Cansiglio

The height of the Cansiglio plateau above sea level is more than 1,000 m (3,300 ft).^[1] The surrounding land rises steeply from the Venetian Plain, which borders the western zone of the Carnic Prealps. The plateau includes two large karstic basins: the Pian del Cansiglio and the Piancavallo. These are surrounded by higher ground^[3] that rises to a maximum height of 2,200 m (7,200 ft) above sea level^[2] and includes rocky peaks such as Monte Costa, the Cima Valsotta, Monte Millifret, Pizzoc and the Monte Cavallo. These mountains separate the Cansiglio from the short Val Lapisina valley.

The outcropping rocks date from the Late Jurassic to the Paleocene.^[2] The plateau has a limestone soil and features several examples of karst topography which produces depressions and gorges^[1] as well as limestone pavements, sinkholes and residual conical hills. There are over 250 caves in the area, the most famous being the Bus de la Lum, Bus della Genziana and Abisso del Col della Rizza.^[3] Their depths are 180 m (590 ft), 585 m (1,920 ft) and 794 m (2,600 ft) respectively. The area also contains several ponors.

Being in what is in effect a depression, the plateau traps cold air, resulting in increased humidity and a climate that is 2° colder than comparable areas at the same altitude.^[3] Most of the territory of Cansiglio is covered by woods, mostly local beech, although there are also non-native coniferous trees such as the European spruce.^[1] Due to the climatic characteristics of the plateau, the vegetation follows a more inverted distribution than usual: species typical of colder environments occupy the lower altitudes, and those typical of milder ones are at higher altitudes. Anemones grow in large number under the beeches in summer. Large open spaces are used as pastures for sheep and cattle.

The area is at medium-high seismic risk, with earthquakes having occurred in 1936 and 1976.^[2]