International Journal of Speleology (Jul 2017)

Evaporite karst in Italy: a review

  • Jo De Waele,
  • Leonardo Piccini,
  • Andrea Columbu,
  • Giuliana Madonia,
  • Marco Vattano,
  • Chiara Calligaris,
  • Ilenia D’Angeli,
  • Mario Parise,
  • Mauro Chiesi,
  • Michele Sivelli,
  • Bartolomeo Vigna,
  • Luca Zini,
  • Veronica Chiarini,
  • Francesco Sauro,
  • Russell Drysdale,
  • Paolo Forti

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5038/1827-806X.46.2.2107
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 46, no. 2
pp. 137 – 168

Abstract

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Although outcropping rarely in Italy, evaporite (gypsum and anhydrite) karst has been described in detail since the early 20th century. Gypsum caves are now known from almost all Italian regions, but are mainly localised along the northern border of the Apennine chain (Emilia Romagna and Marche), Calabria, and Sicily, where the major outcrops occur. Recently, important caves have also been discovered in the underground gypsum mines in Piedmont. During the late 80s and 90s several multidisciplinary studies were carried out in many gypsum areas, resulting in a comprehensive overview, promoting further research in these special karst regions. More recent and detailed studies focused on the gypsum areas of Emilia-Romagna and Sicily. Sinkholes related to Permian-Triassic gypsum have been studied in Friuli Venezia Giulia. This article reviews the state of the art regarding different aspects of evaporite karst in Italy focusing on the main new results.

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