Proposition for physico-geographical regionalization of Eastern Sudetes

Artykuł przedstawia propozycję wyznaczenia granic Sudetów Wschodnich oraz podziału fizycznogeograficznego makroregionu na mezoregiony. Przy wyznaczaniu granic uwzględniono w większym stopniu genetyczno-geologiczny podział Sudetów związany z orogenezą waryscyjską. W podziale na mezoregiony w większym stopniu uwzględniono kryteria litostratygraficzne.Eastern Sudetes include 8 physico-geographical mesoregions, of which only 3 are located within Poland (fig. 1 ). The region is very diverse in terms of geological structure. The diversity of the area relief is small, as determined by the long-term denudation of the mountains. The geographical region of the Eastern Sudetes is located partly within the geological boundaries of the Middle Sudetes. Massif Śnieżnik and the Golden Mountains, located in the Eastern Sudetes, belong to the Orlicko-Śnieżnicki Massif (geologically divided in the Middle Sudetes) (figs 2, 3). The physico-geographical regionalization of the macroregion has been carried out, taking into account mainly geomorphological criteria, related to framework tectonics. It did not take into account the position of the major geological-tectonic units and the lithostratigraphy of rock. It was proposed to change the boundaries of the Eastern Sudetes as a physical and geographical region (fig. 4). The units belonging to the Orlicko-Śnieżnik Massif were excluded. A new western border has been established in the Stare Mesto range (figs 1, 2, 4). In addition, in the East Sudetes, upland areas were excluded, located in the north in the former borders of the Opawskie Mountains and Low Jesionik Mountains (fig. 4). Small changes in the south were proposed, taking into account tectonic and lithological structures. The another structure of mesoregions within the Eastern Sudetes is presented (fig. 4). It was proposed to create a new mesoregion of Żulowskie Mountain, which occupies the upper Carboniferous ganitoid massif. The mesoregion of the Low Jesenik Mountains was divided into two mesoregions: Low Jesionik Mountains, with the mountains character and Vitkowska Foothills, with the nature of the foothills. Other mesoregional boundaries were adapted to the course of the major folds and lithostratigraphs of rock (figs 1, 4)