Geological-structural control on the formation of the Cavallone Cave (Maiella massif, Central Apennines).

We establish a hard link between karst inception and the presence of fractures and faults, in agreement with the “inception horizon hypothesis” (Lowe, 1992) according to which a primary role on karstification processes is related to the presence of discrete preferred surfaces particularly susceptible to dissolution within the rock succession. In our case inception horizons are especially of structural origin. The cave shows, moreover, interesting and peculiar features that could reveal a contribution of hypogenic processes on its origin and a complex development of the karst conduit.