Speleomorphology of M3-R2 – The highest cave in the SE Carpathians

Abstract

High-alpine caves are currently in the spotlight of research as they are host to speleothems, key recorders of Quaternary environmental change. Based on modern survey and analytical techniques, we investigated the karst morphology of M3-R2 Cave, the highest alpine cave in the Romanian Carpathians. Spatial modeling in Compass has shown survey details and cave morphology. We recalculated the main cave parameters (development/extension/depth), obtaining 47 m/21 m/-18.15 m, respectively. Slope ranges between 25° and 45°, with short passage segments of 5° to 10°. The cave developed at the intersection of a SW-dipping schistosity plan with two fracture sets, occurred under compression conditions. It is a remnant of a once longer cave system, which was progressively eroded under glacial conditions. Speleothem diversity is uncommonly rich for a marble cave, with dominant moonmilk formations, stalagmites and draperies. Due to its location/elevation, evolution and speleothems, this cave has a great potential in providing important paleoclimatic information compared to other karst landforms in South Carpathians.