The neogene-quaternary evolution of the karst landscape of the Veszprém plateau based on the study of Meggyespuszta paleodoline, Hungary

The development and the geological activity of the Meggyespuszta paleodoline in Hungary were reconsidered in the light of new findings and review of complex stratigraphic and morphological results. Methods included geomorphological modeling, field geological re-surveys of the data from the existing bore holes and study of the sediments of a newly drilled borehole. Three main phases of the topography evolution were determined: (1) a presumably Early-Middle Neogene primer karstification period, (2) a Late Neogene-Early Quaternary partial charging with typical terrestrial red clay and dolomite silt sediments, (3) and the covering of the paleodoline with loess and loess-based soil cover during the Quaternary. While the south erosion valley was formed likely during Pliocene-Early Pleistocene period, the young, Holocene gullies were found only in the North and East part of the paleodoline. The rearrangement of rainwater course directions could be the consequence of the thinning of the loess sediment from North to South due to the wetter climatic conditions of the Holocene. Based on the oxidized filling sediments, the lack of peat or other lacustrine deposits and the low water content of the sediments above the bedrock, it was concluded that Meggyespuszta paleodoline is one of the largest still active sinkhole in the Transdanubian Range.