Ice Caves in Slovenia

Glaciochemistry of Cave Ice: Paradana and Snežna Caves, Slovenia

“…The coldest temperatures are always at the entrance where the ice accumulates [15] and there is an estimated 8000 m 3 of ice at a depth of about 100 meters below the entrance (Figures 2 and 3) [15]. There have been documented gains and losses of ice since 1950, with an increased loss since 1986 [15].…”

“…Ice formation there is attributed to the circulation of air within the 7311 m long and 858 m deep cave, with an inflow of cold air in the winter and outflow of cold air in summer as described by Mihevc [15,16]. The coldest temperatures are always at the entrance where the ice accumulates [15] and there is an estimated 8000 m 3 of ice at a depth of about 100 meters below the entrance (Figures 2 and 3) [15]. There have been documented gains and losses of ice since 1950, with an increased loss since 1986 [15].…”

“…Karst covers 44% of Slovenia and it is estimated that there are~550 caves with permanent ice in them [15]. Most of these caves are at elevations with mean annual temperatures greater than 0 • C and 28 of them are below 1000 m above sea level.…”

“…Most of these caves are at elevations with mean annual temperatures greater than 0 • C and 28 of them are below 1000 m above sea level. It is thought that ice is formed both in the entrances from the conversion of snow to ice and in the inner portions of the cave from the freezing of infiltrating water [3,15].…”

“…from the conversion of snow to ice and in the inner portions of the cave from the freezing of infiltrating water [3,15].…”