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- Auckland Lava Cave Discoveries
We have discovered approximately 30 previously undocumented lava caves within the Auckland Volcanic Field (AVF). Several of these are considered to be among the most significant AVF lava caves recorded to date.
These caves have undergone comprehensive surveys and documentation, with the resulting data incorporated into the New Zealand Speleological Society Cave Atlas Database. You can find information on each cave below. Other caves were determined to be of lesser significance and therefore have not been surveyed, nor listed below.
| Cave Name | Overview | Key Features | More information |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mira Cave |
Mira Lava Cave is a remarkable AVF feature known for its exceptional size, length, and unique geology. Named after the star Mira for its long, tail-like shape and the Latin word for “wonderful”. |
Unique mineral formations, bacterial biofilm, skylight, lava straws, flow-line wall. |
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Cygnus X1 Cave |
Cygnus X1 Cave is formed of fractured basalt with a blocky floor. Two short tubes extend from the 2.4-meter-high main chamber, one with a steep drop. |
Located within large chasm, large pohutukawa trunk inside. |
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Capella Cave |
A singular entrance cave with a collapsed ceiling/skylight adorned with a small natural bridge. Two separate tubes leading to the north and south. |
Collapsed ceiling/skylight, natural bridge, multiple tubes, smooth floors, ceiling height of 1.8m. |
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Pollux Cave |
Pollux Cave is part of the “Gemini Caves” and is one of two complex caves with side by side entrances. The main chamber features a spacious area and ceiling height reaching 2.6 metres. Southward, a narrow arm continues with a visible passage for at least 15 meters. |
High ceiling height, open main chamber, large unbroken lava roll 13 metres long. |
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|
Castor Cave |
Castor Cave is part of the “Gemini Caves” and is one of two complex caves with side by side entrances. Near the entrance, the cave expands into a large chamber, from which three distinct passages diverge. The chamber boasts a ceiling of nearly 2 metres and features a striking ropey pahoehoe lava fall. |
Large primary chamber reaching over 2 metres high, lava fall, multiple skylights, numerous tubes, lava roll. |
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Son of Gemini Cave |
Son of Gemini Cave has a small entrance requiring a slender build to enter. It widens slightly inside. A short, blocked westward passage contains a tree trunk. |
Small entrance, opening up into a larger chamber. |
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Weeping Well Cave |
Weeping Well Cave, a small, fractured basalt cave at a depression’s base, contains a rare pond (one of only two in AVF). Access is via a deep hole. The passage follows the depression with minor southern branches. |
A persistent pond of water. |
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Alcyone Cave |
Alcyone Cave has a “tube-in-tube” structure (inaccessible upper, ~2m lower). The passage narrows then widens over a blocky floor that changes color. Large blocks and unusual lava stalactites are present. Multiple flows formed it. |
Tube-in-tube structure, varied floor, lava blocks, lava stalactites. |
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Electra Cave |
NZ-shaped Electra Cave has four entrances, a main western one leading to a 1.5m lava tube. A narrow, blocked passage connects to a spacious (~2m high), uneven main chamber with two entrances. West of the chamber, the cave narrows then widens to 1m high. |
Four entrances, spacious main chamber reaching almost 2 metres high. |
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Deep Shaft Cave |
Deep Shaft Cave is a unique fractured basalt cavern characterised by a deep shaft (20 meters) and an exceptionally narrow, challenging entrance. At the cave’s base, two narrow passages diverge in separate directions. |
Deep shaft reaching 20 metres. |
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Two Tube Cave |
Two Tube Cave is one of the few caves within the AVF that features two separate tubes, one on top of the other. This cave also features a spacious cavern. |
Two tier tube system, large cavern, pool of water. |
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Cracked Rock Cave |
Cracked Rock Cave was only accessible after a careful lifting of a large rock blocking its entrance. The entrance is still extremely tight. It is a small cave, just big enough to stand up. |
Small entrance, bird bones |
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