Role of epiphreatic flow and soutirages in conduit morphogenesis: the Bärenschacht example (BE, Switzerland)

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Publication Date

January 2003

Publication Title

Zeitschruft fur Geomorphologie

Volume Number

47

Issue Number

2

Abstract

Observations in the deep parts of Bärenschacht allow the linksage of two existing theories about cave genesis (Ford & Ewers 1978, Audra 1994). The transition from vadose canyon to phreatic tube is not observed at the perennial karstwater table, but at the floodwater table. The galleries below all show phreatic morphology despite temporary vadose flow. Therefore, the boundaries of the distinct phases of cave genesis are inclined. In low-water situation, the looping galleries empty through the so-called soutirages. These form through corrosion along discontinuities and are generally found in the epiphreatic realm. The water flowing through the soutirages reaches the perennial watertable and then the spring. It seems possible that the model presented here is also valid for non-alpine caves

Keywords

Cave Genesis, Epiphreatic Flow, Soutirages, Conduit Morphogenesis, Bärenschacht, Switzerland

Geographic Subject

Switzerland

Document Type

Article

Language

English

Identifier

SFS0055901_00001

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