Laterite Karst - caves

Caves in laterite karst are generally NOT the result of solution alone. In many cases they form in the soft mottled or pallid zone beneath a hard duricrust cap. The soft material has been removed by piping, wind or other mechanical processes. Tafoni are a related phenomenon, but are not restricted to laterite or DWPs.

For an example, with map, of a low maze cave beneath a laterite cap, see Lefroy, T., & Lake, P., 1972: A laterite cave in the Upper Chittering Region, Western Australia. The Western Caver, 12(3): 68-77.

See also photos of possible solutional caves in sandstone at Lawn Hill Gorge, NW Qld. But those are not assocuated with a DWP.

Selected photographs and diagrams

To view full size images, click on the displayed image.

Map of a cave in weathered sandstone beneath a silicified duricrust, Barrey Caves, near the Barkly Highway, NT. See photo below.
BarryCavesMap.png

Panorama photo of the rear chamber of the cave shown in the map above, looking out to the entrance chamber.
KG083141Ps.JPG

Cave (rock shelter) in a DWP beneath a duricrust. Georgetown area, Qld.
S730616.jpg

The cave at Chittering, WA, is a low crawly horizontal maze in soft lateritic material beneath a ferricrete crust. It probably formed by piping of the soft matrial from beneath the resistant cap.
See Lefroy, T., & Lake, P., 1972:
ChitteringMap.png

Entrance to the Chittering laterite cave, showing duricrust cap and pillars. The left hand pillar has a small, vertical, cylindrical solution pipe exposed in its side.
Notebook is 18 x 12 cm.
Stereo-pair, view cross-eyed.
KG091222a.JPG & KG091221a.JPG

Inside the Chittering cave. Note roof pendants, and the small solution pipe within the core of one pendant.
Notebook is 18 x 12 cm.
Stereo-pair, view cross-eyed.
KG091280.JPG & KG091279.JPG

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