Isheevsky Plot as Unique Karst-Speleological Object of the Southern Cis-Urals

Abstract

The article is devoted to the characteristics of sulfate karst in gypsum of the Kungurian stage of the Permian system in the Isheevsky plot in the lower reaches of the river Seleuk (right tributary of the Belaya River) in the Southern Cis-Urals (Ishimbay municipal district of the Republic of Bashkortostan). The regularities of the intensity of distribution of karst landforms are established depending on the composition of the non-karst rocks overlying gypsum and its direct dependence on the time of formation of the geomorphological elements. At the site, the highest density of erosion-corrosion wells in the Southern Cis-Urals was revealed. The characteristic of the Isheevskaya karst system is given, with all stages of the development of karst cavities that can be observed here. The general length of the system is 1002 m, the square is 4.6 thousand m² , the volume is 9.6 thousand m³ , the depth is 26 m, an amplitude is 31 m. It was established that the Isheevskaya system in the past was a single cave, which in the process of speleogenesis and collapse of the vaults has been divided into eight independent caves. It was shown that due to the rare components of the cave environment, the system deserves the status of a state natural reserve. It is recommended to create on the Isheevsky karst-speleological site a scientific testing area to study the development of sulfate karst and conduct educational excursions.