Helictite Indexes page Abstracts of Vols 30 - 39 Helictite Home page Key to Abstractors
The abstracts appear in reverse order of the publishing sequence in Helictite.
Title: Microkarren in Australia - a request for information
Authors: GRIMES, Ken G.
Published: 2007, Helictite 40(1):21-23
Abstract by author:
Microkarren are the smallest class of visible karren. They are finely-sculptured solutional forms, typically recognisable
within a one centimetre grid. They come in a variety of patterns, of which fields of moderately to strongly sinuous
microrills about 1mm wide and several decimetres long are the most conspicuous type. A descriptive terminology
is suggested. Their genesis is uncertain, but appears to involve solution by thin films of water (dew, sea-spray or
light rain) with surface-tension effects. In Australia their best development seems to be in the tropical monsoon
(seasonally dry) and arid areas. However, these cryptic forms are poorly recorded and it is too early to make definite
statements about their distribution. This note is a request for people to watch for them and report any sightings.
Includes: 5 photos, 7 refs
Title: Tectonic and Talus Caves at Pilchers Mountain, New South Wales
Authors: SMITH, Garry K.
Published: 2007, Helictite 40(1):11-20
Abstract by author:
There are fourteen known caves within the Pilchers Mountain Environmental Protection Reserve, in New South Wales,
Australia. The reserve contains five main chasms which run generally East-West for approximately one kilometre, over a
total width of half a kilometre.
The chasms and caves were formed by massive sandstone block separation along sub-parallel joint planes. Movement
of the blocks toward the valley floor was aided by the dip of the sandstone layers and presence of underlying shale bands
which acted as slip planes when lubricated by groundwater. There are two distinct types of caves at Pilchers Mountain,
"tectonic" caves formed by the movement of large blocks of bedrock, and "talus" caves amongst large breakdown rocks
and boulders. The chasms provide a micro-climate which supports a pocket of dense, high canopy, subtropical rainforest,
and the caves are home to populations of bats and other fauna.
The European history of Pilchers Mountain is detailed in chronological order from the early 1800s to the present day. A
Plan of Management is in the process of being formulated by stakeholders and interested parties to ensure the continued
preservation of the reserve.
Includes: 8 figures (3 maps, 4 photos, 1 diagram), 1 table, 22 refs
Keywords: Pseudokarst, Tectonic Caves, Talus caves, Fissure caves, History, Management, New South Wales
Title: The abode of malevolent spirits and creatures - Caves in Victorian Aboriginal social organization
Authors: CLARK, Ian D.
Published: 2007, Helictite 40(1):2-10
Abstract by author:
A study of Aboriginal associations with Victorian caves finds that there is a rich cultural heritage associated with caves.
This association has been found to be rich and varied in which caves and sink holes featured prominently in the lives
of Aboriginal people - they were often the abodes of malevolent creatures and spirits and some were associated with
important ancestral heroes, traditional harming practices, and some were important in the after death movement of souls
to their resting places. Aboriginal names for caves, where known, are discussed.
Includes: 4 figures, 34 refs
Keywords: rock shelters, caves, dark zones, Aboriginal heritage, mythology, Victoria, Australia
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Abstracts of Vols 30 - 39
Copyright © Australian Speleological Federation Inc. 2007
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