Geomorphological characteristics of karst on contact between limestone and dolomite in Slovenia

With this research geomorphological characteristics of karst on contact between limestone and dolomite in Slovenia will be researched. Almost a half of Slovenia’s bedrock is represented by carbonate rocks, mainly limestones and dolomites and in some cases the two change across very short distances. On lithological contact so-called contact karst with its typical relief landforms occurs. In Slovenia contact karst on contact between carbonate and non-carbonate rocks has been thoroughly studied by many authors but contact karst on contact between limestones and dolomites has not yet been systematically researched. The basic geomorphological characteristics and typical landforms of contact karst on contact between limestone and dolomite in Slovenia will be determined. On selected sample areas geological, morphological and hydrological characteristics of the contact and geomorphological processes which influence the development of contact karst as well as typical features will be analysed. As karst is a dynamic system influenced by numerous physiochemical processes the basic processes which occur and influence the studied type of contact karst will be researched. Both morphological and speleological development as well as the age of developed surface landforms will be taken into account.