Zespół skalny Dziedzińca na płaskowyżu Skalniaka w Górach Stołowych

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Zespół skalny Dziedzińca na płaskowyżu Skalniaka w Górach Stołowych

Journal Title: Przyroda Sudetów - Year 2017, Vol 20, Issue

Abstract

Dziedziniec rock complex on the Skalniak plateau, Stołowe Mountains Dziedziniec [=courtyard] is the name given to a rock complex developed within the Upper Cretaceous sandstone and situated in the marginal northern part of the Skalniak plateau (915 m a.s.l.). Although it is one of the most scenic sandstone geomorphic features of the Stołowe Mts, it has never been described. Dziedziniec consists of three characteristic parts. The most distinctive part is a large flat-floored open square (c. 26 x 30 m) surrounded by sandstone cliffs up to 6 m high. To the west it opens to the plateau surface, whereas to the north it passes into an 18 m long corridor which connects it with the escarpment slope of Skalniak. To the north-west the widely opened joints form a small rock labyrinth extending in NW-SE direction for a distance of c. 50 m. To the north the whole system is bordered by vertical cliffs up to 15 m high. The Dziedziniec rock complex is believed to be of polygenetic origin. The processes responsible for its formation act most effectively along discontinuities, leading to disintegration and separation of sandstone caprock into joint-bounded compartments of various size. The destruction is the effect of both surface and subsurface processes. The latter are inferred from a number of indicative forms. Some sandstone blocks are tilted towards the centre of the main square, which suggests the loss of support due to underground mass removal. Similarly, the occurrence of chaotic boulders accumulations within the labyrinth corridors can be explained by gravitational subsidence resulting from disintegration and further evacuation of loose material from beneath. The most evident geomorphic and sedimentary signatures of underground mass removal are forms of sandy accumulation at the outlets of fissures in the rock wall. The cones reach a substantial height up to nearly 4 m, which indicates that underground mass removal is particularly effective in the studied segment of the sandstone plateau. Overall, the mentioned forms are consistent with the hypothesis implying the crucial role of subsurface processes in the evolution of the Stołowe Mts, advocated by many authors.

Authors and Affiliations

Filip Duszyński, Piotr Migoń

Keywords

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EP ID EP621175
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