RI BLAI (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A descent down into a relatively large sinkhole (unspecified dimensions and an unspecified shape) gives access to a relatively large cave chamber (unspecified dimensions) which contains not only relatively gigantic boulders of unspecified size but also a hole in the floor descending down into a meandering cave passage and more. ETYMOLOGY: The Pothole, Wahlong Bri (Kharpran Daly, Brian D 2007.03.07 Mss) was recorded as Krem Ri Blai and interpreted as Land of God (Breitenbach, S 2014.03.16 Mss) but refers to a God [of this] Land. This -ri- or land (note 2) could be a version of -bri- (note 1) in the sense of an area of land used for growing crops. The god or -U Blei- (note 3) may indicated a christianised version of the tutelary pagan deity U 'Suid Bri serving as a protector, guardian, or patron (note 4). SETTING: In a relatively narrow valley somewhere in the vicinity of Wahlong (note 5) and Byrong (Breitenbach, S 2014.03.16 Mss) or Bairong (note 6). SITUATION: At the base of an abou 17 m to 20 m high cliff and at an estimated distance of 50 m in an unidentified direction from a relatively small bridge across an stream with an unidentified name (note 7). GEOLOGICAL SITUATION: The known parts of this cave appear to have formed not only in rocks of the Lower Palaeocene to Upper Maestrichtian (BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978: 10 table) Langpar Formation (DUTTA, N K et al 2009; BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) but also in the underlying Late Cretaceous to Palaeocene (GARG, R & JAIN, K P 1995) or Upper Maestrichtian to Campanian (BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) Mahadek Formation (GHOSH, A M N 1940; BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) or Mahadek Stage (DAS GUPTA, A B 1977: 6) and Cherra Sandstone (GHOSH, A M N 1940) renamed from Mahadeo band (MEDLICOTT, H B 1869: 28 = 178) or Mahadeo Beds (PALMER, R W 1924: 160). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2014.03.16: Figuratively, the cave is a vertical beast. A climb down into a sinkhole leas to a cave chamber with dislocated boulders. A hole in the floor gives access to several descents which require ladders to eventually reach an aven that is quite rainy even in the dry season and must needs be very wet during the rains. A relatively high meandering cave passage (better negotiated near the base and awkward to traverse higher up) carries a stream of water generally southwest. At some distance downstream, the cave passage encounters different rocks (perhaps the Mahadeks) and the further one proceeds the meander gets more and more labyrinthine (note 8). PROSPECTS 2014.03.16: At an estimated vertical range of ±90 m (+0 m / ca. -90 m) and a survey length of about 400 m, the downstream maze remains unexplored (note 9). 17 m to 20 m high cliff and at an estimated distance of 50 m in an unidentified direction from a relatively small bridge across an stream with an unidentified name (note 7). GEOLOGICAL SITUATION: The known parts of this cave appear to have formed not only in rocks of the Lower Palaeocene to Upper Maestrichtian (BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978: 10 table) Langpar Formation (DUTTA, N K et al 2009; BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) but also in the underlying Late Cretaceous to Palaeocene (GARG, R & JAIN, K P 1995) or Upper Maestrichtian to Campanian (BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) Mahadek Formation (GHOSH, A M N 1940; BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) or Mahadek Stage (DAS GUPTA, A B 1977: 6) and Cherra Sandstone (GHOSH, A M N 1940) renamed from Mahadeo band (MEDLICOTT, H B 1869: 28 = 178) or Mahadeo Beds (PALMER, R W 1924: 160). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2014.03.16: Figuratively, the cave is a vertical beast. A climb down into a sinkhole lea 17 m to 20 m high cliff and at an estimated distance of 50 m in an unidentified direction from a relatively small bridge across an stream with an unidentified name (note 7). GEOLOGICAL SITUATION: The known parts of this cave appear to have formed not only in rocks of the Lower Palaeocene to Upper Maestrichtian (BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978: 10 table) Langpar Formation (DUTTA, N K et al 2009; BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) but also in the underlying Late Cretaceous to Palaeocene (GARG, R & JAIN, K P 1995) or Upper Maestrichtian to Campanian (BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) Mahadek Formation (GHOSH, A M N 1940; BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) or Mahadek Stage (DAS GUPTA, A B 1977: 6) and Cherra Sandstone (GHOSH, A M N 1940) renamed from Mahadeo band (MEDLICOTT, H B 1869: 28 = 178) or Mahadeo Beds (PALMER, R W 1924: 160). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2014.03.16: Figuratively, the cave is a vertical beast. A climb down into a sinkhole lea 17 m to 20 m high cliff and at an estimated distance of 50 m in an unidentified direction from a relatively small bridge across an stream with an unidentified name (note 7). GEOLOGICAL SITUATION: The known parts of this cave appear to have formed not only in rocks of the Lower Palaeocene to Upper Maestrichtian (BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978: 10 table) Langpar Formation (DUTTA, N K et al 2009; BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) but also in the underlying Late Cretaceous to Palaeocene (GARG, R & JAIN, K P 1995) or Upper Maestrichtian to Campanian (BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) Mahadek Formation (GHOSH, A M N 1940; BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) or Mahadek Stage (DAS GUPTA, A B 1977: 6) and Cherra Sandstone (GHOSH, A M N 1940) renamed from Mahadeo band (MEDLICOTT, H B 1869: 28 = 178) or Mahadeo Beds (PALMER, R W 1924: 160). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2014.03.16: Figuratively, the cave is a vertical beast. A climb down into a sinkhole lea 17 m to 20 m high cliff and at an estimated distance of 50 m in an unidentified direction from a relatively small bridge across an stream with an unidentified name (note 7). GEOLOGICAL SITUATION: The known parts of this cave appear to have formed not only in rocks of the Lower Palaeocene to Upper Maestrichtian (BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978: 10 table) Langpar Formation (DUTTA, N K et al 2009; BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) but also in the underlying Late Cretaceous to Palaeocene (GARG, R & JAIN, K P 1995) or Upper Maestrichtian to Campanian (BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) Mahadek Formation (GHOSH, A M N 1940; BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) or Mahadek Stage (DAS GUPTA, A B 1977: 6) and Cherra Sandstone (GHOSH, A M N 1940) renamed from Mahadeo band (MEDLICOTT, H B 1869: 28 = 178) or Mahadeo Beds (PALMER, R W 1924: 160). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2014.03.16: Figuratively, the cave is a vertical beast. A climb down into a sinkhole lea 17 m to 20 m high cliff and at an estimated distance of 50 m in an unidentified direction from a relatively small bridge across an stream with an unidentified name (note 7). GEOLOGICAL SITUATION: The known parts of this cave appear to have formed not only in rocks of the Lower Palaeocene to Upper Maestrichtian (BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978: 10 table) Langpar Formation (DUTTA, N K et al 2009; BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) but also in the underlying Late Cretaceous to Palaeocene (GARG, R & JAIN, K P 1995) or Upper Maestrichtian to Campanian (BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) Mahadek Formation (GHOSH, A M N 1940; BHATTACHARYA, A & BHATTACHARYA, U 1978 1978: 10) or Mahadek Stage (DAS GUPTA, A B 1977: 6) and Cherra Sandstone (GHOSH, A M N 1940) renamed from Mahadeo band (MEDLICOTT, H B 1869: 28 = 178) or Mahadeo Beds (PALMER, R W 1924: 160). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2014.03.16: Figuratively, the cave is a vertical beast. A climb down into a sinkhole leas to a cave chamber with dislocated boulders. A hole in the floor gives access to several descents which require ladders to eventually reach an aven that is quite rainy even in the dry season and must needs be very wet during the rains. A relatively high meandering cave passage (better negotiated near the base and awkward to traverse higher up) carries a stream of water generally southwest. At some distance downstream, the cave passage encounters different rocks (perhaps the Mahadeks) and the further one proceeds the meander gets more and more labyrinthine (note 8). PROSPECTS 2014.03.16: At an estimated vertical range of ±90 m (+0 m / ca. -90 m) and a survey length of about 400 m, the downstream maze remains unexplored (note 9).