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Student sedimentology classes during turbidity current modelling, 2023. From the left: Radosław Szczęch, Dr Piotr Strzeboński, Mikołaj Pawlak, Jakub Andrzejak, Jan Szydłowski, in the front: Zbigniew Ziarek, Photograph: Zbigniew Ziarek’s archive.
From mid-May, you may watch videos on the formation of Carpathian Flysch and nappes at a newly-opened exhibition, Tatra Planet Earth Archive, in an underground facility in Kiry in Kościeliska. The basis for their creations were analogue models prepared by no other than students from Azymut, a student research club devoted to geological and computer cartography at the Faculty of Geology, Geophysics, and Environmental Protection of the AGH University in Krakow.
Models of the turbidity current and fold-and-thrust movements depict the processes responsible for the formation of the Carpathian Mountains. Initially they occurred during sedimentation, i.e. the deposition of clastic material in the waters of the Tethys Ocean, and later during mountain-building movements shaping the Carpathian orogen. During these processes, as a result of gravitational flows, successive layers of sediments were deposited in the marine basin forming the flysch and then, as a result of tectonic movements, they were deformed, moved away from the base of the sedimentary basin and thrusted in the form of nappes that formed the mountain chain.
Experimental tools similar to the geoeducational tools developed by students are also used by geologists for professional modelling purposes. Their purpose is to create an environment that faithfully replicates natural processes on a smaller scale, which allow accurate qualitative analyses and quantitative measurements. As regards the models prepared for the exhibition, the aim was primarily educational.
“Our geoeducation models with the interpretative package are intended to disseminate geological knowledge by making it easier to notice and understand elements of geodiversity in field conditions,” Zbigniew Ziarek, president of the Student Research Club “Azymut” and initiator of the project, explains.
Working hours in the lab
The person to suggest to use geoeducational tools developed by AGH University students for the purpose of the newly-emerging Tatra Park exhibition was Dr Jerzy Zasadni, supervisor of the research club, who together with Dr Piotr Kłapyta from the Jagiellonian University was responsible for the preparation of the exhibition’s concept and scenario.
“Initially, I wanted to carry out the modelling of sedimentary processes as part of Azymuth’s activity, as I was inspired by the earlier activities of the sedimentology laboratory at the Department of General Geology and Geotourism. Owing to the cooperation with a sedimentologist, Piotr Strzeboński from the AGH University, who deals with similar research problems, I had an idea on how to prepare to the implementation of this venture. When the opportunity to make the modelling came, I was very passionate about it and motivated to take some action,” Mr Ziarek admitted.
The president of the Azymut Student Research Club, Zbigniew Ziarek, encouraged his colleagues from the club to cooperate, they were: Radosław Szczęch, Jakub Andrzejak, Mikołaj Pawlak, and Jan Szydłowski. Organisational work, lab experiments, as well as consultations were also among the tasks of Dr Piotr Strzeboński, actively supported of Dr Jerzy Zasadni, Dr Piotr Strzelecki, and Dr Ewa Welc.
Before the intended effects could be shown in the form of geoeducational films, many days were spent in the mini-laboratory arranged by the students on performing dozens of tests and solving problems ranging from organisational and technical to substantive ones.
"Due to the siltation of the sand needed for the preparation of the model’s underwater layer, a very labour-intensive and time-consuming repeated washing of the sand was required in order to film the simulation of the Carpathian Flysch formation with sufficient image clarity. The multi-stage preparation of the suspension, a concoction of clay with water at the right concentration (‘density’), was also a challenge. At least a day's work went into each preparation of the sandy foundation, filling the tank with water, generating a turbulent current, and recording one modelling in several shots. On the one hand, the work was hard, wet, and dirty, but on the other hand extremely engaging, fruitful, and rewarding,” the student said enthusiastically.
Astounding outcomes
At last, it was time for the final professional recordings by a filmmaker, cameraman, director, Konstanty Kulik.
“The cooperation with Konstanty Kulik responsible for the exhibition videos and animations went smoothly. The filmmaker had trust in our ideas and content-related solutions,” Zbigniew Zarek stressed. “His work and effort put into the editing of the raw material were invaluable, and the final effect more than great. Naturalistic background in the form of sky was added in the video on turbidity current. In case of fold-and-thrust movements, a borderline was drawn to highlight the zone where the material undergoes various changes.
You may see the result of the students’ and the filmmaker’s work at the exhibition Tatra Planet Earth Archive. The exhibition on the natural history of the highest Polish and Slovak mountains as well as on the very beginning of the human presence in the area is available to visitors in an underground building in Kiry, at the mouth of Kościeliska valley. All practical tips on how to visit the exhibition may be found on the Tatra National Park website.
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