Witold Szczuciński

Abstract

Jaskinia Lodowa w Ciemniaku (Ice Cave in Ciemniak), in the Tatra Mountains (Tatry), is believed to host the largest subterranean ice mass in Poland. It has been known for over a century, however, the onset of its scientific investigations dates back to 1922, when Tadeusz and Stefan Zwoliński mapped it. Since then, it has become one of the best-known caves in Poland. It was described in over a hundred scientific and popular science papers. They include findings of international importance, e.g. works related to radioisotopes, ice-mass balance and age. However, some of the questions asked a century ago are still partly unanswered. One may wonder if they will be delivered before climate warming causes the largest ‘cave glacier’ in Poland to disappear.

Keywords: Speleology, cryosphere, Western Tatras, history of cave research, ice cave, climate change

Jan Barabach [jan.barabach@up.poznan.pl], Department of Land Improvement, Environmental Development and Spatial Management Poznań University of Life Sciences Piątkowska 94E, 60-649 Poznań: Poland
Witold Szczuciński [witek@amu.edu.pl], Geohazards Research Unit, Institute of Geology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Bogumiła Krygowskiego 12, 61-680 Poznań Poland
Ditta Kicińska [ditta.kicinska@amu.edu.pl], Department of Dynamic Geology and Applied Petrography, Institute of Geology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Bogumiła Krygowskiego 12, 61-680 Poznań: Poland
Zuzanna Palińska [zuzannapalinska@gmail.com], Cryosphere Research Unit, Institute of Geoecology and Geoinformation Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Bogumiła Krygowskiego 10, 61-680 Poznań: Poland
Grzegorz Rachlewicz [rzera@amu.edu.pl], Geohazards Research Unit, Institute of Geology Adam Mickiewicz University Bogumiła Krygowskiego 12, 61-680 Poznań Poland