The NSS Bulletin - ISSN 1090-6924
Volume 56 Number 1: 14-22 - June 1994

A publication of the National Speleological Society

Caves in Conglomerate, Köprüçay Basin; Western Taurids - Turkey
M. Degirmeci, C.S. Bayari, C. Denizman, and T. Kurttas

Abstract

Speleologic and hydrogeologic properties of the Kuruköprü and Honazdeligi caves developed in Miocene aged karstic Köprüçay Conglomerate were studied in detail. More than 90 percent of both the constituents and the cement of the conglomerate is composed of carbonate. Vertical or sub-vertical fractures and joints, remarkably high amount of precipitation, dense vegetation cover and lateral lithologic changes were found to be responsible for the development of the caves. It also was observed that the mechanical erosion preceded by chemical weathering is the primary control in development of the conglomerate caves. The shape of the cave passages are dominated by both structural features and lithologic difference. Fractures and joints control the direction of the passages while interlayering between conglomerates, sandstones and shales is primarily responsible for ceiling breakdowns and changes in base level. Chemical and isotopic data indicate that the groundwater circulating through the caves is a shallow, local origin.

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