Speleolog, Vol. 71 No. 1, 2023.
Stručni rad
How did Veternica Cave form?
Damir Lacković
Andrej Stroj
Petra Bajo
Bosiljka Glumac
Ira D. Sasowsky
Sažetak
Besides being a speleological and tourist attraction, Veternica Cave holds a wealth of information about environmental conditions of the geological past. Sedimentary deposits from this cave have been the subject of numerous investigations, especially since the middle of the 20th century. This article gives a concise historical account of geological research and presents new details about the results of research conducted in the last twenty years. By combining speleomorphological mapping, paleomagnetic analyses of stream (clastic) sediments, and dating of speleothems using the Uranium-Thorium (U-Th) method, it was possible for the first time to obtain chronological data on the development of Veternica Cave during the last over 600,000 years. The research identified several speleogenic phases that reflect alternating intervals of long and stable versus shorter and tectonically active periods within the wider area. During the active tectonic uplift of Medvednica Mountain. and the corresponding lowering of the erosional base level, the cave passage morphology quickly adapted to the decrease of ground water level, which occurred at the rate of about 6 m per 10,000 years. This rate is comparable to rates measured in other caves from similar tectonically active areas.
Ključne riječi
Veternica; geology; speleogenesis
Hrčak ID:
314780
URI
Datum izdavanja:
23.2.2024.
Posjeta: 99 *