The finest example of a neotectonic cave in the province of Östergötland is Torkulla Kyrka. It is quite clear that the cave is formed after the latest ice age. On top of the hill you can find small scratches from the ice ("isräfflor"). These scratches can a some places be fitted to each other even though they are on different rocks several decimetres apart.
Neotectonic Caves ("Neotektoniska grottor") "Neo" means "new" and "tectonic" has to do with earthquakes. Neotectonic caves are believed to be formed by earthquakes caused by land elevation after the latest ice age (some 10.000 years ago). It is widely believed in the caving community that the creation process is the following. The inland ice performed a great pressure on the ground. After the ice disappeared the land elevated. But due to local difference in rock properties great tensions was created. These tensions where at some places released in relatively small and local earthquakes which broke up the solid rock in boulders. Under these boulders caves sometimes were created. I.e. the "new" in "neo" refers to "after the latest ice age". The cave is a fine example of a neotectonic cave. The main entrance is obvious when you arrive to the lawn in front of the cave. When you enter here you will find yourself in a large chamber, Kyrksalen, actually the largest chamber in the province with 98 square meters. The cave the stretches mainly to the west from this chamber. The cave is mapped to 209 meters in length.
Updated 2007-12-24
To log this earthcache as found please do as follow:
1. e-mail owner the "roof" height just inside the main entrance
Updated 2013-02-08
In addition to the e-mail with the height a photo of the geocacher(s) and their GPS receiver(s) in the main entrance to the cave in the log will be appreciated
