Caves in sandstone deposits of the southern Italian Apennines

The article describes the main results of cave explorations and field surveys carried out in the territory of Gorgoglione (Basilicata region, southern Italy) and surrounding areas. Due to lithology of outcropping rocks (mainly sandstones belonging to the Gorgoglione Flysch, a turbidite formation of Miocene age), the area is affected by pseudokarst phenomena. Beside several sites showing interesting pseudokarst features, and erosional landforms in the rock mass, five caves have been identified and surveyed near the town and in the valley of the Gorgoglione Fiumara, a left tributary of the Sauro Torrent. The caves can be distinguished based upon their typology in intrastratal caves, gravity-related caves, swallow holes, and caves in vertical rock walls. The variety in the cave typology is an element testifying the need to stimulate further knowledge of this territory, that likely presents others, still undiscovered, caves. Moreover, during the surveys it was possible to appreciate the high relevance of the landscape, which is well integrated to the archaeological and historical characters of the study area.