Clifden Limestone Caves

Clifden Caves

Location of Clifden Cave System on the South Island of New Zealand.

The Clifden Limestone Cave System is located in the Western Southland Region of New Zealand close to the hamlet of Clifden on private land^[1].

Geology

The caves were formed in the Miocene period (c. 22-18 million years ago) from the accumulation of shell fragments, sand and pebbles in the Epeiric Zealandia sea^[2]. This sediment was buried and compressed beneath layers of sediment deposited over many centuries and later eroded to form the present land surface. The cave system was, and is still, formed by Karst topography^[1].

Ecology

Glow worms or titiwai (Arachnocampa luminosa) find a natural habitat in the Clifden Cave System because of the damp environment with little or no wind^[3].

Recreation

The cave system runs about 300 metres in length and is open for spelunking^[1]. The cave system has a tendency to flood after rain^[4], giving this undeveloped cave system a "hard" rating by spelunkers^[5].

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} WayMarking - Clifden Caves
2. ^ New Zealand Department of Conservation - Clifden Caves
3. ^ Clifden Cave Brochure.
4. ^ Let's Go - CLIFDEN.
5. ^ Wonderwalkers - Clifden.