The Monti Berici: guide of the fieldtrip

Abstract

The Monti Berici plateau is the most southern karst morpho-unit of the Southern Alps and represents a peculiar type of karst. The analysis of its topography, the identification of a «morphostratigraphy» based on the relicts of planation surfaces and on the different types of fluvial forms, the recognition of the few elements of chronological significance present in this context, allow for the delineation of a preliminary model of the geomorphological evolution of this mountain group. The main geomorphological types are of fluvial origin and have been influenced not only by the climatic changes, but also by the tectonic uplifting and/or by changes of the base level. The karst landforms have mostly evolved on the relict fluvial forms or in the context of relatively inactive fluvial forms. The age of the main forms extends over a very long time span, probably in the order of 15 millions years. The preservation of very old forms can be explained by the peculiar geomorphological environment, which was not affected by glacial erosion during the Pleistocene. The comparison between the evolution models of several karst morpho-units in the Southern Alps helps to understand the differences in their geomorphological styles.