cave potential

[chris1984]

what would be the potential of a rift that i found on the north east side of shepton mallet. the stone i think is downside stone, but is interbeded with limestone. the rift opening is about 1.5 foot wide and widens as it goes in for about 2 meters. the walls are layered with thick calcite limestone mix and comes off the walls in big chunks to reveal the downside stone underneath. you can see in between the limestone layer there are layers of Crystal's on the walls, is this different stages of deposition. if there is anyone out there that would be able to come have a look it would be much appreciated.

 

[Les W]

Hi Chris
There is very little cave development in the Jurassic rocks of Mendip.
There is however, not too far away a cave formed on the unconformity with the Inferior Oolite and the Carboniferous Limestone.
Cloford Quarry Big Cave is formed in the Carboniferous rocks but with an Inferior Oolite roof. Some small phreatic tubes are in the Inferior Oolite.
I also studied a similar (although infilled with clay) feature in a quarry near Gurney Slade (probably gone now).

That is not to say you shouldn't have a look, you never know. After all "caves be where you find 'em" 

 

[whitelackington]

Rather a tricky blighter cave potential, often improves,
years down the line when a younger, keener, thinner, explorer
gives it another bashing. 

 

[chris1984]

just so everyone can get an idea about what I'm on about here is a picture of the entrance. if there is anyone that could spare some time to have a look. as i don't want to waste time digging it if there is no point. there is no cave on the mcra web site at that position.

 

[anfieldman]

just so everyone can get an idea about what I'm on about here is a picture of the entrance. if there is anyone that could spare some time to have a look. as i don't want to waste time digging it if there is no point. there is no cave on the mcra web site at that position.

That is a very small entrance Chris. 

 

[chris1984]

all sorted bloody flickr could not find the link

 

[Les W]

Are you sure that's in Doulting Stone?
It looks too grey.

 

[chris1984]

its not doulting stone, i think its downside stone that another project that i have got going in doulting. keeping myself busy.

 

[graham]

Caves do exist in the inferior oolite, for sure.

Not sure about the Blue Lias.

 

[chris1984]

the downside stone is interbedded with limestone, and  the walls are covered in limestone and calcite. the roof of the rift is big limestone blocks.

 

[Les W]

You have a PM 

 

[pete h]

Caves do exist in the inferior oolite, for sure.

Not sure about the Blue Lias.

Welsh,s green swallet  length 1300 ft  depth 115 ft all in blue lias limestone.

 

[Les W]

Welsh,s green swallet  length 1300 ft  depth 115 ft all in blue lias limestone.

Mostly not actually in limestone though. The limestone bit was all blasted and the rest is in clay.

Still it is a cave. 

 

[exsumper]

From my recollection of trips down Welsh's Green the cave might be in  blue lias but the mud you swim through is mainly a largely lime cement slurry. Its as if someones backed a cement truck upto the entrance and emptied its load. Hence the stinging sensation from eyes skin and cuts exposed to it and the rotting through of any electrical (lighting) connections within a week.  The site at Shepton is worth a dig even if it just results in another piece in the jigsaw.

 

[chris1984]

well as they say caves be where you find them, so i will be pushing it till it comes to some sort of conclusion. thanks for you help Les will let everyone knows how it get on.

 

[Aubrey]

From my recollection of trips down Welsh's Green the cave might be in  blue lias but the mud you swim through is mainly a largely lime cement slurry. Its as if someones backed a cement truck upto the entrance and emptied its load. Hence the stinging sensation from eyes skin and cuts exposed to it and the rotting through of any electrical (lighting) connections within a week.  ]

I think the mud is nothing more than fine blue lias. We didnt get the sensations quoted while we were digging there.

well as they say caves be where you find them,

Sometimes - but caves is where you makes 'em is more usually the case these days!

 

[Andy Farrant]

Chris
Always worth a dig! Depending where it is, it probably overlies the Carb Lst at depth, and thus may lead to something bigger. The Downside stone is generally fairly thin and there is no reason why you shouldn't get caves in it. It looks solutional from the photo.
Perhaps you could provide a it more info - I'll be down on Mendip on Sunday.
Andy

 

[chris1984]

had a bit of a digging session over the weekend.i managed to chisel a massive block off the right hand wall. here are some more photos the rift,it seems that there 2 levels it goes deeper than i thought.can just see a 1/2 meter continuation at the bottom.

 

[Bob Smith]

can just see a 1/2 meter continuation at the bottom.

is that a 1/2 parking meter or 1/2 an electricity meter?  :-\

 

[chris1984]

:-\ has someone been pirating my dig, thank you very much. i had a mass of boulders just outside the entrance and someone has kindly moved them for me. i could get used to that.