Morphogenesis of the Franches-Montagnes (Swiss Jura Mountains)

The predominantly karstic morphology of the Franches-Montagnes contrasts wi th the rest of the relief forms of the folded Jura, of which the "plateau" is a part. The authors explain the reasons for this, based on a detailed st udy of the sector's morphogenesis. They propose various evolution scenarios that could have contributed to forming the main characteristic forms that one presently observes: anticlinal depressions, structural (synclinal) polj es, gorges, and fluvial or dry valleys. They present keys for interpreting the regional topography, as well as a methodology for examining the morphog enesis of a complex karstic space.