Maciej Babel | University of Warsaw (original) (raw)

Papers by Maciej Babel

Book: The Holy Cross Mountains – 25 journeys through Earth historyChapter: 3.24 Publisher: Faculty of Geology, University of Warsaw

The Badenian salinity crisis in the Miocene Central Paratethys Ocean took place about 13.6 Ma BP ... more The Badenian salinity crisis in the Miocene Central Paratethys Ocean took place about 13.6 Ma BP in the earliest part of the Neogene Nannoplankton Zone 6 (NN 6: Discoaster exilis Zone), that is in the earliest Serravallian according to the standard stratigraphic scheme. The marine basin occupying the area of the Carpathian Foredeep was transformed into an evaporite basin, in which gypsum, anhydrite and rock salt deposits were formed. Badenian gypsum deposits are best exposed in the Ponidzie region, in which the largest exposure of such rocks in Poland occurs to the east of the River Nida. The evaporite deposits of this area are known as the Nida Gypsum deposits, and also as the Krzyżanowice Formation. The gypsum succession is relatively simply developed. The same thin beds of the deposit occur in the same vertical succession from Ponidzie to near the town of Horodenka in Ukraine, and in the Czech Republic. The gypsum beds can be grouped into facies, and recognition of their succession provides insight into the sedimentation in the northern part of the evaporitic basin that occupied the area of southern Poland. A representative succession of the gypsum deposits can be found in Borków Quarry. A similar sequence is accessible in Leszcze Quarry near the village of Gacki, and fragments of the succession can be observed in numerous isolated exposures scattered over the entire Ponidzie region. The most complete succession of gypsum deposits can be found in Borków Quarry (about 37 m thick). The sequence of the Nida Gypsum deposits is in two parts. The lower part, 15−20 m thick, is represented by selenite gypsum composed of large crystals which grew on the basin bottom. The upper part of the succession is generally formed of fine- and microcrystalline gypsum. Key words: gypsum deposits, gypsum crystals and twins, selenite, Badenian, Badenian salinity crisis, evaporites, gypsum stromatolites, pseudomorphs after halite, alabaster

Book: The Holy Cross Mountains – 25 journeys through Earth history Chapter: 3.20 Publisher: Faculty of Geology, University of Warsaw, 2015

The geological cross-section in the Kamionka River valley between the village of Gromadzice and t... more The geological cross-section in the Kamionka River valley between the village of Gromadzice and the town of Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski provides a full overview of the Lower Jurassic of the north-eastern Mesozoic margin of the Holy Cross Mountains. This cross-section was used to compile a local stratigraphic scheme for this part of the Jurassic System, traditionally referred to as the Liassic. Key words: Mesophytic Jurassic flora, fluvial and deltaic sedimentation, Jurassic coal, joint fractures, glacial till, loess

Book chapter, 2015

The exposure in the ‘Gagaty Sołtykowskie’ [Sołtyków Jets] geological reserve in the village of So... more The exposure in the ‘Gagaty Sołtykowskie’ [Sołtyków Jets] geological reserve in the village of Sołtyków, near the large village of Odrowąż, is one of the main geological attractions in the Holy Cross Mountains. The easiest access is to take the dirt path from the Skarżysko Kamienna-Końskie road. The walk to the abandoned clay pit (51°08’45.63”N 20°39’44.62”E) from the parking lot in the forest near the road takes about 15 minutes. Lower Jurassic strata, rich in numerous, well-preserved, dinosaur tracks and remains of Jurassic plants and insects are exposed in the pit. Species of flora such as Hirmeriella muensteri and Phlebopteris angustiloba, the miospores Aratrisporites minimus and the megaspores Nathorstisporites hopliticus point to an interval encompassing the Hettangian to the Early Synemurian, whereas regional correlation suggests an Early Hettangian age for the strata. The latter age is confirmed by the finding of the conchostracan Bulbilimnadia kilianorum. The pit exposes continental fluvial-lacustrine sediments from the lower part of the Zagaje Formation. The base of the formation is erosional; it overlies the Upper Triassic continental facies. Key words: dinosaur tracks, Jurassic fauna and flora, fluvial sedimentation, paleosols, jet

Gypsum tumuli are small dome-like forms of relief, with a diameter from a few decimeters to sever... more Gypsum tumuli are small dome-like forms of relief, with a diameter from a few decimeters to several meters and a height of over 1 m, formed by the detachment of the surface layer of weathered gypsum rocks in a semi-arid climate or microclimate. Most likely, they are formed as a result of cyclic wetting and drying of the rock, during which, in the pore spaces, gypsum dissolves and crystallizes exerting pressure on the pore walls (due to the pressure of crystallization) – as<br>a result, causing an increase in volume and detachment of the surface layer of the rock. These forms were first described from the vicinity of Sorbas in Spain, where they are extremely numerous.<br>The subject of this study is to analyze the morphological diversity of gypsum tumuli from this region based on field observations, photographic documentation and measurements of 273 forms identified within four localities on the gypsum plateau by the Aguas River. The characteristics of the sites with the ...

Gypsum tumuli are small dome-like forms of relief, with a diameter from a few decimeters to sever... more Gypsum tumuli are small dome-like forms of relief, with a diameter from a few decimeters to several meters and a height of over 1 m, formed by the detachment of the surface layer of weathered gypsum rocks in a semi-arid climate or microclimate. Most likely, they are formed as a result of cyclic wetting and drying of the rock, during which, in the pore spaces, gypsum dissolves and crystallizes exerting pressure on the pore walls (due to the pressure of crystallization) – as<br>a result, causing an increase in volume and detachment of the surface layer of the rock. These forms were first described from the vicinity of Sorbas in Spain, where they are extremely numerous.<br>The subject of this study is to analyze the morphological diversity of gypsum tumuli from this region based on field observations, photographic documentation and measurements of 273 forms identified within four localities on the gypsum plateau by the Aguas River. The characteristics of the sites with the ...

In the Pisky quarry near Lviv (west Ukraine) 99 separate dome-like morphological landforms have b... more In the Pisky quarry near Lviv (west Ukraine) 99 separate dome-like morphological landforms have been documented, originated as a result of volume increase of the weathering anhydrite rock, induced by its hydration. In the interiors of the domes, from 0.58 m to 18.1 m in size (elongation), empty chambers or caves (hydration caves) occur. The documentation is presented as an illustrated catalogue of the hydration landforms, containing the most important information about their morphological development, sizes, maturity, pattern of fractures, cover of rubble, vegetation cover, etc. All the landforms were depicted on the photographs and located on the orthophotomap.

In order to recognize the influence of thermal and microclimatic conditions on the formation of d... more In order to recognize the influence of thermal and microclimatic conditions on the formation of domes and caves originating by hydration of anhydrite rocks exposed at<br>the bottom of the gypsum quarry in Pisky near Lviv, the<br>temperatures in the quarry excavation and its surroundings<br>were recorded. In 15 selected points: on hydration domes<br>and in caves inside the domes, in their vicinity, at the bottom<br>of the quarry and on the slopes surrounding the excavation,<br>24-hour synchronous measurements of atmospheric air temperature were carried out using automatic electronic<br>recorders. At the same time, temperature measurements of<br>gypsum-anhydrite rocks and water in caves and rock crevices<br>were carried out. The research, conducted in the period of stable hot weather, lasted 10 days from 1th to 10th of August, 2014. Large variations of temperature in space<br>and time have been documented. The lowest measured...

Thepaper briefly discusses the previously known methods forthe recognition and quantitative deter... more Thepaper briefly discusses the previously known methods forthe recognition and quantitative determination of gypsum,anhydrite and, in part, accompanying bassanite in rocks.A new method for quick estimation of the quantitativecomposition of gypsum-anhydrite rocks has been pro-posed, based on a significant difference in density betweenboth minerals occurring in these rocks. The theoretical as-sumptions of this method and the way of determining thecomposition of the sample based on the measurement of itsvolume and mass were presented. The new method can beeasily used both in the laboratory and in the field.

An analysis of the distribution and content of the secondary gypsum, derived from hydration of an... more An analysis of the distribution and content of the secondary gypsum, derived from hydration of anhydrite, within the selected hydration dome developing in the weathering zone of anhydrite rocks exposed in the gypsum quarry at Pisky near Lviv (Ukraine) was carried out. It has been shown, among others, that the maximum amounts of gypsum occur at the ground surface at the foot of the dome. Ithas been proposed that rainwater flowing down the dome and accumulating at its foot intensifies the hydration of anhydrite in this zone. Gypsum crystallization and the expansion of the rock material in the immediate vicinity of the dome (which accompany the transition of anhydrite into gypsum when the water comes from the outside) cause a centripetal pressure towards the center of the structure, which is responsible for the bending and lifting of the detached rock layer upwards and for the growth of the dome.

In the Badenian gypsum quarry at Pisky near Lviv,there is an outcrop of anhydrite rock, which due... more In the Badenian gypsum quarry at Pisky near Lviv,there is an outcrop of anhydrite rock, which due to contactwith meteoric waters undergoes intensive weathering and,when hydrated, turns into gypsum. As a result of the expan-sive crystallization of the secondary gypsum, the volumeof the rocks increases and on the surface of the weather-ing zone, domal relief forms with empty internal chambersand unique hydration caves develop. This paper presentsa reconstruction of the transformation processes that theweathering anhydrite-gypsum rocks have undergone in thepast, and are currently undergoing. Based on field obser-vations and petrographic analysis performed with the useof macro- and microscopic methods (optical and scanning,using images of backscattered electrons), it was found thatthe investigated rocks underwent drastic structural andmineral transformations twice. The primary rocks (proto-lith) were giant-crystalline selenite deposits called "szkli-ca" gypsum (formed at the b...

Acta geologica Polonica

Describes glassy gypsum, built of giant, up to 3.5 m high, juxtaposed skeletal crystals. The sedi... more Describes glassy gypsum, built of giant, up to 3.5 m high, juxtaposed skeletal crystals. The sedimentary structures in the glassy-gypsum layer, especially abraded and corroded gypsum crystals, load structures of the crystals growing on the muddy bottom, indicate all the synsedimentary growth of the giant crystals in the glassy gypsum. -from Author

A new locality of the smooth snake Coronella austriaca Laurenti, 1768, has been recorded in the i... more A new locality of the smooth snake Coronella austriaca Laurenti, 1768, has been recorded in the insolated gypsum escarpment at Shyshkivtsi on Nichlava river, a left tributary of Dnister. The snake, recorded twice in the same place, apparently inhabits the peculiar weathering form of the gypsum rocks, forming of the southern dry slopes, known as the gypsum tumulus (a domal structure with empty interior).

Acta Geologica Polonica, 2005

Acta Geologica Polonica, 2004

Acta Geologica Polonica, 2004

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 2012

Book: The Holy Cross Mountains – 25 journeys through Earth historyChapter: 3.24 Publisher: Faculty of Geology, University of Warsaw

The Badenian salinity crisis in the Miocene Central Paratethys Ocean took place about 13.6 Ma BP ... more The Badenian salinity crisis in the Miocene Central Paratethys Ocean took place about 13.6 Ma BP in the earliest part of the Neogene Nannoplankton Zone 6 (NN 6: Discoaster exilis Zone), that is in the earliest Serravallian according to the standard stratigraphic scheme. The marine basin occupying the area of the Carpathian Foredeep was transformed into an evaporite basin, in which gypsum, anhydrite and rock salt deposits were formed. Badenian gypsum deposits are best exposed in the Ponidzie region, in which the largest exposure of such rocks in Poland occurs to the east of the River Nida. The evaporite deposits of this area are known as the Nida Gypsum deposits, and also as the Krzyżanowice Formation. The gypsum succession is relatively simply developed. The same thin beds of the deposit occur in the same vertical succession from Ponidzie to near the town of Horodenka in Ukraine, and in the Czech Republic. The gypsum beds can be grouped into facies, and recognition of their succession provides insight into the sedimentation in the northern part of the evaporitic basin that occupied the area of southern Poland. A representative succession of the gypsum deposits can be found in Borków Quarry. A similar sequence is accessible in Leszcze Quarry near the village of Gacki, and fragments of the succession can be observed in numerous isolated exposures scattered over the entire Ponidzie region. The most complete succession of gypsum deposits can be found in Borków Quarry (about 37 m thick). The sequence of the Nida Gypsum deposits is in two parts. The lower part, 15−20 m thick, is represented by selenite gypsum composed of large crystals which grew on the basin bottom. The upper part of the succession is generally formed of fine- and microcrystalline gypsum. Key words: gypsum deposits, gypsum crystals and twins, selenite, Badenian, Badenian salinity crisis, evaporites, gypsum stromatolites, pseudomorphs after halite, alabaster

Book: The Holy Cross Mountains – 25 journeys through Earth history Chapter: 3.20 Publisher: Faculty of Geology, University of Warsaw, 2015

The geological cross-section in the Kamionka River valley between the village of Gromadzice and t... more The geological cross-section in the Kamionka River valley between the village of Gromadzice and the town of Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski provides a full overview of the Lower Jurassic of the north-eastern Mesozoic margin of the Holy Cross Mountains. This cross-section was used to compile a local stratigraphic scheme for this part of the Jurassic System, traditionally referred to as the Liassic. Key words: Mesophytic Jurassic flora, fluvial and deltaic sedimentation, Jurassic coal, joint fractures, glacial till, loess

Book chapter, 2015

The exposure in the ‘Gagaty Sołtykowskie’ [Sołtyków Jets] geological reserve in the village of So... more The exposure in the ‘Gagaty Sołtykowskie’ [Sołtyków Jets] geological reserve in the village of Sołtyków, near the large village of Odrowąż, is one of the main geological attractions in the Holy Cross Mountains. The easiest access is to take the dirt path from the Skarżysko Kamienna-Końskie road. The walk to the abandoned clay pit (51°08’45.63”N 20°39’44.62”E) from the parking lot in the forest near the road takes about 15 minutes. Lower Jurassic strata, rich in numerous, well-preserved, dinosaur tracks and remains of Jurassic plants and insects are exposed in the pit. Species of flora such as Hirmeriella muensteri and Phlebopteris angustiloba, the miospores Aratrisporites minimus and the megaspores Nathorstisporites hopliticus point to an interval encompassing the Hettangian to the Early Synemurian, whereas regional correlation suggests an Early Hettangian age for the strata. The latter age is confirmed by the finding of the conchostracan Bulbilimnadia kilianorum. The pit exposes continental fluvial-lacustrine sediments from the lower part of the Zagaje Formation. The base of the formation is erosional; it overlies the Upper Triassic continental facies. Key words: dinosaur tracks, Jurassic fauna and flora, fluvial sedimentation, paleosols, jet

Gypsum tumuli are small dome-like forms of relief, with a diameter from a few decimeters to sever... more Gypsum tumuli are small dome-like forms of relief, with a diameter from a few decimeters to several meters and a height of over 1 m, formed by the detachment of the surface layer of weathered gypsum rocks in a semi-arid climate or microclimate. Most likely, they are formed as a result of cyclic wetting and drying of the rock, during which, in the pore spaces, gypsum dissolves and crystallizes exerting pressure on the pore walls (due to the pressure of crystallization) – as<br>a result, causing an increase in volume and detachment of the surface layer of the rock. These forms were first described from the vicinity of Sorbas in Spain, where they are extremely numerous.<br>The subject of this study is to analyze the morphological diversity of gypsum tumuli from this region based on field observations, photographic documentation and measurements of 273 forms identified within four localities on the gypsum plateau by the Aguas River. The characteristics of the sites with the ...

Gypsum tumuli are small dome-like forms of relief, with a diameter from a few decimeters to sever... more Gypsum tumuli are small dome-like forms of relief, with a diameter from a few decimeters to several meters and a height of over 1 m, formed by the detachment of the surface layer of weathered gypsum rocks in a semi-arid climate or microclimate. Most likely, they are formed as a result of cyclic wetting and drying of the rock, during which, in the pore spaces, gypsum dissolves and crystallizes exerting pressure on the pore walls (due to the pressure of crystallization) – as<br>a result, causing an increase in volume and detachment of the surface layer of the rock. These forms were first described from the vicinity of Sorbas in Spain, where they are extremely numerous.<br>The subject of this study is to analyze the morphological diversity of gypsum tumuli from this region based on field observations, photographic documentation and measurements of 273 forms identified within four localities on the gypsum plateau by the Aguas River. The characteristics of the sites with the ...

In the Pisky quarry near Lviv (west Ukraine) 99 separate dome-like morphological landforms have b... more In the Pisky quarry near Lviv (west Ukraine) 99 separate dome-like morphological landforms have been documented, originated as a result of volume increase of the weathering anhydrite rock, induced by its hydration. In the interiors of the domes, from 0.58 m to 18.1 m in size (elongation), empty chambers or caves (hydration caves) occur. The documentation is presented as an illustrated catalogue of the hydration landforms, containing the most important information about their morphological development, sizes, maturity, pattern of fractures, cover of rubble, vegetation cover, etc. All the landforms were depicted on the photographs and located on the orthophotomap.

In order to recognize the influence of thermal and microclimatic conditions on the formation of d... more In order to recognize the influence of thermal and microclimatic conditions on the formation of domes and caves originating by hydration of anhydrite rocks exposed at<br>the bottom of the gypsum quarry in Pisky near Lviv, the<br>temperatures in the quarry excavation and its surroundings<br>were recorded. In 15 selected points: on hydration domes<br>and in caves inside the domes, in their vicinity, at the bottom<br>of the quarry and on the slopes surrounding the excavation,<br>24-hour synchronous measurements of atmospheric air temperature were carried out using automatic electronic<br>recorders. At the same time, temperature measurements of<br>gypsum-anhydrite rocks and water in caves and rock crevices<br>were carried out. The research, conducted in the period of stable hot weather, lasted 10 days from 1th to 10th of August, 2014. Large variations of temperature in space<br>and time have been documented. The lowest measured...

Thepaper briefly discusses the previously known methods forthe recognition and quantitative deter... more Thepaper briefly discusses the previously known methods forthe recognition and quantitative determination of gypsum,anhydrite and, in part, accompanying bassanite in rocks.A new method for quick estimation of the quantitativecomposition of gypsum-anhydrite rocks has been pro-posed, based on a significant difference in density betweenboth minerals occurring in these rocks. The theoretical as-sumptions of this method and the way of determining thecomposition of the sample based on the measurement of itsvolume and mass were presented. The new method can beeasily used both in the laboratory and in the field.

An analysis of the distribution and content of the secondary gypsum, derived from hydration of an... more An analysis of the distribution and content of the secondary gypsum, derived from hydration of anhydrite, within the selected hydration dome developing in the weathering zone of anhydrite rocks exposed in the gypsum quarry at Pisky near Lviv (Ukraine) was carried out. It has been shown, among others, that the maximum amounts of gypsum occur at the ground surface at the foot of the dome. Ithas been proposed that rainwater flowing down the dome and accumulating at its foot intensifies the hydration of anhydrite in this zone. Gypsum crystallization and the expansion of the rock material in the immediate vicinity of the dome (which accompany the transition of anhydrite into gypsum when the water comes from the outside) cause a centripetal pressure towards the center of the structure, which is responsible for the bending and lifting of the detached rock layer upwards and for the growth of the dome.

In the Badenian gypsum quarry at Pisky near Lviv,there is an outcrop of anhydrite rock, which due... more In the Badenian gypsum quarry at Pisky near Lviv,there is an outcrop of anhydrite rock, which due to contactwith meteoric waters undergoes intensive weathering and,when hydrated, turns into gypsum. As a result of the expan-sive crystallization of the secondary gypsum, the volumeof the rocks increases and on the surface of the weather-ing zone, domal relief forms with empty internal chambersand unique hydration caves develop. This paper presentsa reconstruction of the transformation processes that theweathering anhydrite-gypsum rocks have undergone in thepast, and are currently undergoing. Based on field obser-vations and petrographic analysis performed with the useof macro- and microscopic methods (optical and scanning,using images of backscattered electrons), it was found thatthe investigated rocks underwent drastic structural andmineral transformations twice. The primary rocks (proto-lith) were giant-crystalline selenite deposits called "szkli-ca" gypsum (formed at the b...

Acta geologica Polonica

Describes glassy gypsum, built of giant, up to 3.5 m high, juxtaposed skeletal crystals. The sedi... more Describes glassy gypsum, built of giant, up to 3.5 m high, juxtaposed skeletal crystals. The sedimentary structures in the glassy-gypsum layer, especially abraded and corroded gypsum crystals, load structures of the crystals growing on the muddy bottom, indicate all the synsedimentary growth of the giant crystals in the glassy gypsum. -from Author

A new locality of the smooth snake Coronella austriaca Laurenti, 1768, has been recorded in the i... more A new locality of the smooth snake Coronella austriaca Laurenti, 1768, has been recorded in the insolated gypsum escarpment at Shyshkivtsi on Nichlava river, a left tributary of Dnister. The snake, recorded twice in the same place, apparently inhabits the peculiar weathering form of the gypsum rocks, forming of the southern dry slopes, known as the gypsum tumulus (a domal structure with empty interior).

Acta Geologica Polonica, 2005

Acta Geologica Polonica, 2004

Acta Geologica Polonica, 2004

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 2012

Book, 2020

The book is a collection of 13 scientific articles presenting the problems of the weathering zone... more The book is a collection of 13 scientific articles presenting the problems of the weathering zone of anhydrite and gypsum rocks on the example of their exposures in western Ukraine, Poland, Spain, Canada and Russia. Most of the articles are devoted to unusual forms of relief and associated caves, rare in the world, that are formed today as a result of the local increase in volume of the weathered rocks. Such forms (described in this book) are domes and hydration caves currently developing within anhydrites at Pisky near Lviv (Ukraine), as well as at Dingwall in Canada, and the so-called gypsum tumuli – developing in gypsum, near Sorbas in Spain. The book deals with various geomorphological, hydrogeological, microclimatic, petrographic, and speleological issues, as well as those related to the threats of active karst development. The articles were written in Polish, Ukrainian and English by 17 scientists from Poland, Ukraine and Germany.

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Book, 2020

Książka jest zbiorem 13 artykułów naukowych przedstawiających problematykę strefy wietrzenia skał... more Książka jest zbiorem 13 artykułów naukowych przedstawiających problematykę strefy wietrzenia skał anhydrytowych i gipsowych na przykładzie ich odsłonięć w zachodniej Ukrainie, Polsce, Hiszpanii, Kanadzie i Rosji. Większość artykułów jest poświęcona rzadko występującym na świecie niezwykłym formom rzeźby i jaskiniom tworzącym się współcześnie wskutek lokalnego przyrostu objętości wietrzejących skał. Takimi formami (opisanymi w niniejszej książce) są kopuły i jaskinie hydratacyjne rozwijające się obecnie w anhydrytach w Piskach k. Lwowa (na Ukrainie), a także w Dingwall w Kanadzie, oraz tzw. tumulusy gipsowe – w gipsach, w okolicach Sorbas w Hiszpanii. W książce poruszone są różnorodne zagadnienia geomorfologiczne, hydrogeologiczne, mikroklimatyczne, petrograficzne, speleologiczne, a także te związane z zagrożeniami aktywnym rozwojem krasu. Artykuły zostały napisane w języku polskim, ukraińskim i angielskim przez 17 naukowców z Polski, Ukrainy i Niemiec.