Geological Conditions - Factor of Origin of Two Different Cave Systems in Two Adjacent Valleys (the Demänovská Valley and the Jánska Valley, the Low Tatras, Slovakia)

Two adjacent karst valleys, Demänovská and Jánska, exhibit distinct cave systems despite similar geomorphological and hydrological conditions. The Demänovská Cave system, spanning over 30 km, forms a continuous, navigable network within the eastern slope of its valley, while the Jánska Valley's caves, also exceeding 30 km in total length, are fragmented and lack interconnections despite proven underground space continuity. This divergence is attributed to underlying geological structures: Demänovská Valley lies on a monocline of the Krížňanský nappe, whereas Jánska Valley is part of the tectonically complex Chočský nappe. Both systems develop primarily in Middle Triassic Gutenstein Limestones, highlighting how structural geology influences karst formation.

Marušin, M. (2016). Geological Conditions - Factor of Origin of Two Different Cave Systems in Two Adjacent Valleys (the DemäŠnovskᇠValley and the J‡ánska Valley, the Low Tatras, Slovakia). Acta Carsologica, 32(1). https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v32i1.368