Evolution of Karst in the Lower Part of Crna Reka River Basin

§This thesis addresses karst development in a terrain characterized by a highly complex geological and geomorphological evolution. It tackles the extent and complexity of both epigenic and hypogenic karst development, based on morphological analyses of caves, combined with analyses and dating of cave sediments and their correlation to regional geological and geomorphological evolution.§§Hypogenic karst is mainly the result of hydrothermal speleogenesis due to an increased geothermal gradient in connection with nearby Pliocene-Pleistocene volcanic centers, involving sulfuric acid speleogenesis and ghost-rock weathering due to local geological or lithological control. Epigenic speleogenesis is strongly controlled by base level oscillations, with some deep phreatic (now fossil) caves connected to regional base level rise, and per-ascensum speleogenesis.§§Another important finding is the exact dating of the Mariovo Lake draining in the Pleistocene, an important event in connection with the geomorphological evolution in Macedonia, as it led to the onset of fluvial development and incision of valleys, shaping most of the present morphology.§