Links between the surface morphogenesis and caves in the Upper Soca (Isonzo) Valley
The aim of the paper is to discuss some locations of the caves, morphology of the cavesand their development in relation to the surface morphogenesis and particularly, the impact of Pleistocene glaciation.
Great progress has been made in speleological researches in the Upper Soca Valley in recent years especially on the southern sides of the Kanin Mt.
Some extremely deep caves have been explored which has also offered new prospects for the scientific researches of the Kanin karst with its cave.
Yet, this research work is only at this beginning because the cave exploration are still going on. If these speleological exploration continue with the current intensity new discoveries of extremely deep caves will be expected. Some additional, useful items of information can thus be provided which might support the thorough scientific explanations.
Nevertheless the earliest speleoIogical researches performed on the Slovenian side of the Kanin Mts., when some 200 caves were explored between 1963 and 1976, provided interesting indications of cave grouping in certain areas.
A typical grouping of caves was found on the lower margin of the kanin high plateau at the altitude between 1?00 and 1900 m. This grouping might be the result of the Kanin glaciers, or the locations of one of their retreat stages wich reached this region with their lowers end only.
Similar conclusion - i.e. the link between the number of caves and their depths, and the lower end of the glacier retreat stage with its meltwaters - can be drawn case of the Great Crnela Cave (Grande Sbrego) in the upper part of the Goricica Plateau, in the eastern Kanin Mts. where a whole system of terminal morains was found.
Thus, the location of the above mentioned cave in the vicinity of the giacier retreat stage could not be accidental; it is a possible result of the corrosion activity meltwaters.