CHARNA CAVES
30.666700,77.416700
Description
Karstified limestone surfaces (karren) and unspecified »caves« (perhaps daylight-lit rock shelters) containing stalactites (speleothems) reported SWAIN (1984: 22, 23, 29) from somewhere east of Charna village: »A white limestone band [note 1] occurs south of Chaur peak [note 2] in the Jutogh Formation near Datwardi village (note 3) and extends up to Chunvi (note 4), located 60 km [in a direct line but 180 km along the road] south of Rajgarh [N30°51': E77°18'], Sirmur district [Sirmaur, Sirmoor] … Small stalactites varying in length from 10 to 30 cm are observed within the caves east of Charna [note 5] village. At places, worm like and dendritic structures [karren] are noticed on the weathered surface probably due to solution effect. … Conclusion: The white crystalline limestone occurs as a large lensoid body within mica schist of Jutogh formation and is highly folded. The thickness of the limestone varies from 14 m to 150 m. The increase in thickness is mainly due to refolding of the limestone. At places [e.g. at Datwardi village well] the limestone is akin to marble. Presence of small phyllitic parting, solution cavities, caves, etc. will reduce the reserve considerably …« The accompanying geological sketch map (probably with Everest 1830) indicates banded clusters of White Limestone above the eastern and western banks of one »Naitika Khola« (not identified).
NOTE 1: SRIKANTIA, JANGI & REDDY (1971) established the "White Limestone" as 'G'-member of the Archaean Jutogh formation. NOTE 2: »Chaur Peak« (SWAIN 1984) and »The Chour« (HERBERT 1826 map) is the mountain positioned as »Chaur« and »Chur« at N30°53': E77°29' (nima.mil/geonames accessed 16.11.2003) indicated as »11966« (3647.2 m asl) on AMS sheet NH43-08 Ambala (U502 series, 1959 edition). Not to be confused with –>Choor Dhar above Barog N30°53': E077°06', south of Shimla (Simla). NOTE 3: »Datwari« (SWAIN 1984: 22 Fig.1: geological sketch map; SWAIN 1984: 25 Fig.2: Geological Map) or »Datwardi« (SWAIN 1984: 25 Fig.2: Geological Map: legend) near N30°46'45": E77°26'00", probably Everest 1830 coordinates, SWAIN 1984: 22 Fig.1: geological sketch map) is neither shown in the vicinity of this position on AMS sheet NH43-08 Ambala (U502 series, 1959 edition) nor listed on nima.mil/geonames (accessed 16.11.2003). NOTE 4: SWAIN (1984: 25 Fig.2: Geological Map) places »Chunvi« near N30°46'30": E77°39'45" (probably Everest 1830). SWAIN (1984: 23): »Chunvi is connected with Chandigarh by a 188 km long, partly metalled, motorable road via Rajgarh [N30°51': E77°18' nima.mil/geonames accessed 16.11.2003] and with Nathan [Nahan N30°33': E77°18' nima.mil/geonames accessed 16.11.2003], the district headquarters of Sirmur, by an 80 km long kachcha [fair weather] road respectively.« NOTE 5: »Charna« (SWAIN 1984) appears to correspond to Churni N29°48'21”: E77°01'30” (nima.mil/geonames accessed 16.11.2003) on AMS sheet NH43-12.
Cavités proche
| Distance (km) | Nom | Longueur (m) | Profondeur (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18.4 | Thour Clefts | ||
| 18.4 | Thour Recess | ||
| 32.4 | UYAR LEAD MINES | ||
| 32.4 | BORELA LEAD MINES | ||
| 32.4 | Mywar Lead Mines | ||
| 34.7 | SKELETON POT (Leakey's) | ||
| 35.5 | BLASTED HOLE | ||
| 36.1 | SKY RIFT | ||
| 36.4 | Royal Artillery Sink |