The Cyrilka Cave—the longest crevice-type cave in Czechia: structural controls, genesis and age

Abstract

The Cyrilka Cave is the second longest pseudokarst cave and the longest crevice-type cave in Czechia. Developed within the headscarp area of a deep-seated landslide, the cave became a focus of scientific research in recent years when new passages were discovered. Structural analysis provided a general tectonic plan of the cave, as well as more detailed data on geometry and kinematics of the relaxed rock massif. The primary structure of NNE- to ENE-striking bedding is broken by a system of NNE-striking fissures interconnected by two continuous ENE-striking dextral fracture zones. Abundant signs of recent sinistral strike-slips within the rock massif represent a bold structural feature of the cave. Along with DEM imaging and a detailed survey of the cave, 2-D and 3-D ERT measurements completed an image of the main predispositions and revealed the internal structure of the slope deformation. These measures also detected unknown crevices above the existing headscarp, which indicate the retrograde evolution of the landslide. Methodologically, we used the 3-D electrical resistivity tomography in the incoherent sedimentary flysch rocks for the first time. Based on radiocarbon dating of the stalactite core, the minimum age of the cave is up to 19,900 ± 280 cal BP, which is the oldest age detected in the area of the Outer Flysch Carpathians so far; we thoroughly discuss further indirect evidence indicating a probable Late Pleistocene age of the cave.