Geological curiosities of Trzebinia 

Petrified Forest from Trzebinia.

 
 

Region of Chrzanow, which is a small element of total area of Poland, is especially beautiful and interesting for geologists. In no other place in Poland, except the mountains, can we find such diversity of rocks from different time periods in so limited terrain. What is more, lots of naturally and artificially uncovered places exist, ideal for research and observation. The territory of Gmina Trzebinia, with lots of rare geological curiosities, turns out to be essential part of that area.

Trzebinia and its neighborhood has been the subject of geological research for many years. In 1884 Stanisław Zaręczny published the results of the research done in XIX century in region of Chrzanow. Then in 1891 Marian Raciborski explored the petrified calcareous flora of Karniowice. After the Second World War the remarkable geologist Stanisław Siedlecki was doing research for a long time in the area of Trzebinia and Chrzanow. Works of other well known Polish scientists writing about Silesia region normally link to this area. The interest of geologists, according to what S. Siedlecki said, is because that is exactly the area where geological topics of foreland of Karpaty, border of Silesia and those of Jura Krakowsko - Częstochowska meet.

In Trzebinia and around we find plenty of places interesting in geological terms, with remainders of former forms of life. Some uncovers are now stable in town's landscape, others may be observed periodically, while works and constructions are being carried on. The most important phenomenons are undoubtedly: Permian Karniowice Trawertine,  Kwaczała Arkose, Myślachowice Conglomerate, The Balaton Lagoon and Triassic excavations in villages of Psary and Bolęcin.

Mining in Trzebinia could have developed thanks to appearance of dolomits and sediments of productive carbon. Traditions of excavating galman in the area of Trzebinia come from the end of XIII and the beginning of XIV century. In the end of XIX and the beginning of XX century massive exploitation of carbon began.In the nearest future the closure of the mine of zinc and lead will finish 750-year period of mining in this area. What will continue, though, are significant changes in the natural environment of the area, caused mainly by carbon mining. Most important of those problems are: peturbation of water connections and deformations of the terrain due to hollows etc.

Unveiling rocks enable us to reconstruct the history of this territory, which is much longer than history of people and their settlements. We know that this land was drifting for millions of years, from equatorial tropics in Carboniferous and tropical deserts in Perm to current moderate latitude. We know that millions of years that land was the sea ground and the sea finally disappeared about  million years ago. Rocks tell us about forms of life, climate conditions and they let us reconstruct prehistoric landscapes of Earth.
 
In some places petrified fauna and flora may be found, often in surprisingly good condition. What especially deserves attention are petrified tree-trunks, which are very beautiful and unusual for scientists, although now difficult to find . Looking at calciums we encounter traces of sea organisms such as ammonits, sponges, brachiopods, sea urchins , mollusks and gastropods. Not long ago, beautiful examples of Carbonnieferous flora were occasionally found.

Minerals here are remarkable as well, such as those explored in Trzebionka mine. Main minerals are sphalerite and galena, accompanied by iron sulfides , cerussite, smitsonit, hemimorphite and others.The side rock for metals is dolomite. In calcareous rocks there are interesting types of flint and calcite, and in Permian volcanic creations there are e.g. cristals of baryt.

Places interesting for geologists are simultaneously attractive as landscapes and for tourists, like Balaton Lagoon, rocks in Czyżówka and Triassic rock in Bolęcin. Old excavations and naturally uncovered spots are home for many rare species of plants, which is valuable for research and makes it attractive place for teachers and students. Continuous processes of destruction of such places, due to natural phenomenons or human activity, shows their need for protection, as one of the main aims of environmental activity is maintaining the geological and paleontological heritage.
 
As one of the remarkable Polish geologists, Stefan Zbigniew Różycki, wrote: ' for hundreds of thousands of years stone had been one of the main stocks which enabled humanity to develop.' Its practical worth is seen almost everywhere, but it's important to notice aesthetical value of stone and its role as the witness of Earth's turbulent history.