A rectified map of recent vertical surface movements in the West Carpathians in Slovakia

Abstract

The first-order relevelling network in Slovakia (International Relevelling Program) was supplemented by second-order relevelling lines measured at the time of the International Relevelling Program (1973–1978) or after its completions, in order to gain more detailed information on the movement activity of the West Carpathians in Slovakia. Mathematical evaluation of relevelling results allowed of drawing a map of recent vertical movements in the region at the scale of 1:1,000,000. The Czechoslovak Uniform Levelling Network of 1947–1962 and the 2nd Czechoslovak Relevelling Network of 1973–1983 constitute the geodetic basis of the map. The relative annual movement velocities, as related to the Initial Fundamental Benchmark Pitelová near Žiar nad Hronom (approximately in the centre of Slovakia) are represented by isolines at intervals of 0.5 mm per year. An analysis of the map 1952–1977 indicates an overall subsidence of lowland regions with respect to the mountanous regions of the West Carpathiams. Central Carpathian morphostructures feature uplifts, with some regions appearing to be stable. Over the entire period under study, the maximal values of vertical movements were + 1.0 mm/year (uplifts) and -4.0 mm (subsidences), the total range being 5 mm/year.