A genetic classification of caves and its application in eastern Austria
A genetic classification of caves and its application in eastern Austria (in Advances in karst research; theory, fieldwork and applications, M. Parise (editor), F. Gabrovsek (editor), G. Kaufmann (editor) and N. Ravbar (editor))
Special Publication - Geological Society of London (January 2018) 466 (1): 121-136
- Alps
- applications
- Austria
- Bohemian Massif
- Burgenland Austria
- caves
- Central Europe
- classification
- concepts
- data bases
- data processing
- Eastern Alps
- erosion
- erosion features
- Europe
- genesis
- geomorphology
- karst
- landform evolution
- landforms
- Lower Austria
- mass movements
- mechanical weathering
- solution features
- speleology
- statistical distribution
- Styria Austria
- Upper Austria
- Vienna Austria
- weathering
Based on existing classifications of caves that often involve descriptive terms, a classification is presented that is based purely on genetic processes. An attribute key is developed that allows the classification of caves by means of cave maps, photographs and reports. This method is applied to a dataset of 6007 caves in a study area in eastern Austria. The area comprises diverse geological units of the Eastern Alps and the southern Bohemian Massif. A total of 94% of the caves could be classified with the surprising result that mechanical weathering and erosion caves are almost as common as solution caves even though the vast majority of caves are developed in carbonate rocks. Field checks confirmed the result and showed that the error is acceptable. The classified caves can also be used as indicator of natural phenomena like gravitational mass movements or vulnerable karst areas by decision-makers non-specialized in cave genesis.
