Physical Geography of the Little Hungarian Plain

Abstract

The Little Hungarian Plain is situated in the north-western part of the Carpathian Basin; it is similar to the Great Hungarian Plain, as it is also a sinking area, though with a much smaller territory. Its material consists of several 100-m-thick loose fluvial sediments, and along the rim of the region aeolian material also deposited. The main character of the region is determined by the fluvial activity of the Danube. The alluvial fans are closely spaced determining the landscape forms, and influencing the utilization of the region and its potential environmental conflicts. In a meso-scale, a detailed description is given on the landform evolution of the area, its main and most characteristic geomorphological forms and general physical geographical characteristics. Besides, the exploitable resources (e.g. pebble and gravel bodies, CO2 gas, ecological network of natural parks) comprehensive analysis is given in connection with the Bős/Gabcikovo Hydropower Plant, focusing on the very intensive landscape alteration and its consequences. This debate is the origin of an international conflict between Hungary and Slovakia, which is in connection with the discharge, water quality and ecological (partially social) issues of the Danube and the region.