Abstract
In this study, temperature and humidity data obtained between 2018 and 2020 at different depths (entrance, -350 m, -450 m and -680 m) in the Torca Marino cavity (Picos de Europa National Park, León) are presented. This cave is one of the deepest in the world, with a total depth of -943 m. The data show an interior temperature of 4.6 ºC at -350 m, between 4.7 and 5.1 ºC at -450 m and 4.8 ºC at -680 m, with an always saturated environment and homothermal conditions, although with small fluctuations of up to 0.4 ºC in the Gran Mulata sector, with a very low temperature gradient (0.06 ºC every 100 m) between the different depths. These values are similar to temperature at the altitude of the cave entrance, estimated at 4,9 ºC. The passage of the cavers also had an impact on the temperatures recorded, which rose by 0.5 ºC to return to their normal values. Saturated conditions have favoured the development of speleothems, which occur only in horizontal galleries, that are separated by vertical conduits. Helictites, frostworks, collaroids, micro-hoodoos, cave pearls and parallel-columnar aggregates are the main speleothems, which are relevant due to their notable development and excellent degree of preservation. In the case of micro-faerie chimneys, any previous citations have been found in the interior of the cavities.
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