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Kōrero: Caving

Stalactites and stalagmites

Image
Stalactites and stalagmites

These stalactites (growing down from the ceiling) and stalagmites (growing up from the floor) have formed in Maori Leap Cave, Kaikōura. The cave was discovered in 1958, when it was unearthed at a limestone quarry. It is unusual in that it was formed by the action of the sea. The land was then uplifted and over time stalactites and stalagmites were deposited in the cavern by seeping water.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand

Reference: Go8646Rbt.jpg

by G. R. Roberts

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Carl Walrond, Caving – Caves and life forms, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/11516/stalactites-and-stalagmites (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Carl Walrond, i tāngia i te 2 March 2009.