Search

Supraregional (palaeo)geoecological studies require detailed knowledge of the distribution of aeolian sediments and their sources. Such spatial data can be visualised and shared in maps, but often these are constrained in their resolution or extent. This is the case for the Carpathian Basin, where cross-border maps are not detailed enough to answer many research questions. Problems occur especially along political borders due to different geological mapping standards and varying lithological definitions. Using a Geographic Information System (GIS), we compiled a map showing the distribution of loess and related Quaternary sediments in the Carpathian Basin, with unprecedented detail. We vectorised and analysed existing data (mainly from geological maps) and combined and transferred these into a common (loess) sediment classification system. This cross-border map shows the distribution of aeolian sediments in the Carpathian Basin at a scale of 1:1,500,000. For the northwestern and the southern Carpathian Basin, we added maps that clarify the extent of late Pleistocene and Holocene terrace and floodplain deposits, which were merged in the Main Map to highlight the predominant dust source areas for this region.

Geo- and palaeoecological studies in the Carpathian Basin require a detailed knowledge of the distribution of aeolian sediments. Existing maps are not detailed enough and erroneous as a result of the basic input data and scale used. Here we present a map showing the detailed distribution of loess sediments in the Carpathian Basin at the border of Hungary and Romania using a Geographic Information System and the vectorized, statistically analysed geological map of Hungary (scale 1:300,000) and the Romanian pedological map (scale 1:500,000). Both, the Hungarian and the Romanian data sets were combined and transferred into a common loess sediment classification system resulting in a seamless cross-border map showing the loess distribution in the Carpathian Basin at a scale of about 1:500,000.