TUNNEL, Lonavla (Sarkar et al. 1998) (aa -)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Vaguely noticed but clearly unspecified ancient caves and tunnels excavated within the thick massive flows of the Deccan-Trap basalts reported SARKAR, FRIEDMANN & KARMALKAR (1998) from sampling sites called K.C. = Karla Caves, T = Tunnel, K.P. = Kanhur Pathar which yielded speleothems (calcium carbonate / calcite stalactites 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm long and 0.5 cm to 0.9 cm in diameter; stalagmites of approximately 15 cm) that were found as whitish-colored matter along fractures and joint planes on the roof (ceilings). SITUATION: SARKAR et al (1998 unpaginated page 132 figure 1B) provide a tiny location maplet (80 mmby 63 mm) without coordinate grid (note 1) but reduced in size to a degree beyond use. This maplet shows a dot next to a letter -T- (along with explanation T = tunnel in the legend) a few millimeters south-west (or so) of -KC- (Karla Caves N18°47': E73°28') and thus apparently in the area where the districts of Pune and Raigarh meet near Lonavla (Lonauli, Lonavala, Lonavale).CAVE DESCRIPTION: SARKAR et al (1998: 133 figure 2) provide a single-flash photograph (without scale) titled A cave speleothem deposit of Maharashtra state, Indie. Note the deposition of calcium carbonate along the cracks and fractures and showing mineral efflorences covering parts of an obviously natural, irregularly vaulted cave ceiling in front of an under-exposed dark background. What looks like a row of angular rocks, possibly forming the top layers of a dry, man-made wall, seems to rest on an apparently soil covered, level floor. A darker area in the back may represent a gallery going off.CAVE DESCRIPTION: SARKAR et al (1998: 133 figure 2) provide a single-flash photograph (without scale) titled A cave speleothem deposit of Maharashtra state, Indie. Note the deposition of calcium carbonate along the cracks and fractures and showing mineral efflorences covering parts of an obviously natural, irregularly vaulted cave ceiling in front of an under-exposed dark background. What looks like a row of angular rocks, possibly forming the top layers of a dry, man-made wall, seems to rest on an apparently soil covered, level floor. A darker area in the back may represent a gallery going off.