Maori Leap Cave
| Maori Leap Cave
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| Location: | Kaikoura , Canterbury Region , South Island , New Zealand | |
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Geographic location: |
42 ° 24 '42 " S , 173 ° 39' 31" E | |
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| Type: | Karst cave | |
| Discovery: | 1958 | |
| Show cave since: | Yes | |
| Overall length: | 100 m | |
The Maori Leap Cave ( German "Māori-Sprung-Höhle" ) is a small cave 3 km south of Kaikoura in the Canterbury region in the northeast of the South Island of New Zealand . It is privately owned by a farmer and is run by the owners of a nearby café.
The cave is used for tourism in the form of guided tours. Inside the cave are stalactites and stalagmites , limestone formations and so-called "straws", thin, hollow mineral tubes that are the precursors of stalactites.
The limestone cave near the sea shows typical features of a karst cave. It was discovered in 1958. It is said to have had natural access to the sea until about 6000 years ago. Penguin bones found in the cave were dated to this time.
There are various explanations for the name Maori Leap Cave . According to one, a warrior jumped off the cliff in a Maori raid from the North Island to avoid being captured and enslaved and apparently survived. According to another legend, a pair of lovers from warring tribes jumped to their death here. Since the cave was only opened in a quarry in 1958, the Māori cannot have known the cave themselves. The opening created at that time is located in a disused quarry and is barred. Today's access through a tunnel was later created for use as a show cave.
Individual evidence
- ↑ New Zealand topographic maps, online map NZ Topo Map
- ↑ Carl Walrond : Kōrero : Caving - Stalactites and stalagmites (1 o 3). Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand , July 8, 2013, accessed February 23, 2016 .
- ↑ Maori Leap Cave at lonelyplanet.com
- ↑ Maori Lap Cave on showcaves.com