Karst in Emilia Romagna region (N-Italy) is mainly developed in Messinian gypsum rocks that outcrop on less than 1% of the regional territory. The numerous epigenic caves that have been discovered in these rocks are believed to have formed in the last ten thousands of years, with some having started developing before the LGM. Remnants of intra-Messinian karst cycles have been discovered in both open pit and underground quarries, at Monticino (Vena del Gesso) and Zola Predosa (West of Bologna) respectively. At Monticino karstified fissures are filled with Upper Messinian sediments containing a rich association of vertebrates. These animals lived on the emerged and karstified gypsum outcrops. At Zola Predosa, instead, a rather extensive cave system, now completely filled with sediments, confirms that this karst cycle has lasted long enough to enable the formation of well-developed underground karst networks. The Intra-Messinian karst cycle was active at the beginning of the major tectonic events that have brought the gypsum ridges of Zola Predosa to incline for over 40º.
Dalmonte Claudio, De Waele Jo, Fornaciari Eliana, Pasini Giancarlo, Vaiani Stefano Claudio, Correale Carlo & Fabbri Francesco (2013). Intra-Messinian palaeokarst phenomena revealed in Messinian gypsum quarries in Emilia-Romagna (Italy). Bologna : Istituto Italiano di Speleologia.
Intra-Messinian palaeokarst phenomena revealed in Messinian gypsum quarries in Emilia-Romagna (Italy)
DE WAELE, JO HILAIRE AGNES;VAIANI, STEFANO CLAUDIO;
2013
Abstract
Karst in Emilia Romagna region (N-Italy) is mainly developed in Messinian gypsum rocks that outcrop on less than 1% of the regional territory. The numerous epigenic caves that have been discovered in these rocks are believed to have formed in the last ten thousands of years, with some having started developing before the LGM. Remnants of intra-Messinian karst cycles have been discovered in both open pit and underground quarries, at Monticino (Vena del Gesso) and Zola Predosa (West of Bologna) respectively. At Monticino karstified fissures are filled with Upper Messinian sediments containing a rich association of vertebrates. These animals lived on the emerged and karstified gypsum outcrops. At Zola Predosa, instead, a rather extensive cave system, now completely filled with sediments, confirms that this karst cycle has lasted long enough to enable the formation of well-developed underground karst networks. The Intra-Messinian karst cycle was active at the beginning of the major tectonic events that have brought the gypsum ridges of Zola Predosa to incline for over 40º.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
