Speleogenesis of Lava Tube Caves
Lava tube caves are the most abundant and extensive speleological forms after limestone caves. They are the drained, cooled and accessible parts of lava tube systems, the internal flow pathways of formerly active lava flows. These caves may be many kilometres in length (Kazumura Cave, Kilauea volcano, has 65km of mapped passages), comprise single or braided conduits or more complex 3-dimensional passage networks, and have interesting wall and floor formations, including abundant glassy lava speleothems. The parallel with limestone caves goes further, because while limestone caves are associated with other generic (karstic) landforms, so lava tube caves represent one member of a suite of lava landforms. It is now appreciated that studies of the forms and structures exposed in lava tube caves can reveal much about the formation of ancient lava flows, and in association with the direct observation of active systems, help to unravel the complex internal plumbing and operation of inflated or tube-fed lava flows. significantly also, ancient and active lava tube systems have been observed on other planets, demonstrating the importance of these systems in building the planetary surfaces.
Despite their geological importance and a 40 year history of exploration and mapping of these caves by the world's caving community, there is no single authoritative review of their occurrence and importance. In addition, their mode of formation remains very poorly understood. This research seeks to plug this gap. The collection and management of data on the occurrence and nature of the world's lava tube caves is the subject of an on-going project undertaken in association with International Union of Speleology's Commission on Volcanic Caves. Research into cave genesis is also being pursued through active field programmes in a number of important cave systems in Iceland and Korea.
For more details contact Dr Chris Wood
