ABSTRACT
According to the recent developments in the speleogenetic theories, hypogenic karsts and caves are viewed in the regional flow system concept and can be considered as manifestations of flowing groundwater. Therefore a comprehensive hydrogeological study was carried out for the characterisation of processes acting today at the discharge zone of the Buda Thermal Karst. Methods included hydrogeochemical and mineralogical investigations. Among the results of the study, several processes were identified which can be responsible for cave development and formation of minerals. Furthermore, the role of the adjacent sedimentary basin was reevaluated. These results bring a new insight into the processes acting at a regional discharge zone, which could be responsible for hypogenic cave development. The Buda Thermal Karst system can be considered as the type area and in the same time the modern analogue for hypogenic karsts.
