Cross-formational flow, diffluence and transfluence observed in St. Beatus Cave and Sieben Hengste (Switzerland)

Abstract

Observations in St. Beatus Cave and neighbouring caves revealed complex water flow paths that can be used for explaining thebehaviour of tracing experiments. The observations prove that even in vadose conditions, cross-formational flow, diffluences andtransfluences are a quite common feature. Therefore, also karst in the vadose zone has a very complex organisation.