Top of geological maps creation in the last forty years in the Slovak Republic: a new general geological map 1 : 200 000

Geological mapping in the territory of the Slovak Republic has a long tradition. The climax of production of geological maps in the last century was a complete edition of synoptical maps 1:200 000 at the beginning of 60-ies. The centre of gravity in the following period was shifted to systematic geological mapping in the scale 1:25 000. Mapping was organized in particular geomorphologic units – regions. These maps had utilized for compilation of regional maps 1:50 000 which were issued together with book explanations for public using. Hither-to the nearly whole Slovakian territory is covered by regional geological maps in scale 1:50 000. The first regional map 1:50 000 was issued in the 1972 and to the present day number of 47 regional maps from the total of 51 were issued. When compared with other countries it is relatively high per cent covering of the territory. On the basis of the maps 1:50 000 a new “General geological map of the Slovak Republic 1:200 000” has been compiled, which should solve many interregional problems that emerged during the long period of mapping. The map is available in the aggregate form and in the individual sheets as well. The each sheet contents of geological sections, sketches of the tectonic units and the scheme of authors` contributions. The common legend to the General Map has been compiled. The legend to tectonic sketches was compiled in accordance with the principles of the Tectonic map of the Slovak Republic 1: 500 000. The General Map is prepared also in an electronic form, which enables interconnection among single sheets. Common explanatory text to the map was issued in the 2009.
   The Slovak Republic is located in the Western Carpathians mountain range. On the new general map actual conception of the geological structure and division of the Western Carpathians is presented. This conception appears from tectonic evolution and succession of the tectonic unit’s origin. Western Carpathians are divided into Outer and Inner as a result from the youngest Neoalpine tectonic processes between the European platform and the Inner Carpathian block. The outer Carpathians are represented by the Flysch belt. A splitting element from the Inner block is the Neoalpine structure of the Klippen belt which contents units from both zones. The inner block is composed of Paleo - alpine tectonic units on which Tertiary sediments and volcanics are deposited.