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Abstract:

The most conspicuous karst formations uncovered at the bottom of morphologic depressions or uvalas along the motorway route include swallow holes and estavelles. Also uncovered during the construction were underground karrens and caves of exquisite shapes, situated at valley bottoms and often flooded by groundwater. They have a specific rock relief that, to the best of our knowledge, is now described for the first time. Old caves through which streams were once flowing testify to the lowering of the level of groundwater, which reaches the surface only in the lowest-lying valleys, and to probable tectonic dissection of the karst surface. A good part of the caves are filled with fine-grained sediment and have been transformed underneath it. The shaping of fissure caves, located predominantly along vertical fissures, can be defined as having occurred subterraneously. They exhibit features of a shallow, sediment-covered karst where groundwater is close to the surface. These features are not visible at first sight, but they become apparent at any encroachment on karst and should therefore be taken fully into account in any such activity in the future. Many karst formations, above all caves, underground karrens or stone forests, are worthy of protection and preservation.