The best geotouristic objects of the Silesian Unit, Outer Flysch Carpathians in the vicinity of Krakow, Poland

The Outer Carpathians are built up of a stack of nappes and they are thrusted over the southern part of the North European Platform. The Silesian Nappe occupies central part of the Outer Carpathians and it is built of sedimentary facies represented continues succession of Late Jurassic to Early Miocene times. In sedimentary profile are written successively stages of development of Silesian Unit on the background of evolutionary stadia of the geodynamic development of the Northern Carpathians from syn-, post-rift to synorogenic phase. The best outcrops (legible, good-preserved and accessible for the group of tourists) to examine the Silesian rocks are presented and included into the trail. The sites highlight stratigraphy and sedimentology of Silesian Unit, from Jurassic to Neogene, elements of structural geology, petroleum systems (source rocks, reservoir rocks, seals), geotouristic important objects and history of human activities in the Carpathians, especially of mining and oil industries. The proposed trail traverses the Silesian Nappe in Polish sector of West Carpathians between Kraków, Cieszyn and Ciężkowice area.