Komplexní výzkum pseudokrasových jeskyní Vnějších Západních Karpat

Abstract

The research of pseudokarst caves in the Outer Western Carpathians is considered to be an important approach for recognition of various features of slope failures, e.g. its internal structure, depth, spatial extent, structural control, recent movement, age, etc. However, many features of pseudokarst caves that are being neclected or poorly studied can be analyzed. These can be absolutely essential for understanding of genesis of slope failures, regional geological research and mapping, geomorphic interpretations or paleoenvironmental reconstructions. This Ph.D. thesis represents a compilation of three papers dealing with yet unstudied issues of the three largest pseudokarst caves within the Czech part of the Outer Western Carpathians. The first study deals with the complex assessment of structural controls of the Cyrilka Cave, the longest crevice-type cave in Czechia. Within this study, the detailed structural analysis including geometric and kinematic analysis of the outcrop data, 2D and 3D geoelectric survey and 14C dating of speleothems were performed. The second paper focuses on the integrated study of lithology, biostratigraphy and mineralogy within the part of the Godula Formation exposed by the Kněhyně Cave. The vertical section 55 m long was documented and five samples of aleuropelitic members of the section were taken. Then biostratigraphic and mineralogical analysis were performed on these samples. The third article represents the first study of ventilation within a pseudokarst cave. The main aim of the paper was to characterize the ventilation mechanism of the Velká Ondrášova Cave. Airflow routes within the entire cave were mapped by using an inert chemical tracer. The monitoring of airflow and temperatures inside and outside the cave served for quantification of the cave ventilation and provided auxiliary data for spectral, correlation and regression analysis.