Primary Caves

By: Olga Perezand

Tiffany Javier

What are Primary caves?

Primary caves are formed at the same time that the host rock, or surrounding rock is forming. The most common type are lava tubes, which form through volcanic activity. Other typical primary caves include blister caves, tufa caves, and coral caves.

Thurston Lava Tube, Hawaii National Park, USA

Blister cave inSaudi Arabia

Formation of Primary Caves

Primary Caves are formed at the same time of surrounding rocks1. Lava flows out from a volcanic eruption2. The overflow of lava creates layers of lava3. The overflow of lava creates a tall, deep tunnel4. Soon, a solid crust forms above the stacked lava5. After the eruption is over, the lava hardens, creating a lava tube

Kazumura Cave

⇒ This cave is in Hawaii, also a lava tube. ○ Hawaiian lava is about 2165 degrees Fahrenheit.

⇒ Kazumura formed about six centuries ago due to a volcanic eruption.

⇒ Kazumura is the world's longest continuous lava tube.○ 42 miles long

Blister Caves

Formation1. Lava traps air as it flows down the side

of a volcano.

2. Air rises in the form of bubbles. 3. Some bubbles cool on the surface, resulting in

blister caves.

Blister caves continued….

⇒ Biggest blister caves are found at Mt. Fantalo, Ethiopia.

⇒ Contain welded tuff called ignimbrites.⇒ Also considered lava caves, since

they are formed in lava.⇒ Intact blisters are up to 30m in

diameter.

Coral Caves

⇒ Reef caves are caves formed inside coral reefs or sponge reefs.o Formed at the same time as surrounding rock like limestone.

A coral reef shapes into a cave-like structure.

Tufa Caves● Formed at the same time as host deposit● When tufa deposit grows outward, it forms canopies, creating

voids

Olgahöhle Cave, Germany

● rare primary cave● discovered by Johann Ziegler in 1874● named after Queen Olga von Wuürttemberg● 170 meters in length, 10 meters in diameter ● hard water of the Echaz formed limestone

Work Cited Page

● "Types of Caves." National Caves Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2015.

● "Primary Caves." Classification of Caves:. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2015.

● "Caverns Make Great Classrooms: Cavern Geology Lesson Plan." Caverns Make Great Classrooms: Cavern Geology Lesson Plan. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2015.

● Patricia L.Barnes-Svarney - Thomas E. Svarney - Visible Ink Press - 2004

● "Tufa Caves." Speleology:. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Jan. 2015.