Solkota_Cave_Natural_Monument

Solkota Cave Natural Monument

Solkota Cave Natural Monument

Karst cave in Imereti region of Georgia

Solkota Cave Natural Monument (Georgian: სოლკოტას მღვიმე) is a karst cave 2.3 km to the north of village Kumistavi, known for nearby Prometheus Cave Natural Monument, in Tskaltubo Municipality in Imereti region of Georgia.[1] Cave is located on the left bank of river Semi, 379 meters above sea level.[2]

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Morphology

Solkota Cave formed in Sataphlia-Tskaltubo karst massif.[3] Cave entrance is at the bottom of a well in a karst topography covered by vegetation. From here steep corridor expands to 10-15 m and morphs into horizontal floor that leads to a chamber with height of almost 30 m. Cave has an interesting diversity of chemical sediments, stalactites and stalagmites. Of particular interest are stalactites of 5 m thickness, size which is rare in Europe. Also notable is an 8 m high stalagmite with the circumference of 8.5 m at it bottom and 4.5 m in the middle.

Fauna

The inhabitants of the cave include Trachysphaera, Colchidoniscus, Laemostenus, Arrhopalites, Pygmarrhopalites, Plutomurus and Oxychilus.[3]

Paleontological findings

The cave is a paleontological and in particular a molecular paleontology monument. Solkota Cave stalagmites preserved ancient DNA molecules of mammals (bear, roe deer, bats) and plants (chestnut, hazelnut, flax).[4] Bones of cave bear has been found here.[5]

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Solkota Cave Natural Monument.
  1. [1]
    Solkota Cave in Georgia Protected Planet
  2. [2]
    (in Georgian) სოლკოტას მღვიმის ბუნების ძეგლი
  3. [3]
    Barjadze, Sh., Arabuli, T., Mumladze, L., Maghradze, E., Asanidze, Z., Kutalia T. Solkota Cave 2019, Cave Biodiversity of Georgia, Open Access Database. Institute of Zoology at Ilia State University
  4. [4]
    Stahlschmidt, M.C., Collin, T.C., Fernandes, D.M. et al. Ancient Mammalian and Plant DNA from Late Quaternary Stalagmite Layers at Solkota Cave, Georgia. Sci Rep 9, 6628 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-43147-0
  5. [5]
    (in Georgian) ბუნების ძეგლი სოლკოტას მღვიმის ბუნების ძეგლი - წყალტუბო
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