Departamento de Geología

This project seeks to enhance the value of geoheritage linked to karstic caves, one of the most prominent features of the Picos de Europa National Park, poorly known from the scientific point of view.

To carry this task out, two karstic cavities, more than 2 km long, will be studied in great detail, with the following aims :

1. Geomorphological characterization of the endokarst, integrating the morphometry of the cavities, a detailed record of the erosion and deposit forms.
2. Geochronological characterization of the endokarst, through the radiometric dating of speleothems.
3. Establishment of conditioning factors of cave origin and development.
4. The elaboration of temporal evolution models integrating the previous mentioned aspects within the framework of regional and global environmental and climate events.
5. Know-how transfer to the OAPN, to the Spanish and international scientific communities and to other socio-economic societal sectors.

This project will provide a robust scientific knowledge of the endokarstic systems of the Park that:

• Will establish the present-day conservation status and will serve as a basis for future studies
• Will contribute to increase the value of the Park's natural heritage providing valuable and new information, useful to manage it and to publicize such unique place.

Entidades y colectivos que colaboran en el proyecto  

• Organismo Autónomo de Parques Nacionales, Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente
• Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME), oficina de Oviedo
• Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra Jaume Almera, CSIC.
• Institut suisse de spéléologie et de karstologie (ISSKA) (La Chaux-de-Fonds, Suiza)

 Principales entidades espeleológicas colaboradoras

• Grupo Espeleológico Polifemo (Oviedo, Asturias)
• GES Montañeiros Celtas (Vigo, Pontevedra)
• Grupo de Espeleología Diañu Burlón (Corvera de Asturias, Asturias)
• Asociación Deportiva Cuasacas (Trubia, Oviedo, Asturias)
• SIS del Centre Excursionista de Terrassa (Terrassa, Barcelona)
• Federación d'Espeleoloxía del Principáu d'Asturies (Oviedo, Asturias)