Caves and karst-like features in Proterozoic gneiss and Cambrian granite, southern and central Sri Lanka: An introduction
There has been little study of the geology and geomorphologyof the caves and karst-like features developed in the Proterozoicgneiss and Cambrian granite of Sri Lanka. This lack of studyis surprising given that caves and rockshelters in these rockscontain significant archaeological and cultural sites...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts
2013-09-01
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| Series: | Acta Carsologica |
| Online Access: | https://ojs.zrc-sazu.si/carsologica/article/view/630 |
| _version_ | 1811169926520504320 |
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| author | L. Armstrong R. Osborne Wasantha S. Weliange Pathmakumara Jayasingha A.S. Dandeniya A.K. Prageeth P. Algiriya Ross E. Pogson |
| author_facet | L. Armstrong R. Osborne Wasantha S. Weliange Pathmakumara Jayasingha A.S. Dandeniya A.K. Prageeth P. Algiriya Ross E. Pogson |
| author_sort | L. Armstrong R. Osborne |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | There has been little study of the geology and geomorphologyof the caves and karst-like features developed in the Proterozoicgneiss and Cambrian granite of Sri Lanka. This lack of studyis surprising given that caves and rockshelters in these rockscontain significant archaeological and cultural sites. Caves andkarren, both mimicking those developed in carbonate rocks,have formed both in gneiss, which is the dominant rock type ofthe Proterozoic crust of the island and in granite. In addition tooverhangs, boulder caves, soil pipes and tectonic caves, tunnelcaves, arch caves and block breakdown caves of significant sizeare developed in siliceous rocks in Sri Lanka. While metamorphoseddolomites are interfoliated within the gneissic suite,simple removal of carbonate by solution from within the surroundingrock cannot account for all or most of the speleogenesisobserved. While spalling and breakdown are responsiblefor cave enlargement cave initiation is probably due to eitherphreatic solution of silicates and/or phantom rock processes.Speleothems and cave minerals including silicates, phosphates,gypsum, carbonates and niter are found in the caves. Activesilicate speleothems are not restricted to joints and fissures andsuggest that solution of silicates is currently occurring withinthe body of the rock in the vadose zone. While guano is thelikely source of the phosphate, sulfate and nitrate, the sourceof the calcium in the carbonates remains unclear. Caves in theintrusive and metamorphic rocks of Sri Lanka are enigmatic.They are unexpectedly similar in appearance to their carbonatekarst counterparts. Continuing research will allow them tohold a mirror to our understanding of speleogenesis, mineralizationand sedimentation in carbonate karst caves. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T16:49:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bf661bda1d7e4b839f4ecc3937f95301 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0583-6050 1580-2612 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T16:49:05Z |
| publishDate | 2013-09-01 |
| publisher | Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Carsologica |
| spelling | doaj.art-bf661bda1d7e4b839f4ecc3937f953012023-02-07T17:42:11ZengSlovenian Academy of Sciences and ArtsActa Carsologica0583-60501580-26122013-09-0142110.3986/ac.v42i1.630567Caves and karst-like features in Proterozoic gneiss and Cambrian granite, southern and central Sri Lanka: An introductionL. Armstrong R. Osborne0Wasantha S. Weliange1Pathmakumara Jayasingha2A.S. Dandeniya3A.K. Prageeth P. Algiriya4Ross E. Pogson5Education & Social Work, A35, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7Research Laboratory, Central Cultural Fund, Independence Avenue, Colombo 07BGJF Consultancy Services, 35A½, Sunethradewi Road, Kohuwala, NugegodaPostgraduate Institute of Archaeology, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney, NSW, 2010There has been little study of the geology and geomorphologyof the caves and karst-like features developed in the Proterozoicgneiss and Cambrian granite of Sri Lanka. This lack of studyis surprising given that caves and rockshelters in these rockscontain significant archaeological and cultural sites. Caves andkarren, both mimicking those developed in carbonate rocks,have formed both in gneiss, which is the dominant rock type ofthe Proterozoic crust of the island and in granite. In addition tooverhangs, boulder caves, soil pipes and tectonic caves, tunnelcaves, arch caves and block breakdown caves of significant sizeare developed in siliceous rocks in Sri Lanka. While metamorphoseddolomites are interfoliated within the gneissic suite,simple removal of carbonate by solution from within the surroundingrock cannot account for all or most of the speleogenesisobserved. While spalling and breakdown are responsiblefor cave enlargement cave initiation is probably due to eitherphreatic solution of silicates and/or phantom rock processes.Speleothems and cave minerals including silicates, phosphates,gypsum, carbonates and niter are found in the caves. Activesilicate speleothems are not restricted to joints and fissures andsuggest that solution of silicates is currently occurring withinthe body of the rock in the vadose zone. While guano is thelikely source of the phosphate, sulfate and nitrate, the sourceof the calcium in the carbonates remains unclear. Caves in theintrusive and metamorphic rocks of Sri Lanka are enigmatic.They are unexpectedly similar in appearance to their carbonatekarst counterparts. Continuing research will allow them tohold a mirror to our understanding of speleogenesis, mineralizationand sedimentation in carbonate karst caves.https://ojs.zrc-sazu.si/carsologica/article/view/630 |
| spellingShingle | L. Armstrong R. Osborne Wasantha S. Weliange Pathmakumara Jayasingha A.S. Dandeniya A.K. Prageeth P. Algiriya Ross E. Pogson Caves and karst-like features in Proterozoic gneiss and Cambrian granite, southern and central Sri Lanka: An introduction Acta Carsologica |
| title | Caves and karst-like features in Proterozoic gneiss and Cambrian granite, southern and central Sri Lanka: An introduction |
| title_full | Caves and karst-like features in Proterozoic gneiss and Cambrian granite, southern and central Sri Lanka: An introduction |
| title_fullStr | Caves and karst-like features in Proterozoic gneiss and Cambrian granite, southern and central Sri Lanka: An introduction |
| title_full_unstemmed | Caves and karst-like features in Proterozoic gneiss and Cambrian granite, southern and central Sri Lanka: An introduction |
| title_short | Caves and karst-like features in Proterozoic gneiss and Cambrian granite, southern and central Sri Lanka: An introduction |
| title_sort | caves and karst like features in proterozoic gneiss and cambrian granite southern and central sri lanka an introduction |
| url | https://ojs.zrc-sazu.si/carsologica/article/view/630 |
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