For those who have peered into an active lava tube, seeing a molten river flowing beneath their feet leaves an indelible memory. But for those seeking to know more about lava tubes, such limited glimpses result in more questions than answers. If only it were possible to enter an active tube, all would be revealed.
Unfortunately, this is not an option. But it is possible to learn about the processes occurring within active lava tubes, by examining the frozen features found in cold lava caves.
UNDERSTANDING LAVA TUBES AND LAVA CAVES takes you inside an active lava flow.
The two methods of lava tube formation are explained. The various processes responsible for changing the size and shape of a tube, are revealed. You’ll learn how air shapes delicate cave features, and changes the color of the rock. You’ll be amazed by the incredible diversity of formations found in lava caves, and understand how they form. And finally, you’ll discover that not all lava caves, are lava tubes. Other types of lava caves do exist.
In addition to this, you are given practical information about lava tube caving, and preservation. And there is a Question section which provides further information.
Sections are well illustrated, informative, and interesting, making UNDERSTANDING LAVA TUBES AND LAVA CAVES a must have, for anyone wanting to learn about this fascinating environment.
HARRY SHICK has always sought to understand how and why things work as they do. As a child, he was attracted to toys with moving parts; but as soon as he discovered how the toy worked, he would lose interest and seek a new challenge. This tendency frustrated his parents, but did prepare him for school where he excelled at math and science.
After high school, Harry studied physics at the local university, but this only lasted two years. The complex theories taught there, were problematic and had no bearing on reality; so Harry decided to move on.
Years later, Harry learned of a lava tube cave entrance on his big island property. After a cursory inspection, he decided to share his good fortune with others by offering guided cave tours.
Initially, he knew nothing about lava tubes and had to learn on the fly. By piecing together information gained from several sources (cavers, cave visitors, and observation) a complete picture of lava tube processes began to emerge.
As his knowledge of lava tubes grew, Harry began to realize that the patterns he was seeing in the cave could be found throughout nature. Applying this new found wisdom to physics, Harry found ways to replace complicated theories with simple explanations. This resulted in a radically simplified view of the universe that even explains gravity.
Harry currently educates cave visitors about lava tube geology while stressing preservation.