Northern Territory - caves

Introduction

The Katherine area is at the northern end of the Daly Basin, a broad area of flat-lying early Palaeozoic limestone that has an extensive cover of Cretaceous sandstone and claystone and younger alluvium. Karst features are mainly restricted to the exposed limestones at the northern and western margins of the basin.

The caves are horizontal systems, dominantly phreatic-sculptured joint-directed mazes of fisssure passages, or more linear gently sinuous passages. Paleokarst fills and other features are common and might date back to before the Cretaceous. Phreatic features such as spongework and ceiling cupolas are common. They are typically hot and humid.

The surface karst is described in another page.

Further reading

Karp, D., 2002: Land degradation associated with sinkhole development in the Katherine region. Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment, NT. Technical Report 11/2002

Lauritzen, S.E., and Karp, D., 1993: Speleological assessment of karst aquifers developed within the Tindall Limestone, Katherine, N.T., Power and Water Authority, NT. Report 63/1993.

Selected photographs and diagrams

To view full size images, click on the displayed thumbnail image.
C020710.jpg Katherine karst area, Daly Basin, NT
Cutta Cutta Cave.
The cave is a strongly joint-controlled linear phreatic system.
It has a complex history of alternating solution and filling with sediments.
The roof in this photo shows a paleokarst fissure fill.
File: C020710.jpg
C020706.jpg Katherine karst area, Daly Basin, NT
Cutta Cutta Cave.
Phreatic spongework in wall.
File: C020706.jpg
C020715.jpg Katherine karst area, Daly Basin, NT
Cutta Cutta Cave.
Areas of paleokarst fill - red earth.
File: C020715.jpg
C020720x.JPG Katherine karst area, Daly Basin, NT
Cutta Cutta Cave.
Conulite in mud of cave floor.
File: C020720x.JPG
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