Geology, geography and global energy

Scientific and Technical Journal

Karst grottoes allocations near lake Baskunchak district

2014. №1, pp. 178-188

Golovachev Ilya V. - C.Sc. in Geography, Astrakhan State University, 16 Tatishcev st., Astrakhan, 414025, Russian Federation,, bask_speleo@mail.ru

Golovachyova Ekaterina I. - Student, Astrakhan State University, 16 Tatishcev st., Astrakhan, 414025, Russian Federation,, pravosolnza@mail.ru

On the basis of own field observations in this article it is indicated the typification and characterization of karst grottoes located in the vicinity of Lake Baskunchak. The karst topography of the surrounding area of Lake Baskunchak mainly composed of surface (saucers, funnels, basins, etc.) and underground karst (karst fissures, wells, caves, etc.). But there are also some very interesting transitional forms from the surface to the underground karst forms. They are called the karst grottoes. In karst and cave exploring the term "grotto" means many meanings, including: a cavity in the rock, whose length is less than the projective width and height of the entrance. For karst topography, formed in the vicinity of the lake Baskunchak, grottoes are not typical and numerous. Karst grottoes in this area can be divided into two types. Grottoes of the first type are usually relict forms formed as a result of the collapse of underground cavities. They became isolated and have no further continuation of the cave. Grottoes of this type may be located either in the local surface karst forms (funnel and depression), or they can placed in the linear forms of relief - karst erosion gullies. Grottoes of the second type - are entrance parts of caves, having a width and height bigger than that of the further progress of the cave. Visually stands out well advanced entrance part of the cave, followed by a narrowed part of it. Either entrance grotto rests on the boulder choke, among which there are passages in the further part of the cave.

Key words: sulfate karst,karst terrain,karst grot,entrance grot,karst cave,vicinity of Lake Baskunchak,Baskunchakskay cave,

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