Condicionantes genéticos de las formas kársticas de El Torcal de Antequera (Cordillera Bética)

Abstract

The stunning landscape of TI Torcal de Antequera has produced a number of descriptive works; nevertheless, few of them present a genetic approach and, in this case, propose an essential role of differential physical weathering processes, such as gelifraction or aeolian erosion, in the origin of the characteristic banding. In this paper, it is stated the prevalence of karstic processes occurred in the tiny soils, formed in stratum surface joints, in the genesis of the differential weathering forms. On the other hand, various Hthologic, structural and topographic criteria allow to distinguish between: a) carbonate plateau dolines which are very abundant in summit area, in a context similar to other betic mountains; and b) hillside dolines, related to the Quaternary deposits of cemented limestone breccias at the foot of the highest cliffs, whose origin could be associated to distensive neotectonic