Spelunky Abbey (Northland) EarthCache
This cache has been locked, but it is available for viewing.
Spelunky Abbey (Northland)
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
An earthcache at Abbey Caves, near Whangarei, with rock formation and an undeveloped cave system.
The Organ Cave is the largest of the caves where in the main Catacomb you will see the large over hanging stalactites which look similar to church organ pipes. Middle Cave and Ivy Cave are smaller but equally interesting where it is possible to enter and exit at different points. In all the Caves you will see thousands of glow worms. To visit the caves will take approximately 2 hours.
Most New Zealand caves are formed from either basalt or limestone and marble sediment. Enormous amounts of calcium rich mollusk shells and skeletons of marine life form a thick strata, which over millions of years, compresses and solidifies. Over time, this sediment cements together to become rock beds. As rainwater leaches through the soil, a mild solution of carbonic acid is released through cracks in the limestone, enlarging them. The drips also create other cave formations like stalactites. Over time, some passages erode to a large enough extent to become underground streams or rivers. As a result, a hidden world is created, a world of caves, sinkholes and complex shafts.
A stalactite (from the Greek stalasso, "to drip" and meaning "that which drips") is an icicle-shaped mass of calcium carbonate (aka calcite) attached to the roof of a limestone cave. Groundwater trickling through cracks in the roofs of these caverns contains dissolved calcium bicarbonate. When a drop of water comes in contact with the air of the cavern, some of the calcium bicarbonate is transformed into calcium carbonate, which precipitates out of the water solution and forms a ring of calcite on the roof of the cavern. By repetition of this process the length and thickness of the stalactite is increased.
A stalagmite (from the Greek stalagma meaning "drop" or "drip") is a cone of calcium carbonate rising from the floor of a cave. Stalagmites and stalactites are often found in pairs, the stalagmite being formed as a result of further evaporation and precipitation from solution after the trickle of water falls from the stalactite. Stalactites and stalagmites often meet each other to form solid pillars or columns.
The caves were supposedly named by Nathaniel and Amelia Clotworthy, early pioneers from Ireland. Organ Caves has stalactites which are meant to resemble church organ pipes, Middle Cave is the middle one of the three, and we don’t know why Ivy Cave is so named.
To log, complete the following tasks.
1. At the GZ you see a very distinctive rock formation. Explain how this was formed. How this rock differ from the rock inside the caves? Why is this speologically unique in NZ?
2. At waypoint 2, explain how this rock formation was likely formed. If this was limestone, what would this fomation be called?
3. Would you find expect to find Rhaphidophoridae inside this cave system give the peculiar rock sub-strata? Explain your answer with reference to the property of the cave bedrock in this area and nearby interpretation. (i.e. what factors about the *caves* support your answer)
4. What acid is the principally responsible for dissolving limestone? What impact does this have on the volcanic bedrock?
5. OPTIONAL: Take a photo of yourself and/or GPS at Organ Cave and post one other photo clearly labeled.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures