U-series dating and isotope geochemical study of the Gellért Hill (Budapest) travertine

Abstract Travertine is quite a common formation in the area of Budapest (Hungary) indicating strong hydrothermal activity during the Pliocene and Quaternary. It covers former terraces of the Danube River and older geomorphologic horizons; thus, it is an important archive to date fluvial terraces and tectonic movements. Despite numerous investigations performed on these deposits, only few radiometric data are available so far and the absence of the exact timing information hindered paleoclimatic interpretation. The area of Gellert Hill consists mainly of Upper Triassic dolomite, but Quaternary travertine can also be found. In this study a detailed petrographic and stable isotope geochemical study of four travertine sites (1. Ifjusagi Park; 2. Szamado u. (Street); 3. Kelenhegyi u. (Street); 4. Somloi u. (Street)) of the Gellert Hill area is presented, along with analyses on the recent carbonate deposits of Gellert Hill and Sarosfurdő. The travertine of Ifjusagi Park and Szamado u. are spring cone deposits, ...