Dumas, D. 2004. La grotte d'Alisadr: un témoin exceptionnel de l'évolution morphologique du Zagros ( Iran ). [ Cave of Alisadr : a geomorphological site of outstanding interect in the Zagros Mountains of Iran ] Karstologia 43. ISSN 0751-7688 The tourist cave of Alisadr, located on the eastern boundaries of the Zagros Mountains, is the biggest subsurface cave visited in Iran. Most part of the karstic underground galleries are permanently filled with water: on the sides of the galleries former water table levels are indicated by numerous calcareous sinters. The sub-surface karst has preserved numerous relics and paleoenvironmental residual deposits which show the geomorphological karstic development. Dating of the three conspicuous calcareous levels in the cave and that of the surface basaltic mesa, to be established a few kilometres from the cave enable a chronology the stages of karstic evolution. The place of pre-quaternary vestiges in the landscapes of this country is also determined. For example, no typical landform of glacial erosion has been identified. The current karstic denudation rate is about 3 mm/Ky. The geomorphological evolution of surface and sub-surface landforms during the Quaternary is shown and deduced from the processes which have led to breccia formations in calcareous rocks. Keywords: karst, karstogenesis, speleogenesis, hydrogeology, endokarstic fillings, endokarstic morphology, Alisadr cave, Zagros, Iran.
Bichain, J-M., Boudsocq, C. et Prié V. 2004. Les mollusques souterrains du réseau karstique de Padirac ( Lot , France ) et micro-répartition de Bythinella padiraci Locard, 1903 (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda, Rissooidea). [Subterranean mollusks of the karstic network of Padirac (France, Lot ) and micro-distribution of Bythinella padiraci Locard, 1903 (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda, Rissooidea)]. Karstologia 43. ISSN 0751-7688 During a Padirac expedition in November 2003, about ten biological samplings were carried out in the deep karstic network. The first aim of this biospeological mission was to update the data on stygobites mollusks in this subterranean ecosystem. The results show that Bythinella padiraci Locard, 1903, species listed as vulnerable in the 2004 IUCN world Red List of threatened animals, although absent in the upstream part of the Padirac subterranean river, is present in its downstream part after the D é versoir and in the De Joly affluent. An hydrobioid belonging to the genus Islamia was recorded as a component of the stygobiontic biocenose of Padirac as well as Moitessieria rolandiana Bourguignat, 1863. In addition, 3 epigean freshwaters mollusks were observed alive in the deep network, Potamopyrgus antipodarum, Ancylus fluviatilis, Pisidium sp. as well as a terrestrial mollusk, Discus rotundatus. Keywords: Gouffre de Padirac, biospeology, subterranean snails, hydrobioids, Bythinella padiraci, Islamia sp., Moitessieria rolandiana.
Havron, C., Quinif, Y. et Vandycke S. 2004. Tectonique et karstification Le cas de la région de Han-sur-Lesse (Belgique). [Tectonics and karst in the Han-sur-Lesse area ( Luxembourg province, Belgium )]. Karstologia 43. ISSN 0751-7688 The structure of four limestone massifs around Han-sur-Lesse ( Belgium ) has been studied with the aim of understanding the relationship between karst and tectonics. In the massifs of Han and Wellin, a swallow-hole – resurgence system is observed, on the contrary of Grignaux-Turmont and Resteigne massifs. The structural analysis involves a geometric study of tectonic objects as the faults or the joints, to establish the structural evolution of the massif. With such an analysis, it is possible to describe more accurately the relationships between the tectonic evolution of a massif and its speleogenesis defined by the presence of a structured endokarstic hydrosystem. A study of the karstified joints' directions has showed that the karstogenesis developed during two successive stages. Indeed, we can observe that the Han tectonic network is mainly structured according to two directions: the first one – N50°E – N65°E – was caused by a Mesozoïc extensional tectonic stage, without any hydrodynamic potential. It induced a ghost-rock karstification. The second one – N140°E – is due to another tectonic extensional stage during the Cenozoïc; this second stage, in relation with the Ardennes uplift is combined with the appearance of a hydraulic gradient, which allows the structuring of karstic systems. The hydraulic gradient together with the extensional tectonics lead to the karstification of Han and Wellin massifs. Keywords: karstification, tectonics, morpho-structural analysis, Han-sur-Lesse cave, Belgium .
Guendon, J-L., Ambert, P., Quinif, Y., Baumes, B., Colomer, A., Dainat, D., Galant Ph., Gruneisen, A. et Gruneisen, N. 2004. Ages et modalités des incursions humaines et animales préhistoriques dans l'étage Cathala de la grotte d'Aldène ( Hérault , France ) Apport des analyses sédimentologiques et géochronologiques. [Chronologies and means of prehistoric human and animal frequentations into Aldène cave, Cathala level (Hérault, France). Sedimentology and geochronology studies]. Karstologia 43. ISSN 0751-7688 The Aldène cave forms a long network of galleries on four levels. Only the first two of these contain prehistoric vestiges. Superior level (Bousquet storey) presents a Lower Palaeolithic stratigraphy in the porch (Barral et Simone, 1972, Simone et al., 2002). It contained also, in the deep areas, a thick filling of clays and speleothems with bear bones, intensively quarried during the 19th and 20th centuries for phosphate ore. These workings allowed to discover the second level (Cathala storey) and, in these news galleries, human footprints trail with sooty marks on the walls, numerous animal paw prints, hyena coprolites, scratches and nests made by bears (Cathala, 1949). After study establishing mesolithic age of human footprints (8 200 ± 130 BP, 7 790 ± 60 BP) and anteriority of animal passages (Ambert et al., 2000), researchs were directed on sedimentological and geochronological study (U/Th dating of speleothem). First, the age of the last animal presences in the second level of Aldène was precised, between 41 500 BP to 25 000 BP. Second, means and chronologies of closing of the prehistoric entrance of Cathala storey were revealed. The actual access in these galleries is only an artificial entrance opened up for phosphate mining. It begins by a «cat-flap» and shafts about twenty meters high. The access used by prehistoric humans and animals is completely obstructed by a very important boulder choke with speleothems interstratified, situated in North part of Cathala gallery.
The studies of this boulder choke showed three principal phases of closing of this primitif access: - a first collapse of the roof during Middle Pleistocene;
- an important bedded rock-fragments produced by frost shattering of primitif entrance porch, which filled principal gallery during periglacial stades of the Upper Pleistocene;
- and a second roof collapse, during holocene. The burnt pieces of brand left on the ground allowed to recognize the last narrow passage taken by the Mesolithic humans before this last collaps finally obstructing this entrance.
Keywords: Palaeo-speleology, prehistory, human and animal traces, upper Pleistocene, Holocene, speleothem, U/Th dating, AMS 14C, Aldène cave, Hérault , France .
Dandurand G. 2004. Le paysage karstique du versant sud de la montagne de Lure ( Alpes-de-Haute-Provence , France ). [Karstic landscape on the south face of Lure range ( Alpes-de-Haute-Provence , France )]. Karstologia 43. ISSN 0751-7688 The karstic landscape of the «Montagne de Lure» seems neither attractive nor spectacular. Karstic forms are badly developed; sinks are small and filled in with red clays. Caves are narrow and their size doesn't enable man to visit them. Only the «aven des Cèdres» reaches 172 m deep. Still, it's a major contradiction that surface runoff observed in the area are thin and as poor as karstic shapes. Infiltration and subterranean water circulations are fast. No exhaustive inventory, nor precise study about Lure range's karsts have been published yet. Perhaps due to the mediocrity of their superficial and subterranean shapes, or perhaps in the benefit of the more spectacular karstic landscapes of the «Plateau d' Albion », to the west part of studied area! Still, the main problem about Lure range is the question of the relation with the «Fontaine de Vaucluse» and maybe with any others springs in Durance valley. Finally, the progression of woods at the end of 19th century and at the beginning of 20th century, then the increase of population since 1970's, created a lot of environmental disfunctions, which require a specific management. But karstic shapes are unexploited; protection or valorisation plans don't exist, when interrogation about the future of biological and landscape diversity is at the top. These reasons give a particular interest to the karst landscape of the south face of the «Montagne de Lure». Keywords: Mediterranean and mountain karst, karstic landscape, Fontaine de Vaucluse, Lure range, Durance river.
Flandin, J-L., Martin, M-P., et Mettetal, J-P. 2004. Recherches sur le karst de l'Alpe du Lauzet Massif des Cerces, Hautes-Alpes: Le tracage du gouffre du Clót des Vaches. [Studies of the Alpe du Lauzet range ( Hautes-Alpes , France ) : Dye-tracing in the Clót des Vaches cave]. Karstologia 43. ISSN 0751-7688 The discovery, in 2002, of the Clót des Vaches Cave and its sinkhole gave us the idea to look for possible emergences and to use tracers in order to identify part of the underground circulation of the Alpe du Lauzet Range. This successful endeavour confirmed the hypothesis of a hydrological communication with the springs of Alpe du Lauzet. Hence we warned the owners of chalets and cabins about the possibility of contaminated spring water. A link with the springs of Plan Chevalier remains possible, but a lot less direct and fast. Keywords: karst, springs, emergences, water tracing, Briancon area, Cerces, Brèyére Ridge, Clót des Vaches. |
