Calder's Geo facts for kids
Calders Geo is a special sea inlet found on the western cliffs of Esha Ness. This area is in Northmavine, a part of the Mainland, Shetland in Scotland. A "geo" is a narrow, deep crack in a cliff, often formed by the sea.
Inside Calders Geo, there's a huge cave on its north side. This cave is incredibly large! It's even bigger than "The Frozen Deep," which is a well-known chamber in Reservoir Hole under Cheddar Gorge in England. This makes the cave at Calders Geo possibly the largest natural cave chamber in all of Britain.
Exploring the Giant Cave
A geologist named Jonathan Swale was the one who measured this amazing cave. He used a special tool called a laser range-finder. This device uses lasers to accurately measure distances, helping him figure out the cave's size.
The cave is quite tricky to get into. You can only reach it when the sea is very calm, making it a rare sight for most people. Jonathan Swale found that the cave is over 20 metres (66 ft) tall. That's like a seven-story building! The floor of the cave is also huge, covering an area of about 5,600 square metres (60,000 sq ft). Imagine a space big enough for many houses!
Esha Ness Lighthouse
Just south of Calders Geo, you can find the Esha Ness Lighthouse. This important lighthouse helps ships navigate safely along the coast. It was designed by a famous engineer named David Alan Stevenson. The lighthouse started working in 1929, and it has been a guiding light for sailors ever since.
