Morphoselection
With regard to Morphoselection, a model of some relationships between lithostructural characteristics and the most typical forms of Dolomite reliefs is shown in below. There are two typical ledges, i.e. steps resulting from the alternance between rock types of different resistance (e.g., dolostones and clayey marlstones); dipdownstream and dip-upstream slopes according to strata inclination; steeples and towers, linked to faults or sub-vertical fractures. More specifically, as regards Morphotectostatics, the arrangement of the main valleys, the location of many passes and saddles and the position of some of the most sheer and majestic rock walls are determined by the trends of important displacement lines and related belts of cataclastic rocks, which facilitate weathering and erosional processes. Furthermore, the attitude of layers in relation to the aspect of slopes has considerably influenced slope gradients. Thus, steep slopes alternate with gentle slopes, according to the bedding of the rock types in opposition or in conformity to the slopes, respectively. A fine example of morphology linked to this arrangement is offered by Lastoni di Formin, where the wide top surface reproduces the geometry of the roof of layers, whereas the opposite slope shows a steep escarpment corresponding to the transversal section of layers. Another example is found on Marmolada, where the north-facing slope shows a mild inclination, with the strata dipping downstream with an angle equal to the slope, whereas the south-facing slope is very steep because of the dipping upstream of the strata. Furthermore, the tabular morphology of several Dolomite tops is in most cases related to a sub-horizontal dipping of the strata, as in some wellknown mountain groups like Sciliar, Lastoni di Formin, Sella, Gardenaccia, Alpe di Fanes and on Mt. Pelmo and Mt. Civetta. An example of relief form resulting from tectonic folds is Cima Bocche, between the San Pellegrino Pass and Valles Pass. This is an anticline fold which has affected geological formations from the Permian to the Anisian and appears partially eroded along its axial direction. As for faults, in several cases they have determined the direction of valleys and river cuts, as in the case of Funes Valley, Tires Valley, upper Cismon Valley and San Vigilio Valley. In addition, the presence of overthrusts has caused the formation of saddles, like those of Valparola Pass and Falzarego Pass. However, the most typical landscape is that of dolomite peaks sculpted along fractures in the form of towers, steeples, crests and pinnacles, as, for example, at Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cime di Fanis, Croda da Lago and Cinque Torri.
