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©Department of Geography. Valahia University of Targoviste Annals of Valahia University of Targoviste. Geographical Series Tome 14/2014 Issues 1: 25-32 http://fsu.valahia.ro/images/avutgs/home.html

SUBCARPATHIAN VÂLSAN RIVER TERRACES

Marius Florin MARCU University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geography

Bd. Nicolae Bălcescu nr. 1, cod poștal 010041,sector 1 București, România, tel 021-315.30.74 Email marius3marcu@yahoo.com

Abstract

A left tributary of the river, river crossing unit Vâlsan from north Getic Subcarpathians Brădetu village, situated at the contact unit Carpathian mountain unit, until the settlement Stroieşti where contact is made with unit plateau. In that landscape units, Vâlsan river valley corridor made a consistent north-south general direction, along which differ in several sectors. Sectors alternating narrow valley with large sectors looking depression is the result of the lithology (conglomerates, sandstones, marls, clays, sands and gravels). The intensity of slope processes (rain wash, ravination landslides), is due primarily slope, plus the relief, drainage density, shape and slope length. Landslides, gullies, terraces were fragmented and destroyed, in some cases affecting large areas of advancing up the river bed slope. Identified five levels of terraces, with a higher weight levels I and II, which were developed settlements and roads. The terraced upper level low areas with orchards and meadows, and terrace level V, reduced to a few patches, it is hard to identify in the field. Tributaries have created valleys consequential or cvasisubsecvente some torrential regime, carrying a significant amount of sediment during periods of high levels of rainfall and penetrate cones as the river bed, covering large areas of the surface of the lower terraces. The holm has bilateral development throughout the Subcarpathian, detaching the terrace level of 3-5 m above the thalweg, lifted up to 6-7 m in perimeter affected by deluvium intake. Is most representative of the level terrace sector analyzed. Keywords: Vâlsan River, Costeasca holm, terrace, Mușătești.

1. INTRODUCTION

Vâlsan river crosses from north Getic unit Subcarpathians Brădetu village, situated at the

contact unit Carpathian mountain drive up Stroieşti the locality where they made contact with the

unit plateau. In that landscape units, Vâlsan river valley corridor made a consistent north-south

general direction, along which differ in several sectors. Sectors alternating narrow valley with large

sectors looking depression is the result of the lithology (conglomerates, sandstones, marls, clays,

sands and gravels).

The intensity of slope processes (rain wash, ravination, landslides), is due primarily slope,

plus the relief, drainage density, shape and slope length. Landslides, ravination, fragmented and

destroyed terraces, in some cases affecting large areas of advancing up the river bed slope.

The terraces are prominent forms of relief, the genesis and pleistocene evolution. Few in the

mountain area and hilly area well developed. The presence of terraces into the Carpathian is higher

than the mountain drive. In this region, Vâlsan made several steps, largely fragmented and

destroyed by slope processes which submitted to the riverbed. Lower terraces are still ongoing

(level I and II), which have developed human settlements.

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2. DATA AND METHODS

This study was conducted during several field campaigns conducted in Subcarpathian

Vâlsan river basin. Field observations were compared with information from the literature, quite

poor for the analysis. We used topographic map 1: 25000, cadastral plans 1:5000, and direct

observations, mapping and local measurements. To make maps, we used ArcGIS 9.3.1.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1. River Holm

Is the lowest level of relief and the newest in age, developed along the valleys. The holm

evolution, the layout, scale and structure, dynamics is conditioned by the rivers, influenced by bio-

climatic and neotectonic movements.

Vâlsan river crossing several units morphostructural, which is reflected on floodplain

morphology. Thus, for each unit that has developed crosses meadows with ongoing and different

look. The largest floodplain areas are found in depression, or contact between units or subunits of

relief (depressions), with a broader development into the Subcarpathian (Muscele), where high

holm clear that detached terrace (3-5 m) the crop is used for farming (orchards, cereals) and the

location of villages households.

The Subcarpathian holm is continuous with bilateral development sectors alternating with

considerable widths (700-800 m), with more narrow due to local factors (landslides, mild elevations

of relief):

- In Subcarpathian holm sector, there are two stages: a low stage, in the vicinity minor bed

(0.5 m), exposed to floods, whereby meet reindeer, islands, abandoned arms and a higher level

ferrite flood, 1.5 m above the riverbed. In some areas they reached the height of 5-7 m (Muşăteşti),

detached clear that floodplain terrace.

- Brădet Depression, the holm has reduced deployment, some areas affected by landslides

which were submitted to the riverbed. Brăduleţ holm, widens to 100 m, occupied by settlements and

areas for shelter animals and orchards. As we move south to contact conglomerates High Muscelele

where holm narrows reduced to a few tens of meters, followed by an extension to the locality

Muşăteşti where and narrows, probably due to a lifting movement (Mândruț, 1994). The sector with

the greatest development of the floodplain, depression Muşăteşti hillock, where the river has shaped

a large holm, over 700-800 m, planted with cereals and orchards

After narrows to enter the Muscelele Joase, follows a similar expansion space depression

upstream (Dep. Muşăteşti), Costeasca Holm. In this sector are conducted sinuous river bed, reindeer

have a great development; is formed of gravel and sand banks; has side arms to take the surplus

waters flow by closing islands. A feature of the holms in Subcarpathian, is the presence of two

stages: a low stage, prone morphological changes at high flow rates and high step, located 2-3 m

above the thalweg, detached as floodplain terrace (Marcu, 2013).

In Muscelele Joase floodplain width is reduced slightly but retaining a wide corridor valley

to Stroieşti, along the lines that are in contact with the unit plateau (Cândeşti gravel).

3.2. Costeasca Holm sector. Terrace is again on bilateral development with a wide bridge

about 1 km. On it are orchards and settlements, Costeşti-Vâlsan village on the right (fig. 1), and

downstream from Stroieşti, Vâlsan river enter the pleistocene deposits of the Getic Piedmont

(Cândeşti gravel), terrace with a much higher display here.

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Figure 1. Terrace levels, Costeşti-Vâlsan (photo 2011)

Regarding to the holm age, floodplains is considered Carpathian and Subcarpathian were

modeled in tardiglaciar-Holocene (sporopolinic determinations and archaeological) and low

meadow is recent, Holocene-current (Posea et al., 1974).

3.3. Terraces position

Terrace I (floodplain terrace), present at the output of key river, has a bilateral development,

but small areas in the Brădetu village, extends downstream Brăduleţ village area, where it reaches

widths of up to 100 m was deployed the terrace is protected from flooding, with a head measuring

between 3.5 m (fig. 2) above the riverbed. There are situations where the bridge is occupied by

flysch deposits and proluvial who have ascended to 5-7 m (between Brădet and Muşăteşti). In the

settlement Galeşu terrace narrows Vâlsan Muscelele penetrating tough rocks consist High

(burdigalian conglomerates, sandstones), forming a small gorge. Situation persists until Muşăteşti

(fig. 3).

Figure 2. Floodplain terrace leading profiles (Costeşti-Vâlsan, photo 2011)

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Figure 3. Muscelele Înalte terraces sector (Marcu, 2013)

When entering Muşăteşti depression (interhill corridor depression), widens until Vâlsăneşti

terrace. Here it measures the width of over 1.5 km (Costeasca Holm). The bridge is grown, and in

some cases have even built settlements and roads.

Terrace II, has reduced development compared to the first terrace, especially in mountain

region of contact with the unit (Brădet Depression). Bridge terrace is occupied by settlements and

the county road, has a relative height of 10-20 m above the riverbed, altitudinal variation is given by

collections from the slopes, landslides as heavy or extended cones dejection.

In the settlement Brăduleţ on a segment of about 1.5 km, the river came only on the right, on

the left side, the valley has a steep slope as a cut Seciuri hill (824 m), composed of sandstone Corbi.

Between Cosaci and Uleni localities, county road and settlements, is located on the left, the

bridge terrace in width (approximately 300-400 m). Downstream, the valley narrows with

burdigalian sandstone sector and as a result, the bridge terrace has a width of 50-60 m.

In Muşăteşti village area, terrace is well developed, the top of terrace is 100-150 m wide,

with bilateral character. The county road he is, households with gardens, orchards and homes, with

a more developed on the right valley (150-200 m), under the Deleanca and Faţa Buneşti hills.

To contact with Muscelele Joase, near Vâlsăneşti (D. Nucului), the narrows valley, and the

top of terrace is reduced to 60-70 m (Marcu, 2013).

Terrace III, 40-50 m, unlike previous terraces, there is a continuous presence being

destroyed by massive landslides and tributaries slope fragmented Vâlsan.

A fragment of terrace III is on river right, downstream Brădet in Aluniş village. Here is a

small area (less than 50 m wide) tributaries are affected by Vâlsan torrential regime.

Follows another piece on the same side of the river, the Brăduleţ village, formed the

horizons of tile hardest Corbi. Bridge this patch of terrace surface is about 100-150 m is occupied

by houses and gardens, with terrace II connection is clear in this sector.

In the Muscelele Înalte sector, we find fragments of the terrace by the river side.

Thus, the right, south of Slămneşti village (Galeşu, fig. 4), where the width of the top of

terrace is about 150 m, was covered with a thick flysch (5-10 m), the top of terrace is filled with

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orchards and houses and left. In the Uleni village, bridge width reaches 100-150 meters, is almost

entirely filled with orchards.

The terrace fragments meet in Muşăteşti village on the left side of the valley, between the

Bârnei and Podului valley (small size, filled with orchards and woods).

In Muşăteşti depression terrace level III has a low expansion, massive landslides are covered

slope, but is best preserved fragment left valley in southern Faurului Valley village. Other

fragments appear to the south, in the Costeşti Holm the left side of the valley, between the Dragnea

and Brazilor valley’s, being busy with orchards (Marcu, 2013).

Profil Muscelele Înalte (localitateaGaleşu)

3.0002.5002.0001.5001.0005000

760

740

720

700

680

660

640

620

600

D. Bleica

D. Cor bil

orRâul Vâlsan

%580 m

Nivel de vale 720 m

T3

T5 90-100 m

T4 60-70 m

T3 40 m

T1 3-5 m

Figure 4. Terrace levels, Muscelele Înalte sector (Marcu, 2013)

Terrace IV, 60-70 m and appears as patches, is strongly affected by slope processes.

The100-120 m wide area are found in Slămneşti town, covered with orchards and houses. In

Muşăteşti appears on the right side, are fragmented Ursului, Câinei rivers, and many torrents (Dl.

Oborului). The current surface measured between 70 and 150 m, is used as meadow and orchard.

In Vâlsăneşti, right, you have other parts of the south terrace of the valley separating Poiana

Nucului and Poiana Mare hills and valleys between Hotarelor and Ogoarelor valley’s.

Their bridge has widths of 100-150 meters, covered with 5-7 m thick flysch. Other small

parts of the terrace, appear on the left below the Goila hill (fig. 5).

Costeşti sector, are two fragments of the terraces on the left valley, first is framed by

Lupului and Dragnei valley’s and a bridge with a width of 150 m to the south, there is another

fragment located between Brazilor and Ursului valley’s similar width (Marcu 2013).

Terrace V, 90-100 m high, is reduced to a few fragments in Subcarpathian (Muscelele Joase

sector on the right side between Valea Hotarelor and Valea Ogoarelor and south of Valea

Ogoarelor, with a width of the top of terrace below 100 m).

Because of flysch deposits in some places is increased to 105-110 m above the riverbed. On

the left of the river, in Vâlsăneşti sector, there are other parts of the terrace, the first between the

Romanaţului and Pivniţei valley’s, second, Goila hill slopes. The widths of the top of terrace are

small (below 100 m). Another piece of the terrace is Costeşti left the valley, between Dragnea and

Brazilor valley’s has a width of 60-70 m.

3.4. Terraces structure

Granulometric prevail boulders and coarse gravel and medium (over 5 cm diameter), slightly

altered, with the obvious structure (cross or horizontal), specific terraces of Carpathian and

Subcarpathian. Silt, is a thick layer of about 3 m, deviations from this average is due to climatic

conditions or neotectonic movements.

Accurate observations on the structure of terraces can be made in the meadow Costeşti

terrace I was unaffected by slope processes and determine where lateral erosion of river banks

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collapses and crashes, providing updated information with respect to structure and form deposits

(fig. 6).

In the lithology terms, the terraces deposits is predominate Carpathian elements, which is

observed in the high percentage of crystalline elements (quartz).

Covering deposits have complex origin:

- The mountain region, alluvium covered with coarse elements, pointed, set in a clayey and

sandy matrix, character-proluvial coluvio (Posea et al., 1974);

- In Subcarpathian (fig. 6), covering deposits are small (sands, clays), from washing the

slopes and interfluvial top (Posea et al., 1974).

Figure 5. Muscelele Joase terraces sector (Marcu, 2013)

3.5. Age and genesis

Vâlsan’s river age terraces may be inferred by comparing elevation values to the information

in the morphocronologic prepared tables Getic Subcarpathians (Arges Valley respectively), by

Mihăilă (1971, a, b), Posea et al., (1974); Ielenicz (1999).

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The terraces 1 and 2, forming complex and lower terraces were formed in the pleistocene-

holocene inferior are alluvial terraces, the genesis and subsequent neotectonic climate.

Figure 6. Floodplain terrace structure, Costeşti-Vâlsan (Marcu, 2013)

Complex upper terraces, terrace reference begins with T 3 (30-40 m) and ending with the

highest terrace, T 5 (90-100 m). T 3 has a complex genesis (climate and tectonics), is considered by

most authors wurmian age (würm I). T 4 (60-40), was formed in riss, and T 5 (90-100 m) in mindel

(lower pleistocene-pleistocene environment).

Both terrace and terrace 4-5 has a tectonic-climate genesis. T 5 is considered part of the

terrace which began Subcarpathians fragmentation and Getic Piedmont (Posea, et.al., 1974).

4. CONCLUSIONS

The holm river have a bilateral developed in Subcarpathian with narrow sectors in

geological formations of high Muscelele. In sectors where the holm (meadow) was seconded by 2-3

meters above water level, is considered floodplain terrace, one level (T I).

Vâlsan’s river terraces made 5 steps largely fragmented and destroyed by slope processes

which submitted to the riverbed.

Lower terraces are still running (I and II) and a strong fragmentation terraces III and IV.

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On the terrace level V, slope processes have reduced its area a few patches, is almost

impossible to identify them in court.

REFERENCES

1. Ielenicz, M. (1999), Dealurile şi podişurile României, Editura Fundaţiei „România de Mâine”,

Bucureşti.

2. Marcu, M. (2013), Valea Vâlsan. Studiu geomorfologic, Editura Transversal, Târgoviște.

3. Mândruţ O. (1994), Relieful Subcarpaţilor dintre Argeş şi Argeşel (Studiu geomorfologic), Teză

de doctorat, Universitatea din Bucureşti.

4. Mihăilă, N. (1971, a), Stratigrafia depozitelor neogene dintre Topolog şi Vâlsan, Studii Tehnice

şi Economice, Institutul Geologic, Bucureşti.

5. Mihăilă, N. (1971, b), Stratigrafia depozitelor pliocene şi cuaternare dintre valea Oltului şi

valea Vâlsanului, Studii Tehnice şi Economice, Institutul Geologic, Bucureşti.

6. Posea, Gr., Grigore, M., Popescu, N., Ielenicz, M. (1974), Geomorfologie, Editura Didactică şi

Pedagogică, Bucureşti.