Paleokarst and Caves of Velebit Mt., Dinaric karst of Croatia

In the Caves of North Velebit Mt. vertical shaft and meander morphology of vadose origin is largely prevailing, which points to single continuous phase of their speleogenesis. However, origin of large chambers, which are found in some of the Caves is not clear. They are strongly modified by collapse processes, and are possibly inherited features from the former phases of karstification, later incorporated to present caves. Other possible fragments of paleo cave levels above present epiphreatic zone are very scarce and uncertain. In the contrast to North Velebit Caves, in the most southern part of Velebit Mt. some of the largest known Dinaric karst multilevel caves are present. They are of complex origin with few paleo(epi)phreatic levels, connected with the surface by the younger invasive vadose shafts. However, detailed study of speleogenesis chronology of the Velebit Mt. Caves haven`t been conducted yet, which can be stated also for the rest of Dinaric karst area in Croatia.