Temperature regime of Kateřinská Cave

Abstract

Air and rock surface temperature regime was monitored in Kateřinsk´a Cave in
Moravian Karst (Czech Republic, South Moravia). Highly accurate temperature sensors
with data logger were used for air temperature measurement. Rock surface temperature
was monitored by infrared thermometer and infrared thermal camera. Statistical and
graphical processing and 2D map were carried out. The rock surface and air temperature
increase as the distance from the entrance increases. The highest dynamics of interior
air temperature (amplitude 14.3 °C) and the lowest average temperature (4.03 °C) were
detected near the entrance. At a distance of 10 m from the entrance the minimum rock
surface temperature was –8.74 °C and maximum 8.60 °C. Rock temperature amplitude decreases
as the distance from the entrance increases (at the distance of 271-280 m reached
the minimum value 1.19 °C). The strongest correlation between internal temperature in
remote part of the cave and external temperature was found when external data series
shifted 22 days backward. Maximum temperatures in remote part are affected by attendance.
Maximum daily amplitude (MDA) in remote parts reached up to 0.69 °C while
MDA near the entrance (up to 4.27 °C) is caused by external weather.