Geologica Belgica Geologica Belgica -  volume 4 (2001)  number 3-4 - Karst & Tectonics 

INFLUENCE OF GEOSTRUCTURAL CONDITIONS ON THE SPELEOGENESIS OF THE TRIESTE KARST (ITALY)

Franco CUCCHI

Dipartimento di Scienze Geologiche, Ambientali e Marine, Trieste University; Via E. Weiss 2,1- 34127 Trieste (Italy)

Enrico MARINETTI

Dipartimento di Scienze Geologiche, Ambientali e Marine, Trieste University, Via E. Weiss 2,1-34127 Trieste (Italy)

Michèle POTLECA

Dipartimento di Scienze Geologiche, Ambientali e Marine, Trieste University, Via E. Weiss 2,1-34127 Trieste (Italy)

Luca ZINI

Dipartimento di Scienze Geologiche, Ambientali e Marine, Trieste University; Via E. Weiss 2,1- 34127 Trieste (Italy)

Abstract

SUMMARY. The Trieste Karst is a relative old karst that has been evolving for almost 10 million years: the initial superficial morphologies (planation surfaces which have evolved in the shape of polje system and deep collapse dolines) are difficult to distinguish. The cavities maintain rare primary morphologies filled by deposits, breakdowns and con­cretions, which at the same time modify other deep morphologies due to changes in the baseline level and adaptations to tectonic movements.

The comparison between structural setting of rocks and development directions of caves confirms the strict influence of geological-structural features on speleogenesis: the drainage network should have been mainly conditioned by the highest slope of the stratification (sometimes modified by intersections following a similar direction between strata and fracture plains). Secondary influences regard the presence of "opened planes" and those related to intersection lines between opened plains due to tectonics or structural features.

Pour citer cet article

Franco CUCCHI, Enrico MARINETTI, Michèle POTLECA & Luca ZINI, «INFLUENCE OF GEOSTRUCTURAL CONDITIONS ON THE SPELEOGENESIS OF THE TRIESTE KARST (ITALY)», Geologica Belgica [En ligne], volume 4 (2001), number 3-4 - Karst & Tectonics, 241-250 URL : https://popups.uliege.be/1374-8505/index.php?id=2014.