1. Introduction // 2. The relation of karst phenomena to tectonics // 3. Cave sediments and patterns of sedimentation in cave systems // 4. Geomorphological cave development, karst processes, the palaeohydrographic // situation and development of the river system 16 // 4.1 Palaeohydrographic characteristics based on sedimentary — petrographic approaches 16 // 4.1.1 Development of the surface karst forms and the surface river system . 17 // 4.1.2 Development of the subterranean river system 18 // 4.1.2.1 Area of disappearance of surface waiters 18 // 4.1.2.2 The throughflow area 20 // 4.1.2.3 The area of resurgence 21 // 4.2 Development of cave levels and the principal stages in the course of karst // processes 26 // 4.2.1 The cave levels 26 // 4.2.2 The cave system 28 // 4.2.3 The development of the karst processes during the Pliocene to Quaternary period 28 // 4.2.4 Main stages in the course of the karst processes 29 // 5. New findings 31 // 6. ... 34 // 7. Literature 35