Recent landform evolution in Slovenia

Abstract

Slovenia is the locus classicus of karst phenomena and karst -geomorphology is the most intensively practiced branch. According to their general morphology, hydrology and evolution, Alpine karst, isolated karst, and Dinaric karst are distinguished. New measurement techniques revealed changes in the intensity of corrosion, for example, a reduction in intensity in many caves at the Pleistocene/Holocene boundary. The study of unroofed caves provided information on the dynamics of karst systems. Fluvial geomorphic processes are also intensive. Landslide hazard is the greatest in the alpine region, where surfaces susceptible to landslides cover one fifth of the area. In spite of intensive postglacial erosion, some traces of Pleistocene glacial and periglacial processes are still found in the Slovenian Alps and Dinaric Mountains.