Evolution Of Central Europe Research Articles

Two distinct age groups of melilitites, foidites, and basanites from the southern Central European Volcanic Province reflect lithospheric heterogeneity

Petrographic observations and in situ U–Pb ages of melilitites, foidites, basanites, phonolites, and trachytes from the southern part of the Central European Volcanic Province (CEVP) and related plutonic inclusions therein reveal two distinct age groups separated by a gap of ~ 20 Myr. A late Cretaceous to early Eocene group (~ 73–47 Ma; Taunus, Lower Main plain, Odenwald and Kraichgau area, Bonndorfer Graben and Freiburger Bucht area, Vosges and Pfälzerwald) is characterized by nephelinites and basanites mostly devoid of melilite and perovskite, and by rare haüynites, and trachytes. In contrast, a late Oligocene to late Miocene group (~ 27–9 Ma; Lorraine, southern Upper Rhine Graben, Urach, Hegau area) is dominated by melilitites, melilite-bearing nephelinites (both carrying perovskite), and phonolites. Both magmatic episodes are related to domal topographic uplift, erosion, and formation of major angular unconformities in the Upper Rhine Graben, suggesting an association with dynamic topography interrupted by phases of subsidence (or abatements of uplift). The investigated rocks in the southern CEVP (south of a line Eifel–Vogelsberg–Rhön–Heldburg), except for the Kaiserstuhl volcanic complex, mostly comprise small and isolated occurrences or monogenetic volcanic fields, whereas the northern CEVP is dominated by large volcanic complexes and dyke swarms, which are mostly SiO2-saturated to weakly SiO2-undersaturated. In the northern CEVP, evidence of spatially varying but recurrent volcanic activity exists since the Eocene, lacking the distinct 20 Myr gap as documented from the southern CEVP. While the temporal and spatial distribution of volcanism are a result of the Cretaceous to Miocene tectonic evolution in Central Europe, further studies are needed to explain the petrographic differences between the two age groups in the south.

Latest Pleistocene and Holocene Floodplain Evolution in Central Europe—Insights from the Upper Unstrut Catchment (NW-Thuringia/Germany)

The upper Unstrut River is located in Germany at the modern Central European climate boundary of Cfb and Dfb climate. The river drains a loess landscape, which has experienced important environmental changes throughout the last 12,000 years. To evaluate the impacts of these changes on floodplain evolution, a multi-proxy research program, consisting of 2D electrical resistivity tomography profiling (ERT), vibracoring, and sedimentological investigations, 14C and OSL dating were applied. From base to top the investigations the following fluvial deposits were revealed: (1) gravels embedded in a fine-grained sediment matrix (interpreted as fluvial bedload deposits); (2) silty sediment with pedogenic features (interpreted as overbank floodplain deposits); (3) peat and tufa deposits (interpreted as wetland deposits) intercalated by pedogenetically influenced silty sediments (interpreted as overbank deposits); (4) humic silty sediment with some pedogenic features (interpreted as overbank floodplain deposits); and (5) silty sediments (interpreted as overbank deposits). Radiocarbon and luminescence dates yielded the following periods for sediment formation: (1) Younger Dryas to Preboreal period (around 11.6 cal ka BP); (2) Preboreal to early Atlantic period (approx. 11.6 to 7.0 cal ka BP); (3) early Atlantic to late Subboreal period (approx. 7.3 to 3.4 cal ka BP); (4) late Subboreal to early Subatlantic period (2.9 to 2.3 cal ka BP); and (5) late Subatlantic period (approx. 1.0 to 0.6 cal ka BP). The results suggest that floodplain development during the latest Pleistocene and early Holocene (approx. 11.6 to 7.0 cal ka BP) was considerably controlled by climatic conditions and short-term climate variabilities, which caused gravel deposition and overbank sedimentation. Afterwards floodplain conditions varied between rather stable (peat and tufa development, initial soil formation) and active periods (deposition of overbank fines). In this context, active periods with increased sediment input prevailed from approx. 5.1 to 3.4 cal ka BP, 2.9 to 2.3 cal ka, and 1.0 to 0.6 cal ka BP, temporally corresponding well with increased land-use phases of the past. In conclusion this study demonstrates that the investigated Unstrut catchment has reacted very sensitively to natural and human-induced changes during the latest Pleistocene and Holocene. Consequently, this high vulnerability to external changes should be considered in future river predictions or river management.

Liability for Non-material Damage in Hungarian Law in the 19th–20th Centuries in Comparison with Austrian and Polish Codifications

The article describes the regulation of liability for non-pecuniary damage on the example of 19th century Hungarian law, which is based on a long, unbroken tradition, individual legal acts and customary law. Furthermore, the classification of torts and remedies in contemporary Hungarian law is analysed, highlighting their similarities and differences to those used in the present civil law. Particular emphasis is placed on the examination and presentation of the institution of homagium, which had a medieval origin and constituted a specific instrument for obtaining compensation for non-pecuniary damage. It is compared with Polish (Code of Obligations of 1933) and Austrian (ABGB of 1811) regulations. The situation allows the author to show the variety of ways in which contract law has developed, especially concerning the pecuniary compensation of harm and pain. Employing comparative and historical methods makes it possible to highlight the timelessness of particular obligation law issues, showing its evolution in Central Europe in the last two centuries.

Subfossil Coleoptera from Eifel maar sediments as indicators of the environmental evolution in Central Europe over the last 60,000 years

A reconstruction of landscape and paleotemperatures is presented from a composite drill core from the Eifel maar lakes of Auel and Holzmaar, Germany. The compositecore is 112 m long and covers the last 60,000 years (Marine Isotope Stages MIS 3, 2, and 1) based on the new ELSA-20 stratigraphy. Findings are based on an analysis of arthropod remains, with moisture-dependent, riparian or (semi)aquatic Staphylinidae representing the majority of beetle sclerites in the assemblages, especially during cold intervals. Assemblages change corresponding to climate and vegetation, with a greater variety of taxa during the woodland phases (60,000–44,000 yr b2k, i.e. years before 2,000 CE) versus cold adapted taxa during late MIS 3 and early MIS 2 (28,500–23,500 yr b2k). Beetles that inhabit damp, moist or wet locations, as well as aquatic or riparian taxa are present throughout the record. The assemblage corresponding to a period of tundra-like vegetation (29,000–24,000 yr b2k), contained three taxa suitable for temperature calculation (Arpedium brachypterum, Bembidion fellmanni, and Boreaphilus henningianus), all of which are found only in cold phases (Greenland Stadial 2 and 4, and Heinrich Event 2). Paleotemperatures were reconstructed via the Mutual Climatic Range method giving the following results. Mean temperature for the early tundra phase (28,500–27,800 yr b2k) is −32 to −2 °C for the coldest month, and 6 to 9.5 °C for the warmest month. Mean temperature for the later tundra phase (27,000–24,000 yr b2k) is −30 to −20 °C for the coldest month and 6 to 9.5 °C for the warmest month. This shift indicates an increase in seasonality towards the Last Glacial Maximum. Paleotemperature calculations are in good agreement with other European records and indicate a major decline in median winter temperatures towards the Last Glacial Maximum, whereas the summer temperatures remained relatively stable throughout Europe, resulting in an increase in seasonality and continentality.

Latest Carboniferous to early Permian volcano-stratigraphic evolution in Central Europe: U\u2013Pb CA\u2013ID\u2013TIMS ages of volcanic rocks in the Thuringian Forest Basin (Germany)

Mainly acidic Stephanian to early Permian volcanic rocks and intercalated sediments accumulated in the Thuringian Forest Basin (TFB) in central Germany to a total thickness of ca. 2000 m. This basin offers a wide range of biostratigraphic information. New high-precision U–Pb CA–ID–TIMS (chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry) zircon data are obtained from volcanic rocks for the first time in the TFB. Pre-treatment of the zircons by chemical abrasion was important to get rid of severe Pb loss. The zircon ages of the investigated formations indicate that the total duration of the volcanic activity in the TFB was considerably shorter [ca. 4 Myr: from 300 Ma for the oldest formation (Möhrenbach) until ca. 296 Ma for the youngest volcanic-rock-bearing formation (Rotterode)] than suggested in previous studies (ca. 20 Myr; 295 Ma to 275 Ma). Consequently, the well-documented gap of the sedimentary record from the early Permian volcanic rocks up to the Illawarra geomagnetic reversal has to be extended to ca. 25 Myr from the previously proposed 5 Myr. The zircon ages of the investigated volcanic rocks allow the constraining of some intercalated fossiliferous horizons crucial for biostratigraphic correlation of latest Carboniferous–early Permian (Rotliegend) sections. The high-precision age data require a new interpretation of the evolution of the TFB but also offer the chance to obtain a more reliable comparison of the timing of the main magmatic activity across intramontane basins as well as to obtain links to the Standard Global Stratigraphic Scale.

Central Europe after 1918. A short outline

This paper analyses changes in the region’s states, and the evolution of Central Europe’s (CE) position in the international environment. Since forming in 1918, the new CE independent states have remained a focus for neighbouring powers and Western powers. The paper looks at the background for the historical, political, economic, demographic, cultural and geopolitical importance of Central Europe. Th ree essential periods can be distinguished, the first being the post-WW1 period, when after the downfall of Austria-Hungary and the weakening of Germany, Russia and Turkey, a number of independent states emerged. The lack of Western assistance and insufficient mutual cooperation meant that CE countries became subject to aggression from Berlin and Moscow. After WW2, the region was forcefully reintegrated into the Soviet Union – and its states were subjected to political, social, economic and cultural degradation. The downfall of the Soviet Union and democratic transition in the states of Central Europe contributed to the regional economic and security integration. EU membership and close ties to the USA forged significant possibilities for development and becoming a subject of European policy. Historical experiences show that Central Europe has had a significant impact on international security in Europe. The region’s states of increasing signifi cance have the capability potential to forge their own concepts of close regional political and economic cooperation.

The small mammals from Gratkorn: an overview

The rich and diverse fossil mammalian assemblage from Gratkorn (Middle Miocene, Austria) is of primary importance for the understanding of the faunal evolution in Central Europe. Besides large mammals, the fauna comprises: Schizogalerix voesendorfensis, Galericinae gen. et sp. indet., Desmanodon fluegeli, Dinosorex sp., cf. Myotis sp., “Cricetodon” fandli, Megacricetodon minutus, Eumyarion sp., Spermophilinus bredai, Blackia sp., Forsythia gaudryi, Albanensia albanensis, Muscardinus aff. sansaniensis, Miodyromys sp., Keramidomys sp., Euroxenomys minutus minutus, Prolagus oeningensis, cf. Eurolagus fontannesi and Ochotonidae indet. Based on the degree of corrosion on the dental elements and the presence of pellets, most, but not all, of the material is tentatively interpreted as a result of accumulation by nocturnal raptors. In addition to the information provided by the lower vertebrates and the molluscs, which occur in abundance in the same thin fossil-enriched layer, the mammal fauna gives a mixed picture of the environment (basically forested vs. open landscape). This could indicate the presence of different microhabitats around the excavation place, but may also be a taphonomical artefact based on various different agents of accumulation contributing to the thanatocoenosis. Nevertheless, the extreme quick accumulation of the fossils provides an exceptional windows in the late Sarmatian s. str. ecosystems.

Carboniferous–Permian volcanic evolution in Central Europe—U/Pb ages of volcanic rocks in Saxony (Germany) and northern Bohemia (Czech Republic)

Nine SHRIMP U/Pb ages on zircon and two Pb/Pb single zircon ages have been determined from Late Paleozoic volcanic rocks from Saxony and northern Bohemia. Samples came from the Teplice-Altenberg Volcanic Complex, the Meissen Volcanic Complex, the Chemnitz Basin, the Dohlen Basin, the Brandov-Olbernhau Basin, and the North Saxon Volcanic Complex. The Teplice-Altenberg Volcanic Complex is subdivided into an early Namurian phase (Mikulov Ignimbrite, 326.8 ± 4.3 Ma), thus older than assumed by previous studies, and a late caldera-forming phase (Teplice Ignimbrite, 308.8 ± 4.9 Ma). The age of the latter, however, is not well constrained due to a large population of inherited zircon and possible hydrothermal overprint. The Leutewitz Ignimbrite, product of an early explosive volcanic episode of the Meissen Volcanic Complex yielded an age of 302.9 ± 2.5 Ma (Stephanian A). Volcanic rocks intercalated in the Brandov-Olbernhau Basin (BOB, 302 ± 2.8 Ma), Chemnitz Basin (CB, 296.6 ± 3.0 Ma), Dohlen Basin (DB, 296 ± 3.0 Ma), and the North Saxon Volcanic Complex (NSVC, c. 300–290 Ma) yielded well-constrained Stephanian to Sakmarian ages. The largest Late Paleozoic ignimbrite-forming eruption in Central Europe, the Rochlitz Ignimbrite, has a well-defined middle Asselian age of 294.4 ± 1.8 Ma. Ages of palingenic zircon revealed that the Namurian-Westphalian magmatism assimilated larger amounts of crystalline basement that formed during previous Paleozoic geodynamic phases. The Precambrian inherited ages support the chronostratigraphic structure assumed for the Saxo-Thuringian Zone of the Variscan Orogen. The present results help to improve the chronostratigraphic allocation of the Late Paleozoic volcanic zones in Central Europe. At the same time, the radiometric ages have implications for the interbasinal correlation and for the geodynamic evolution of the Variscan Orogeny.

Present-day climatic equivalents of European Cenozoic climates

Recently, continental climate evolution in Central Europe over the last 45 Ma has been reconstructed from the palaeobotanical record using a Nearest Living Relative methodology (Coexistence Approach; CA). The reconstructed climate curves document in detail the transition from almost tropical conditions in the Mid-Eocene to a temperate climate at the Pliocene/Pleistocene transition. The observed climatic shifts are primarily expressed as non-proportional changes of the different variables taken into account. In the present study a published palaeoclimate data set for a total of 42 macrofloras complemented by new calculations is used as base to analyse the climatic space in which a fossil flora existed. To define these spaces CA intervals calculated for 3 temperature (mean annual temperature, cold and warm month mean) and 3 precipitation variables (mean annual precipitation, mean monthly precipitation of the driest and of the wettest month) are combined. Using a global gridded climatology (10' resolution), this climate space is then utilized to identify Recent climate analogues with respect to the variables regarded. For 18 macrofloras climatic analogue regions with respect to 6 variables are identified on the globe. For 16 macrofloras, analogues exist when three temperature parameters and mean annual precipitation are regarded. No Recent equivalents are found in 8 cases. This corroborates the assumption of the temporary existence of non-analogue climates in the Cenozoic. As shown by multivariate statistics the observed anomalies with respect to present-day conditions basically refer to high winter temperatures. Deploying a GIS, the Recent climate analogues can be presented as sets of grid cells for each flora that can be mapped on a globe. Once identified, these regions can be merged with adequate thematic layers to assess additional proxy data for the palaeofloras. To exemplify the procedure Koeppen climate type, numbers of days with ground frost, as well as Matthews biome classes are reconstructed. The resulting Koeppen types, ranging from A to C, are largely consistent with data previously published. The ground frost record shows almost frost-free conditions for the Mid-Eocene greenhouse and for the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum. For the Chattian, up to 7 days with ground frost result. During the Late Miocene Cooling the number of days with ground frost significantly increased. The inferred Matthews biomes reveal changing patterns of evergreen and deciduous forest cover. When Recent climate analogues are found for a fossil flora, present climate can be used to calibrate the original CA data. It is shown that calibration considerably improves the resolution of the continental climate records.

Book reviews: Early modern human evolution in central Europe: The people of Dolní Vĕstonice and Pavlov

Book reviews: Early modern human evolution in central Europe: The people of Dolní Vĕstonice and Pavlov

Early modern human evolution in Central Europe: the people of Dolni Vestonice and Pavlov

Early modern human evolution in Central Europe: the people of Dolni Vestonice and Pavlov

Terrane accumulation and collapse in central Europe: seismic and rheological constraints

An attempt is made to compare the tectonic units and their evolution in central Europe with the deep seismic velocity structure and patterns of reflectivity. Caledonian and Variscan terrane accretion and orogenic collapse dominate the tectonic development in central and western Europe and have left their marks in a distinct velocity structure and crustal thickness as well as in the various reflectivity patterns. Whereas the memory of old collisional structures is still preserved in the rigid upper crust, collapse processes have formed and modified the lower crust. They have generally created rejuvenated, thin crusts with shallow Mohos. In the Variscan internides, the center of collision and post-orogenic heat pulses, the lower crust developed strong and thick seismic lamellae, the (cooler) externides show a thrust and shear pattern in the whole crust, and the North German Basin experienced large mafic intrusions in the lower crust and developed a high-velocity structure with only very thin lamellae on top of the Moho. The various kinds of reflectivity patterns in the lithosphere can be explained by a thermo-rheological model from terrane collision, with crustal thickening to collapse in a hot, post-orogenic setting.

Europe de l'Est : une conjoncture démographique exceptionnelle

Eastern Europe: a conjunction of exceptional demographic circumstances This article raises one issue from the demographic evolution in Central Europe and the states of the former USSR since the political and socio-economic changes. It then endeavours to answer two questions: Do these shocks constitute the continuation of tendencies prior to the changes? Do they demonstrate the irresistible diffusion of the Western European model? In other words, is it a question of whether the combined movement is largely independent of the social conjunction? The observations presented suggest that the demographic shocks in Eastern Europe illustrate the demographic impact of the transition toward a market economy. Simultaneously, they reveal the old structural weaknesses, which are well known in the case of the death rate.

Geochronological studies of the Bohemian massif, Czechoslovakia, and their significance in the evolution of Central Europe

ABSTRACTU–Pb zircon and Rb–Sr whole-rock analyses from various gneisses and plutonie rocks of the Moldanubian and Moravo-Silesian zones and the stable foreland of the Hercynian (Variscan) orogenic belt indicate that most of the crust in Central Europe was first formed during the Cadomian orogeny which straddles the Precambrian–Cambrian boundary. Zircons, however, have a memory of older ages which correspond with those of events known in Fennoscandia. The new radiometrie data are consistent with the stratigraphie record in that they do not provide any evidence for a major early Palaeozoic tectonothermal event between the Cadomian and Hercynian orogenies.Granulites from two localities in the Moldanubian zone yield U–Pb zircon ages of 345 ± 5 Ma; discordant zircon data points indicate that the granulite facies metamorphism was not of long duration. Tectonic units containing these high grade rocks were emplaced amongst amphibolite facies rocks during an event of widespread shearing which has been dated at 341 ± 4 Ma on the basis of a lower U–Pb zircon intercept age from one of the sheared gneisses and 338 ± 3 Ma U–Pb ages from monazites. Rb–Sr muscovite ages of 331 ± 5 Ma from pegmatites axial planar to asymmetrical folds date the last stage of SE-directed simple shear. A Rb–Sr whole-rock isochron of 331 ± 4 Ma from a principal magmatic type of the Central Bohemian pluton confirms the field evidence that the large NE-trending plutons of the Moldanubian zone were emplaced during a late stage of the deformation. The strong disturbance of the U–Pb zircon isotopic system in the sheared gneisses suggests U loss while a high U/Th ratio in monazite from one of these tectonised rocks suggests the simultaneous passage of hydrothermal fluids. Thus a crustal source is indicated for the uranium deposits of the Moldanubian zone.Critical to any plate tectonic model for the development of the Middle European Hercynides was the existence of an ocean in Early Devonian times which separated a North European continent from a South European continent(s). The northward movement of the South European continent over a shallowly-dipping subduction zone and subsequent continental collision can explain the high T–low P metamorphism and the imbricated tectonic style of the Moldanubian zone and adjacent Moravo-Silesian zone along the southeastern Hercynian foreland. The temporal separation of granulites and granites implies distinct conditions of formation and it has been suggested that the plutonism, following on from the imbrication of the Cadomian crust, was initiated by the subduction of wet oceanic sediments.

Die Beziehungen der Miozanen Floren von Zentraljiitland zu den mitteleuropaischen Tertiarfloren

This paper is a contribution to the current discussion concerning the stratigraphical emphasis of the Tertiary floras of Central- and Northern Europe. The author makes a biostratigraphical analysis, com­paring the richest Miocene flora of Northern Europe (The S0by flora and the Falsterholt- and Damgard floras) with some important Tertiary floras of Central Europe. From Czechoslovakia and its neighbouring countries numerous Tertiary floras are known which, taken together, allow for a general survey of the floral evolution in Central Europe through the Tertiary. The present biostratigraphical analysis is based upon the experience with these fossil floras, the stratigraphical position of which is determined in relation to the system valid for the Paratethys region (ref. Cicha et al. 1975, and generally to the papers of Proc. Com. Medit. Neog. Strat., VI Congr. Bratislava 1975). The comparative analysis involving the S0by flora points to the similarity with floras referred to the stratigraphical interval of Karpatian - Badenian. A more extensive analysis of the relations of the Fasterholt flora and the Damgard flora leads to the assumption that the former is younger than the fossil floras from Wiesa, Wackersdorf, Hriidek, the Mydlovary-sequence (Southern Bohemia), and the Cypris-sequence (Western Bohemia). These fossil floras are older than the Sarmatian. The Fasterholt flora compares best with floras from the Karpatian and Badenian, and the author stresses the relation to the Badenian. This seems in contradiction, but not entirely, with the reference of the Hodde Clay (situated definitely higher in the sequence in question than the Fasterholt flora bed) to the Reinbekian (i.e. Lower Badenian) of Rasmussen (1966). In this analysis the author takes some reservations recognizing some general sources of error, e.g. the unknown effect of the marked difference in latitude and other factors determining the climate and flora.