SPELEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF THE CANYON LOCATED BETWEEN GUAREÍ, BOFETE AND TORRE DE PEDRA, SP

Abstract

This study aimed to identify and record the speleological heritage in a canyon located between the municipalities of Guareí, Bofete, and Torre de Pedra, in the state of São Paulo, contributing to the scientific knowledge about cavities developed in siliciclastic lithologies. The research is exploratory, descriptive, and quantitative in nature, conducted through prospecting in 2025 and 2026, concentrated on the canyon walls, by convenience and in priority sectors based on the analysis of topographic and hydrological maps. The identified cavities were georeferenced and documented by photographic records, with speleological mapping only of the cavity that presented internal development greater than the dimension of its entrance. As a result, six new cavities were recorded, classified as shelters and burrows, all for the municipality of Bofete. The occurrence of these features in sandstones of the Pirambóia Formation reinforces the speleological potential of the area, especially considering the relative scarcity of systematic studies on sandstone caves in Brazil. In addition to the caves, field observations indicated the presence of relatively preserved vegetation and wildlife associated with the canyon's interior environment. Despite the limitations encountered during the surveys, the results show that the area has unprecedented speleological potential, highlighting the need for further investigations and management strategies for municipal natural areas