Structural and lithological control on speleogenesis in the Peroloch Abyss, Asiago, Veneto

The Peroloch Abyss is a karst cave on the Asiago Plateau. The first speleological exploration of the cave took place in the 1980s. At the time, the cave was only known to extend 200 metres underground. Recently, however, speleological investigations have resumed, enabling the discovery of a narrow fissure which has doubled the size of the cave and expanded its planimetric development. These new findings have raised questions regarding speleogenesis, tectonics, stratigraphy and groundwater flow through the cave system. This thesis presents the outcomes of a brief field campaign which used CARG survey maps, GIS, 3D cave survey models and photogrammetric imaging, as well as an in situ survey of the main structural and lithological features which control the speleogenesis of the abyss. The investigation focused on the geomorphological study of a 5 km² area around the cave entrance has the aim of improving our understanding of karst phenomena and the relationship between surface features such as regional and local faults and folds, and cave shafts, horizontal passages and chambers. The results demonstrate that the development of the cave is strictly controlled by the main geological structures within a specific area of the ramp anticline of Monte Zebio.