Today marked a unique opportunity as we were granted special permission to explore another (new to us) lava cave located in Auckland, New Zealand. Remarkably, this cave lies just over five kilometres from Auckland’s CBD, tucked away on private property. Gaining access was refreshingly simple; the entrance, though hidden, presented none of the usual manhole entrances, difficult scrambles or tight squeezes often associated with other lava caves in the region.
While its total length extends for approximately 80 metres – meaning it’s not among Auckland’s longest – the cave more than compensates with its impressive width and height. In several areas, the floor stretches nearly 10 metres across, and a ceiling height of around 5 metres is maintained consistently throughout its passage.
Inside, the cave boasts some wonderful geological formations. Particularly striking were two high chimneys reaching skyward from the ceiling. These vertical shafts ascended at least 10 metres. Such chimneys are formed during the lava flow’s cooling phase when trapped volcanic gases escaped upwards, melting a conduit through the solidifying lava roof.
We also observed numerous well-formed lava stalactites, often referred to as “lavatites.” These formations result from the rapid cooling and solidification of dripping molten lava. As lava drips from the ceiling of a cooling tube, it hardens in mid-air, gradually building downwards into elongated, icicle-like structures.
About two-thirds of the way in, the cave narrows to an easily navigated pinch point. This section required a short crawl through a manageable gap, after which the cavern reopened to its former impressive dimensions.
Near the end of the cave, there is a lava fall. Lava falls are formed where molten lava once cascaded over steep inclines or ledges. As this flowing rock cooled and solidified, it hardened into formations that capture the dynamic look of a waterfall.
