Miocene-Pliocene age of cave Snežna Jama na Raduhi, Southern Alps, Slovenia

Snežna jama cave is 1,600 m long horizontal cave at about 1,500 m a.s.l. in Raduha Massif (Kamnik-Savinja Alps) rich in cave deposits (both allogenic sediments and massive flowstones). The cave size, shape and deposits show (1) formation of the cave in different conditions, and (2) its substantial age. A 4.8 m deep pit was excavated in allogenic sediments. Samples were taken both for palaeomagnetic analysis and palaeontological screening. Sediments consist of rhythmically arranged layers deposited in phreatic conditions. Fragments of rodent teeth and a well-preserved molar of genus Baranomys were identified. Fossil remains indicate mammalian zone MN 16 and MN 14. A high-resolution palaeomagnetic analysis revealed total of 3 principal normal polarized and 2 principal reverse polarized magnetozones. If we accept the palaeontologic calibration, the deposition took place within Gauss and Gilbert chrons, from about 2.6 to more than 5 Ma. Long sedimentation period is in concordance with the cave rocky relief that shows phreatic and epiphreatic morphology and predates the main uplift of the area for about 900 m