Hypogene Caves of Romania

Few caves exist in Romania that have provided clear evidences of their hypogene origin; these were described mainly in connection with investigations conducted on ore deposits or thermal water resources used in spas. Genetically, they are grouped in three categories: (1) caves related to upwelling of H2S-rich thermal waters along Cerna Valley (SW Romania) and around the town of Mangalia (SE Romania), (2) voids created in skarns and limestones during ascending flow of hot metasomatic and hydrothermal ore fluids (caves located mainly in the northern and western part of the country), and (3) mixing of salt and fresh water near the present Black Sea shore (e.g., Piatra Cave). Among all caves in these categories, Movile, a world-renowned biospeleological hot spot, the skarn-hosted caves from Băița, and Valea Rea, an underground mineralogical treasure, are the most representative