mt.) and Skalna Natural Landscape Complex.
Character of site: Mountain crystalline massif.
Area: 8190 ha
Altitude: 200 - 718 m a.s.l.
Lithology: granitoids, other igneous rocks, other metamorphic rocks
Discipline: Geomorphology, Petrography, Stratigraphy of Proterozoic, Geology of mineral deposits
Process Age: *all periods
Bedrock Age: Carboniferous, Cambrian, *all periods
Description of primary interest:
The Massif of Ślęża is located on the Sudetic foreland. Geomorphologically, the Massif of Ślęża forms a dome risen about 500 meters above the surrounding lowlands. Its core part consists of the Early Palaeozoic crystalline rocks. The highest part of Ślęża Mt. is composed of gabbro. The rest of the massif consists of amphibolites, serpentinites, altered ultrabasic rocks embodying numerous veins of magnesite, quartz, chalcedony and opal. The geological settings of the whole massif resemble an ophiolitic complex being a source of valuable information on deeper zones of the Earth crust. The north-western and western slopes of Ślęża Mt. consist of the Upper Carboniferous granites, biotitic and dimicaceous ones. Those are a part of a larger granite body, i.e. the Strzegom-Sobótka granitoid massif, which continues towards northwest. In the vicinity of the town of Strzeblów two types of pale granite occur: leucogranite and fine-grained, garnet containing granite, both formed in endocontact zone. Within those rocks several pegmatitic, aplitic and quartzitic veins can be found. The slopes of the Ślęża massif, at the altitudes above 300 m a.s.l., are covered with the vast areas of boulder fields, consisting mainly of gabbro.
Literature:
BOBIŃSKI W., GAWLIKOWSKA E., KŁONOWSKI M. 1999 - Important geosites of the Polish Sudetes. Pol. Geol. Inst., Spec. Papers, 2: 19-25. GAWLIKOWSKA E. 2000 - Geodiversity conservation of the Lower Silesia (English sum.). Pol. Geol. Inst. Warszawa. MAJEROWICZ A. 1979 — Grupa górska Ślęży a współczesne problemy petrograficzne ofiolitów. In: Wybrane zagadnienia stratygrafii, petrografii i tektoniki wschodniego obrzeżenia gnejsów sowiogórskich i metamorfiku kłodzkiego: 9-34. Wyd. UWr. MAJEROWICZ A. 1989 — Postęp w badaniach ofiolitów Ślęży. In: Ofiolit Ślęży i jego mineralizacja rudna: 31-34. Wyd. UWr.