GYPSUM FACIES IN THE BADENIAN (MIDDLE MIOCENE) OF SOUTHERN POLAND

Middle Miocene sulfate sediments south of the Holy Cross Mountains, so uthern Poland, comprise deep- and shallow-water as well as subacrial f acies, accompanied by carbonates and siliciclastics In the gypsum sect ion, 18 tithostratigraphic units have been distinguished. The facies v ariety reflects distinct sedimentary conditions in the peripheral area of the evaporitic basin, where the maximum water depth never exceeded some tens of meters. The succession of facies is regressive and compr ises six sedimentary cycles that reflect relative changes in sea level and in the physicochemical regime of the basin, both of which were co ntrolled by tectonic and climatic factors. Sea level fell five times d uring sulfate sedimentation; the last sea-level drop led to the almost total desiccation of the sea in the peripheral part of the basin.