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Protecting Lava Tube Caves Victor J Part 2-Conserv,ation, Management, Ethics: Polyak and Provencio---Lava Tubes 133 Section A-Identifying and Protecting Cave Resources I Protecting Lava Tube Caves Victor J. Polyak and Paula P.Provencio I Basaltic lava flows worldwide contain beautiful and impressive lava tube caves. Although just as intriguing and delicate as limestone caves, there is a perception that lava tube caves have not been as thoroughly studied and protected as limestone and dolostone caves. This chapter offers a Outdoor recreational activities such as caving have become increasingly popular over the last few decades. As a result, there are equally accelerat- brief synopsis of the ing impacts to n~tural and cultural resources in caves. Prior to the Federal uniqueness of lava Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988, there was undoubtedly less tube caves with incentive to man~ge and protect most caves, and lava tube caves were no emphasis on preser- exception. (See cave laws, page 217; for complete text of the Act, see vation, conserva- Appendix I, page 507.) There was also no meaSure for determining the impact to these caves, mainly because little was known about the lava tube tion, and protection. caves and their resources. Since the Act was implemented, management emphasis of publicly owned lava tube caves has shifted from recreation to conservation (Nieland 1992). There is now a need to more thoroughly define lava tube caves and their resources so the most appropriate manage- ment plans can b'e administered. What should be preserved in a lava tube cave? This is the fundamental question that ultimately leads to the protection of lava tube caves and their features. Caves of Washington by William R. Halliday (1963) and An l/Ius- trated Glossary of Lava Tube Features by Charles Larson (1993) are mono- graphs that point out what exists in these caves in terms of uniqueness and worthiness of preServation. While the lava features in lava tube caves are often small and difficult to see, they are truly unique and usually very fragile. Once damaged, these features do not recover and are not easily restored. Lava tube caves can be quite diverse and complex, as indicated in the Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Vulcanospeleology (Hong 1992), published by the National Speleological Society. Braids, mazes, multi-levels, vertical entrances, crawl ways, and immense boreholes are descriptors oflava tube cave passages. Mineralogical deposition in these caves can be equally impressive. This chapter offers a brief synopsis of the uniqueness oflava tube caves with emphasis on preservation, conservation, and protection. I Resources in Lava Tube Caves Lava tube caves lre formed in basalt flows. Unlike limestone caves, they form rapidly (over weeks, months, or years). Those interested in the origin and character of lava tubes can refer to Greeley (1987, 1971, 1972), Peterson and Sw,mson (1974), Allred and Allred (1997), Rogers and Mosch (1997), and others. The timing of the speleogenesis oflava tube caves can simply, be determined by dating the basalt bedrock of the cave. During the active lifetime of the lava tube, remelting of the surfaces produces lava features that mimic speleothems commonly found in limestone caves, such as stalagmites and stalactites. These are primary 134 Cave Conservation and Restoration speleogenetie features (formed when the cave formed). Secondary speleothems like those found in limestone caves can also form in lava tubes. Because the speleogenetic features and secondary speleothems found in lava tube caves are generally small and often not easily seen, they are vulnerable to damage by visitation. Lava Features Visitors often overlook lava features because of their dark color, or because the features are not well defined. Common lava features in caves are lava stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, columns, flowstonc, coralloids, grooves (flow lines), shelves, ceiling cusps, linings, lava falls, dams, levees, gutters, and benches (Larson 1993). Cavers tend to be most familiar with lava features that resemble typical speleothems such as.stalactites and stalag- mites. Figure 1. This lava Although most of these speleothem-looking lava features are small and stalagmite was delicate, some can be quite large and impressive. For example, a lava probably broken by column 7.6 meters (29.4 feet) high is located in a Korean lava tube cave early cave visitors (Hong 1992). Lava stalagmites can exceed 3 meters (10 feet) in height. (shown here on top of Small stalagmites and other lava features (for example, peanut-sized lava a glove). These bubbles) on cave floors are very vulnerable to damage by visitation (Figure features are not easily 3). Even shelves and benches that appear to be physically robust can be noticed with carbide or damaged easily (Figure 2). weak electric lights. Lava features should receive as much recognition and protection as speleothems in limestone caves. Lava helictites seem to be as unique and rare as carbonate helictites. Lava stalagmites, in most cases, are extremely delicate and are much rarer than carbonate stalagmites. Continued lack of protection for these features will make them exceedingly rare. Mineral and Depositional Resources Lava tube caves usually contain secondary salts, carbonates, and silicates. The salts usually consist of gypsum, epsomite, thernardite, and mirabilite. These form delicate speleothem types such as crust and moonmilk. Calcite is common in lava tube caves, also as coralloids, crust, and moonmilk. Silicates such as amorphous silica and poorly formed magnesium clays (trioctahedral smectite) are also found in lava tube caves in crust, coralloids, and moonmilk. Oxides are observed in lava tube caves as iron- oxides (probably hydrous) which commonly coat or stain the walls. Ice decorates many lava tube caves, creating spectacular speleothems. Found in caves located in cooler climates, some ice speleothems can be very large and long-lived if the cave temperature perennially stays below O°C (32°F). Other ice speleothems are seasonal, melting during the summer and fall, and reforming during the winter and spring. Some ice deposits have potential to reveal important historic or climatic information (Dickfoss and others 1997). Part 2-Conservation, Management, Ethics: Polyak and Provencio-Lava Tubes 135 Figure 2. It is not known whether this broken lava shelf was damaged by people ~11:." h .,. climbing on it, or whether it broke naturally. In any case, ;;:;;j;~~~.:., j. ~~ these types of features . are prone to damage '.~r-'" by careless visitors. Dark spots or Ii~es on lava surfaces (isolated and discrete features) may be fonned by dripping water or ice melt and airflow, and appear to be spots where the original lava surface is left clean. These secondary features are not speleothems or lava features, and may seem unimportant to most visitors in lava tube caves. As insignificant as these floor spots might seem, they may provide information regarding past cave climate. Since they seem to result from dripping water, they may also be microhabitats for unusual or important life. Another interesting secondary feature found in many lava tube caves is rockflour. This po~dery material otien can he associated with primary features such as linings, and is a weathering product. Biologic Resources Scientific research of lava tubes has accelerated over the past 40 years with NASA becoming interested in habitats for extraterrestrial life and potential human shelter. (See cited references tor microbiology, pages 78-82.) Caves 136 Cave Conservation and Restoration have interesting biology and lava tube caves are no exception. Many traditional cave studies in biology relate to bats. Bats frequently use lava tubes, and bat habitation of lava tube caves can be significant. For instance, one of the larger bat colonies in the southwestern United States resides in an impressive lava tube cave. Since the twilight zones of these caves are commonly extensive, other animals also frequently use lava tube caves. The ecological balance of lava tube caves is olten quite fragile. For The ecological example. beautiful carpets of moss develop near entrances and below balance of lava tube skylights in the lava tube caves of EI Malpais National Monument. These caves is often quite are important habitats for invertebrates and microorganisms. Silvery or fragile. golden-colored slimes are olten observed on the walls and ceilings of lava tube caves-these reflective slimes result from colonies of bacteria such as actinomycetes (Northup and Welborn 1997). Microbes may also be partly responsible for the origin of secondary deposits such as moonmilk and vermiculations. (See biofilms page 68.) Cultural Resources Caves made good shelters for people of early cultures. Lava tube caves were used as burial or religious sites. or as places of refuge (La Plante 1992; Sinoto 1992). Important cultural materials still exist in many lava tube caves (Cresswell 1999). Religious resources are precious to native cultures and are receiving greater respect and protection. Cultural materials in lava tube caves are difficult to protect because the materials, if still present, are typically exposed and visible on the bedrock floors. To ensure preservation of these resources, cavers should report potential cultural sites to the appropriate archaeologists and keep the cave locations confidential. Protecting Lava Resources: Restriciting Visitation and Establishing Trails Lava Tube Cave Entrances Establishing restrictions (permits. signage, gates. trails) in lava tube caves is not straightforward because the cntrances are usually too large to gate, and entrance areas often harbor a number of different resources. Many lava tube cave entrances form niches for plants and animals not common elsewhere in the region surrounding the caves. This is well discussed by Establishing restric- Northup and We1bourn (1997) and citations within. For instance, lava tube tions (permits, signs, caves in the southwestern United States provide havens for moss, grass, or gates, trails) in lava fern gardens, which are often located at entrances or below skylights. These tube caves is not gardens are habitats for mites, flies, microbes, and other creatures.
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