Landforms and soil evolution in some karstic areas of the Lessini Mountains and Monte Baldo (Verona, Northern Italy)

Abstract

In different karstic areas of the southern Lessini Mountains and on Monte Baldo, slope and dolina-filling deposits may be observed, composed of mainly silty-textured materials affected by old pedogenetic phenomena. The interdisciplinary study of the different karstic landforms, slope deposits, and relative paleosols revealed the close links existing between local lithologico-structural situations, old and recent tectonic activity, and geomorphic and pedogenetic processes. The current aspect of the karstic landscape of the Lessini Mountains and Monte Baldo is, in sum, the result of phases of intense karstic morphogenesis (accompanied by very evident pedogenesis in climatic conditions similar to those currently existing in subtropical areas) alternating with periglacial phases, during which dismantling processes of the karstic relief predominated while pedogenetic processes were greatly slowed down. During the latter phases, loess covers were also deposited, deriving from the great glacial tongues of Lake Garda and the River Adige. Neotectonics was of primary importance in the evolution of the morphostructures. Recent uplifts of a few hundred metres are easily recognizable in several places. A diagram of the successive of the events of local chronostratigraphic significance is presented at the end of the paper.