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Litostratygrafia osadów wyższej części neogenu na obszarze Niżu Polskiego

Kasiński Jacek R., Słodkowska Barbara

Prace Państwowego Instytutu Geologicznego

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2024

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T. 209

s. 25--61

PL

W pracy główny nacisk położono na prezentację i dyskusję na temat korelacji osadów wyższej części neogenu na Niżu Polskim. W rezultacie zaproponowano nowy podział litostratygraficzny lądowych osadów wyższego neogenu w basenie niżowym. Skorygowano dane i nazewnictwo, dotyczące dotychczas stosowanych jednostek litostratygraficznych oraz wykreowano i zrewidowano kilka jednostek, które skorelowano z aktualnym podziałem chronostratygraficznym dla obszaru Europy. Zastosowano zasady podziałów litostratygraficznych zgodnie z litologicznymi kryteriami przyjętymi przy tworzeniu nowych jednostek litostratygraficznych. Ważnym zadaniem było ustalenie pozycji stratygraficznej utworów wyższej części miocenu i pliocenu ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem serii brunatnowęglowych oraz rozdzielających je osadów mineralnych. Ramy czasowe weryfikowanego odcinka neogenu są zdefiniowane przez dwa regionalne zdarzenia geologiczne, które zaznaczyły się niemal na całym obszarze Niżu Polskiego: dolną granicę badanego interwału definiuje początek sedymentacji charakterystycznych piasków adamowskich i tworzenia się węgla brunatnego I pokładu środkowopolskiego, a górną granicę stanowi początek glacjacji plejstoceńskiej. Na przeważającym obszarze Niżu Polskiego, poza Polską południowo-zachodnią, profil osadów wyższego neogenu jest na ogół pełny, z niewielką liczbą luk stratygraficznych, chociaż jest widoczne pewne zróżnicowanie regionalne osadów. Jest to spowodowane nieco odmiennym reżimem sedymentacyjnym, stymulowanym najczęściej zmianami geotektonicznymi i związanymi z nimi oscylacjami klimatu. Utwory wyższego neogenu na obszarze Niżu Polskiego są w przeważającej mierze osadami lądowymi, wykształconymi w facjach fluwialnych, limnicznych i telmatycznych.

EN

The paper presents and discusses correlational issues of the upper part of Neogene deposits from the Polish Lowlands. The new lithostratigraphic division of upper Neogene terrestrial sediments in the lowland basin is proposed. The data and nomenclature of hitherto accepted lithostratigraphic units were revised, and several new units have been created and corrected a few units. They have been correlated with equivalents of the obligatory late Neogene chronostratigraphic division scheme for Europe. The principal task of the paper was to determine precisely the stratigraphic position of the upper Miocene and Pliocene formations, especially of the lignite series, and to separate mineral deposits. The time limits of the verified Neogene section have been defined by two regional geological events recorded in almost the whole area of the Polish Lowlands. The lower limit corresponds with the onset of the 1st Mid-Polish seam deposition, and the upper one with the beginning of Pleistocene glaciations. Over most of the Polish Lowlands, excluding south-western Poland, the upper Neogene section is generally complete, with only a few stratigraphic gaps, but a regional sedimentary variability is visible within it, caused by a slightly different sedimentary regime stimulated by geotectonic changes and related climate oscillations. The Late Neogene deposits of the Polish Lowlands are predominantly terrestrial and represent fluvial, limnic and telmatic facies.

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Zasady klasyfikacji stratygraficznej czwartorzędu Polski i jej główne kategorie

Marks Leszek

Przegląd Geologiczny

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2023

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Vol. 71, nr 10

485--502

EN

A reliable stratigraphic subdivision of the Quaternary is extremely important, dependent firstly on primary significance of its deposits in geological investigations and every-day life of human societies. In the Cenozoic, the Quaternary is a period of the same stratigraphic rank as the Palaeogene and the Neogene, but it is much shorter. Traditional stratigraphic schemes of the Quaternary were based mostly on other criteria than of the older periods, because studies of the Quaternary were focused mainly on more easily accessible terrestrial deposits and a decisive role in their formation was played by climate-induced processes. These factors forced a specific approach to define the stratigraphic units and to create the stratigraphic subdivisions of the Quaternary. In the Quaternary investigations in Poland, several categories of stratigraphic classification are used, particularly lithostratigraphy (with pedostratigraphy and cryostratigraphy), morphostratigraphy, biostratigraphy (including palynostratigraphy, malacostratigraphy, teriostratigraphy and anthropostratigraphy), magnetostratigraphy, chronostratigraphy (synchronized with geochronology) and climatostratigraphy (combined with oxygen isotope stratigraphy). The main climatostratigraphic units can be treated as corresponding to the chronostratigraphic ones and it enables correlation in a regional and global scale. Acritical overview of the applied stratigraphic categories and the updated stratigraphic subdivision are presented for Poland.

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The Upper Cretaceous variegated shales in the Ropianka Formation of the Magura Nappe (Outer Carpathians) : age and lithostratigraphic position

Waśkowska Anna, Szczęch Mateusz

Geological Quarterly

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2023

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Vol. 67, No. 2

art. no. 18

EN

The lithological characteristics and age analysis of the variegated Farony Shale are presented for the first time. The Farony Shale occurs in the Lubomierz and Rabka areas in the Bystrica Subunit. It is located within medium- and thin-bedded sandy dominated turbidites of the Campanian–Paleocene Ropianka Formation. It is comprised of red shales laminated or interlayered with strongly bioturbated green shales. Exposures of the Farony Shale are observed along a distance of ~25 km, in the form of a narrow belt. The age of the variegated deposits is estimated based on agglutinated foraminifera to late Campanian–earliest Maastrichtian. Their deposition was associated with low-energy conditions and a temporary limitation of the supply of sandy material to the inner part of the Magura Basin.

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Middle Devonian Skały Formation in the Holy Cross Mountains (Poland) : formal description and subdivision based on new field data

Racki Grzegorz, Wójcik Krystian, Halamski Adam T., Narkiewicz Marek

Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae

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2022

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Vol. 92, No. 4

425--444

EN

The well-known fossiliferous and lithologically variable clay-carbonate series in the Łysogóry Region (northern part of the Holy Cross Mts, central Poland), enclosed between the Middle Devonian Amphipora dolomites and limestones (Kowala Formation) and siliciclastics (Świętomarz Beds), is defined formally as the Shaly-Calcareous Skały Formation. This Upper Eifelian to Middle Givetian, ca. 250–280 m thick unit, consists of marly and clay shales, interbedded many times with various limestone types (including encrinite and biohermal varieties), as well as with marls and siltstones. Its diagnostic feature is the presence of variable skeletal accumulations, formed by exceptionally numerous, well-preserved and diverse macrofauna (including brachiopods, corals, crinoids, bryozoans), described since the 19th century. The stratotype is located in the eastern slope of the Dobruchna stream near the Skały village and belongs to the Silurian to Upper Devonian Grzegorzowice-Skały section. Compared to the previously used term, Skały Beds sensu Pajchlowa (1957), the lower boundary is redefined, owing to a new exposure in the active Skała Quarry, and placed higher, at the base of the famous brachiopod shales (set XIV of Pajchlowa), instead of the formerly accepted lower boundary at the base of set XIII. Set XIV is formally distinguished as the Dobruchna Brachiopod Shale Member. The higher part of the Skały Fm (sets XV–XXVA) is not subdivided further, as the poorly exposed succession, including in particular the type area, precludes a more accurate recognition of lithological variability. The upper boundary of the Skały Fm is placed at the top of set XXV sensu Pajchlowa (1957), corresponding to the boundary between subsets XXVA and XXVB sensu Malec and Turnau (1997). A hypostratotype of the upper boundary is selected in the outcrop M0 at Miłoszów, 2.5 km westwards from the type section, allowing recognition of the diachroneity of lithological change defining the transition from the Skały Fm to Świętomarz Beds. A borehole situated in a key location would be an obvious next step in the further elucidation of the stratigraphic sequence of the Łysogóry Region.

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Charakterystyka litofacjalna utworów jury górnej i kredy dolnej w rejonie Dąbrowa Tarnowska – Dębica w oparciu o interpretację danych sejsmicznych i otworowych

Urbaniec Andrzej

Prace Naukowe Instytutu Nafty i Gazu

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2021

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nr 232

1--240

PL

Głównym celem monografii jest odtworzenie historii depozycji i rozwoju facjalnego utworów górnej jury i dolnej kredy, występujących w podłożu zapadliska przedkarpackiego, w oparciu o dostępne dane z otworów wiertniczych oraz sejsmikę 3D. Rejon badań usytuowany jest w środkowej części przedgórza Karpat, pomiędzy miastami Dąbrowa Tarnowska na północnym zachodzie i Dębica na południowym wschodzie. Nowe dane, uzyskane w roku 2015, w postaci zdjęcia sejsmicznego 3D, jak również informacji z głębokiego otworu O-1 przewiercającego pełen profil utworów mezozoiku, pozwoliły na znacznie lepsze rozpoznanie i udokumentowanie wielu szczegółów budowy geologicznej tego, dotąd słabo rozpoznanego, rejonu. Sedymentacja badanych utworów węglanowych przedgórza Karpat w epokach późnojurajskiej i wczesnokredowej odbywała się w strefie szelfowej północnego, pasywnego brzegu oceanu Tetydy. Cechą charakterystyczną utworów górnej jury jest ich duże zróżnicowanie facjalne, wynikające głównie z obecności rozbudowanych kompleksów biohermowych oraz pakietów warstwowanych osadów marglisto-wapiennych. W rozdziale 2 przedstawiono budowę geologiczną rejonu badań, uwzględniając wszystkie piętra strukturalne, rozwój litologiczny utworów poszczególnych jednostek, stosowane podziały litostratygraficzne i regionalne ramy paleogeograficzne. W rozdziale 3 szczegółowo omówiona została historia badań oraz aktualny stan rozpoznania kompleksu węglanowego górnej jury i dolnej kredy przedgórza Karpat. Rozdział 4 zawiera charakterystykę litologiczną badanych utworów węglanowych z podziałem na jednostki litostratygraficzne. Charakterystyka ta opracowana została na podstawie analizy cech makroskopowych dostępnego materiału rdzeniowego oraz profilowań geofizyki otworowej. Zamieszczone profile litostratygraficzne wybranych głębokich otworów wiertniczych z obszaru badań lub jego bliskiego sąsiedztwa dokumentują obecny stan wiedzy na temat litostratygrafii i rozwoju facjalnego utworów górnej jury i dolnej kredy. W rozdziale 5 przedstawiono charakterystykę mikrofacjalną i mikropaleontologiczną badanych utworów węglanowych, jak również przeprowadzono dyskusję dotyczącą możliwości określenia zasięgu wiekowego poszczególnych wydzieleń litostratygraficznych w oparciu o wyniki wieloletnich badań oraz dane literaturowe. W rozdziale 6 zaprezentowano wyniki analizy obrazu sejsmicznego, wykonanej w oparciu o wybrane atrybuty sejsmiczne. W ramach pracy omówiono następujące atrybuty: RMS Amplitude, Envelope, Instantaneous phase, Dominant frequency, Instantaneous bandwidth, Apparent polarity, Relative acoustic impedance, First derivative, Iso-frequency component, Time gain, Chaos, Variance (Edge method), Local flatness. Przeprowadzona analiza pozwoliła na uzyskanie dodatkowych istotnych informacji odnośnie wykształcenia litologicznego i rozprzestrzenienia utworów poszczególnych ogniw litostratygraficznych, jak również dała możliwość uszczegółowienia lokalizacji dyslokacji. Na podstawie interpretacji zapisu sejsmicznego w obrębie badanego kompleksu skalnego udokumentowano również występowanie niezgodności kątowych, stref zaburzeń i deformacji związanych z tektoniką synsedymentacyjną oraz przypuszczalnych osadów spływów grawitacyjnych. W rozdziale 7 zamieszczono przekroje litofacjalne, skonstruowane wzdłuż wybranych przekrojów sejsmicznych, prezentujące przestrzenny rozkład i wzajemne relacje pomiędzy utworami poszczególnych ogniw litostratygaficzych. W rozdziale 8 przeanalizowano rozmieszczenie kompleksów biohermowych górnej jury względem morfologii podłoża jury. Analiza rozmieszczenia wykartowanych na podstawie zapisu sejsmicznego budowli organicznych, należących do serii wielkich bioherm gąbkowo-mikrobialnych, wskazuje na dwa główne obszary ich występowania, tj. rejon NW (kompleks biohermowy „N”), w którym występuje dosyć rozległy kompleks biohermowy, a jego dokładny zasięg jest trudny do ustalenia ze względu na późniejsze procesy regionalnej dolomityzacji oraz rejon centralny (kompleks biohermowy „S” w okolicach otworu O-1), w którym stwierdzono kompleks kilku wysokich budowli o dosyć stromych krawędziach. Rozdział 9 poświęcony jest zagadnieniu historii depozycyjnej późnojurajsko-wczesnokredowego basenu sedymentacyjnego przedgórza Karpat oraz omówieniu roli najważniejszych czynników wpływających na rozkład facji w obszarze badań. Wykazano, że cechą charakterystyczną znacznej części osadów jurajskich jest silnie diachroniczny charakter rozprzestrzenienia poszczególnych facji, uwarunkowany głównie paleogeomorfologią dna zbiornika sedymentacyjnego, jak również czynnikami lokalnymi, związanymi z tektoniką synsedymentacyjną. Seria gąbkowo-globuligerinowa, rozpoczynająca profil utworów górnej jury i reprezentująca najgłębszy etap sedymentacji w warunkach otwartego szelfu, cechuje się stosunkowo dużą jednorodnością wykształcenia na całym obszarze przedgórza. Kompleks biohermowy „S” rozwinął się w nadkładzie elewowanej strefy, złożonej z kilku mniejszych elementów tektonicznych, natomiast kompleks biohermowy „N” wykształcił się na rozległej, wyniesionej części strefy zrębowej, gdzie w podłożu występuje jeden główny blok tektoniczny. Intensywnie rozwijające się kompleksy biohermowe „N” i „S” wywierały coraz większy wpływ na dalszy rozwój sedymentacji osadów górnej jury w badanym rejonie, dostarczając jednocześnie materiału dla osadów redeponowanych w głębsze partie zbiornika w wyniku podmorskich spływów grawitacyjnych. W strefie przylegającej od SE do kompleksu biohermowego „S”, na profilach sejsmicznych dostrzegalny jest charakterystyczny, wysokoamplitudowy zapis obejmujący cały pakiet refleksów sejsmicznych o zmiennych kątach upadów. Częste zmiany polarności, dostrzegalne w obrębie tej strefy w odtworzeniu atrybutu Apparent polarity, podobnie jak i skrajnie zmienny zakres wartości atrybutu Relative acoustic impedance, świadczą o silnym zróżnicowaniu litologicznym tego kompleksu skalnego. W tytonie, w trakcie sedymentacji utworów serii koralowcowo-onkolitowej, nastąpiło wyraźne ujednolicenie warunków sedymentacji na całym obszarze przedgórza Karpat, związane głównie z zanikiem paleomorfologicznego zróżnicowania powierzchni dna morza. Przypuszczalnie w tym samym czasie miał miejsce kolejny etap reaktywacji dyslokacji, o czym świadczy powierzchnia niezgodności kątowej, i związane z nią efekty erozji osadów starszych. Rozprzestrzenione na całym obszarze badań utwory serii muszlowcowo-oolitowej dolnej reprezentują różnego typu płytkowodne środowiska sedymentacji (w tym środowisko równi pływowej, lagunowe i stref barierowych), jakie wykształciły się na obszarze przedgórza Karpat, na pograniczu późnej jury i wczesnej kredy. Środowisko sedymentacji utworów serii marglisto-muszlowcowej, datowanej na berias, określić można jako skrajnie płytkowodne, z facjami lagunowymi i wpływem środowisk brakicznych. Utwory najwyższych serii dolnej kredy (tj. mułowcowo-wapiennej i muszlowcowo-oolitowej górnej) reprezentują facje płytkomorskie związane z transgresją morską, która miała miejsce w walanżynie. Przedstawiona historia depozycyjna późnojurajsko-wczesnokredowego basenu sedymentacyjnego przedgórza Karpat, w połączeniu z opisem cech makroskopowych rdzeni wiertniczych, analizą mikrofacjalną i mikropaleontologiczną poszczególnych jednostek litostratygraficznych oraz interpretacją obrazu sejsmicznego, pozwala na kompleksową charakterystykę analizowanych utworów oraz wskazanie procesów mających największy wpływ na obecny charakter i stan zachowania badanych serii skalnych.

EN

The main subject of this monograph is a reconstruction of the history of deposition and facial development of Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous deposits in the basement of the Carpathian Foredeep, based on data available from boreholes and a 3D seismic survey. The research area is located in the central part of the Carpathian Foreland, between two cities: Dąbrowa Tarnowska in the north-west and Dębica in the south-east. The new 3D seismic survey made in 2015 and the O-1 deep borehole – drilled in the same year and portraying a full profile of the Mesozoic sediments – allowed for much better recognition and documentation of many details of the geological structure of this previously poorly mapped area. The sedimentation of the carbonate formations of the Carpathian Foreland during the Late Jurassic and the Early Cretaceous took place in the shelf zone of the northern, passive margin of the Tethys Ocean. A characteristic feature of the Upper Jurassic sediments is their high facies diversity, due mainly to the presence of biohermal complexes and sets of layered marly-limestone sediments. Chapter 2 presents the geological structure of all structural stages in the area under study, including the lithological development, the lithostratigraphic divisions applied, and the regional palaeogeographic frameworks. Chapter 3 discusses both the history of research and the current state of knowledge regarding the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous carbonate sediments of the Carpathian Foreland. Chapter 4 describes the lithological characteristics of the carbonate sediments, considering lithostratigraphic units. This characterisation is based on a macroscopic examination of the available core material and analysis of the well logs. The lithostratigraphic profiles of selected deeper boreholes from the research area and its close vicinity document the current state of knowledge on lithostratigraphy and the facies development of the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous deposits. Chapter 5 features the microfacies and micropalaeontological characteristics of the carbonate sediments under study. Based on the results of many years of research and literature data, the possibilities of determining the age of every lithostratigraphic unit are discussed. Chapter 6 presents the analysis of the seismic 3D image based on selected seismic attributes. As part of the work, the following attributes are discussed: RMS Amplitude, Envelope, Instantaneous phase, Dominant frequency, Instantaneous bandwidth, Apparent polarity, Relative acoustic impedance, First derivative, Iso-frequency component, Time gain, Chaos, Variance (Edge method), and Local flatness. The analysis revealed additional important information regarding both the lithological development and the spatial range of sediments of individual lithostratigraphic units, at the same time facilitating the detailed location of fault zones. Based on the interpretation of the seismic image within the studied rock complex, the occurrence of angular unconformity, disturbance, and deformation zones related to synsedimentary tectonic as well as probable gravity-flow deposits are also documented. Chapter 7 presents lithofacial cross-sections constructed along selected seismic sections reflecting the spatial distribution and relationships between the sediments of individual lithostratigraphic units. Chapter 8 analyses the distribution of Upper Jurassic biohermal complexes in relation to the morphology of the Jurassic base surface. An analysis of the distribution of organic buildups belonging to the Huge Sponge-Microbial Bioherms Series, interpreted indirectly from seismic image, indicates two main areas where they can be found. These are the north-west part of the study area – where a quite extensive biohermal complex occurs (‘Complex N’), the exact range of which is difficult to determine due to later regional dolomitisation processes – and the area located in the central part of the seismic survey, where a complex of several very tall buildups with steep edges was found (‘Complex S’). Chapter 9 is devoted to the issue of the depositional history of the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous sedimentary basin of the Carpathian Foreland and to a discussion of the role of the most important factors influencing facies distribution in the research area. It has been shown that a characteristic feature of a large part of the Jurassic sediments is the strongly diachronic nature of the distribution of facies controlled by the varying bottom relief of the sedimentation basin and by some local factors related to synsedimentary tectonic episodes. The Sponge-Globuligerinid Series, beginning the profile of the Upper Jurassic sediments and representing the deepest sedimentation stage in the open shelf conditions, is characterised by a relatively high homogeneity of lithology in the whole Carpathian Foreland area. The ‘S’ biohermal complex developed over the elevated zone composed of several smaller tectonic elements, whilst the ‘N’ biohermal complex developed on a large, elevated part of the horst zone. The intensively developing ‘N’ and ‘S’ biohermal complexes affected successive deposition of the Late Jurassic sedimentary basin in the study area more and more. Those biohermal complexes were the source of the material redeposited into deeper parts of the sedimentary basin. On seismic profiles in the south-east neighbourhood of the ‘S’ biohermal complex, there is a characteristic high-amplitude record including the entire reflection set of variable dip angles. The frequent polarity changes which are visible within this zone in the Apparent polarity attribute, as well as the extremely variable range of values the Relative acoustic impedance attribute, prove the strong lithological differentiation of this rock complex. During the Tithonian time (sedimentation of the Coral-Oncolite Series), there was clear unification of the sedimentation conditions in the entire Carpathian Foreland area, mainly due to disappearance of the bottom relief diversity. At the same time another stage of dislocation reactivation occurred, as evidenced by the angular unconformity and the erosion traces of older sediments associated with this unconformity. The deposits of the Lower Shellbed-Oolite Series scattered throughout the research area represent various types of shallow-water sedimentation environments (including tidal, lagoon, and barrier zones) that developed in the Carpathian Foreland area on the borderline between the Late Jurassic and the Early Cretaceous. The sedimentation environment of the Marly-Shellbed Series dated to the Berriasian can be described as extremely shallow-water, with lagoon facies and under the influence of brackish environments. The sediments of the last two series of the Lower Cretaceous (i.e. the Mudstone-Limestone and Upper Shellbed-Oolite Series) represent the shallow-marine facies associated with marine transgression that took place during the Valanginian. The processes that have had the greatest impact on the current character and preservation of the rock series under study can be pinpointed and a comprehensive characterisation of these formations can be undertaken thanks to the depositional history of the Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous sedimentary basin of the Carpathian Foreland presented herein, the macroscopic examination of the available core material, the microfacial and micropalaeontological analysis of individual lithostratigraphic units, and the interpretation of the seismic image.

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Campanian-Paleocene Jaworzynka Formation in its type area (Magura Nappe, Outer Carpathians)

Waśkowska Anna, Golonka Jan, Starzec Krzysztof, Cieszkowski Marek

Acta Geologica Polonica

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2021

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Vol. 71, no. 3

345--370

EN

The Campanian-Paleocene Jaworzynka Formation, a part of the Magura Nappe succession in the Polish Outer Carpathians, is described in terms of its detailed litho- and biostratigraphy. The formation stretches along the marginal part of the Siary Unit, from the Jaworzynka stratotype area in the Silesian Beskid Mts up to the Mszana Dolna area in the Beskid Wyspowy Mts. Its equivalent in the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts of the Czech Republic is the Soláň Formation. In the stratotype area, the formation displays complex structure. We distinguish four lithological units, i.e., Biotite Sandstone and Shale (I), Shale (II), Mutne Sandstone Member (III) and Thin-bedded Turbidite (IV) and provide the first detailed biostratigraphy of particular units. The first unit forms the most prominent part of the formation. It was deposited in the Middle Campanian-earliest Maastrichtian within the upper part of Caudammina gigantea Zone up to the lower part of the Rzehakina inclusa Zone. The second unit occurs only locally and its age is limited to the Maastrichtian, to the Rzehakina inclusa Zone. The third unit is composed of thick-bedded sandstones that in some parts may form more than the half of the total thickness of the formation. It is Late Maastrichtian-Danian in age and is placed in the upper part of the Rzehakina inclusa Zone and the lower part of the Rzehakina fissistomata Zone. It is usually covered by a thin package of thin-bedded turbiditic sandstone and shales of Danian-Thanetian age with foraminifera of the Rzehakina fissistomata Zone.

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Lithostratigraphic classification of the Tsodilo Hills Group: a Palaeo- to Mesoproterozoic metasedimentary succession in NW Botswana

Wendorff Marek, Świąder Andrzej

Geology, Geophysics and Environment

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2019

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Vol. 45, no. 4

305--318

EN

The Tsodilo Hills Group strata exposed in the Tsodilo Hills are an association of meta-arenites, metaconglomerates, quartz-mica schists, sandstone, red siltstone and sedimentary breccia deposited on an open siliciclastic marine shelf between the Late Palaeoproterozic and Late Mesoproterozoic, and outcropping in NW Botswana. The succession is dominated by three micaceous quartzite units interlayered with subordinate lenses and wedges of other rock types. Facies gradients from S to N are expressed by: decreasing content of muscovite at all levels of metasediment organisation from thin wedge-shaped units to thick quartzite complexes, as well as a decrease in pebble content and increase in arenaceous matrix in some metaconglomerate beds, matching regional palaeotransport direction. Well-rounded pebbles of extrabasinal rocks are flat, suggesting redeposition from a beach environment. Lenticular conglomeratic bodies with erosional lower boundaries represent infills of local incisions in the sandy bottom sediments. The abundance of laterally discontinuous lithological units reflects shelf palaeotopography controlled and modified by deposition and migration of large bed forms, ranging from megaripple marks (or submarine dunes) to sand waves. Deposition was influenced by tides and two regressive events. The older regression resulted in a marker unit of tidal mudflat-related red-bed facies: mudstone, siltstone, channel-fill sandstone and sedimentary breccia. The second regression is indicated by a tabular conglomerate marker reflecting increased input of coarse terrigenous material.

8

The Late Cretaceous Fucoid Marl of the Ropianka Formation in the Kąkolówka Structure (Skole Nappe, Outer Carpathians, Poland) : lithology and foraminiferal biostratigraphy

Waśkowska Anna, Joniec Andrzej, Kotlarczyk Janusz, Siwek Piotr

Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae

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2019

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Vol. 89, No. 3

259--284

EN

A 250-m-thick sedimentary succession dominated by siliciclastic deposits occurs in the Kąkolówka Structure of the Skole Nappe. The succession was deposited in the inner part of the Skole Basin during the Late Cretaceous. In position and age, it corresponds to the Kropivnik Fucoid Marl of the Wiar Member (a subdivision of the Ropianka Formation), which was comprehensively described in the external part of the Skole Nappe. In this study, the authors provide the first complete data set on the lithological development and biostratigraphy of the Kropivnik Fucoid Marl from the inner part of the Skole Nappe. The results are compared to previous data from the outer part of the Skole Nappe. In the Kropivnik Fucoid Marl of the Kąkolówka Structure, three main heterolithic facies associations are distinguished: shale-sandstone, marl-sandstone and sandstone-shale. The occurrences of hard, platy and soft marls within siliciclastic rocks are typical of the sections studied. The features observed indicate a turbiditic origin of the deposits studied, including the hard, platy marls. The allogenic material of the strata described includes the small, fragile tests of planktonic foraminifera, which were redeposited from the outer parts of the Skole Basin. Particularly large concentrations of planktonic foraminifera were observed in the hard, platy marls. They are less common in the soft marls and shales. In the Zimny Dział section, a diverse assemblage of benthic and planktonic foraminifera was found. The Kropivnik Fucoid Marl was dated as uppermost Campanian to lowermost Maastrichtian on the basis of planktonic foraminifera, which represent the Gansserina gansseri Zone. The agglutinated foraminiferal assemblages are representative for the lower part of the Rzehakina inclusa Zone and the co-occurrence of the Caudammina gigantea (Geroch) acme with Rzehakina inclusa (Grzybowski) was observed.

9

The Jurassic to Palaeogene strata in the northern boundary fault zone in deep borehole PD-9 at Szczawnica, Pieniny Klippen Belt, West Carpathians, Poland : biostratigraphy and tectonic implications

Birkenmajer Krzysztof, Gedl Przemysław

Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae

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2019

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Vol. 89, No. 3

233--257

EN

The Jurassic through Palaeogene stratigraphy and tectonic structure of the PD-9 borehole at Szczawnica, Pieniny Klippen Belt, West Carpathians, Poland, is revised. The borehole was drilled in the strongly tectonized northern boundary fault zone of the Pieniny Klippen Belt, of Miocene age. Age revision is given by dinoflagellate cysts. Late Cretaceous taxa are reported from the Hałuszowa Formation. The Bryjarka Member (previously with the rank of formation) yielded rich Early Eocene (Ypresian) assemblages. Similar ones are reported from the Szczawnica Formation. A tectonic thrust sheet of the Jurassic Szlachtowa Formation (Grajcarek Unit) in the Palaeogene of the Magura Nappe is evidenced; it yielded late Toarcian-Aalenian dinoflagellate cyst assemblages. The succession of strata recorded from the PD-9 borehole shows the steep, almost vertical attitude of the Grajcarek Main Dislocation at Szczawnica, separating the structures of the Magura Nappe (to the north) and the Pieniny Klippen Belt to the south.

10

Seismo-geological model of the Baltic Basin (Poland)

Kasperska Monika, Marzec Paweł, Pietsch Kaja, Golonka Jan

Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae

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2019

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Vol. 89, No. 2

195--213

EN

The aim of this study is to construct a seismo-geological model of the western part of the Baltic Syneclise. This model enables reconstruction of the tectonic processes taking place in this area, which had a significant impact on the formation of prospective zones for the occurrence of unconventional hydrocarbon accumulations. The two seismic surveys Opalino 3D and Kościerzyna-Gdańsk 2D, together with borehole data available in the vicinity, were used for the research. Well data were used not only for the seismic-to-well tie, but also for the construction of well cross-sections (including balanced ones). The structural interpretation of seismic boundaries enabled the separation of four structural stages: Precambrian; Caledonian, Permian-Mesozoic and Cenozoic. The seismic interpretation of the Opalino 3D survey indicates the presence of block-style tectonics in this area. This system is considered to be a part of a large block system, also extending throughout the area of the 2D survey. The Caledonian interval shows the greatest degree of structural complexity. Most of the large Palaeozoic dislocations already had been formed in the Cambrian. They underwent reactivation and/or inversion in the Silurian, or in the final stages of the Caledonian and/or Variscan Orogeny, at the latest. The current shape and structure of the Baltic Syneclise and the development of the Palaeozoic sedimentary cover were significantly influenced by the processes taking place in the Teisseyre-Tornquist Zone (TTZ). The dislocations of the Lower Palaeozoic stage are characterized by general NW-SE and NE-SW trends, although the first of these seems to be dominant.

11

Ordovician–Silurian lithostratigraphy of the East European Craton in Poland

Porębski Szczepan, Podhalańska Teresa

Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae

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2019

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Vol. 89, No. 2

95--104

EN

This paper deals with the lithostratigraphic correlation of the Ordovician-Silurian succession between the Baltic, Podlasie and Lublin basins, located on the SW slope of the East European Craton. The correlation is based on previous lithostratigraphic classifications, which are modified here to include the results of recent biostratigraphic and sedimentological work performed on several new wells. The authors propose to extend the Sasino Formation for the entire upper Darriwilian-lower Katian mudstone sheet that is traceable in all basins. It is recommended that the Jantar Bituminous Claystone Member (late Hirnantian-Aeronian) of the Pasłęk Formation be elevated to the rank of formation and the name Pasłęk Mudstone Formation be retained for the late Aeronian-Telychian, rhythmic alternations of black, laminated mudstones and greenish, bioturbated mudstones. Moreover, the authors suggest that the top of the Kociewie Formation (Sheinwoodian-Ludfordian) be placed at the upper boundary of the Reda Member (latest Ludfordian), which shows much wider lateral persistence than previously was thought.

12

Wykorzystanie pomiarów PPS do uszczegółowienia interpretacji sejsmicznej 3D na przykładzie utworów dolnego paleozoiku

Bartoń R., Urbaniec A.

Nafta-Gaz

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2018

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R. 74, nr 9

655--668

PL

W artykule przedstawiono możliwości wykorzystania w interpretacji sejsmicznej transformacji PPS-WPG (pionowe profilowanie sejsmiczne – wspólny punkt głębokościowy) obliczonych dla fal podłużnych PP offsetowych punktów wzbudzania. Przedmiotem interpretacji był kompleks utworów dolnego paleozoiku (kambr–sylur) o całkowitej miąższości przekraczającej 2400 m. Pod względem litologicznym kompleks ten zdominowany jest przez utwory silikoklastyczne, z nielicznymi wkładkami skał węglanowych. Do porównania obrazu sejsmicznego uzyskanego na zdjęciu sejsmicznym 3D i transformacjach PPS-WPG dla otworu W-1 – przeprowadzono analizę opartą na wybranych atrybutach sejsmicznych. W ramach artykułu omówiono następujące atrybuty: amplituda średnia kwadratowa, pierwsza pochodna, cosinus fazy, komponent jednakowych częstotliwości, chwilowa szerokość pasmowa, obwiednia, względna impedancja akustyczna. Zastosowanie transformacji pomiarów PPS pozwoliło na uzyskanie zdecydowanie większej rozdzielczości pionowej obrazu, jak również uwidoczniło wyraźne zróżnicowanie litologiczne niektórych formacji. Natomiast interpretacja, przeprowadzona w oparciu o wybrane atrybuty sejsmiczne, umożliwiła szczegółowe rozpoznanie litofacjalne analizowanych utworów dolnego paleozoiku, jak też udokumentowanie sejsmiczne elementów takich jak np. płaszczyzny dyslokacji oraz dodatkowe horyzonty o większej zawartości węglanów.

EN

This article presents the possibilities of using in the seismic interpretation process VSP-CDP transformation (the vertical seismic profiling–common depth point) calculated for longitudinal waves of VSP offset shot points for seismic interpretation. The Lower Palaeozoic (Cambrian-Silurian) complex was a main aim of interpretation. The total thickness of this complex is over 2400 m. The analyzed Lower Palaeozoic complex is dominated by silicoclastic sediments with a few carbonate rock layers. The analysis, based on selected seismic attributes, was performed to compare the seismic image obtained in the 3D seismic and the VSP-CDP transformations for the W-1 well. The article discusses the analysis of following attributes: RMS Amplitude, First derivative, Cosine of phase, Iso-frequency component, Instantaneous bandwidth, Envelope, Relative acoustic impedance. The application of the VSPCDP transformation allowed to obtain much higher vertical resolution of the image, as well as clearly visible lithological variation of some formations. On the other hand, the interpretation, based on selected seismic attributes, enabled a detailed lithofacial recognition of the analyzed Lower Paleozoic deposits as well as seismic documentation of elements such as dislocations and additional new horizons with a higher carbonate content.

13

Lithofacies analysis of CMP at northern prospect of the Petrikov potash deposit (Belarus)

Barbikau D., Klabuk A., Kurlovich D., Kutyrlo V., Sauchyk S.

Przegląd Solny

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2017

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T. 13

150--155

EN

The results of lithofacies analysis of clay-marl package (CMP) at Northern Prospect of Petrikov potash deposit are discussed. The analysis has been undertaken to increment waterproof thickness. Lithofacies subdivision has been carried out with ArcGIS 10 software. The following three lithofacies have been defined: sulfate-carbonate-clay, sulfate-clay-carbonate, and clastic-carbonate-clay. An inclusion of gypsum-bearing sub-package of the CMP into the waterproof thickness, based on the lateral lithofacies variation of rocks, will allow pillar mining at the areas, where the mining is prohibited at present by local regulatory documents.

PL

W pracy omówiono wyniki analizy litofacjalnej warstwy ilastomarglistej (WIM) północnej części Pietrykowskiego złoża soli potasowej na Białorusi przeprowadzonej w celu rozpoznania warstw nieprzepuszczalnych. Rejonizację litofacjalną wykonano za pomocą programu ArcGIS 10. Wyróżniono trzy litofacje: siarczanowo-węglanowo-ilastą, siarczanowo-ilasto- -węglanową oraz klastyczno-węglanowo-ilastą. Włączenie do warstwy nieprzepuszczalnej subwarstwy gipsowej WIM, które oparto na lateralnej zmienności litolofacjalnej skał, w przyszłości pozwoli na eksploatację złoża systemem filarowym. Obecnie eksploatacja złoża jest zabroniona.

14

The Ropianka Formation of the Bystrica Zone (Magura Nappe, Outer Carpathians : proposal for a new reference section in northwestern Orava

Teťák F., Cieszkowski M., Golonka J., Waśkowska A., Szczęch M.

Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae

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2017

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Vol. 87, No. 3

259--274

EN

The thin- and medium-bedded, turbiditic deposits that are exposed in the Bystrica Zone of the Magura Nappe in the Slovak Orava region are the subject of this study. On the basis of lithological features as well as age and stratigraphic position, they are assigned to the Ropianka Formation. The very well exposed rocks of this formation, recognized in the Biela Farma profile in the Slovak part of the northwestern Orava region, are compared with analogous deposits in the Polish Orava and the Beskid Wysoki Mountains. Lithological and biostratigraphical documentation of the Ropianka Formation is presented. This documentation allowed the determination of the age of the rocks studied. Abundant and taxonomically diverse foraminiferal assemblages of agglutinated, benthonic and occasional planktonic forms indicate a Middle Paleocene age for the upper part of the Ropianka Fm. A new stratigraphic position for the Szczawina Sandstone, considered to be a member of the Ropianka Fm, is proposed. The lithostratigraphy of the Ropianka Fm in the Magura Nappe in Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic requires further investigation, including the establishment of new type and reference sections. The large outcrop at Biela Farma should be taken into consideration as a potential reference section. Studies of the new sections will lead to a new monographic elaboration of the Ropianka Fm in Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

15

Geology of the Magura Nappe in the Osielec area with emphasis on an Eocene olistostrome with metabasite olistoliths (Outer Carpathians, Poland)

Cieszkowski M., Kysiak T., Szczęch M., Wolska A.

Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae

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2017

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Vol. 87, No. 2

169--182

EN

The Magura Nappe in the Polish sector of the Outer Carpathians consists of four tectonic subunits characterized by differing development of facies. From the south to the north, they include the Siary, Rača, Bystrica and Krynica subunits. The sedimentary succession in the Rača Subunit in the vicinity of the village of Osielec is composed of Campanian–Palaeogene flysch deposited in the Magura Basin. In this succession, the Middle Eocene Pasierbiec Sandstone Fm consists of thick-bedded sandstones and conglomerates with occasional intercalations of thin-bedded shale-sandstone flysch. Within the Pasierbiec Sandstone Fm at Osielec there is an olistostrome, rich in pebbles and cobbles of exotic rocks. In addition, large blocks of Neoproterozoic metabasites and boulders of Palaeogene organogenic limestones were found. The discovery of metabasites raised the possibility that the rocks in question could be evidence of supposed oceanic crust in the basement of the Magura sedimentary basin, because of the suggestion that they represent the Alpine orogenic cycle. This concept was abandoned when investigations of the absolute age of the metabasites gave a date of ca. 600 Ma. In the Osielec area, there are two tectonic thrust sheets in the Rača Subunit, namely the Osielczyk Thrust Sheet in the north and the Bystra Thrust Sheet in the south; they are folded and cut by a transverse system of strike-slip and oblique faults. The Osielczyk Thrust Sheet was overthrust northwards on to the Siary Subunit.

16

The Boquillas Formation of the Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA, a reference Cenomanian through Santonian (Upper Cretaceous) carbonate succession at the southern end of the Western Interior Seaway

Cooper D. A., Cooper R.W., Stevens J. B., Stevens M. S., Cobban W. A., Walaszczyk I.

Acta Geologica Polonica

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2017

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Vol. 67, no. 4

547--565

EN

The upper lower Cenomanian through middle Santonian (Upper Cretaceous) of the Boquillas Formation in the Big Bend Region of Trans-Pecos Texas consists of a marine carbonate succession deposited at the southern end of the Western Interior Seaway. The Boquillas Formation, subdivided into the lower, c. 78 m thick limestone-shale Ernst Member, and the upper, c. 132 m thick limestone/chalk/marl San Vicente Member, was deposited in a shallow shelf open marine environment at the junction between the Western Interior Seaway and the western margins of the Tethys Basin. Biogeographically, the area was closely tied with the southern Western Interior Seaway. The richly fossiliferous upper Turonian, Coniacian and lower Santonian parts of the Boquillas Formation are particularly promising for multistratigraphic studies.

17

Silurian stratigraphy of Central Iran - an update

Hairapetian V., Ghobadi Pour M., Popov L. E., Männik P., Miller C. G.

Acta Geologica Polonica

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2017

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Vol. 67, no. 2

201--233

EN

The Silurian biostratigraphy, lithostratigraphy, and facies of Central Iran including the Kashmar (Boghu Mountains), Tabas (Derenjal Mountains, Ozbak-Kuh), Anarak (Pol-e Khavand) and Kerman regions is reviewed and updated. The current state of knowledge of the Silurian in the Zagros Basin, Alborz, Kopet-Dagh and Talysh regions, as well as in a few areas scattered across the Sabzevar Zone, and the Sanandaj-Sirjan terranes is also reviewed. Silurian volcanism in various parts of Iran is briefly discussed. The end of the Ordovician coincided with a widespread regression across Iran synchronous with the Hirnantian glaciation, and only in the Zagros Basin is there a continuous Ordovician–Silurian transition represented by graptolitic black shales of the Sarchahan Formation. In the Central-East Iranian Platform marine sedimentation re-commenced in the early to mid Aeronian. By the Sheinwoodian, carbonate platform depositional environments were established along its north-eastern margin. In other parts of Iran (e.g., Kopet-Dagh and the Sabzevar Zone), siliciclastic sedimentation continued probably into the late Silurian. The Silurian conodont and brachiopod biostratigraphy of Central Iran is significantly updated facilitating a precise correlation with the Standard Global Chronostratigraphic Scale, as well as with key Silurian sections in other parts of Iran. The Silurian lithostratigraphy is considerably revised and two new lithostratigraphical units, namely the Boghu and Dahaneh-Kalut formations, are introduced.

18

Facies changes in the Cenomanian (Cretaceous) of the northwestern Elbe Valley near Dresden (Saxony, Germany)

Tröger K. -A.

Acta Geologica Polonica

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2017

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Vol. 67, no. 1

135--144

EN

The Upper Cretaceous of the Elbe Valley in Saxony and the erosion outliers west of it mark an Upper Cretaceous NW-SE-running strait between the Westsudetic Island in the NE and the Mid-European Island to the west. This street connected the NW-German-Polish Basin in the north and the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin (and adjacent regions of the Tethys) in the south. However, post-Cretaceous erosion north of Meißen removed any Upper Cretaceous deposits but erosion outliers at Siebenlehn and especially north of the Forest of Tharandt proof the presence of a marly through silty belt in this area. Three transgressions (base of uppermost Lower to Middle Cenomanian, base of Upper Cenomanian and base of the geslinianum Zone in the mid-Upper Cenomanian) have taken place. The sedimentation was influenced by the topography of the mentioned islands and by movements at structural lines in the Proterozoic and Palaeozoic basement. During the early Late Cenomanian, a marly-silty sedimentation (Mobschatz Formation) in the north existed besides sandy sedimentation in the south (Oberhäslich Formation). The transgression at the base of the geslinianum Zone caused the final submergence of island chains between Meißen, Dresden and Pirna, and a litho- and biofacies bound to cliffs and submarine swells formed. A silty-marly lithofacies, a mixed sandy-silty lithofacies (Dölzschen Formation) and a sandy lithofacies in the south (Sächsisches Elbsandsteingebirge) co-existed during the latest Cenomanian. The first mentioned biofacies yields a rich fauna mainly consisting of oysters, pectinids, rudists, and near-shore gastropods accompanied by echinids and, in some cliffs, teeth of sharks. The Pennrich fauna (Häntzschel 1933; Uhlig 1941) especially consists of the very common serpulids Pyrgopolon (P.) septemsulcata and Glomerula lombricus (formerly Hepteris septemsulcata and G. gordialis).

19

The Baklia Fault Zone – a regional strike-slip zone splitting Prins Karls Foreland (Svalbard

Ziemniak G., Czerny J., Manecki M., Kośmińska K.

Geology, Geophysics and Environment

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2016

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Vol. 42, no. 1

142--143

EN

Prins Karls Foreland (PKF) is a westernmost island of Svalbard Archipelago belonging to the Southwestern Basement Province. The island consists of low-metamorphic facies probably Neoproterozoic metasediments, divided into two, northern and southern parts. Both parts are characterized by similar geological structures but different stratigraphy. New discoveries presented here result from joint, Norwegian Polar Institute and AGH UST Krakow expeditions in 2013 and 2014. Thorough characteristics of the location and character of a strike-slip fault splitting PKF (the Baklia Fault Zone) is presented here for the first time. To date, one succession has been distinguished in the lithostratigraphy of PKF’s basement. The northern part of the island consists of two groups: the Scotiafjellet Group and Grampianfjella Group (Dallmann et al. 2015). They comprise low-metamorphic metasediments (chlorite zone of greenschist facies), mostly slates, metapsamites and carbonates. Stratigraphic units of the southern part represent slightly higher, biotite metamorphic zone, and have been considered to be conformably underlying Scotiafjellet Group. The uppermost Peachflya Group and Geikiebreen Group (mostly phyllites with metavolcanics and carbonates) are in thrust contact with underlying Ferrierpiggen Group, comprising schistose diamictites. The Ferrierpiggen Group is a tectonic unit stratigraphically discontinuous at top and bottom. Isolated klippe of the Ferrierpiggen Group separated from Scotiafjellet Group by tectonic boundary is present in the northern part of PKF (Harland et al. 1979, 1993). These complexes have undergone the Caledonian metamorphism followed by D 1 deformation producing SE directed folding and thrusts. D 2 deformation was coaxial, but not coplanar with D 1. D 2 deformation occurred probably in Mid-Cenozoic and resulted in refolding and thrusting, followed by formation of a dextral shear zone along Scotiadalen (Morris 1989). D 3 deformation is connected with transtensional formation of the Forlandsundet Graben along NNW-SSE faults finishing the West Spitsbergen Orogeny (WSO) (Manby 1986). Distinct difference in the stratigraphy of southern and northern parts of PKF is apparent. The presence of the fault dividing the island was indicated before (Hjelle et al. 1979), but no single fault has been recognized during detailed mapping later on (Harland et al. 1979, Morris 1982, Manby 1986, Morris 1989). Mapping and structural measurements conducted by the authors in the area of Selvågen led to the discovery of the major fault zone (the Baklia Fault Zone – BFZ) dividing PKF into two terrains. The BKF have N-S trend from Haukebukta in the west coast, through the slopes of Alasdairhornet (where it trapped few hundred meters long slab of the Ferrierpiggen Group rocks), to the southern Scotiadalen. Approaching Selvågen, the fault zone bends slightly to the NNE-SSW. The zone is filled with breccias and mixture of different lithologies with slabs of rocks derived from both limbs of the fault zone. The width of the zone measures approximately 100–250 meters. To the east, it is accompanied by at least three narrow subparallel faults. The age of the BFZ is unknown. A brittle character of deformation may suggest that it is Cenozoic in age. En échelon normal faults with a drop to the north, which associate BFZ may be considered as a Riedel shears R 1 formed at the beginning of a strike-slip movement. Structural measurements on slickensides as kinematic indicators revealed that normal faulting was associated with both, dextral and sinistral shear (not simultaneous). A main movement connected with dextral shearing occurred probably earlier, during late stages of the early Cenozoic crustal shortening. The extended width of the fault zone and the presence of a mixture of rock material from both terranes suggest the significant lateral displacement that might reach tens of kilometers. The BFZ cuts through the boundary faults of the Forlandsundet Graben displacing them sinistrally by approximately one kilometer. This suggests that sinistral movement was probably associated with rejuvenation of the fault during late stages or after the Forlandsundet Graben formation. There are several regional implications of BFZ. The stratigraphic relationship of southern and northern terranes is unclear. The presence of BFZ at the boundary of the Scotiafjellet and Peachflya groups does not exclude their stratigraphic succession but makes it impossible to define. The field observations suggest that BFZ may be Cenozoic in age. It has similar tectonic style and orientation to other strike-slip zones present along western Svalbard coast. Strong tectonic deformation suggests displacement of the northern terrain of PKF by tens of kilometers. Even though southern terrain can be directly correlated with Oscar II Land, more research is needed to correlate more exotic northern terrain of PKF with the basement rocks in the southern parts of Spitsbergen. Ongoing research towards dating and detail structural characterization of this regional fault zone will allow for reconstruction of pre-Tertiary position of this part of Archipelago.

20

Petrography of Glacial Tills in the Szczerców Outcrop, Central Poland – Problems of Stratigraphic Interpretation

Krzyszkowski D., Wachecka-Kotkowska L., Wieczorek D., Stoiński A.

Studia Quaternaria

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2015

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Vol. 32, Nr 2

99--108

EN

The paper presents results of petrographic analyses of glacial tills in the western part of the Kleszczów Graben and the attempt of their stratigraphic interpretation. Petrographic coefficients have allowed the identification of five till lithotypes: T1, T2A, T2 and T2B – assigned to the South Polish Complex (Elsterian) and T4 correlated with the Middle Polish Complex (Saalian). The well-expressed tills that represent the South Polish Complex, occur at the bottom of the section. A new till lithotype, T2B, has been distinguished, corresponding to the Kuców Formation. It supplements the Pleistocene lithostratigraphic section of central Poland and corresponds to the Sanian 2 Glaciation. Among the younger tills, the T4 one (Odranian Glaciation) is well developed. The uppermost tills of the Wartanian cold stage have been reduced by glaciofluvial and fluvial erosion. It is, to some extent a consequence of the existence of a depression in this area, called the Szczerców Basin. The paper highlights the interpretational difficulties concerning the rank and the number of ice sheet advances during the Polish and Middle Polish Complexes in central Poland.