España Speleothems in karstic caves beneath paleoglaciers in the Central Pyrenees

Authors

  • Miguel Bartolomé Úcar Departamento de Geología, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid - Swiss Institute for Speleology and Karst Studies (SISKA), La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland - Geological Institute, NO G59, Department of Earth Sciences, Sonneggstrasse 5, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Ánchel Belmonte-Ribas Sobrarbe-Pirineos UNESCO Global Geopark, Boltaña, Huesca
  • Reyes Giménez Departamento de Procesos Geoambientales y Cambio Global, Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC), Zaragoza
  • Mario Bielsa Geological Institute, NO G59, Department of Earth Sciences, Sonneggstrasse 5, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Gerard Cazenave Société de Spéléologie et de Préhistoire des Pyrénées Occidentales (SSPPO), Pau, France
  • Ana Moreno Departamento de Procesos Geoambientales y Cambio Global, Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC), Zaragoza

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55407/geogaceta108619

Keywords:

glaciation, speleothem, sulfur, Pyrenees, cave

Abstract

We explore the potential of various caves and karst systems of the Central Pyrenees (Lecherines-Collarada-Monte Perdido-Escuaín-Vignemale-Cotiella-Aneto-Maladeta) that could host speleothems that grew in karstic caves under glaciated areas. The requirements for the formation of speleothems in caves under areas covered by ice are: i) warm-based glaciers and ii) the presence of sulfides in the host rock. Springs and drip water were analysed to measure the presence of sulfates. Also, the presence of gypsum speleothems, pyrite, or other sulfides in the caves has been explored. Speleological observations, geological descriptions, and hydrochemical analyses have allowed the identification of caves and karst systems that may host these types of subglacial cave speleothems.

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Published

2025-06-20

How to Cite

Bartolomé Úcar, M., Belmonte-Ribas, Ánchel, Giménez, R., Bielsa, M., Cazenave, G., & Moreno, A. (2025). España Speleothems in karstic caves beneath paleoglaciers in the Central Pyrenees. GEOGACETA, 77, 71–74. https://doi.org/10.55407/geogaceta108619

Issue

Vol. 77 (2025): January-June

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Artículos

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Copyright (c) 2025 Miguel Bartolomé Úcar, Ánchel Belmonte-Ribas, Reyes Giménez, Mario Bielsa, Gerard Cazenave, Ana Moreno

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