Early to Late Bajocian age of the “black flysch” (Szlachtowa Fm.) deposits: implications for the history and geological structure of the Pieniny Klippen Belt, Carpathians

Abstract

The “black flysch” deposits (Szlachtowa Formation at Podubocze near Czorsztyn in Poland), attributed so far to the Pieniny Klippen Basin successions, and at Hałuszowa in Poland as well as at Kamienka in Eastern Slovakia, attributed to the Grajcarek Succession of the Magura Basin,  have yielded rich dinoflagellate cyst assemblages consisting of forms both redeposited (from Upper Triassic to Aalenian) and indigenous (Lower Bajocian to Upper Bajocian). An Early to Late Bajocian age of the deposits investigated is thus indicated, and this along with other stratigraphical, sedimentological and tectonic data indicates that all the deposits in question represent the early stages of development of the Magura Basin. The formation of “black flysch” deposits was possibly related to the Early Bajocian uplift of the Czorsztyn Ridge which resulted from the opening of the Magura Ocean. The occurrence of the deposits of the Magura Basin below the overthrusted deposits of the Klippen Basin (Czorsztyn Unit) in the area of study results in a marked change in the structural interpretation of the Pieniny Klippen Belt.