Introduction to Karst and Geology of Croatia

Abstract

The Dinaric Karst of Croatia was formed in a tectonically active area, where several geotectonic plates of variable size are in direct contact. The African tectonic plate, with its smaller Adriatic plate, extends northwards towards the Alps. The Adriatic plate subducts under the Dinaric plate, which is the base part of the Dinaric Mountains. Therefore, this is a seismically palaeo and neotectonically active area with many earthquakes. Since these area is composed mainly of soluble carbonate rocks (mostly Mesozoic and Cenozoic ages) that are up to 8 km thick in this area, with favourable hydrogeological conditions, the karstification processes are very prominent. A brief overview of the geology of Croatia also indicates the complexity of hydrogeological processes in this area.