1391 Volcano Cave
South Vega VN5122(8)9443(8) Alt.  592m  Length 35m  Depth 11m

Updated 21st October 2001; 28th April 2002; 25th May, 19th October 2003; 3rd May, 14th October 2004; 30th November 2005; 1st February, 20th May, 5th October 2006; 7th May 2007

Called "The Volcano" due to the strong, warm draught emerging from the entrance. A stooping-size hole to a 2 x 3 x 2m high chamber that has been dug down and around in boulders. After further digging in 2002, it required heavier techniques. Digging continued through 2003.
At Easter 2004, the following account was written:
A trip was undertaken to survey loop accurately to determine wall thickness - approx 0.6m. Then from the dodgy side digging into a small chamber up from the pit following draught. Draught issuing from small hole in floor. Tight rift could be seen. Floor on good side (main dig) also lowered by 6".
A third trip dug floor in main dig and drilled from dodgy side to connect back of hole into main dig. Have achieved connection. Needs to widen for caver access to the pit.
Good draught issuing from bottom of pit and good prospect once the hanging death boulder above the pit can be dealt with safely.
Further excavation occurred in 2005.
At Easter and summer 2006 some stabilising was undertaken with foam and stemples. (No logbook account).
On one trip at Easter 2007, a break-through occurred when a 3m climb dropped to a dig into a 5m wide rift with a 6m pitch. This entered a 15x5m chamber floored with large blocks. A hole in the floor of the chamber has been partly excavated - a chamber can be seen below, but some stabilising of the boulders is required. The 3m climb and 6m pitch go through about 4 beds of sandstone, one about 1.2m thick. The limestone in this area has a lot of cross bedding and has fragments of sandstone.

Reference: anon., 1999a (Easter logbook); anon., 2001a (Easter logbook); anon., 2001c (Summer logbook); anon., 2002a (Easter logbook); Corrin Juan, 2003a; anon., 2003b (Easter logbook); Corrin Juan, 2003b; anon., 2003c (summer logbook); anon., 2004b (Easter logbook); anon., 2004d (summer logbook); anon., 2005c (autumn logbook); Corrin Juan, 2005; anon., 2006d (summer logbook); anon., 2007b (Easter logbook); Corrin Juan, 2007a (photo)
Entrance picture(s): close-up 1    close-up 2   looking down hillside  2001 digging team
Easter 2004 digging team  Easter 2006
Underground picture(s):
The Easter 2007 breakthrough
digging Easter 2004: 1  2  Stabilising, Easter 2006 (12 pics)
Detailed survey:
Line survey:
On area survey:
Survex file: download 2007 Easter