Mountain Mapping
Figure 1 Geological mapping of the hilly areas of Hungary
Mountains and hilly areas are generally the theatre of traditional geological mapping since geological assemblages formed in different geochronological ages can directly be studied in these outcropping areas. The overwhelming majority of different mineral raw materials can be accessed on or next to the surface also in these regions, the attention of mining was therefore primarily turned to mountains even before the science of geology had been born.
Systematic geological mapping of the hilly areas of Hungary has been going on since the middle of the 18th century, with some shorter and longer interruptions. As a result of the evolution of geology and associated disciplines as well as raw material exploration an increasingly detailed and reliable picture was drawn up of the geological setting of Hungarys hilly areas though some differences can be observed in this field between different regions. For instance, as compared to Bakony Range and Balaton Highland being in the frontline of the Transdanubian Range, Vértes and Gerecse lag behind considerably concerning geological knowledge. Despite of intense research and exploitation of various raw materials (bauxite, brown coal, building stones, fireproof clay, etc.) in the latter regions up until the recent years, the last systematic mapping campaign had been undertaken there as long ago as the beginning of the 19th century
(Figure 1)
.
Considering the North-Hungarian Range geological knowledge of the western and southern forelands of Bükk Range was also less advanced than that of the Bükk Range as a whole itself. Detailed and systematic remapping of this area is not, however, an exclusively egoistic scientific aim of geology, let us consider only the relevant, urgent tasks associated with the protection of karst water resources.
Geological mapping of Vértes and Gerecse
Figure 2 The Geological Institute of Hungary launched the mapping programme of Vértes and Gerecse in 1997
(Figure 2)
. There was some earlier mapping work in some fragment areas associated with bauxite exploration carried out in the 1980s in the eastern foreland of Vértes and Gerecse, as well as in the frame of Hungarian-Slovak-Austrian trilateral co-operation in the DANREG project in Gerecse.
Figure 3 Systematic mapping proceeds in 1:10 000 sheets
(Figure 3)
, whereas compilation takes place on the scale of 1:25 000.
Figure 4 Using digital techniques we progressively pass to the compilation and cartographic processing of 1:10.000 sheets
(Figure 4)
.
Figure 5 Auxiliary materials attached to the sheets include a basic data collection incorporating the detailed description of outcrops and the harmonised digital database of all boreholes penetrated in the area, as well as some brief explanatory notes. The most recent survey results acquired during the mapping are continuously disseminated
(Figure 5)
.
Field mapping of the sheets in Vértes and Gerecse terminated in the end of 2003. Actually, previously mapped and some other problematic areas are reambulated and individual map sheets are harmonised. The termination of the program is anticipated by the end of 2006 resulting in the printed publication of the 1:50 000 regional geological maps of each Vértes and Gerecse with the explanatory books attached.
The hydrogeological surveying of the area proceeds simultaneously with geological mapping.
Geological mapping of the Bükk foreland
Figure 6 The most recent 1:50 000 geological map of Bükk Range was published in 2002 as a result of the mapping project launched by the Geological Institute of Hungary in 1986
(Figure 6)
.
Its explanatory book is currently under preparation for print. The geological setting and the geological history of evolution of the area is presented in the book published by the Bükk National Park including the 1:100 000 geological map of the area as annex.
Actually geological mapping is undertaken in the western foreland of the hills. Related field survey was finished in the end of 2004.
The summary was prepared by Tamás Budai
