LE GROTTE SOTTOMARINE DI CAPO D’OTRANTO - LE

The entity of submarine cave presence has been evaluated along the coast of Cape of Otranto (S-E Italy), from Punta del Malcantone to Porto Badisco. During the survey (lasted 3 years) new submarine caves have been discovered and explored. A comparative study of the Otranto caves suggests that they are the result of a multilevel activity of carstic and marine erosions, the last of which continues, at present, being the main responsible of the cavity enlargment. Submarine caves of the Cape of Otranto show multiple connections (entrances) with the open sea, and a typical cavern-morphology which, in addition, probably hosted prehistoric men when the sea level was 100 m below the present one. As a consequence of the marine erosion, often the cave ceil is open and the sunligth incomes from it. The results obtained with the present investigation are a conspicuous contribute to the valorization of the natural environment of the Cape of Otranto, in the framework of the ongoing request for the institution of a Marine Protected Area in that coast