Lava caves are unique for being formed in a mere blink of geological time (days or weeks), as cooling lava flows across planetary surfaces following volcanic eruptions. * Auckland Underground: A lava cave in the backyardThis in such contrast to the more common limestone caves, which are scoured out over the eons by acidic water, and it means that lava cave structures may be completely secretive, points out lava cave speleologist Peter Crossley. Pre-European Māori used shallower lava caves for burial, but more recently they have been used as rubbish holes, or back-filled ahead of development. This reporter is biased on the subject of lava caves, having fallen in love with them many years ago. Amanda de Jong, the team manager for compliance monitoring at Auckland Council, says several known lava caves are listed as Outstanding Natural Features in the Auckland Unitary Plan and therefore have protection.

Source: Stuff July 17, 2019 02:48 UTC