Spleogenesis of Katalehkhor Cave in Zanjan Province

Katalehkhor cave, in SW of Zanjan Province/Iran, has been studied. It is the longest cave in Iran. The cave is located within the Central Iranian Zone. It is developed mainly within the Qom limestone (Oligomiocene) of Saghez-lou Mountain. Katalehkhor is a multistage cave with three levels ranging from 1670 to 1742 m above mean sea level. Calcite speleothems (stalactite, stalagmite, column, flowstone and helictite) occur locally in zones of water percolation from overlying formations. According to previous studies, Katalehkhor cave is an anastomosis maze cave. The evidences demonstrate the floodwater origin of Katalehkhor cave. Cave levels have been developed due to fluctuation of the water table.