Kamieniołomy gipsowe jako cenne geostanowiska krasowe : studium przypadku: Podole i Bukowina, Ukraina

Abstract

Gypsum is a rock having a wide spread in the earth's crust and on its surface. Due to the specified usable values gypsum is a desired raw material, mostly mined in quarries. Gypsum belongs to karstic rocks and easily dissolves in water. Therefore, a series of gypsum rocks, lying close to the earth surface and gypsum massifs usually are strongly karstified. Gypsum quarries almost always expose the karstified interior of gypsum massifs, rich in various karst forms both karstic and paleokarstic, including caves. The latter are often large and represent a valuable or even unique natural formations, which should be taken under protection. Karst formations frequently determine the total value of gypsum quarries as geosites. In the article, the values of various gypsum quarries of Podilla and Bukovina resulting from karst formations, especially the caves, are shown, as examples.