Document Type
Article
Department
Biology (CMC), WM Keck Science (CMC), Biology (Pitzer), WM Keck Science (Pitzer), Biology (Scripps), WM Keck Science (Scripps), WM Keck Science
Publication Date
2004
Abstract
A new type of lava cave is described from the summit crater of Ol Doinyo Lengai, a unique active carbonatite volcano in Tanzania. This and other similar caves on Ol Doinyo Lengai are formed by thermal erosion and aqueous dissolution of otherwise solid spatter cones. Meteoritic water and endogenous condensates act to form speleothems of complex mineralogy up to 3 m in length. We propose the new classification of “polygenetic spatter cone cave”.
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Recommended Citation
McFarlane, D. A., Lundberg, J., and Belton, F. (2004). "An unusual lava cave from Ol Doinyo lengai, Tanzania." Journal of Cave and Karst Studies 66(3): 98-101.
Included in
Biology Commons, Environmental Sciences Commons, Geography Commons, Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons
Comments
Used with permission of the National Speleological Society (www.caves.org)