Inštitut za raziskovanje krasa ZRC SAZU

23/04/2026

🌍 Big news for Karst Research! 🌍

We are thrilled to announce a major milestone for the Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU. We have officially deepened our integration into the European scientific landscape!

Here is what’s new:

• EPOS ERIC Partnership: Since 2025, ZRC SAZU has served as a primary data provider for the EPOS ERIC portal, integrating Slovenian karst geoscioscientific infrastructure into the heart of Europe.
• FDSN Membership: We are official member of the International Federation of Digital Seismograph Networks (FDSN), ensuring our seismic data is more accessible and interoperable than ever.
• SLO KARST NFO Expansion: Our Slovenian Karst Near Fault Observatory, which monitors 2,000 km² of the southwestern Slovenian karst through more specialized stations (seismic and geochemical), is now a formal member of the EPOS NFO Consortium.

Why does this matter? By monitoring seismic activity, doubled by the geochemical data (like CO2, air pressure and temperature) helps us to:

• Understand crustal deformation in the NW Dinarides.
• Provide data for improvement of earthquake hazard models.
• Work toward future early earthquake warning systems (EEWS) for SW Slovenia.

Thank you to our partners at ARSO and the European projects EPOS ON and TRANSFORM2 for helping us turn the Slovenian karst into a world-class site for geoscientific research.

🔗 Learn more at: https://slo-karst-nfo.si/

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🌍 Velika novica za raziskovanje krasa! 🌍

Z veseljem objavljamo pomemben mejnik za Inštitut za raziskovanje krasa ZRC SAZU. Uradno smo poglobili svojo vključenost v evropski znanstveni prostor!

Tukaj so novosti:

• Partnerstvo z EPOS ERIC: Od leta 2025 ZRC SAZU deluje kot ponudnik podatkov za portal EPOS ERIC, s čimer slovensko kraško geoznanstveno infrastrukturo povezuje v središče Evrope.
• Članstvo v FDSN: Postali smo uradni člani Mednarodne zveze digitalnih seizmografskih omrežij (FDSN), kar zagotavlja, da so naši seizmološki podatki dostopnejši in interoperabilni kot prej.
• Širitev SLO KARST NFO: Naš Slovenski observatorij v bližini prelomov (SLO KARST NFO), ki s specializiranimi postajami spremlja približno 2.000 km² krasa v jugozahodni Sloveniji, je zdaj uradni član konzorcija EPOS NFO.

Zakaj je to pomembno? Spremljanje seizmične aktivnosti, ki jo dopolnjujejo geokemični podatki (kot CO2, zračni tlak in temperatura) nam pomaga:

• Razumeti procese deformacij zemeljske skorje v severozahodnih Dinaridih.
• Pridobivati podatke za izboljšanje modelov potresne nevarnosti.
• Sodelovati pri razvojui prihodnjih sistemov za zgodnje opozarjanje pred potresi v JZ Sloveniji.

Hvala našim partnerjem na ARSO ter evropskima projektoma EPOS ON in TRANSFORM2, ki pomagajo slovenski kras spreminjati v vrhunsko lokacijo za geoznanstvene raziskave.

🔗 Več o tem na: https://slo-karst-nfo.si/

-ERIC EPOS - European Plate Observing System

📸 Jean Caffou

20/04/2026

ROK ZA PRIJAVO IN ODDAJO POVZETKOV JE PODALJŠAN DO 3. MAJA 2026!

Spoštovani!

Vabimo vas, da se udeležite 33. Mednarodne krasoslovne šole »Klasični kras«: Poti ogljika v krasu, ki bo potekala od 15. do 19. junija 2026 v Postojni.

Pomembne informacije:

Rok za prijavo in oddajo povzetkov je podaljšan do 3. maja 2026. Še vedno ste vabljeni, da se nam pridružite. Vsi avtorji prispevkov bodo med 4. in 7. majem prejeli dodatne informacije ter navodila glede svojih predstavitev.

Popoldanske terenske ekskurzije v torek in sredo bodo vključevale obiske Križne jame, Javornikov in Škocjanskih jam. Četrtkova ekskurzija bo osredotočena na raziskave v Postojnsko-Planinskem jamskem sistemu. Petkov izlet pa nas bo popeljal na kraška polja in druge kraške pojave na območju napajanja Ljubljanice.

Obrazec za registracijo udeležbe in oddajo izvlečkov ter dodatne informacije so na voljo na spletni strani http://iks.zrc-sazu.si.

Lep pozdrav!

Organizacijski odbor Mednarodne krasoslovne šole "Klasični kras"

Foto: dr. Franci Gabrovšek

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THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION AND ABSTRACT SUBMISSION HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO MAY 3, 2026!

Dear colleagues!

You are cordially invited to participate at 33rd International Karstological School »Classical Karst«: Carbon Pathways in Karst, which will take place from the 15th to 19st June 2026 in Postojna, Slovenia.

Important information:

The deadline for registration and abstract submission has been extended to May 3, 2026. You are still warmly invited to join us. All presenting participants will receive further information and instructions regarding their presentations between May 4 and 7.

Afternoon field trips on Tuesday and Wednesday will include visits to Križna Jama, the Javorniki Mountains, and Škocjanske Jame. Thursday’s excursion will focus on research in the Postojna and Planina cave systems. This year’s Friday excursion will take us to poljes and other karst features in the Ljubljanica recharge area.

The registration and abstract submission, as well as more information, are available at https://iks.zrc-sazu.si/en/.

Regards!

Organizing Committee of the International Karstological School "Classical Karst"

Photo: dr. Franci Gabrovšek

13/04/2026

V reviji Environmental Earth Sciences (avtorji: Stanka Šebela, Miloš Briestenský & Uroš Novak) je objavljen članek: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12665-026-12931-3.
Študija predstavlja 8-letno obdobje (2017–2025) meritev koncentracije radona v Županovi jami in 2-letno obdobje (2022–2024) v Postojnski jami. Sezonsko sta obe jami pokazali višje koncentracije radona poleti in nižje pozimi. Dolgoročne meritve v bližini Županove jame so pokazale zvišanje povprečne zunanje temperature zraka (+ 0,86 °C od leta 2018 do 2024) in vzporedno zvišanje radona, zlasti v obdobju 2023–2024. Ugotovljeno je bilo, da je vpliv atmosferskega tlaka na obeh lokacijah sezonsko pogojen, z višjimi koncentracijami radona v obdobjih stabilnega poletnega tlaka in nižjimi vrednostmi v času višjih zimskih nihanj. Mejne vrednosti letne izpostavljenosti radonu kažejo 512 ur za Postojnsko jamo in 284–289 ur za Županovo jamo, to so vrednosti, ki niso nevarne za obiskovalce, so pa pomembne za jamske vodnike.
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In Environmental Earth Sciences an article (authors: Stanka Šebela, Miloš Briestenský & Uroš Novak) was published: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12665-026-12931-3.
The study presents 8-years long dataset (2017–2025) of high-resolution radon concentration measurements in Županova Jama and 2-years long dataset (2022–2024) in Postojnska Jama. Seasonally, both caves showed higher radon concentrations in summer and lower in winter. Long-term monitoring near Županova Jama revealed an increase in mean outside air temperature (+ 0.86 °C from 2018 to 2024) and a parallel rise in radon, particularly in 2023–2024. The influence of atmospheric pressure was found to be seasonally dependent at both sites, with higher radon concentrations during periods of stable summer pressure and lower values during higher winter oscillations. Exposure limits indicate safe annual times of 512 h for Postojnska Jama and 284–289 h for Županova Jama, values not hazardous for visitors but important for cave guides.

09/04/2026

Spoštovani,
vabimo vas, da se udeležite dogodkov ob prvi obeležitvi UNESCO Mednarodnega dneva jam in krasa v Postojni, ki bo potekala med 10. in 13. septembrom 2026.

Dogodki predstavljajo simbolni in uradni začetek globalnega praznovanja Mednarodnega dneva jam in krasa, ki ga je UNESCO razglasil leta 2025.

Na spletni strani lahko najdete vabilo ter preliminarni program dogodkov, ki bodo potekali pod častnim pokroviteljstvom Predsednice Republike Slovenije dr. Nataše Pirc Musar ter pod pokroviteljstvom UNESCO, ob podpori in sodelovanju Slovenske nacionalne komisije za UNESCO, Postojnske jame, Parka Škocjanske jame, Občine Postojna, Občine Pivka in Jamarske zveze Slovenije.

Za več informacij ter registracijo na znanstveno konferenco in slovesnost v Postojnski jami vas vabimo, da obiščete spletno stran:

https://izrkp.zrc-sazu.si/sl/dogodki/mednarodni-dan-jam-in-krasa-idck

Informacije o prijavah na ostale dogodke ter njihovem podrobnem programu bodo sledile.

Veselimo se vaše udeležbe in skupnega začetka te pomembne globalne pobude.

Lep pozdrav,
Nadja Zupan Hajna
v imenu Organizacijskega Odbora
Inštitut za raziskovanje krasa ZRC SAZU in Mednarodna speleološka zveza (UIS)

Foto:
Planinsko polje, J. Hajna.
Škocjanske jame, Mark B.

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Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to invite you to participate in the events marking the first celebration of the UNESCO International Day of Caves and Karst, to be held in Postojna, Slovenia, from 10 to 13 September 2026.

These events represent the symbolic and official launch of the global observance of the International Day of Caves and Karst, proclaimed by UNESCO in 2025.

On the website you can find the invitation and the preliminary programme of events, which will be held under the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Nataša Pirc Musar, and under the patronage of UNESCO, with the support and cooperation of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO, Postojna Cave, Škocjan Caves Park, the Municipality of Postojna, the Municipality of Pivka, and the Speleological Association of Slovenia.

For more information and registration for the scientific conference and the official ceremony in Postojna Cave, please visit:

https://izrkp.zrc-sazu.si/en/dogodki/international-day-of-caves-and-karst-idck

Information on registration for the accompanying events and their detailed programme will follow.

We look forward to your participation and to celebrating the beginning of this important global initiative together.

Kind regards,
Nadja Zupan Hajna
on behalf of the Organising Committee
Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU and International Union of Speleology (UIS)

Photos:
Planinsko polje, J. Hajna.
Škocjanske jame, Mark B.

08/04/2026

Na Inštitutu nas je skupaj s svojo družino obiskala brazilska veleposlanica v Sloveniji, Maria Izabel Vieira. Ob tej priložnosti smo ji predstavili delovanje inštituta ter naše raziskovalno delo, pri čemer smo posebej izpostavili sodelovanje z brazilskimi krasoslovci. Obisk je bil dragocena priložnost za predstavitev našega dela ter za krepitev vezi med Slovenijo in Brazilijo.
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Today, the Karst Research Institute was visited by the Ambassador of Brazil to Slovenia, Maria Izabel Vieira. On this occasion, we presented the Institute’s activities and our research work, with particular emphasis on our cooperation with Brazilian karstologists. The visit was a valuable opportunity to present our work and to strengthen ties between Slovenia and Brazil.

31/03/2026

Za geologe in geomorfologe, je marec idealen mesec za terensko delo. V zahodni Sloveniji, vegetacija še ni čisto prekrila kamnin in površja, snega pa ni več. Zato smo v tem času pogosteje na terenu. V pisarnah Inštituta za raziskovanje krasa ZRC SAZU tako najverjetneje ne boste našli dr. Astrid Švara, ki za potrebe podoktorskega projekta (ARIS Z6-70199) izvaja geofizikalne meritve upornosti tal izbranih geomorfoloških oblik na Postojnskem krasu, prav tako tudi ne Tinkare Mazej, mlade raziskovalke (ARIS MR-59591), ki z isto metodo med drugim preučuje infiltracijo vode v izbranih vrtačah nad Postojnsko-Planinskim jamskim sistemom. Mladi dami pri svojih raziskavah sodelujeta z asistentom Sašom Stefanovskim iz Oddelek za geografijo FF UL in Klemenom Cofom.

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For geologists and geomorphologists, March is an ideal month for fieldwork. In western Slovenia, vegetation does not yet completely cover the rocks and surfaces, and the snow is gone. That is why we are in the field more often at this time. Thus, in the offices of the Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU you will probably not find Dr. Astrid Švara, who is conducting geophysical resistivity measurements of selected geomorphological features in the Postojna Karst for the needs of her postdoctoral project (ARIS Z6-70199), nor Tinkara Mazej, a young researcher (ARIS MR-59591), studying water infiltration in selected dolines above the Postojna-Planina Cave System. The young ladies collaborate in their research with assistant Saša Stefanovski from the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Arts, Department of Geography, and Klemen Cof.

31/03/2026

31.03.2026; 00:00; Dvorana Slovenske matice, 1. nadstropje, Kongresni trg 8, 1000 Ljubljana Prijazno vabljeni na predavanje izr. prof. dr. Nadje Zupan Hajna z naslovom Mednarodni dan jam in krasa: od pobude do Unesca, ki bo v torek, 31. marca 2026, ob 18. uri v dvorani Slovenske matice (Kongresni tr...

26/03/2026

Na začetku leta 2026 se je raziskovalec Uroš Novak (ZRC SAZU IZRK) udeležil mednarodne znanstvene konference PATA Days 2026 v Antigua Guatemala. Konferenca (30. januar-6. februar) je obeležila tudi 50. obletnico rušilnega potresa (mag 7.5) v Gvatemali leta 1976.
Gvatemala leži na tektonsko zelo aktivni transformni meji med Karibsko in Severnoameriško ploščo. Program je vključeval predstavitve raziskav in terenske oglede, povezane s preučevanjem aktivnih prelomov in paleoseizmologije.
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At the beginning of 2026, Uroš Novak (ZRC SAZU IZRK) attended the international scientific conference PATA Days 2026 in Antigua Guatemala. The conference (January 30-February 6) also marked the 50th anniversary of the devastating (mag 7.5) 1976 Guatemala earthquake.
Guatemala lies along a tectonically very active transform boundary between the Caribbean and North American plates. The program included research presentations and field excursions focused on active faults and paleoseismology.

The 13th International INQUA Meeting on Paleoseismology, Active Tectonics and Archaeoseismology (PATA Days) was held from 2-5 February, 2026, in Antigua Guatemala. We commemorated the catastrophic M7.5 earthquake of 4 February, 1976. A pre-meeting field trip from 30 Jan – 1 Feb took the participan...

19/03/2026

Netopirji v jamah kot prenašalci bakterij Salmonella odpornih na antibiotike
Raziskava iz zahodne Nusa Tenggare (Indonezija) obravnava prisotnost bakterij Salmonella spp. pri jamskih netopirjih in njihov potencialni pomen za javno zdravje. Analiza izoliranih bakterij je pokazala odpornost na več pogosto uporabljenih antibiotikov, med drugim na azitromicin, amoksicilin in tetraciklin. Rezultati opozarjajo na vlogo prostoživečih živali pri širjenju bakterij, odpornih na antibiotike, ter na potrebo po nadaljnjih raziskavah na stiku med jamskimi ekosistemi, živalmi in človekom.
Povezava do članka je v komentarju.

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Cave-dwelling bats as carriers of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella
A study from West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, investigates the presence of Salmonella spp. in cave-dwelling bats and their potential implications for public health. Laboratory analyses revealed resistance of the isolated bacteria to several commonly used antibiotics, including azithromycin, amoxicillin, and tetracycline. The findings highlight the potential role of wildlife in the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and underline the importance of further research at the interface between cave ecosystems, animals, and humans.
The link to the article is available in the comments.

17/03/2026

Rod jamskih pajkov Mesostalita (Dysderidae), ki je sicer endemičen za Dinaride, je bil ponovno zabeležen v Julijskih Predalpah v severovzhodni Italiji. Nova najdba v jami Foran di Landri predstavlja četrto znano pojavljanje tega rodu na tem območju. Več si lahko preberete v članku v reviji Acta Carsologica - povezava je v komentarju.

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The cave-dwelling spider genus Mesostalita (Dysderidae), previously considered endemic to the Dinarides, has been recorded in the Julian Prealps of northeastern Italy. A new finding from Foran di Landri Cave represents the fourth known occurrence of the genus in this area. You can read more in the article in the journal Acta Carsologica—the link is in the comments.

17/03/2026

Raziskovalci z Inštituta za raziskovanje krasa ZRC SAZU so sodelovali pri novi znanstveni študiji o tektonski aktivnosti v Srednji Evropi. Članek predstavlja dokaze o tektonskem premoru med letoma 2015 in 2019, ko so se premiki vzdolž več opazovanih prelomov izrazito zmanjšali, prav tako pa je bila manjša tudi seizmična aktivnost. Rezultati temeljijo na dolgotrajnih ekstenzometričnih meritvah, ki omogočajo zelo natančno spremljanje tektonskih deformacij. Raziskava prispeva k boljšemu razumevanju recentnih tektonskih procesov v regiji.
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Researchers from the Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU participated in a new scientific study about tectonic activity in Central Europe. The article presents evidence of a tectonic hiatus between 2015 and 2019, when movements along several monitored faults significantly decreased and seismic activity was lower. The results are based on long-term extensometric measurements, which allow very precise monitoring of tectonic deformations. This research helps improve understanding of recent tectonic processes in the region.

Long-term extensometric monitoring across Central Europe reveals a pronounced tectonic hiatus between 2015 and 2019. Using high-resolution data from the EU TecNet network of optical – mechanical TM...