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Physical and geological processes in Caves of Dinaric Karst: Mt. Velebit, Croatia

We provide an overview of scientific research in caves of Mt. Velebit, Croatia. These activities were initiated in last decades by discoveries of many vertical and deep caves, including the deepest and longest caves in Dinaric karst, 1431 m deep Lukina jama and 27, 8 km long and 737 m deep Kita Gaćešina cave system. Those caves provide excellent way of gathering new insights on the processes connected with geology, hydrology and climate of Mt.Velebit, 145 km long mountain in Croatian Dinaric Karst. It is characterized by the deep karst developed in thick carbonate deposits. Deep karstification of the massif is result of complex geological structures with entirely carbonate deposits thicker than 2000 meters in the Northern Velebit area. Owing to the position between Adriatic and continental Lika region and altitudes up to 1757 m, it is also an important climatological border with high precipitation (>3500 mm/y). Those factors are important for physical and geomorphological processes observed in caves. Access to locations and scientific research in these caves is a complex ; it must be coordinated with caving activities, and climate and hydrological situation (vertical dynamics of water and ice). We are using various instrumental techniques, in situ measurements, sampling and laboratory analysis. Parts of research include geochemical and structural analysis of cave sediments, C-14 dating, chemical and isotopic analysis of water, water level monitoring, investigation of microclimate parameters, ice dynamics, radon and carbon dioxide. Special attention in further research will be focused on the collection and analysis of physical data and their role in modeling the physical and geological processes through numerical models of speleogenesis and morphogenesis, heat flow and cave microclimate. In addition, geological and geographical research will contribute to the interpretation of the observed processes. Part of this work was done under projects Physical Research of Active and Paleoenvironmental processes in Caves of Dinaric Karst (SLO-CRO, PMF ZG-IZRK SAZU) and Exploration of deep pits of Northern Velebit (Northern Velebit National Park and Croatian Environmental protection and energy efficiency Fund).

caves ; physical and geological processes ; Dinaric karst ; Mt. Velebit ; Croatia

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