Organisation: Karst research Institute ZRC SAZU

Contact: Bojan Otoničar; otonicar@zrc-sazu.si

Homepage: http://iks.zrc-sazu.si/en/index.html

Since 1993, International Karstological Schools (IKS) have been organised by Karst research Institute ZRC SAZU, covering many aspects of karst research. The basic idea of the School has been to present the state of the art in selected topics and promote discussion between participants via set of lectures, poster sessions and related field trips to the area of Slovene Classical karst. This year, the School will be primary focused on paleokarst, i.e. karst developed largely or entirely during past karst periods and completely decoupled from the present hydrogeochemical system.

Paleokarst studies could contribute to better understanding of some metal and non-metal ore deposits, aquifers, reservoirs, eustatic vs. tectonic changing of relative sea-level, past climate, geotectonics etc. Thus, to investigate and understand paleokarst, knowledge of a wide range of scientific disciplines, like karstology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, hydrogeology, structural geology, geotectonics, pedology, climatology etc., should be considered and vice versa, paleokarst studies have direct application to karstologists, geologists, sedimentologists, stratigraphers, hydrogeologists, oil and gas professionals, civil engineers, land managers and planers…

Topics that will be covered:

• paleokarst (hydrogeology, chemistry, geology and forms);
• similarities and distinctions between paleokarst and karstic or non-karstic features that are commonly misinterpreted as paleokarst;
• metallic and non-metallic resources related to paleokarst;
• paleokarst as a sequence boundary.