The role that fractures play for karst development has been widely described, most particularly the generation of preferential flow pathways. alignments between and features, such as conduits dolines, occur in various regions where rock is prone to diaclase or tectonic history imprints fracture patterns facilitate dissolution. However, studies specifically linking orientation features are largely descriptive. A quantitative analysis geometries their interconnection required before modeling...

Karst aquifers, characterised by extensive and intricate conduit networks, serve a critical role in groundwater flow contaminant transport. These natural systems exhibit complex geometrical features, including branching conduits, variations cross-sectional shape, significant wall roughness (k/D≈10-1). Such heterogeneity makes it challenging to understand predict patterns, friction losses, the onset of turbulent behaviour karst environments. Accurate characterisation dynamics at...

Abstract. Ice caves are, similar to mountain glaciers, threatened by the warming climate. To better understand response of perennial ice in a changing climate, we analysed thermal characteristics sag-type cave Austrian Alps (Hundsalm cave), based on long-term temperature measurements for period 2008–2021. Observations show trend all parts as well distinct seasonal pattern with two main regimes, i.e., an open (winter) and closed (summer) period. During period, persistent stable stratification...

ABSTRACT Caves containing perennial ice deposits make up a little-known, but emerging part of the cryosphere under increasing scrutiny from scientific community. M-17, sag-type cave opening at 1879 m asl in Tolminski Migovec massif Julian Alps (NW Slovenia) contains underground deposit whose paleoclimate sensitivity is poorly understood and longevity current climate change risk. The past mass balance this constrained using wood macro-remains embedded ice. Accelerator spectrometry radiocarbon...

Abstract Mid-latitude alpine caves preserve a record of past solid precipitation during winter, locally spanning several centuries to millennia. Dating organic macro-remains trapped in ice layers allows the determination timing and duration periods positive negative mass balance. We present here largest comparative study cave sites yet published, using Bayesian age-modelling on database comprising 107 radiocarbon dates, spread over eight Austrian Alps. show that balance coincide with glacier...

Abstract. Ice caves are, similar to mountain glaciers, threatened by the warming climate. To better understand response of perennial ice in a changing climate, we analysed thermal characteristics sag-type cave Austrian Alps (Hundsalm cave), based on long-term temperature measurements for period 2008–2021. Observations show trend all parts as well distinct seasonal pattern with two main regimes, i.e. an open (winter) and closed (summer) period. During period, persistent stable stratification...

The 116 km-long and 1560 m-deep Hirlatzhöhle is one of the major cave systems in Northern Calcareous Alps (NCA; Austria). It located NW part Dachstein, an extensive karst massif encompassing 576 km² with its highest point at 2995 m a.s.l. In contrast to most other caves NCA, comprises old (epi)phreatic passages up 1 km above base level as well two modern drainage systems. aim this study define palaeo- active flow conditions combination speleogenesis, age levels Hirlatzhöhle. We use...

Hypogene karst caves, formed independently of surface processes, have garnered increasing attention in recent decades, revealing a wider distribution than previously assumed. While most studies relied on morphological observations, this research combines and geochemical approaches to present new insights from the Obir caves Northern Karawank Mountains, Austria. These caverns, discovered during mining activities, lack natural entrances developed along prominent master horizon about 500 m...

<p>Mid-latitude, cave-hosted temperate ice is increasingly scrutinised for its palaeoclimatic potential. Findings of dendrochronologically dated wood trunks and radiometrically woody macrofossils demonstrate that underground accumulations records may locally span several millenia. The cave geometries conducive to firn accumulation were additionally shown favour the preservation a winter signal, making an attractive complementary archive existing largely summer-biased proxy...

<p>The Last Interglacial (LIG, ~130–116 ka) was one of the warmest interglacials past 800,000 years. Although orbital configuration different, LIG is a useful test bed for future Holocene, because archives have higher preservation potential and can be dated at much precision than older interglacials, e.g. Marine Isotope Stage 11. Speleothems are among most important terrestrial to study climate LIG. Only few well-dated such studies, however, been published Europe...

Abstract Mid-latitude alpine caves preserve a record of past solid precipitation during winter, locally spanning several centuries to millennia. Dating organic macro-remains trapped in ice layers allows the determination timing and duration periods positive negative mass balance. We present here largest comparative study cave sites yet published, using Bayesian age-modelling on database comprising 107 radiocarbon dates, spread over eight Austrian Alps. show that balance coincide with glacier...