A Stalactite Cave Discovered at a Construction Site in Elkana
A Stalactite Cave Was Discovered During the Construction Works of the Nofei Elkana Neighborhood in the Community of Elkana
During infrastructure works in the Nofei Elkana neighborhood in the community of Elkana, a stalactite cave rich in cave deposits was discovered. The construction supervisor at the site passed the information to the infrastructure supervisor of the Nature and Parks Authority, who passed the information to the ICRC. An ICRC team went to the area and examined the cave. As noted, reports of this kind illustrate the great importance of a fast, high-quality report on caves at construction sites. http://www.malham.info/report
This is a karstic cave that developed phreatically (dissolution under groundwater), in limestone of the Vradim Fm. After the limestone layers were uplifted and the water table dropped, the cave emptied of water and vadose activity began in it, during which cave deposits in various forms were deposited, in large parts of the cave, including its ceiling and floor.
The cave has an entrance measuring about 1x1 meters at the top of a chamber measuring 6x5 meters. The height of the chamber in the area of the entrance is about 4 meters. The chamber is decorated with stalactites throughout, which were damaged as a result of the quarrying and the collapse.
On the eastern side of the chamber there is a narrow opening leading to a narrow, sloping passage descending to another, inner room measuring 3x3. This room is full of impressive karstic features and includes two beautiful water pools, flowstone, cave corals, stalactites, stalagmites, elephant ears and beautiful travertine dams.
As will be remembered, in August 2015 one of the most beautiful stalactite caves in the country was destroyed - the Orange Door Cave in Modi'in Illit - http://www.malham.info/orangedoor
