The geometry and morphology of joints have been examined in the flysch rocks in the western part of the Podhale synclinorium. They form a regular network, which has been developed in several stages connected with the structural evolution of the synclinorium. The initiation of the oldest diagonal system (D[R], D[L] sets), in the form of strength anisotropy in horizontal beds, took place during the successive increase in NNE-SSW compression. The formation of the majority of the L. set and of a small portion of the L set took place during gentle open folding connected with the setting of the general structural framework of the synclinorium. The beginning of the formation of the T set was related to WNW-ESE extension connected with the uplift of the synclinorium. The youngest joints - the majority of the L and a small portion of the L. set, were formed as the result of stress relaxation in the rock masses during progressive uplift lasting up to recent times. The formation of the joints proceeded in two stages: (I) their initiation in the form of joint-anisotropy and (II) opening of joints. These stages have often been significantly separated in time. Sometimes the process of joint opening continues up to recent times. There is a regional tendency that the double shear angle (20) values increase from the axial zone towards the marginal parts of the synclinorium, as well as downward in the flysch lithostratigraphic section. This is probably caused by the increase in confining pressure and rock ductility attributed to the increase in overburden load. The 20 values could also have been controlled by tectonic factors.
Thenetwork of joints cutting the flysch deposits in the western Podhale is reasonably regular both in map scale and in individual outcrops. It is formed by five sets having a different orientation with respect to the range of the Podhale Synclinorium, as well as a different age and origin. The oldest diagonal sets (DR, DL) are conjugate and roughly coeval and were formed as "potential shear surfaces" in horizontal beds, whereas their further opening proceeded in an extensional mode. The younger sublongitudinal set (L') comprises extensional joints originated during the early buckling of beds. The transverse set (T), younger than the L'-set, comprises extensional joints formed in relation to the WNW-ESE extension of the Podhale Synclinorium. The youngest longitudinal set (L) originated in an extensional mode in consequence of stress relaxation in the rock massif during postorogenic uplift. Joint density increases in areas involved in relatively strong tectonic disturbances: the zone of tectonic contact between the flysch and the Pieniny Klippen Belt, the zone of contact between the Paleogene deposits, the Tatra Massif and the Biały Dunajec fault zone.
The Biały Dunajec Valley is one of the large, meridionally oriented valleys cutting the Podhale Synclinorium. The tectonic origin of this valley has been suggested since the beginning of the 20th century. A large fault zone with an azimuth of about 20° has been recognized here. This zone extends to the north and cuts the Pieniny Klippen Belt, which is significantly lowered in its eastern side. The southern part of the Biały Dunajec fault zone (SBD) extends probably into the Tatra Massif (into the Mała Łąka Valley area and far to the south into the border of the Koszysta elevation and the Goryczkowa depression). The majority of faults constituting the SBD were formed during the initial phase as strike-slip faults; they were reactivated later as dip-slip faults with a prevailing dip-slip, mainly normal component. As a whole, the SBD is a scissor-like fault: in the northern part, near the Szaflary village, downfaulted is its eastern block, whereas in the southern part - its western block.