Geologia Croatica, Vol. 74 No. 2, 2021.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.4154/gc.2021.13
Linear features on karst surfaces: an example from Krk Island
Ela Šegina
; Geological Survey of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Čedomir Benac
; University of Rijeka, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Rijeka, Croatia
France Šušteršič
Martin Knez
; Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Karst Research Institute, Postojna, Slovenia; UNESCO Chair on Karst Education, University of Nova Gorica, Vipava, Slovenia; Yunnan University International Joint Research Center for Karstology, Kunming, China
Jože Čar
Abstract
Krk Island located in the Dinaric karst is characterized by somewhat contradictory, yet undefined depressions of linear geometry. A comprehensive spatial analysis considering over 900 linear features served as a testing ground for revealing the specific circumstances required for the occurrence of the linear morphology on the surface of rather pure karst typically characterized by dolines. Morphological characteristics, spatial distribution and field evidence imply that linear features of different appearance are the outcome of several different mechanisms including speleogenesis and denudation, slope processes and erosion by the torrential surface runoff. Surface runoff occurred due to specific regional geological, morphological and climate conditions in the area. Recently, such linear features exhibit a dry valley- or dry gorge-like appearance. This example from the Dinarides provides insight into the possible circumstances that may cause a temporal surface runoff even in rather pure karst conditions. This knowledge is valuable for understanding other karst areas expressing temporal surface runoff or imprints of its past occurrences.
Keywords
karst geomorphology; spatial analysis; GIS; Dinaric karst; Adriatic Sea; dry karst valley; linear feature
Hrčak ID:
259967
URI
Publication date:
7.5.2021.
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