Reservoir Hole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Reservoir Hole |
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| Location | Cheddar, Somerset, England |
| OS grid | ST 47465447 |
| Elevation | 128 metres (420 ft) |
| Geology | Limestone |
| Access | Gated; limited |
| Registry | Mendip Cave Registry |
Reservoir Hole is a fascinating cave located in the famous Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, southwest England. It's known for having what many believe is the biggest underground room ever found beneath the Mendip Hills. This cave is a popular spot for experienced cavers.
Contents
Exploring Reservoir Hole
Reservoir Hole has a long history of exploration. People first started digging into the cave in 1951. This was done by members of a group called the Wessex Cave Club. They were keen to see what lay hidden deep inside the earth.
Early Discoveries
More progress was made in 1965. Cavers reached a new area they called "Moonmilk Chamber." To get there, they had to use small explosions to clear a path. Moonmilk is a soft, white, creamy substance found in caves. It looks a bit like milk.
Later, in 1969, explorers found another large section. They named this impressive area "Grand Gallery." The discoveries kept coming. In 1970, "Topless Aven" was found. An aven is a tall, narrow shaft that goes upwards from a cave passage. Then, in 1973, cavers discovered "Golgotha Rift."
The Big Find of 2012
One of the most exciting discoveries happened in September 2012. A team of diggers had been working for four years. They were clearing a passage that was about 100 meters (328 feet) long. Their hard work paid off when they broke into a brand-new chamber.
This new room was huge! It was found to be about 30 meters (98 feet) high. It also stretched for about 60 meters (197 feet) in length. Before this find, the largest known underground space in the Mendip Hills was "Main Chamber" in GB Cave. That chamber is about 23 meters (75 feet) high. The 2012 discovery meant Reservoir Hole now held the record.
Amazing Cave Formations
Even before the big find in 2012, Reservoir Hole was known for its beautiful cave formations. These are natural structures that form over thousands of years. The newly discovered chamber is especially stunning. It has been named "The Frozen Deep."
Inside "The Frozen Deep," you can see pure-white pillars. Some of these pillars stand as tall as 5 meters (16 feet). The chamber also has many stalagmites and stalactites. Stalagmites are rock formations that grow upwards from the cave floor. Stalactites hang downwards from the cave ceiling. They are both formed by dripping water that leaves behind minerals.
Connecting Caves
Reservoir Hole is very close to Gough's Cave. Gough's Cave is one of the famous show caves in Cheddar Gorge. A show cave is a cave that has been made safe and easy for tourists to visit. Because they are so close, people have wondered if Reservoir Hole and Gough's Cave might be connected underground.
There's a stream inside Reservoir Hole. This stream flows out of the cave and appears only a short distance away in Cheddar Gorge. This suggests there might be a larger network of passages underground.
