Western Tatra Research Articles

Reflection of climate changes in the structure and morphodynamics of talus slopes (the Tatra Mountains, Poland)

Talus slopes beside glaciers are among the best objects to research on climate change. In the Tatra Mountains, the highest mountains of central Europe, no glaciers remain, only glacierets and permafrost. For that reasona complex investigation of talus slopes was conducted there in the years 2009–2010. This paper presents the results of GPR and lichenometric measurements of the talus slopes in six glacial cirques located in the High and Western Tatras. The thickness and internal structure of talus slopes were identified along with the variability and conditions of their development. Maximum thickness of the talus slopes ranges from 20 to 35m, reaching higher values in the High Tatras. The diversity of the thickness of the talus slopes within the Tatras is mostly explained by differences in the relief conditioned by lithology. The diverse altitudinal locations of the talus slopes, and the exposure and inclinations are not reflected in the size and thickness. The thickness of the studied slopes depends primarily on the activity of the processes supplying rock material and on the size and shape of the sediment supply area. The results of the lichenometric testing together with the analysis of the long-term precipitation data imply a several hundred-year-long deterioration of the climate during the Little Ice Age, which is reflected in the increased activity of morphogenetic processes on the talus slopes across the whole massif of the Tatras. In the last 200years, the talus slopes of the Tatras were most active in three periods: at the end of the Little Ice Age, in the 1930s and 1940s, and in the early 1970s.

New data on pre-Eocene karst in the Tatra Mountains, Central Carpathians, Poland

Sparry limestone, ferruginous muddy limestone and limestone breccia have been found in the Western Tatra Mts. They occur within Jurassic rocks of the Choc Nappe just below red conglomerates of probable Eocene age. The deposits found bear strong resemblance to the infill of subterranean karst forms. They differ significantly from Quaternary karst deposits of the Tatra Mts. The δ 18 O values of spelean carbonates suggest crystallisation at relatively high temperatures (over 20°C) whereas their relatively negative δ 13 C values imply the presence of soil-derived CO 2 linked with vegetation dominated by C3 pathway plants. The karst forms and their infill were formed before the Eocene transgression, which shows unequivocally that the Tatra Mts. were subjected to karstification at that time.

Glacial chronology and palaeoclimate in the Bystra catchment, Western Tatra Mountains (Poland) during the Late Pleistocene

Deglaciation chronology of the Bystra catchment (Western Tatra Mountains) has been reconstructed based on 10Be exposure age dating. Fourteen rock samples were collected from boulders located on three moraines that limit the horizontal extent of the LGM maximum advance and the Lateglacial recessional stage. The oldest preserved, maximum moraine was dated at 15.5 ± 0.8 ka, an age that could be explained more likely by post-depositional erosion of the moraine. Such scenario is supported by geomorphologic and palaeoclimatological evidence. The younger cold stage is represented by well-preserved termino-lateral moraine systems in the Kondratowa and Sucha Kasprowa valleys. The distribution of the moraine ridges in both valleys suggest a complex history of deglaciation of the area. The first Late-glacial re-advance (LG1) was followed by a cold oscillation (LG2), that occurred at around 14.0 ± 0.7–13.7 ± 1.2 ka. Glaciers during both stages had nearly the same horizontal extent, however, their thickness and geometry changed significantly, mainly due to local climatic conditions triggered by topography, controlling the exposition to solar radiation. The LG1 stage occurred probably during the pre-Bølling cold stage (Greenland Stadial 2.1a), however, the LG2 stage can be correlated with the cooling at around 14 ka during the Greenland Interstadial 1 (GI-1d – Older Dryas). This is the first chronological evidence of the Older Dryas in the Tatra Mountains. The ELA of the maximum Bystra glacier was located at 1480 m a.s.l. in accordance with the ELA in the High Tatra Mountains during the LGM. During the LG1 and LG2 stages, the ELA in the catchment rose up to 1520–1530 m a.s.l. and was located approximately 100–150 m lower than in the eastern part of the massif. Climate modelling results show that the Bystra glacier (maximum advance) could have advanced in the catchment when mean annual temperature was lower than today by 11–12 °C and precipitation was reduced by 40–60%. This is in accordance with LGM conditions previously reported for the High Tatras. During the LG1 and LG2 stages the temperature decrease in the study area reached 10 °C and precipitation was lower by ∼30% compare to modern conditions. This resulted in slightly higher accumulation (20–30%) in the Western Tatra Mountains compare to the High Tatra Mountains.

Spatial modelling of avalanches by application of GIS on selected slopes of the Western Tatra Mts. and Belianske Tatra Mts., Slovakia

The avalanches represent a significant and very dynamic process within the Tatra high-mountain landscape. Undoubtedly avalanche run-out distances play a key role in land use planning within avalanche prone areas. The Žiarska valley and Predne Meďodoly valley are considered as one of the most avalanche prone valleys in Tatra Mts. This environment represents an excellent opportunity for studying and modelling extreme avalanche run-outs. Primarily avalanche release zones were estimated by using an existing model proposed by Hresko (1998). This model was modified and calibrated for both valleys. The alpha-beta regression model developed in Norway has been used to estimate avalanche run-outs. Data processing and model calibration have been elaborated in GIS environment. Avenue script for ArcGIS was written to perform automated runout estimation based on alpha-beta regression model. Model managed to estimate run-outs on some slopes while it failed to model run-ups. Finally the results were visualized by creating the fly-through simulations and 3D views. Comparison between model calculation and avalanche cadastre showed correlation.

Woodsia pulchellain the Western Carpathians: A Relict Species at the Northern Limit of Its Distribution

In the Western Carpathians, we identified a strongly isolated stand of a species belonging in the fern genus Woodsia. Based on morphological characters, nuclear DNA content analysis and chromosome counts, we determined that the species occurring in the Polish Tatra Mts. is W. pulchella and not W. alpina, as was supposed before. The population is situated 365 km from the nearest one in the eastern Alps in Austria. Woodsia pulchella grows on northern slopes of the Giewont massif in the Western Tatra, on dolomite rocks between 1100–1480 m a.s.l. at two closely-situated localities. The current distribution of W. pulchella in Europe is detailed and the evolutionary origin of this very rare and relict species is discussed.

Microstructures of shear zones from selected domains of the Western Tatra Mountains

The paper is focused on the meso- and microstructural characteristics of selected shearing zones in the Western Tatra Mts. The domains of crystalline rocks studied (Długi Upłaz Ridge, Rakoń Mt., Zabraty Ridge and Zabrať Pass, Wołowiec Mt., Trzydniowiański Mt., Czubik Mt. and Jarząbczy Mt.) show evidences of heterogeneous shearing with development of shear zones. Four types of shear zones were distinguished: (1) ductile shear zones in gneisses, (2) brittle-ductile complex shear zones, (3) gneisses with clear later brittle deformation; (4) leucogranites, produced by anatexis with later brittle deformation. The development of these shear zones is characterised by occurrences of various types of fault rocks: cataclasites, S-C cataclasites and mylonites. The different shearing-related rocks and structures are interpreted as an effect of protolith diversity and strain partitioning. Shape-preferred orientation is an important structural feature of all the shearing-related rocks. Kinematic analyses revealed generally a southward sense of shearing documented by structures related to brittle conditions and northwards sense of shearing recognised in ductily sheared crystalline rocks. The time relationships between different shear zone types are discussed, leading to the conclusions that the 1 st type of shear zone is pure Variscan, the 2 nd type is Variscan with Alpine brittle deformation, and the 3 rd and 4 th types are mainly Alpine brittle deformations of Variscan syntectonic anatectic leucogranites.

Eocene flora and trace fossils from the Hruby Regiel section in the Tatra Mountains (Poland): Taxonomic revision of the Wiktor Kuźniar fossil plant collection

AbstractLatest Eocene plant macrofossils and trace fossils collected a century ago by Wiktor Kuźniar are revised and their stratigraphical and palaeoecological meaning is re-considered. They derive from marine limestones and marls cropping out on the northern slope of the Hruby Regiel mountain in the Western Tatra Mountains. Leaves belonging to the families Fagaceae and Lauraceae and fruits of the palm Nypa are recognized. The co-occurrence of the planktonic foraminifer taxa Chiloguembelina cf. gracillima and Globigerinatheca cf. index and fruits of Nypa suggests a latest Eocene age of the fossil flora. The plant assemblage is typical of paratropical or subtropical evergreen forests in a warm and humid subtropical climate, recent counterparts of which occur in southeast Asia. The presence of Nypa is characteristic of mangroves. The good state of preservation of the leaves suggests coastline proximity during sedimentation of the plant-bearing deposits.

Biogeography and evolutionary factors determine genetic differentiation of Pinus mugo (Turra) in the Tatra Mountains (Central Europe)

Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) markers were used to assess genetic diversity within and among populations of dwarf mountain pine (Pinus mugo Turra) growing in the Tatra National Park (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) in Southern Poland (Central Europe). The analyzed population belongs to two different geobotanical sub-districts: the Western and High Tatras. The level of genetic diversity assessed in this study for P. mugo is generally comparable to that reported for the other pine species in the Pinaceae family assessed by ISSR markers, especially with respect to Nei’s genetic diversity and the percentage of polymorphic bands. Bayesian analysis clustered the analyzed populations into two groups, corresponding to their geobotanical locations in the Tatras. Significant divergence between the two genetical clusters was supported by the results of Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA). According to the Mantel test, there was no correlation between the genetic distance and the geographical distance. The present study confirms the existence of two genetically distinct clusters of P. mugo populations in the Tatra Mountains. The observed high population-genetic differentiation of P. mugo in the Tatras could be attributed to several genetic, environmental and historical factors occurring in this mountain area.

Aptian foraminiferal stratigraphy and Nannoconus assemblages from the Kopka section (Western Tatra Mountains, Poland)

In the Kopka section (Dolina Kościeliska valley, Western Tatra Mountains), the upper part of the Kościeliska Marl Formation consists of biomicrites with marly interbeds. These deposits, 76 m thick, are assigned to the Praehedbergella excelsa and Leupoldina cabri zones, of Aptian age. The taxa identified belong mainly to the genera Praehedbergella Gorbachik and Moullade, 1973, Globigerinelloides Cushman and Ten Dam, 1948 (emended by Longoria 1974 and Verga and Premoli Silva, 2003a) and Gorbachikella Banner and Desai, 1988. Nineteen Nannoconus taxa were identified during an SEM study of 34 samples. The occurrence of N. vocontiensis in the higher part of the section allows the nannoconid assemblages in the upper part of the section to be distinguished from those in the lower part. Four Nannoconus assemblages were recognized in these limestones: (1) Nannoconus bucheri-N. steinmannii , (2) N. truitti frequens , (3) N. vocontiensis and (4) N. aff. regularis . The wide-canal Nannoconus specimens are more frequent than the narrow-canal ones in the limestones of earliest Aptian age (Praehedbergella excelsa Zone), but the wide-canal forms predominate consistently in the upper part of the section, still within the L. cabri Zone.

Petrogenesis of kyanite-quartz segregations in mica schists of the Western Tatra Mountains (Slovakia)

Abstract In the Tatra Mountains (Slovakia) metamorphic complex, kyanite-quartz segregations with biotite-rich selvage occur in mylonitized mica schists. In this paper, the problem of fluid flow and aluminium mobility during the uplift of the crystalline massif, and the position of the segregations in the history of Western Tatra metamorphic complex, is adressed. The reaction Alm + Rt ➔ Ilm + Ky + Qtz is considered to be the result of a pressure drop from above to below 9 kbar. Ti-in-biotite geothermometry shows the temperature range to be 579-639°C that is related to heating and decompression associated with granite intrusion. Major-element mass-balance calculations show that Al remained stable in the selvage + segregation system whereas other elements (e.g. Cr, HFSE) were mobilized. The kyanite-quartz segregations formed from local fluids generated during dehydration of the metapelitic rocks during uplift. The main mechanism was likely diffusion-driven mass-transfer into extension-related cracks.

Regional distribution and relevance in paleonvironmental studies of lakes in the Tatra Mts. (Western Carpathians)

Scientific limnological research in the Tatra Mountains were initiated by Stanislaw Staszic in the early XIX century. After the World War II, the evolution of Tatra lakes was investigated by Kondracki, Klimaszewski, Baumgart-Kotarba and. Extensive paleolimnological investigations in the Tatra Mountains were started by the group of scientists led by K. Starmach in the beginning of the second half of the 20 th century. There has been not much research concerned to the regional distribution of lakes and their properties in the Tatra Mountains (Pociask-Karteczka 2013). Very early division of lakes presented A. Gadomski (1922), which distinguished four types of lakes: a) tarns (cirque lake or corrie loch), b) bedrock-dammed lakes, c) moraine lakes. This division was concerned in subsequent publications (Choinski 2007). M. Luknis (1973, 1985) recognized additional types: kettles and landslide-dammed lakes and M. Klimaszewski (1988) – inter-sheepback lakes. J. Pacl and K. Wit-Joźwik in Klima Tatier (Pacl, Wit-Joźwik 1974) were focused on the temperature of water in lakes in Polish and Slovak parts and M. Borowiak (2000a,b) provided a comprehensive analysis of types, dimensions, temperature and chemical composition of water in lakes in the Tatra Mountains. According to present day state of knowledge, one may distinguish following genetic types of lakes: I) glacial, II) not-glacial. There are four types of the glacial origin lakes in the Tatra Mountains (Fig. 1): a) tarns (cirque lakes or corrie loch), b) bedrock-moraine dammed lakes, c) inter-sheepback lakes, d) moraine lakes, e) kettles. Most of lakes in the Tatra Mountains are tarns and bedrock-moraine dammed lakes, and they are located at the elevation over 1400 m a.s.l. in the Western Tatra Mountains, and over 1600 m a.s.l. in the High Tatra Mountains. Some of them are paternoster lakes – a series of stair-stepped lakes formed in individual rock basins aligned down the course of a glaciated valley. Lakes in the Five Polish Lakes Valley is an example of such type. The inter-sheepback lakes occur at higher elevations (e.g. Wyznie Mnichowe Stawki, Zamrznute oka). There is a little number of moraine lakes in the Tatra Mountains (e.g. Smreczynski, Toporowy Nizni) and kettles (e.g. Strbske Pleso, Kotlinowy Stawek). Some lakes are located among rock debris or rock debris and moraine material (Dwoisty Staw Gąsienicowy, Anitino ocko) – they are of polygenetic origin.

Snow accumulation and ablation in disturbed mountain spruce forest in West Tatra Mts

AbstractIn the presented paper we deal with the impact of the mature spruce stand on the accumulation and melting of snow cover at Červenec research area located in the Western Tatras at an elevation of 1420 m a.s.l. The work analyses the data obtained from the monitoring of snow cover during the period 2009–2014 (6 seasons). Since the season 2012/2013 the measurements have been also performed in a dead part of the stand and in a meadow. The results proved significant impact of the spruce stand on hydro-physical characteristics of snow cover — snow water equivalent, snow density, as well as on their change due to the dieback of the stand. The data measured at individual locations (open space in the forest, open meadow area, living and dead forest) were tested with the paired t-test for the significance of average differences. Average snow water equivalent in the living forest, dead forest and meadow was 42%, 47% and 83% of the reference value measured at the open space in the forest, respectively. The process of snow accumulation and melting was fastest at the open space, followed by the dead forest. In the living forest, the processes were the slowest.

LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating and REE patterns of apatite from the Tatra Mountains, Poland as a monitor of the regional tectonomagmatic activity

This study presents apatite LA-ICP-MS U-Pb age and trace elements concentrations data from different granite types from the Tatra Mountains, Poland. Apatite from monazite and xenotime-bearing High Tatra granite was dated at 339 ± 5 Ma. The apatite LREE patterns reflect two types of magmas that contributed to this layered magma series. Apatite from a hybrid allanite-bearing diorite from the Goryczkowa Unit was dated at 340 ± 4 Ma with apatite LREE depletion reflecting the role of allanite and titanite during apatite crystallization. Apatite crystals from a hybrid cumulative rock from the Western Tatra Mountains were dated at 344 ± 3 Ma. Apatite is one of the main REE carriers in this sample and exhibit flat REE patterns. Taking into account the relatively low closure temperature of the U-Pb system in apatite (350–550°C), the c. 340 Ma apatite ages mark the end of high temperature tectonometamorphic activity in the Tatra Mountains.

Significance of extreme hydro-geomorphological events in the transformation of mountain valleys (Northern Slopes of the Western Tatra Range, Carpathian Mountains, Poland)

Extreme events disturb the development paths of geomorphological systems. The effect of such events on relief tends to persist for long periods of time and affects the future development of such systems. This paper focuses on changes in middle mountain valleys associated with an extreme hydro-geomorphological event that occurred in the Western Tatra Mountains (Polish Carpathian Mountains) in June of 2007. The geomorphological effects were mapped and an analysis of valley-bottom deposits and dendro-geomorphological data on tree roots and stems was used to identify patterns in the geomorphological transformation taking place during such events. In addition, the organic material obtained from fans was dated by means of carbon-14 dating. The effects of previous extreme events in the study area and their geomorphological outcomes were compared. Four main valley section types were identified in the valley longitudinal profile. Unevenly aged (from 14C 390±30years YBP (1441–1631calAD) to 14C 3760±70 YBP (4318–3962cal BP)) organic material was revealed at different depths of each studied fan. A complex structure with alternating layers of fine and coarse material from the analysed fans was identified. The colluvial-alluvial structure of fans suggests that extreme high-energy events did occur more than once per century during the Holocene. This type of fan structure can be referred to as a patchwork. In the study area, rainfall with high energy potential occurs once in every 6–9 years and extreme hydro-geomorphological events occur every 15years. This type of extreme event may not be exceptional in the history of middle mountain areas.

Variability in spectral characteristics of trampled high-mountain grasslands

Abstract The goal of the paper is a presentation of field remote sensing methods for the analysis of the trampled plants of a highly protected mountain meadow ecosystem (M&B UNESCO Reserve and one of the most important Polish National Parks). The research area covers a core part of the Western Tatras - the Gąsienicowa Valley and Kasprowy Wierch summit, which are among the most visited destinations of the Polish Tatras. The research method is based on field hyperspectral measurements, using the ASD FieldSpec 3 spectrometer, on the dominant plant species of alpine swards. Sampling sites were located on trampled areas (next to trails) and reference plots, with the same species, but located more than 10 m from the trail (where the probability of trampling was very low, but the same composition of analysed plants). In each case, homogenous plots with a domination of one plant species were investigated. Based on the hyperspectral measurements, spectral characteristics as well as vegetation indices were analysed with the ANOVA statistical test. This indicated a varied resistance to trampling of the studied plant species. The analysis of vegetation indices enabled the selection of those groups which are the most useful for research into mountain vegetation condition: the broadband greenness group; the narrowband greenness group, measuring chlorophyll content and cell structure; and the canopy water content group. The results of the analyses show that vegetation of the High Tatras is characterised by optimal ranges of remote sensing indices. Only plants located nearest to the trails were in a worse condition (chlorophyll and water content was lower for the reference targets). These differences are statistically significant, but the measured values indicate a good condition of vegetation along trampled trails, within the range of optimum plant characteristics.

Stratigraphic position of alkaline volcanic rocks in the autochthonous cover of the High-Tatric Unit (Western Tatra Mts., Central Western Carpathians, Slovakia)

Biostratigraphic investigations of carbonate strata that sandwich volcanic rocks and studies of the volcanic rocks were made along five composite lithological sections across the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous carbonate rocks of autochthonous cover of the High-Tatric Unit in the Osobitá peak area of the Western Tatra Mts. A carbonate microbreccia that consists almost exclusively of limestone clasts containing calpionellids occurs immediately below the volcanics. The youngest identified microfossil Calpionella elliptica Cadisch in the individual limestone clasts showed the age of breccia formation to be younger than late Early-early Middle Berriasian. The volcanic rocks are overlain by the Osobitá Limestone Formation, which in the lowermost horizons consists of a few metres thick crinoidal limestone containing the foraminifers Meandrospira favrei (Charollais, Brönnimann & Zaninetti), Sabaudia minuta Hofker and Montsalevia salevensis (Charollais, Brönnimann & Zaninetti) indicating a Late Valanginian-Early Hauterivian age. The biostratigraphical and sedimentological data obtained show that volcanism took place in several phases. Less intense phases of volcanism are recorded as thin tuffitic laminae within the upper parts of the Tithonian-early Mid Berriasian Sobótka Limestone Member and as fragments of volcanic rock in the carbonate breccia. The main phase(s) of volcanism took place during the Late Berriasian-?Early Valanginian.

Geochronology and petrogenesis of granitoid rocks from the Goryczkowa Unit, Tatra Mountains (Central Western Carpathians)

Abstract The geochemical characteristics as well as the LA-MC-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon age relationship between two granitoid suites found in the Goryczkowa crystalline core in the Western Tatra Mountains were studied. The petrological investigations indicate that both granitoid suites were emplaced at medium crustal level, in a VAG (volcanic arc granites) tectonic setting. However, these suites differ in source material melted and represent two different magmatic stages: suite 1 represents a high temperature, oxidized, pre-plate collision intrusion, emplaced at ca. 371 Ma while suite 2 is late orogenic/anatectic magma, which intruded at ca. 350 Ma. These data are consistent with a period of intensive magmatic activity in the Tatra Mountain crystalline basement. The emplacement of granitoids postdates the LP-HT regional metamorphism/ partial melting at ca. 387 Ma and at 433-410 Ma, imprinted in the inherited zircon cores.

Microfabric diversity and grain shape analysis of fault rocks from the selected areas of the Western Tatra Mountains

Fault rocks in brittle and brittle-ductile shear zones played a key role in the evolution of the Western Tatra Mountains crystalline rocks (Poland–Slovakia). Microfabrics of these rocks, including grain shape analyses, were investigated in the six areas of the Western Tatra Mountains. Based on studies of thin sections, 14 types of fault rock microfabric are distinguished, according to the following criteria: (a) the presence and abundance levels of a cataclastic matrix and (b) the presence and form of a preferred orientation features. General tendencies observed in these areas indicate southwards increasing non-coaxial deformation as well as the domination of ultracataclasites or ultramylonites to phyllonites in areas with negative relief (e.g., sedlo Zabrat’ Pass, Dziurawa Przełęcz Pass). A model of shear zone evolution embracing following three stages is proposed: (1) deformation partitioning and block-controlled cataclastic flow, (2) matrix-controlled cataclastic flow, (3) selective leaching and deposition of silica, leading to the formation of softened and hardened deformation domains respectively. These microstructural observations were supported by statistical analyses of the grain shape indicators (compactness, isometry, ellipticity, solidity, convexity). Two trends of relationships between compactness and convexity were noted: the first, horizontal on the correlation diagrams, was interpreted as an effect of rapid cataclasis and then sericitization, the second, with a strongly negative correlation coefficient, was considered as an effect of long-term cataclastic flow. The different microfabric data and microstructural interpretations described in this paper are consistent with a new model of the tectonic history of the Western Tatra Mountains evolution, with an important role for a non-coaxial deformation during Alpine orogeny in brittle and brittle-ductile conditions.

Application of Schmidt hammer relative age dating to Late Pleistocene moraines and rock glaciers in the Western Tatra Mountains, Slovakia

In order to evaluate the potential of the Schmidt hammer for relative age dating of Late Pleistocene moraines and rock glaciers, rebound (R) values were collected at 38 sites in two formerly glaciated valleys in the Western Tatras in northern Slovakia. A large statistical population of measurements obtained from moraine and rock glacier surfaces was used to analyze the variability of mean R-values in the same lithology and overall southern valley exposition. Four separate sets of glacial/periglacial morphosystems are present at different positions in the Western Tatras starting from valley outlets to the highest cirques, which represent successive phases of deglaciation. R-value means and 95% confidence intervals for selected Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), and Late Glacial (LG-1, LG-2 and LG-3) stages (respectively, 40.1 ± 1.1, 46 ± 0.5, 53.5 ± 1.0 and 60.5 ± 0.3) are significantly statistically different and values for each age category are comparable for the two analyzed valleys. The results of weathering indexes used in conjunction with geomorphological relationships were taken together to reconstruct the pattern of deglaciation on southern Tatra slopes. It is stated that the Schmidt hammer technique may be successfully used as a relative age dating tool for Late Pleistocene glacial and periglacial deposits, and with this method, it is possible to differentiate between Late Glacial moraines and rock glacier systems of different age.

Megacrysts of kyanite from Baranec Mt., Western Tatra Mountains, Slovakia

Abstract Large crystals of kyanite (<15 cm in size) occur in quartz segregations in Paleozoic gneissses on Baranec Mt., Western Tatra Mountains, northern Slovakia. Blue kyanite crystals coexist with quartz and plagioclase. The kyanite contains inclusions of apatite, monazite. gamet, rutile and biotite and overgrowths of retrograde sillimanite. muscovite and biotite. The kyanite crystals are the largest found up to now in the Tatra crystalline massif or in the other Western Carpathians crystalline cores. Kyanite. with the co-existing mineral assemblage, is indicative of a HP stage duiing Hercynian metamorphism of the Western Tatra Mountains.