engleski

Dugi otok Island, Adriatic Sea (Croatia), a potential coastal karst GeoPark

Eastern Adriatic coast (referred in geomorphological literature as the classical Dalmatian type coast, Von Richthofen, 1886 ; in Fairbridge, 1968) borders the classical karst region of the Dinarics. There, in up to 8000 m thick Mesozoic carbonates, all karst forms are developed. Along the coast, at the land/sea interface, as well as below the sea surface, some peculiar features developed: karstic estuaries (Sondi et al., 1995), marine lakes (Ćosović et al., 2002), drowned canyons, submarine springs and submarine caves and pits, some of them with speleothems (Surić et al., 2002). Most of the forms are of subaerial origin and were submerged only by Late Pleistocene – Holocene sea level rise. However, accumulation forms (e.g. marine biogenic overgrowth on submerged speleothems, marine sediments) can help in dating of the sea-level changes. Dugi otok Island (114 km2) with large indentedness (4, 5) is a superb example of karstic relief. The whole area is geologically interesting, most of surface exposed in Cretaceous limestone deposited on shallow water carbonate platform. The SE part of the elongated island is already protected as natural park (Telašćica Nature Park) where a marine lake exists, drowned canyon is found, and superb tectonic escarpment dominates. At the NW end of the island in Upper Cretaceous limestone chert nodules are abundant, and prehistoric artefacts production was documented. However, an interesting coastal area, not yet protected is a coastal zone on the SW shore in the central part of the island (Brbinšćica cove) where a number of caves at and below sea level are found. The island was depopulated during 20 century, and only with development of seasonal (summer) tourism is regaining its population. The proclamation of GeoPark, that should include all the island, organization of geological museum, might introduce all year tourist season.

Geopark; karst; coast; Dugi otok Island

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