Sherlopies - caves, wells and pits in the unloaded slopes

Abstract

Sherlopies are caves, wells and pits formed due to process of slope unloading. Morphologically they are vertical or steep cracks, clefts, horizontal crack-like caves growing in dolomite, limestone, gypsum-aleurolitic rocks, sandstone, aleurolite, trapps, shale. False floor, collapses, and intensive weathering of rocks in upper part of sherlopy are characteristics. By their microclimate sherlopies are divided into warm or cold, static or dynamic.