The Dinaric Karst System in Croatia

Abstract

Research in the Dinaric Karst area has been conducted for several centuries. Many scientific discoveries about karst originated here. The Dinaric karst in Croatia is special due to the thickness of carbonate masses which can reach up to several kilometres. With constantly active tectonics in these sediments and great depths of impermeable substrates, karst processes create mostly vertical or steep cave channels. In some places caves deeper than 1400 m were explored. Some of them feature over 500 m deep vertical shafts. Areas along the Adriatic coast are special due to the appearance of vruljas or underwater freshwater springs. Different types of speleogenesis in this area are presented. Morphological characteristics and hydrogeological functions for each karst area in Croatia (inner, central and outer part of the karst area) are mentioned. Caves over 55 kms long, the deepest active karst springs (over 250 m deep) and ponors (over 500 m deep) show the great potential of this area. A brief overview of the tradition and history of research of caves in Dinaric Karst of Croatia is presented.