Landslide fens are characteristic landforms of the Beskid Makowski Mountains area in the Outer Western Carpathians (S Poland) and contain rarely occurring late glacial and Holocene organic-minerogenic sedimentary sequences. Multi-proxy study (radiocarbon dating, loss on ignition, plant macrofossil and pollen analyses) was applied to verify whether the late glacial-early Holocene climatic and paleoenvironmental changes were recorded differently between two sites varying in topographic position within the same mountain massif: the Kotoń landslide fen characterized by the southern exposure and near-ridge position and the Klaklowo landslide fen characterized by the northern exposure and mid-slope position. Results revealed that the responses of biotic and lithological proxies to the climatic phases differs between the Klaklowo and Kotoń landslide fens mostly in relation to the smaller-scale climatic oscillations. The characteristics of the Klaklowo fen catchment, including area, shape, relief, bedrock geology and specific local landforms, could contribute to the much more pronounced signal of the GI-1b/Gerzensee oscillation and Preboreal oscillation at this site than in the Kotoń site. Expansion and/or decline of the dominating vegetation taxa ( Pinus , Betula sect. Albae, Carex , Bryopsida) and changes in minerogenic matter delivery induced by the global-scale climatic reversals: GI-1a‒c /Allerød, GS-1/Younger Dryas and Holocene, occur approximately at the same time in both Klaklowo and Kotoń landslide fens and show no striking dependency on exposure or elevation. An exception is the longer survival of Larix decidua, Pinus sylvestris and Coniferae during the early Holocene at the Klaklowo site, probably facilitated by its northern exposure and diversified landslide relief.

Recent studies in the Romanian Western Carpathians have revealed increasing socio-demographic fragility in rural areas and small towns, driven by depopulation, population aging, and declining living standards. These trends stem from the legacy of forced collectivization and industrialization (1950–1990) and the post-1990 transition, which triggered extensive out-migration and the erosion of local socio-economic structures. This study examines the fragility of human communities in the Trascău Mountains in order to evaluate spatial, demographic, and economic recovery dynamics and to assess settlement vulnerability as a major obstacle to sustainable regional development. Fragility was measured using indicators of population density and change, age structure, accessibility, and socio-demographic dynamics, based on comparative data for the interval of 1977–2021. These variables were integrated into a composite development index (Id), derived from twelve indicators covering demography, economy, infrastructure, and living standards, enabling the hierarchical classification of settlements by degree of vulnerability. The methodological framework combines empirical and analytical methods, statistical, cartographic, bibliographic, and field-based analyses within evolutionary, structural–functional, and typological perspectives. The results identify the main drivers of decline, quantify their impacts, and outline development prospects and policy directions for reducing territorial disparities. Overall, fragile settlements emerge as critical pressure points that undermine sustainability, intensify regional instability, and increase risks related to migration and social cohesion.

Dynamics of the Hron River drainage divide (Western Carpathians): From regional drivers to local controls

Cooling or eutrophication at the Eocene–Oligocene transition? Evidence from calcareous nannofossils in the Polish Outer Western Carpathians

Paleo-landslide analysis reveals underestimated seismic hazards in the outer Western Carpathians

We have used 2D integrated modelling method to derive a model of the lithospheric structure along profile Vyhne located in the Western Carpathians. The algorithm determines the thermal structure of the lithosphere that is controlled by other geophysical fields, namely by heat flow, topography, gravity and geoid data. Such approach allows us to distinguish between density variations at different depths. Integrated algorithm method focuses primarily on the analysis of deeper lithospheric structure, especially on the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB). Beneath the European Platform and the Outer Western Carpathians, the LAB is nearly horizontal, lying at depths of approximately 115–118 km. Moving toward the Inner Western Carpathians, a modest increase in lithospheric thickness becomes apparent, along with the presence of a subtly developed lithospheric root, which may represent a small remnant of the upper part of the break-off subducted lithospheric slab. Based on the computed thermal structure of the lithosphere, we established a rheological model along this profile. We determined the lithospheric strength distribution (considering both brittle and ductile deformation) for compressional and extensional settings, calculated the vertically integrated strength, and constructed the yield-strength envelope for the tectonic environment of the Vyhne tidal station. Our findings clearly indicate that a compressional regime prevails, with the greatest strength beneath the European Platform and the Western Carpathians. Along the modelled profile, strength declines from the high values observed beneath the European Platform to a minimum within the Pieniny Klippen Belt before rising again to peak values beneath the Western Carpathians.

This study focuses on the identification, historical-geographical description, and subsequent evaluation of the attractiveness of relicts of historical water reservoirs (splash dams) in the forest environment of the Low Tatras National Park (Slovakia), situated in the central part of the Western Carpathians, with regard to their potential for ecotourism development. Recreational and leisure activities in this area are primarily based on soft tourism forms. In the national park, we identified fourteen relicts of splash dams, and for the assessment of their attractiveness in terms of ecotourism, we selected the five largest. All splash dams were assessed using a methodology developed by the authors as an outcome of their research, in order to fulfil one of the partial objectives of the study. The methodology comprises 19 evaluation criteria grouped into three categories: natural environment, technical characteristics, and recreational potential. Based on the application of this author-developed methodology, it was determined that the Malužiná splash dam represents the most attractive site for ecotourism, as it remains water-filled and is readily accessible via two cycling routes. In terms of the evaluation according to technical criteria, the most attractive relic is the Korytnica splash dam, which ranks as the second most attractive among the assessed splash dams in the national park.

The legacy of Pleistocene glaciation in the Babia Góra massif (1725 m a.s.l.) has been the subject of vigorous debate for over a century. These controversies have been largely influenced by the poor preservation of glacial landforms and their extensive overprint by rock slope failures (RSFs). In this context, geomorphological criteria alone have proven insufficient for a comprehensive interpretation of glacial features in flysch lithology, which has been heavily shaped by landslides. In this study, we present the results of field and LiDAR-supported geomorphological mapping, clast morphology analysis and micromorphological examination of sand-sized quartz grains. This multiproxy approach, when combined with previously published Schmidt-hammer data, provides robust evidence for the presence of glaciation in the Babia Góra massif. The Late Pleistocene palaeoglacier (area 0.87 km2, 2.2 km long) was reconstructed in the headwaters of the Szumiąca Woda valley. Mapped latero-frontal moraines mark the extent of the glacier front at 930 m a.s.l. The glacier equilibrium line altitude (ELA) calculated from glacier hypsometry with the area altitude balance ratio (AABR) 1.6 was 1272 m. However, after accounting for the topographic effect of additional snow accumulation, the climatic ELA was recalculated and placed at 1354 m a.s.l. These findings suggest that, in addition to the previously known eastward horizontal gradient of ELA rise, a southward trend of rising ELA was also observed across the Western Carpathians.

A patented warning method for late-frost damage in orchards based on phenoclimatic simulation was used to analyze the late-frost damage probability (LFDP) trends for sour cherry in Romania for the decades of 2013-2022 and 2000-2009. Areas with the lowest LFDP were identified in the south, and southeast, as well as in narrow north-eastern and western sectors (p≤16%, i.e. damage may occur less than once every seven years). Above 30% LFDP was found in the west (Lipovei Hills), the north of the Western Plain and Transylvanian Depression, the south of Western Carpathians, Getic and Curburii Sub-Carpathians, and especially in areas located in the south-eastern part of the Transylvanian Depression, with an LFDP>40% (damage more frequently than once every 2.5 years). Compared to the decade 2000-2009, no changes in LFDP were observed in the Getic Plateau, the west of the Romanian plain, and southeast of the Dobrogea Plateau. Areas with the most unfavorable evolution were located in the eastern part of the Transylvanian Depression (where LFDP increased by 10-12%) and the east of the Moldavian Plateau (LFDP of 9-10%). The study warns of the danger represented by the increase of the frequency and intensity of the damages caused by the late frosts under the conditions of the climatic changes of the last 25 years.

Between 2023 and 2025, six new localities of Staphylea pinnata L. were discovered in the Rożnów Foothills and Ciężkowice Foothills (Western Carpathians), and four previously mentioned in the literature were confirmed. Most of the sites are located within small forest complexes on the steep slopes of ravines. Syntaxonomic analysis showed that this species occurs in the Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum and Tilio cordatae-Carpinetum betuli associations within the study area.

A preliminary EPMA-WDS study of two samples of minerals of the tetrahedrite group from the Jeleniarka (Hirschkohlung) deposit near Dobšiná revealed their surprisingly complex chemical composition. Tetrahedrite-(Fe), tetrahedrite-(Zn) as well as tetrahedrite-(Hg) were identified at the deposit. Especially interesting are high concentrations of Bi (up to 1.23 apfu, 14.75 wt. %) which were detected in tetrahedrite-(Zn) directly associated with the bismuth sulfosalts. This phase could probably represent a younger generation of minerals of the tetrahedrite group. The Bi-enriched members of the tetrahedrite group are generally very rare within all types of ore mineralization in the Western Carpathians.

A new locality of Succisella inflexa has been found at the Radoszyce village in the Beskid Niski Mts (Western Carpathians). The article presents a description of the species and characteristics of its habitats.

The curious case of a short fault scarp in the podhale basin: Implications for late pleistocene geodynamics of the central western carpathians

Integrated hydro-morphological assessment of the flood events and in-channel vegetation impacts on river channel morphology (Polish Western Carpathians)

Monazite geochronology of Pennsylvanian–Permian sandstones: Provenance and tectonic implications from the Zemplinic Unit, Western Carpathians

Abstract This study examines the impact of extreme weather events driven by global warming on the growth and distribution limits of high-elevation vegetation by analysing the effects of frost following an exceptionally early onset of spring phenological phases. Climate data from the Skalnaté Pleso Observatory in the High Tatras indicate that the winter of 2023/24 was unusually warm, with January–April temperatures exceeding the 1961–1990 climate normal by 3.8 K for average temperature and 4.4 K for maximum. Despite increased winter precipitation, snowmelt in 2024 occurred significantly earlier and more rapidly than in previous years. Consequently, bud development in Pinus cembra and Vaccinium myrtillus , as well as leafing in Calluna vulgaris , began unusually early. This early onset of phenophases was interrupted by an 11-day cold spell, with minimum temperatures reaching as low as −8.3 °C and an average daily air temperature of −2.0 °C. This episode led to the frost damage of buds during the sensitive development stages, indicating a so-called false spring. V. myrtillus buds were visibly damaged immediately. In P. cembra , needle yellowing and defoliation appeared in the next weeks, while reproductive organs damage became evident later during flowering when male flowers were undeveloped and did not pollinate. Frost damage to high-elevation vegetation can disrupt plant growth, competition, and food chains, especially when phenological advances outpace the retreat of late spring frosts.

The study synthesises and evaluates published dendroclimatic studies of the Carpathian region to determine the suitability and potential of such data for identifying climate change indicators. A systematic bibliographic analysis of 2,561 publications in the Scopus database was conducted using the search query "(Carpath* AND Climat*), followed by the identification of a cluster of dendroclimatic studies (224 publications) through the construction of network conceptual maps. The interpretation of results is based on the analysis of radial annual tree ring growth using TRW (tree ring width), MXD (maximum density), BI (blue intensity), and isotopic analysis (δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O) parameters. Uneven spatial coverage of studies was revealed in the Carpathians. The largest number of reconstructions was conducted in the Western Carpathians (10 studies), the smallest in the Southern Carpathians (1 study), while the South-Western Carpathians are not covered at all. The most common species in reconstructions is Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra). Dendroclimatic studies confirm that the Medieval Warm Period climate is analogous to modern warming, while the temperature decline during the Little Ice Age was smaller compared to global indicators. Wavelet analysis revealed changes in rhythmicity: from 1350 CE to 16–32-year cycles, and from 1850 CE to 64–128-year cycles. High drought frequency was established during the final phase of the Little Ice Age, especially in the 19th century. Based on the synthesis of dendroclimatic data, it was established that the decline in air temperature during the Little Ice Age in the Carpathians was lower compared to average global indicators and those for the European territory as a whole. High drought frequency was detected in the final phase of this period, particularly in the 19th century in the Eastern Carpathians. Dendroclimatic reconstructions of the Carpathians demonstrate good agreement with long-term summer air temperature patterns and the rhythmicity of atmospheric droughts. Methodological limitations of reconstructions depending on the elevation zone of sample collection were determined. Novel methods (isotopic analysis, MXD) demonstrate high potential for detecting climatic extremes. Dendroclimatic data from the Carpathians are suitable for identifying both regional spatial patterns of climate variability and local extreme climatic events. Their consistency with long-term patterns of summer air temperatures and atmospheric drought rhythmicity has been confirmed, which determines the potential for use in calibrating modern climate models. Tree-ring data are found to be a potential source for distinguishing the anthropogenic signal in environmental changes.

From rock mass creep to deep-seated landslides: numerical modeling of large-scale slope failure in the Veľká Fatra Mts., Western Carpathians

Uraninite occurs as rare accessory mineral in barren and beryl–columbite granitic pegmatites genetically related to Variscan S- and I-type granitic rocks from the Tatric Unit of the Western Carpathians, Slovakia. Uraninite forms individual euhedral crystals in alkali feldspars and muscovite (Prašivá Massif, Nízke Tatry Mountains) or more frequently numerous tiny (up to 15 µm in size) anhedral to subhedral inclusions in host metamict zircon (Žiar and Považský Inovec Mts.). Textural relationships indicate primary magmatic origin of individual euhedral uraninite crystals, but a subsolidus, secondary formation of uraninite inclusions in zircon by alteration processes, including metamictization and fluid-driven dissolution–reprecipitation of host zircon. The SEM-EDX based U–Th–Pb measurements and dating of uraninite were carried out. The primary magmatic uraninite, found in a pegmatite from the Prašivá Massif (Nízke Tatry Mts.), was dated at a weighted average age of 347 ± 5 Ma. Systematically older single grain ages between 380–360 Ma were obtained for uraninite micro-inclusions in zircons in case of four pegmatites from the Považský Inovec Mts. In another pegmatite sample from that area, uraninite inclusions in zircon yielded systematically younger single grain ages between 336 ± 9 Ma and 351±10 Ma (343 ± 4 Ma in average). Uraninite from the Žiar Mts. pegmatite gave very consistent younger average age of 325 ± 5 Ma. The non-conformity of uraninite ages in the Tatric West-Carpathian pegmatites is remarkable. The observed spread of ages would accord with recent geological models that propose a long-lived (at least two-stage) Variscan granitic–pegmatitic activity in the Tatric Unit during the Upper Devonian and the Lower Carboniferous. However, partial leaching and escaping of highly mobile U6+ from uraninite (especially from micrometer-sized inclusions in zircon) could be disturbed the U–Th–Pb system and gave seemingly higher age results. Conversely, partial Pb-loss could have yielded apparently younger uraninite ages. Consequently, the reliability and geological significance of the micro-uraninite ages are difficult to assess at present, and more geochronological data from other pegmatite minerals will be necessary to fully evaluate their significance.

The northern extension of the AdriaArray, a dense network of broadband seismic stations, covers the southeastern part of the Bohemian Massif, the Eastern Alps, the Western Carpathians, and the northernmost part of the Pannonian Basin. Considering also the previous passive experiments carried out since 2015, the existing 32 broadband permanent stations have been complemented by 89 temporary stations deployed in the collaborative effort of institutions from the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, and Slovakia. We document the seismic station configuration, instrumental equipment, data transmission, preprocessing, and availability, as well as the general organization of the network. Since spring 2022, when the AdriaArray network started its operation, to January 2025, approximately 2.8 TB of data recorded by the temporary stations has been transmitted to the European Integrated Data Archive (EIDA), with an average completeness of 80% and real‑time operation for 91% of the stations. The network records valuable data for a wide range of Earth science studies, including earthquake location, seismic hazard assessment, and high-resolution images of the crust and upper mantle structure. As examples of data utilization, we show Moho depth variations from the Bohemian Massif to the West Carpathians and the northernmost part of the Pannonian Basin, as well as prevailing NW‑SE polarization azimuths of the fast shear waves from the splitting evaluations at stations in the broader surroundings of the Carpathians.