Abstract
During archeological excavations in the Lower Cerovačka Cave (Mt. Velebit, Croatia), the test trench penetrated to a depth of 1.8 m. An undisturbed sequence of sediments was exposed. Considering that caves represent highly efficient sediment traps it was possible to recognize changes in the depositional mechanisms during the Pleistocene–Holocene period. Using the multiproxy approach, the mineralogical, petrographic, and biostratigraphic characterization of the cave sediments was performed. Facies analysis revealed several stages in the development of the clastic filling of cave channels. Allochthonous origin of the sediment was assumed. Sedimentation took place under various conditions from pronounced cold and dry climate during Pleistocene stages in the base of the profile, to humid periods with anthropogenic influence during the Holocene at the very top of the profile. Although traditionally these sediments were believed to be of a Pleistocene age, here for the first time a stratigraphic calibration of the profile has been performed based on luminescence dating of detrital cave sediments and radiometric dating of speleothems.
Highlights
Situated in the locus typicus of the Dinaric karst (Zupan Hajna, 2019) within the NE slopes of Mt
Crnopac (SE part of the Velebit massif in Conservation Department in Zadar (Croatia)) (Figures 1A,B), the Cerovacke Caves represent a network of subhorizontal hydrologically inactive cave channels (Figures 2A,B) in today’s vadose zone
The first part of the channel is dominated by a set of fractures with Dinaric orientation (∼130°–310°), the middle part by a set of fractures with meridional orientation (∼0°–180°), and the last part is the most influential by the set of fractures with orientation of ∼100°–280°
Summary
Situated in the locus typicus of the Dinaric karst (Zupan Hajna, 2019) within the NE slopes of Mt. Crnopac (SE part of the Velebit massif in Croatia) (Figures 1A,B), the Cerovacke Caves represent a network of subhorizontal hydrologically inactive cave channels (Figures 2A,B) in today’s vadose zone. There are three Cerovacke caves, namely Lower, Middle and Upper Cerovacka Cave (LCC, MCC and UCC). LCC was discovered in 1913 (Malez, 1956, 1958) during the construction of the railroad. The caves have been the focus of research for many speleologists and other geoscientists ever since. Because of the scientific interest, as well as exploitation interest related to the geo-heritage and tourist potential of the cave, intensive cave surveying was conducted, combined with paleontological and archaeological excavations. That research gave insight into the rich cave history, as evidenced by
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