Morphological patterns of crevice-type caves in sedimentary rocks of the Outer Western Carpathians (Czech Republic)

Abstract

I evaluate crevice-type caves in the Outer Western Carpathians from the morphological point of view at different scales, from the overall arrangement of cave passages within the massif, to their shape and finally to the micro-morphological features of their walls and ceilings, using examples from the Czech part of the Carpathians. The cave passages are typically parallel to and follow the strike of the slope, but the passages of relatively large caves are typically fan-like arranged. Vertically, the passages are organized at particular levels governed by lithology. They can be staircase-shifted with each other. The gradual opening of the uppermost level may lead to deformation of the surface terrain, however, this terrain can be entirely flat, which gives evidence of the gravitational widening of the caves from the inside of the massif. In cross-section, the passages are A, V, or H letter shaped, according to the type of gravitational movement leading to their development. The various micromorphological features that originate from sedimentology, tectonics, gravitational processes, and mechanical and chemical weathering sometimes mark the exposed walls and ceilings.