Cova del Rull
Posted by: 
Mmmm!
N 38° 48.675 W 000° 10.649
30S E 745076 N 4299616
Natural cave with rare calc formations
Waymark Code: WMF26
Location: Spain
Date Posted: 06/17/2006
Published By: TVN
Views: 51
Caves are formed when carbonic acid seeps through a calcium rich rock - in this case limestone- forming calcium bicarbonate, which is soluble in water.The quantity of carbonic acid, the ambient temperature, rainfall levels and pressure all play a part in erosional processes and karst development. The whole of the Costa Blanca and inland to Madrid shows all sorts and stages of karstic development, with many caves, rock arches, pinnacles, eyes, ravines, and the wonderful Enchanted City of Cuenca with its natural rock statues and fantasy formations.
When local conditions change, in this case less rainfall, the erosional phase stops and reconstruction begins.Dissolved calcium carbonate precipitates out, forming dripstones (stalactites and stalagmites - remember, when the mites go up, the tites come down!)columns (formed when a mite meets a tite),curtains, flowstone etc.
The special attraction of this cave is the "roof rose", formed where a draught of air blows down a narrow pipe spraying out the carbonate rich water droplets and precipitating in all directions.These flowers are very rare.
The cave is approximately 40m in diameter, 20m at the highest and 28m deep.Some of the columns have been broken by tectonic events,but concretion is still continuing.
La Cova del Rull was discovered by Uncle Curly in 1919 when he saw a rabbit disappear down a hole. He sent his ferret in after it, which also disappeared. Whilst peering down the hole to find his ferret, he felt a strong draught of air and on pulling away the boulders in front he found the cave entrance.
It was improved for visting in the 60's but it wasn't until the mid 90's that it became properly open to the public.
There is no record of what happened to the ferret...
Type of Land: Other
Managed By: Ajuntament de la Vall D'Ebo
Contact Info: bou@euroclinicadental.net
Type of Cave: Karst Cave
Contains Stalactites: yes
Contains Stalagmites: yes
Price of Admission: 5.00 (listed in local currency)
Website: Not listed
Contains Bats: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please include a digital photograph of the cave which documents your visit and any information that may be helpful for future visitors.