Maria Márcia Magela Machado

Cavidades naturais da Pedra Grande de Igarapé: geossítio de relevância espeleológica do Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais

This paper presents information about caves occurrences found in dolomitic and siliceous itabirite in the region of the Pedra Grande de Igarape, inserted in the municipalities of Igarape and Itatiaiucu, in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Fields investigations in the region, allowed identification of over eighteen caves, fourteen placed in rock in situ type and four in talus deposit types. The cavities in situ type are preferred direction NS and linear development ranging from 5 to 50 m. The cavities in talus deposits are linear development from 9 to 35 m and different preferred direction. The area of Pedra Grande de Igarape is an important speleological site, located at the west border of Quadrilatero Ferrifero region, which needs protection for its conservation.