Blind valleys are a typical geomorphological form of a ponor-type contact karst. The purpose of the study is geomorphological survey of blind valleys and similar geomorphological forms in the area between Kozina and Novi Vinodolski, which have not been researched until now. This research focuses on the blind valleys along the southern edge of Jelšane hills and on the ponor steepheads at the western edge of Rječina valley. In this study, geomorphological survey of the blind valleys at Klana and Studena and ponor steepheads at Jurišini and above Kukuljani is discussed in detail. As a part of the morphographic analysis, morphographic maps were made. This was followed by a morphometric analysis, which is based on the morphographic maps. The morphogenetic and morphodinamic interpretation of blind valleys and ponor steepheads is discussed in the concluding part of the study. Blind valley at Klana is a typical blind valley with fluvial hinterland, which is followed by active and relict parts, while blind valley near Studena is not typical, as the watercourse flows from the blind valley into the adjacent valley. The ponor steepheads at Jurišini are active, while in the case of the ponor steepheads above Kukuljani, one is completely relict and the other is not.
|
