Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: OokieWonderslug on 08/04/2013 00:12:13

Title: How can we spot exposed cave systems?
Post by: OokieWonderslug on 08/04/2013 00:12:13

After much searching on Google I can not find any places where cave systems have been "de roofed" and are exposed in the surface. They should exist. But I can not find any. Where in the world are they? I am certain that erosion has uncovered more than one cave system, but where? I do not mean skylights, but the cave system itself. You know, stalagmites and all. Where ground level is now the level just barely above where the cave floor was.

Does this exist and if not, why? And if so, where?

Title: Re: Exposed cave systems?
Post by: JimBob on 08/04/2013 03:38:08

http://www.texasoutside.com/hamiltonpool.htm

The cave formations - once there - have been mostly removed by souvenir hunters. yet in the crevice the water flows through to originally form the sink hole, the area at the wall about 8 inches high, stll flows after high rain events.

Title: Re: Exposed cave systems?
Post by: evan_au on 08/04/2013 10:20:01

Jenolan Caves and Wombeyan Caves near Sydney both have caves where the roof has fallen in.
In extreme cases, you are just left with an arch, where the roof has fallen in on both sides.
For some pictures, just search for sinkhole in Google Images.