Recurrent Holocene landslides: a case study of the Krynica landslide in the Polish Carpathians

Abstract

Situated in the southern part of the Polish Outer Carpathians, the development of the Krynica lanslide is presented in detail. Head scarps, slide shoulders and colluvial ridges connected with particular episodes of sliding occur on the western slope of the Parkowa Góra Mountain. Peaty silts and calcareous tufa suitable for the radiocarbon dating fill depressions within colluvial masses. Calcareous deposits contain rich assemblages of molluscs characterizing changes of the climate and the environment during the Late Vistulian and the Holocene. Four stages in the evolution of the landslide correspond with phases of increased mass movements distinguished elsewhere in the Carpathians according to radiocarbon dating as well as palynological and malacological analyses. The phases of enhanced mass movement correlate in turn with climatic changes.