site 1391

1391: Volcano Cave
S Vega 30T 451120 4794229 (Datum: ETRS89. Accuracy code: G) Altitude 592m
Length 74m Depth 29m
Area position : Site entrance in context : Logbook search

Updated 21st October 2001; 28th April 2002; 25th May, 19th October 2003; 3rd May, 14th October 2004; 30th November 2005; 1st February, 20th May, 5th October 2006; 7th May 2007; 8th May 2018; 20th, 22nd September, 6th, November 2023; 27th November 2024

   Called "The Volcano" due to the strong, warm draught emerging from the entrance (Infrared photos below.) Its position above possible linking passage between Vallina and the South Vega System puts the site near the forefront of digging spots.
   A stooping-size hole to a 2 x 3 x 2m high chamber that has been dug down and around in boulders. After further digging in 2002, it required heavier techniques. Digging continued through 2003.
   At Easter 2004, the following account was written:
"A trip was undertaken to survey loop accurately to determine wall thickness - approx 0.6m. Then from the dodgy side digging into a small chamber up from the pit following draught. Draught issuing from small hole in floor. Tight rift could be seen. Floor on good side (main dig) also lowered by 6".
"A third trip dug floor in main dig and drilled from dodgy side to connect back of hole into main dig. Have achieved connection. Needs to widen for caver access to the pit.
Good draught issuing from bottom of pit and good prospect once the hanging death boulder above the pit can be dealt with safely."
   Further excavation occurred in 2005.
   At Easter and summer 2006 some stabilising was undertaken with foam and stemples. (No logbook account).
   On one trip at Easter 2007, a break-through occurred when a 3m climb dropped to a dig into a 5m wide rift with a 6m pitch. This entered a 15x5m chamber floored with large blocks. A hole in the floor of the chamber has been partly excavated - a chamber can be seen below, but some stabilising of the boulders is required. The 3m climb and 6m pitch go through about 4 beds of sandstone, one about 1.2m thick. The limestone in this area has a lot of cross bedding and has fragments of sandstone.

After a 16-year digging hiatus, the site was re-visited by a 4-person team for re-assessment in August 2023. The site was opened up by digging: "Some time was spent digging and stabilising the way on to the lower chamber. Finally got into this space" where there are "2 leads which will be long term digging prospects with shoring. A draught out from the right hand dig. We started to pull a few rocks out which was easy going - but not long before shoring will be required." (See 2023 video below) . This lowest space may or may not have been previously entered: there may have been an undocumented trip after 3/4/2007 - see logbook entry on page 1, autumn 2023.