Speleogenesis in a lens of metamorphosed limestone and ankerite: Ochtiná Aragonite Cave, Slovakia

Ochtiná Aragonite Cave, located in the Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst UNESCO World Heritage Sites, showcases a unique speleogenetic process driven by the interaction between metamorphosed limestone (marbles) and ankerite within phyllites. The cave's maze-like structure, characterized by parallel fault-controlled passages and chambers, formed through phreatic and epiphreatic solution morphologies, including flat ceilings, facets, and convection cupola-shaped depressions. Magnetostratigraphy and U-series dating reveal that sediment deposition began before 1.8 million years ago, with slow accumulation rates indicating confined conditions and limited surface water influence. The study highlights the cave's complex geological history, including the corrosion of older aragonite generations during Late Pleistocene humid episodes and the presence of younger, uncorroded aragonite dating back to less than 13.5 thousand years.

Bella, P., Bosák, P., Pruner, P., Hercman, H., Pukanská, K., Bartoš, K., Gaál, Ľ., Haviarová, D., Tomčík, P., & Kdýr, Š. (2021). Speleogenesis in a lens of metamorphosed limestone and ankerite: Ochtiná Aragonite Cave, Slovakia. International Journal of Speleology, 51(1), 13–28. https://doi.org/10.5038/1827-806x.51.1.2397