Abstract
An interpretation of the deep structure of the Pieniny Klippen Belt in Poland is presented, utilizing a high-resolution deep seismic reflection survey. The studied profiles reach a depth of around 23 km. The seismic lines depict the structure and mutual relationships between the main domains analyzed—the Central Carpathians (CC), the Pieniny Klippen Belt (PKB) and the Outer Carpathians. The seismic lines show the Central Carpathian Paleogene (CCP) sediments covering the Tatric units and overlying Krížna and Choč nappes of the CC south of the PKB. The entire nappe pile comprising the CC units is thrust over sedimentary rocks that probably derived from the European Plate, representing a mixture of autochthonous platform Paleozoic to Neogene sediments and slices of Outer Carpathian and PKB rocks. The older crystalline basement of the European Plate is suspected to be below these sedimentary rocks. The reflections below 20 km depth show a possible boundary between different crustal elements within this plate. The PKB is part a of 3–5 km wide flower structure, limited by fault zones that include faults cutting across sediments of the CCP and the Magura Nappe. The fault marking the southern limit of the PKB is particularly well visible in the seismic sections. The Albian–Lower Miocene flysch sequences, constituting the main components of the PKB, form north-vergent thrust-sheets. During the Albian to Miocene the PKB originated as an accretionary prism in front of the moving CC Plate, followed by plate rotation and strike-slip processes. The entire CC nappe pile is thrust over the Precambrian and Lower Paleozoic crystalline basement of the European Plate and probably slices of the PKP. The Outer Carpathians display an allochthonous character above the European Plate and comprise several north-verging imbricated nappes (thrust-sheets). The European plate dips gently southwards below the PKB and the CC Plate, cut by several deep-reaching faults.
Highlights
The entire nappe pile comprising the Central Carpathians (CC) units is thrust over sedimentary rocks that probably derived from the European Plate, representing a mixture of autochthonous platform Paleozoic to PKB_N northern Pieniny Klippen Belt (PKB) boundary fault (Neogene) sediments and slices of Outer Carpathian and PKB rocks
The goal of this research was the interpretation of the deep structure of the Pieniny Klippen Belt (PKB) in Poland and mutual relationships between the main analyzed domains: Central Carpathians, Pieniny Klippen Belt (PKB) and Outer (Flysch) Carpathians (Fig. 1)
The PKB marks the boundary between the Central Carpathian Plate and the European Plate
Summary
The goal of this research was the interpretation of the deep structure of the Pieniny Klippen Belt (PKB) in Poland and mutual relationships between the main analyzed domains: Central Carpathians, Pieniny Klippen Belt (PKB) and Outer (Flysch) Carpathians (Fig. 1). The PKB suture zone and its relationship with the other main domains in the area was the subject of conflicting interpretations based on surface geology, geophysical investigations and deep drillings. Detailed geological maps depict the PKB as bordering the sedimentary cover of the Central Carpathian Plate, represented by the Central Carpathian Paleogene in the south, and the Outer Carpathians Magura Flysch in the north (Watycha 1964a, b; Kulka et al 1985; Nemcok 1990; Gross et al 1993; Janocko et al 2000; Golonka et al 2018a, b). Geomorphological studies revealed active vertical movements, which led to the uplift of the Pieniny
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