Petrology and Evolution of the Outer Carpathian Mountains

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 September 2021) | Viewed by 15662

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environment Protection, AGH University of Kraków, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Interests: paleogeography; regional geology; plate tectonics; petroleum geology; tethys; carpathians
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Guest Editor
Institute of Geological Engineering, VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 15, Poruba, 708 33 Ostrava, Czech Republic
Interests: geochemistry; paleontology, sedimentology, tectonics

Special Issue Information

The Outer Carpathians belong to a great, 1300 km long mountain arc in Central Europe. They were deformed and thrust over the European Platform during the Alpine orogeny in the Cretaceous and Cenozoic, but the Outer Carpathian rocks also reflect a long and complex sequence involving Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic events. The geochemistry, geochronology, and petrology of the Precambrian and Paleozoic crystalline and volcanic rocks of the Outer Carpathian Realm have been studied in detail over the last decade, and significant progress has been made. These studies have led to an understanding of the evolution of this realm, but several crucial and topical questions remain unsolved.

This Special Issue should provide an opportunity to publish papers dealing with the geochemistry and petrology of the older crystalline rocks as well as younger sedimentary flysch sequences. We welcome specialized papers as well as overview papers, especially articles discussing the relationship between the petrology, mineralogy, geochemistry, geochronology, and geodynamic development of the complex orogene. Papers presenting controversial issues and different points of view are highly welcomed.

Prof. Dr. Jan Golonka
Prof. Dr. Petr Skupien
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • geochronology
  • geochemistry
  • petrology
  • geodynamic evolution
  • rocks
  • Outer Carpathians

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 182 KiB  
Editorial
Editorial for Special Issue “Petrology and Evolution of the Outer Carpathian Mountains”
by Jan Golonka and Petr Skupien
Minerals 2023, 13(1), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13010092 - 6 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1122
Abstract
This Special Issue, published 15 years after the monumental volume “The Carpathians and their foreland: Geology and hydrocarbon resources” [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Petrology and Evolution of the Outer Carpathian Mountains)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

24 pages, 5517 KiB  
Article
Recently Discovered Thick Bentonite Bed Hosted by the Lithothamnium Limestones (Badenian) in the Polish Part of the Carpathian Foredeep: The Evidence for Volcanic Origin
by Katarzyna Górniak, Tadeusz Szydłak, Piotr Wyszomirski, Adam Gaweł and Małgorzata Niemiec
Minerals 2021, 11(12), 1417; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11121417 - 15 Dec 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2676
Abstract
In this paper, we discuss the hypothesis on the volcanic origin of the precursor sediments for a thick (0.6 m) clay bed, hosted by the sequence of lithothamnium limestones of the Pińczów Formation. Combined X-ray powder diffraction, imaging methods (optical and electron microscopy), [...] Read more.
In this paper, we discuss the hypothesis on the volcanic origin of the precursor sediments for a thick (0.6 m) clay bed, hosted by the sequence of lithothamnium limestones of the Pińczów Formation. Combined X-ray powder diffraction, imaging methods (optical and electron microscopy), and chemical analysis were used to document the volcanic markers, which were preserved in the rock studied. The results obtained show that the clay bed discussed is bentonite in origin. This bentonite, which can be called Drugnia Rządowa bentonite, is composed almost entirely of montmorillonite with little admixtures of quartz and biotite. A small amount of calcite is present, but only in the top of the bed. Despite that, the bentonite contains nothing but clay material—it is a model example of entirely altered pyroclastic rock, which retains texture originally developed in volcanic glass fragments and reveals the preserved original features of the precursor fallout pyroclastic deposits (rhyolitic in character). The thick bentonite beds, discovered for the first time within the Badenian lithothamnium limestones of the Pińczów Formation, can be considered as a record of a violent, explosive volcanic event related to the closure of the Outer Carpathian basin and the development of the Carpathian Foredeep. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Petrology and Evolution of the Outer Carpathian Mountains)
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26 pages, 23827 KiB  
Article
Seismic-Scale Evidence of Thrust-Perpendicular Normal Faulting in the Western Outer Carpathians, Poland
by Jan Barmuta, Krzysztof Starzec and Wojciech Schnabel
Minerals 2021, 11(11), 1252; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11111252 - 11 Nov 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2601
Abstract
Based on the interpretation of 2D seismic profiles integrated with surface geological investigations, a mechanism responsible for the formation of a large scale normal fault zone has been proposed. The fault, here referred to as the Rycerka Fault, has a predominantly normal dip-slip [...] Read more.
Based on the interpretation of 2D seismic profiles integrated with surface geological investigations, a mechanism responsible for the formation of a large scale normal fault zone has been proposed. The fault, here referred to as the Rycerka Fault, has a predominantly normal dip-slip component with the detachment surface located at the base of Carpathian units. The fault developed due to the formation of an anticlinal stack within the Dukla Unit overlain by the Magura Units. Stacking of a relatively narrow duplex led to the growth of a dome-like culmination in the lower unit, i.e., the Dukla Unit, and, as a consequence of differential uplift of the unit above and outside the duplex, the upper unit (the Magura Unit) was subjected to stretching. This process invoked normal faulting along the lateral culmination wall and was facilitated by the regional, syn-thrusting arc–parallel extension. Horizontal movement along the fault plane is a result of tear faulting accommodating a varied rate of advancement of Carpathian units. The time of the fault formation is not well constrained; however, based on superposition criterion, the syn -thrusting origin is anticipated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Petrology and Evolution of the Outer Carpathian Mountains)
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18 pages, 4894 KiB  
Article
Thermal Maturity of the Grajcarek Unit (Pieniny Klippen Belt): Insights for the Burial History of a Major Tectonic Boundary of the Western Carpathians
by Magdalena Zielińska
Minerals 2021, 11(11), 1245; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11111245 - 10 Nov 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2173
Abstract
The Grajcarek Unit of the Pieniny Klippen Belt (PKB), at the boundary between the Central (Inner) and Outer Carpathians, resulted from the convergence of the ALCAPA (the Alps–Carpathians–Pannonia) block and European plate. The strongly deformed slices of the Grajcarek Unit consist of Jurassic–Cretaceous [...] Read more.
The Grajcarek Unit of the Pieniny Klippen Belt (PKB), at the boundary between the Central (Inner) and Outer Carpathians, resulted from the convergence of the ALCAPA (the Alps–Carpathians–Pannonia) block and European plate. The strongly deformed slices of the Grajcarek Unit consist of Jurassic–Cretaceous sedimentary rocks associated with Late Cretaceous–Middle Palaeocene synorogenic wild-flysch, and sedimentary breccias with olistoliths. Maximum burial temperatures and burial depths were estimated based on vitrinite reflectance data. The vitrinite reflectance values were wide scattered through the Grajcarek sedimentary succession, especially in the flysch formations. This is attributed mainly to the depositional effects that affected the vitrinite evolution. The determined maximum burial temperatures were interpreted due to the regional compression controlled by tectonic burial coeval with thrusting and strike-slip faulting. The regional vitrinite reflectance variations might estimate cumulative displacement around the NNW–SSE and oriented the strike-slip Dunajec fault, which is a continuation of the deep fracture Kraków–Myszków fault zone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Petrology and Evolution of the Outer Carpathian Mountains)
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23 pages, 3045 KiB  
Article
Burial and Thermal History Modeling of the Paleozoic–Mesozoic Basement in the Northern Margin of the Western Outer Carpathians (Case Study from Pilzno-40 Well, Southern Poland)
by Dariusz Botor
Minerals 2021, 11(7), 733; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11070733 - 6 Jul 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2938
Abstract
Hydrocarbon exploration under thrust belts is a challenging frontier globally. In this work, 1-D thermal maturity modeling of the Paleozoic–Mesozoic basement in the northern margin of the Western Outer Carpathians was carried out to better explain the thermal history of source rocks that [...] Read more.
Hydrocarbon exploration under thrust belts is a challenging frontier globally. In this work, 1-D thermal maturity modeling of the Paleozoic–Mesozoic basement in the northern margin of the Western Outer Carpathians was carried out to better explain the thermal history of source rocks that influenced hydrocarbon generation. The combination of Variscan burial and post-Variscan heating due to elevated heat flow may have caused significant heating in the Paleozoic basement in the pre-Middle Jurassic period. However, the most likely combined effect of Permian-Triassic burial and Late Triassic–Early Jurassic increase of heat flow caused the reaching of maximum paleotemperature. The main phase of hydrocarbon generation in Paleozoic source rocks developed in pre-Middle Jurassic times. Therefore, generated hydrocarbons from Ordovician and Silurian source rocks were lost before reservoirs and traps were formed in the Late Mesozoic. The Miocene thermal overprint due to the Carpathian overthrust probably did not significantly change the thermal maturity of organic matter in the Paleozoic–Mesozoic strata. Thus, it can be concluded that petroleum accumulations in the Late Jurassic and Cenomanian reservoirs of the foreland were charged later, mainly by source rocks occurring within the thrustbelt, i.e., Oligocene Menilite Shales. Finally, this work shows that comprehensive mineralogical and geochemical studies are an indispensable prerequisite of any petroleum system modelling because their results could influence petroleum exploration of new oil and gas fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Petrology and Evolution of the Outer Carpathian Mountains)
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20 pages, 6565 KiB  
Article
Tracing Pre-Mesozoic Tectonic Sutures in the Crystalline Basement of the Protocarpathians: Evidence from the Exotic Blocks from Subsilesian Nappe, Outer Western Carpathians, Poland
by Jan Golonka, Aleksandra Gawęda, Anna Waśkowska, David Chew, Krzysztof Szopa and Foteini Drakou
Minerals 2021, 11(6), 571; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11060571 - 27 May 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2350
Abstract
Pre-Mesozoic exotic crystalline blocks within the Outer Carpathian flysch have potential to unravel the nature of their eroded basement source(s) and to reconstruct the Paleozoic–Precambrian history of the Protocarpathians. Strongly tectonized Campanian–Maastrichtian grey marls in the Subsilesian Nappe of the Outer Western Carpathians [...] Read more.
Pre-Mesozoic exotic crystalline blocks within the Outer Carpathian flysch have potential to unravel the nature of their eroded basement source(s) and to reconstruct the Paleozoic–Precambrian history of the Protocarpathians. Strongly tectonized Campanian–Maastrichtian grey marls in the Subsilesian Nappe of the Outer Western Carpathians in Poland contain a variety of different lithology types, including granitoids and andesites. Petrological investigations coupled with zircon and apatite U-Pb dating were performed on crystalline (subvolcanic) exotic blocks from a locality in the Subsilesian Nappe. U-Pb zircon dating yields magmatic crystallization ages of c. 293 Ma for the microgranitoid and c. 310 Ma for the andesite block, with inherited zircon cores yielding Archean, Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic and Cadomian ages. Whole rock trace element and Nd isotope data imply that the melt source was composed of a significant Neoproterozoic crustal component in both the microgranite and andesite. The Late Carboniferous–Permian magmatic activity likely continues outside the Carpathian Belt and can be linked to a Late Paleozoic transtensional zone, which is a continuation of the Lubliniec–Kraków Zone that extends under the Carpathians to Moesia. This Late Paleozoic transtensional zone was probably reactivated during the Late Cretaceous under a transpressional regime within the Żegocina tectonic zone, which caused the uplift of the Subsilesian Ridge and intensive erosion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Petrology and Evolution of the Outer Carpathian Mountains)
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