Speleogenesis of extensive underwater caves along the Gulf of Orosei (Central-East Sardinia).

The Gulf of Orosei (Central East Sardinia, Italy) is among the most important coastal karst areas of Italy and by far the most interesting for cave divers. Many important cave systems whose resurgences are often accessible for several kilometers have been explored in the area. The geomorphological observations made in the explored sections allow us to draw preliminary conclusions about their evolution. The development of these passages has clearly been influenced by a series of factors: 1) type (autigenic or allogenic) and amount of recharge; 2) hyperkarst in the salt-fresh water mixing zone; 3) Quaternary climate and sea level changes; 4) neotectonics and 5) Plio-Pleistocene volcanism.