Some cases of terrain unstability from the Dolenjska karst area

Abstract

The paper presents some cases of terrain unstability from the Dolenjska karst area formed in the last years around Žužemberk and Dolenjske Toplice. The Dolenjska karst has its own characteristic way of development. The main features are thick soil top, mainly composed of clay, and high and strongly fluctuating water table. Presented are a landslide, two rockfalls and a sinkhole collapse. A landslide nearby Žužemberk was initiated in soil top. Both rockfalls appeared in tectonically highly disturbed carbonate rocks along the Žužemberk fault. The sinkhole collapse in the area around Dolenjske Toplice developed in tectonically damaged rocks inside the Dolenjska – Notranjska horst and during a period of heavy rain.