The development of gypsum karst in Northern Bukovyna in Late Pleistocene – Holocene

Abstract

Karst development in the northern part of Northern Bukovyna is controlled by lithology, geology, and tectonic settings, as well as cycles of chemically active water. We can determine the signs of karst development by the morphology of the cave passages, as well as by the available cave deposits (paleogeographic sights). Also, karst development is influenced by human economic activity, which has been started in this region at least since the Neolithic. The development of epigenic karst and karst denudation is still active in the territory, but its history in Late Pleistocene and Holocene should be traced after the karst sediments research. At present, it is enhanced by anthropogenic factors, in particular, economic development of the territory (ploughing, reduction of forests cove, runoff regulation etc.).