Nowe, godne ochrony jaskinie na Wyżynie Krakowsko-Wieluńskiej
Abstract
NEW CAVES IN THE CRACOW-MIECHÓW UPLAND (SOUTH POLAND) DESERVING OF PROTECTION
Summary
Two new large caves: Jama Ani Cave and Wierna Cave were discovered in the Cracow-Miechów Upland. Jama Ani Cave was discovered in January, 1988, while Wierna Cave was discovered in October, 1990. Both of them developed in the Lower Jurassic limestone. Jama Ani Cave is situated within Ojców National Park, about 20 km north of Cracow. The total length of the cave is about 150 m. There are many corrosive and erosional forms to be seen in the cave. These forms were developed in phreatic and vadose conditions. Some speleothems were discovered in the cave. The most significant of them are columns, stalagmites, deflected stalactites, other erratic speleothems, rimstone pools, cave pearls and moonmilk speleothems. Wierna Cave is located in the Wiercica valley, 30 km SE of Częstochowa. Its total length is 1027 m. It is the longest cave in the Cracow-Miechów Upland. Numerous speleothems have been discovered in this cave. The most significant are spindle-shaped stalactites, soda straw stalactites, rimstone pools, moonmilk speleothems, cave popcorn and cave pearls. The biggest pearl ever seen in Polish caves, 50 mm in diameter, was found in this cave. A complete skeleton of lynx covered by thick stalagmites was also found there. Both caves should be protected from destruction.
Summary
Two new large caves: Jama Ani Cave and Wierna Cave were discovered in the Cracow-Miechów Upland. Jama Ani Cave was discovered in January, 1988, while Wierna Cave was discovered in October, 1990. Both of them developed in the Lower Jurassic limestone. Jama Ani Cave is situated within Ojców National Park, about 20 km north of Cracow. The total length of the cave is about 150 m. There are many corrosive and erosional forms to be seen in the cave. These forms were developed in phreatic and vadose conditions. Some speleothems were discovered in the cave. The most significant of them are columns, stalagmites, deflected stalactites, other erratic speleothems, rimstone pools, cave pearls and moonmilk speleothems. Wierna Cave is located in the Wiercica valley, 30 km SE of Częstochowa. Its total length is 1027 m. It is the longest cave in the Cracow-Miechów Upland. Numerous speleothems have been discovered in this cave. The most significant are spindle-shaped stalactites, soda straw stalactites, rimstone pools, moonmilk speleothems, cave popcorn and cave pearls. The biggest pearl ever seen in Polish caves, 50 mm in diameter, was found in this cave. A complete skeleton of lynx covered by thick stalagmites was also found there. Both caves should be protected from destruction.