Morphometric, structural and kinematic data of the Isverna karst system, SW Southern Carpathians (Romania)

Description

The study of caves and karst is important because it may provide detailed information on the geologic structure and tectonic evolution of orogenic systems. The highly arcuate belt of the Southern Carpathians resulted from multi-stage tectonic evolution, including thrusting, nappe stacking, extension, and strike-slip deformation. Isverna karst system developed between two minor subparallel dextral strike-slip faults (Brebina and Isverna-Ponoarele), adjacent to the Cerna-Jiu master fault. The study of the most important two caves in this system, Isverna and Ascunsă, allowed the reconstruction of a more refined evolutionary framework of this shear zone using 3D models. The dataset contains microtectonic measurements of fractures, cave passage orientations, Riedel shears geometry, and kinematic data (faults, stretching lineation and S-C foliation of tectonic mélange, and calcite slickenfibers). Structural and kinematic data collected from field measurements were processed in Stereonet and TectonicsFP software packages. The doline morphometry data was generated in ArcGIS Pro software, and mainly shows the area and the long axis of dolines, which can be correlated to faults and fractures.

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