engleski

Cave in Tounj quarry – Croatia: How natural and human induced processes are changing the cave

An important role in the research of karst caves is to make strong and quantitative measures of their natural values through determination of geodiversity, geoheritage and legal protection. Caves in active quarries represent an additional challenge. One such example is the Cave in Tounj quarry, one of the longest (8487 m) and most important Croatian caves, characterized by numerous geological, geomorphological and biological values, that include underground lakes, various geomorphological forms, but most importantly, the rare phreatic speleothems which were likely produced during the late/postglacial warming period. The cave channels are a part of an underground conduit system, probably connected with the sinkholes of the Zagorska Mrežnica river and the springs of the Tounjčica river. We present the history of the exploration and an overview of its natural values with a focus on active processes, geological and geomorphological characteristics. Cave entrance opened in 1983 due to the mining blasts in the quarry. In 1986, Speleological section Velebit (Zagreb), started the explorations. During the last two decades, significant damages of the entrance parts of the cave were documented. A conflict of interests of different stakeholders (nature protection system, cavers, the management of quarry, local community) does not lead to a solution that is best for the cave. The aim our activities is to raise the knowledge of its geodiversity, first among the researchers, caving and scientific community and all levels of educational system.

cave, Tounj, geodiversity, geoheritage, protection

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