Geological Setting

Abstract

The geomorphological and speleogenetic history of the investigated area depends to a great extent on the geodynamics of the marginal parts of the fold and thrust belt of the Dinaric orogene or the underthrusting of the Istrian Peninsula below the Dinaric range, especially from Middle Miocene on. In the process, mainly sedimentary rocks of the Mesozoic passive margin of the Adria-Apulian microplate and Paleogene synorogenic depositional areas have been included. Tectonically, the surroundings of the Glinščica valley with the Beka-Ocizla cave system lie at the border between the Istria–Friuli underthrust zone and the Čičarija anticlinorium. In the area of the Glinščica valley, the position of the caves depends on the alternation of carbonate and siliciclastic rocks, while the internal morphology of the cave passages is also controlled by numerous structural unconformities, such as faults, joints and bedding plane partings.