Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines

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Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines: A Unique Geological Phenomenon

The Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023, presents a unique geological phenomenon that has been captivating scientists for centuries. Situated within the Apennine Mountains, this region spans approximately 1,200 kilometers along the Italian Peninsula, making it one of the longest mountain ranges in Europe.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

This serial property is an unusually well-preserved and extensive epigenic gypsum karst terrain. It includes a very high density of caves: over 900 caves in a relatively small area, with over 100 km of caves in total. It is the first and the best studied evaporitic karst in the world, with academic work beginning in the 16th century. It also includes some of the deepest gypsum caves in existence, reaching 265 meters below the surface.

Encyclopedia Record: Apennine Mountains

The Apennines or Apennine Mountains are a mountain range consisting of parallel smaller chains extending c. 1,200 km (750 mi) the length of peninsular Italy. In the northwest they join the Ligurian Alps at Altare. In the southwest they end at Reggio di Calabria, the coastal city at the tip of the peninsula. Since 2000 the Environment Ministry of Italy, following the recommendations of the Apennines Park of Europe Project, has defined the Apennines System to include the mountains of north Sicily, a total distance of 1,500 kilometres (930 mi). The system forms an arc enclosing the east of the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas.

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