Gênese e desenvolvimento de cavidades naturais subterrâneas em formação ferrífera no quadrilátero ferrífero, Minas Gerais

Abstract

Karst features are the product of the interaction between the hydrological and geochemical subsystems through the occurrence of dissolution or corrosion of the rock. A karst geoforma is where the dissolution is the most important process in its morphological configuration, even if it is not dominant. Therefore, karst features may develop in no carbonate rocks. In this perspective, the present research was to study the genesis and development of caves hosted in banded iron rocks, located in the Iron Quadrangle, in Minas Gerais state. We investigated the geometrical patterns and planimetric of 160 caves. From these, 11 caves were selected divided into four districts, Serra da Piedade, Sinclinal Gandarela, Serra da Serra da Moeda and Serra do Rola Moça, which was conducted detailed survey of lithostructural, hydrological, morphological and sedimentary attributes. There was evidence of litoestrutural and hydrodynamic control.