Cave of El Soplao
Encyclopedia
El Soplao is a cave
located in the municipalities of Rionansa, Valdáliga and Herrerías
in Cantabria
(Spain
). It is considered a single cavity worldwide for the quality and quantity of geological
formations (speleothem
s) that houses in its 17 miles in length, although only 6 are open to the public. In it are rare formations as helíctitas (estatalactitas eccentric defying gravity) and "draperies" (sheets or translucent banners hanging from the ceiling). Its formation dates back to the Mesozoic
, in particular the Cretaceous
period 240 million years ago.
Access to the cave in the Sierra Soplao Arnero at 540 meters.
The cave was accidentally discovered during the drilling mining
subsequently being exploited for the extraction of minerals (the tour is accessible only to two of the eight galleries). During its operation, many local families were supported with the income they got from the mining, collated with the livestock. After decades of neglect, the speleology
, and in particular the Cantabria University Speleologing Club since 1975, he discovered his true geological value.
On July 1, 2005 the Government of Cantabria
opened to the public and broadcast internationally, after conditioning inside and around for tourism and prohibit any activity the club discoverer.
The Soplao is part of the 6,500 underground caves of Cantabria, without doubt, are a paradise for caving.
, between the towns of Rionansa, Herrerías and Valdáliga and around San Vicente de la Barquera
. The Sierra de Arnero runs parallel to the Cantabrian Sea, with a maximum altitude of 682 metres.
To access the cave you can use the Cantabrian motorway.
formations rising from the ground pisolithic for her figure, gave rise to the name of the gallery. The gallery is 350 metres long and some areas reaching 35 metres wide. Its name comes from the great white stalagmites that resemble ghosts, in the end zones of the gallery. Had a great use to the early twentieth century as a place of extraction and storage by the mineral miners of La Florida.
Cave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
located in the municipalities of Rionansa, Valdáliga and Herrerías
Herrerías
Herrerías is a municipality located in the autonomous community of Cantabria, Spain. According to the 2007 census, the city has a population of 715 inhabitants.-Towns:*Bielva *Cabanzón*Cades*Camijanes*Casamaría*Puente el Arrudo*Rábago...
in Cantabria
Cantabria
Cantabria is a Spanish historical region and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community , on the south by Castile and León , on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea.Cantabria...
(Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
). It is considered a single cavity worldwide for the quality and quantity of geological
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
formations (speleothem
Speleothem
A speleothem , commonly known as a cave formation, is a secondary mineral deposit formed in a cave. Speleothems are typically formed in limestone or dolostone solutional caves.-Origin and composition:...
s) that houses in its 17 miles in length, although only 6 are open to the public. In it are rare formations as helíctitas (estatalactitas eccentric defying gravity) and "draperies" (sheets or translucent banners hanging from the ceiling). Its formation dates back to the Mesozoic
Mesozoic
The Mesozoic era is an interval of geological time from about 250 million years ago to about 65 million years ago. It is often referred to as the age of reptiles because reptiles, namely dinosaurs, were the dominant terrestrial and marine vertebrates of the time...
, in particular the Cretaceous
Cretaceous
The Cretaceous , derived from the Latin "creta" , usually abbreviated K for its German translation Kreide , is a geologic period and system from circa to million years ago. In the geologic timescale, the Cretaceous follows the Jurassic period and is followed by the Paleogene period of the...
period 240 million years ago.
Access to the cave in the Sierra Soplao Arnero at 540 meters.
The cave was accidentally discovered during the drilling mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
subsequently being exploited for the extraction of minerals (the tour is accessible only to two of the eight galleries). During its operation, many local families were supported with the income they got from the mining, collated with the livestock. After decades of neglect, the speleology
Speleology
Speleology is the scientific study of caves and other karst features, their make-up, structure, physical properties, history, life forms, and the processes by which they form and change over time...
, and in particular the Cantabria University Speleologing Club since 1975, he discovered his true geological value.
On July 1, 2005 the Government of Cantabria
Government of Cantabria
The Government of Cantabria is one of the statutory institutions that conform the Autonomous Community of Cantabria. It is the superior collegiate body that directs the politics and the Administration of this Spanish autonomous community, and at the same time the holder of the executive power as...
opened to the public and broadcast internationally, after conditioning inside and around for tourism and prohibit any activity the club discoverer.
The Soplao is part of the 6,500 underground caves of Cantabria, without doubt, are a paradise for caving.
Situation
The cavity is located in the Sierra de Arnero, in turn framed by the Sierra del Escudo de CabuérnigaSierra del Escudo de Cabuérniga
The Sierra del Escudo de Cabuérniga is a mountain range located between the Cantabrian Mountains and the Bay of Biscay, inside the autonomous community of Cantabria, Spain...
, between the towns of Rionansa, Herrerías and Valdáliga and around San Vicente de la Barquera
San Vicente de la Barquera
San Vicente de la Barquera is a municipality of Cantabria in northern Spain. It had a population of 4,412 in 2002.-External links:** - Cantabria 102 Municipios...
. The Sierra de Arnero runs parallel to the Cantabrian Sea, with a maximum altitude of 682 metres.
To access the cave you can use the Cantabrian motorway.
Galleries
The Soplao is a very extensive network of caves and developed at several levels. Metric data of the cave (December 2003) are:- Mapped natural development of the cavity (12,585 meters).
- Development of mine connected and communicated with the cavity (3,240 metres).
- Lacuerre Caves (2,927 metres).
- Total System Development mapped (17,852 metres).
Gallery of the Ghosts
It is a natural room which had the amount of thick white and stalagmiteStalagmite
A stalagmite is a type of speleothem that rises from the floor of a limestone cave due to the dripping of mineralized solutions and the deposition of calcium carbonate. This stalagmite formation occurs only under certain pH conditions within the underground cavern. The corresponding formation on...
formations rising from the ground pisolithic for her figure, gave rise to the name of the gallery. The gallery is 350 metres long and some areas reaching 35 metres wide. Its name comes from the great white stalagmites that resemble ghosts, in the end zones of the gallery. Had a great use to the early twentieth century as a place of extraction and storage by the mineral miners of La Florida.
Gallery Gorda
It is a room with a natural underground lake and one of the largest in terms of volume. This is the first gallery to be accessed Soplao. The name comes from the impression of smallness due to one of the cavers who investigated the caves. It has a lighting system that highlights the colors of the stalactite from the ceiling, covered with calcite helictitas.Gallery of the False Floor
Small chamber where impressive rock formations in the form of thin threads that are screwed everywhere.Gallery of the Camp
Is of moderate dimensions, with widths up to 10 metres. The name comes from the installation of a research camp during the first raids. Here it remained unbroken 208 hours Speleo Club members Cantabria highlight the cast, dyed red and white minerals in the area.Gallery of the Cauliflower
Stand, rather than stalactites, stalagmites huge, often eccentric, that they tend to join at the end with the roof. Can be seen traces of an earthquake that hit the spot.Gallery of the Forest
High gallery which takes its name from its resemblance to a natural forest. The cast and the union of stalactites and stalagmites happen everywhere, creating large and varied columns. As in the Galería of the Cauliflower can be seen traces of an earthquake.Gallery Genesis
Located to the east. It is one of the highest, reaching 30 metres high. Its length exceeds 160 metres. Notable cast sheets, giant stalagmites pisolithic nests. Its name comes from the number of colors displayed on it, because of the variety of salts dissolved in water.Other galleries
- Gallery of Bridge
- Gallery of the Mermaid
- Gallery Columns
- Gallery Grey
- Gallery of the Avalanche
- Gallery of the Goat
- Gallery the Wonders
- Gallery Wet
Mineral Species
This is the list of minerals found in the cave, in alphabetical order:- AmberAmberAmber is fossilized tree resin , which has been appreciated for its color and natural beauty since Neolithic times. Amber is used as an ingredient in perfumes, as a healing agent in folk medicine, and as jewelry. There are five classes of amber, defined on the basis of their chemical constituents...
- Black amber
- AragoniteAragoniteAragonite is a carbonate mineral, one of the two common, naturally occurring, crystal forms of calcium carbonate, CaCO3...
- CalciteCalciteCalcite is a carbonate mineral and the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate . The other polymorphs are the minerals aragonite and vaterite. Aragonite will change to calcite at 380-470°C, and vaterite is even less stable.-Properties:...
- Calcite crystal
- DolomiteDolomiteDolomite is a carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate CaMg2. The term is also used to describe the sedimentary carbonate rock dolostone....
- SphaleriteSphaleriteSphalerite is a mineral that is the chief ore of zinc. It consists largely of zinc sulfide in crystalline form but almost always contains variable iron. When iron content is high it is an opaque black variety, marmatite. It is usually found in association with galena, pyrite, and other sulfides...
- GalenaGalenaGalena is the natural mineral form of lead sulfide. It is the most important lead ore mineral.Galena is one of the most abundant and widely distributed sulfide minerals. It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system often showing octahedral forms...
- MarcasiteMarcasiteThe mineral marcasite, sometimes called white iron pyrite, is iron sulfide with orthorhombic crystal structure. It is physically and crystallographically distinct from pyrite, which is iron sulfide with cubic crystal structure. Both structures do have in common that they contain the disulfide...
- PyritePyriteThe mineral pyrite, or iron pyrite, is an iron sulfide with the formula FeS2. This mineral's metallic luster and pale-to-normal, brass-yellow hue have earned it the nickname fool's gold because of its resemblance to gold...