Hidden Earth 2024

Clear floors? Stable roofs!

30 minute Lecture|Paul Nathanail

Abstract

The stability of a natural (cave) or artificial (mine or tunnel) underground space depends on the geometry of the space, the quality of any support and the orientation of zones of weakness in the rock as well as prevailing environmental conditions that often trigger a fall, collapse or slide.
Knowing the signs of impending instability can protect cavers. Equally knowing that the geometry is unfavourable but movement is not imminent can allow safe progress and enjoyable exploration.
Examples from over 30 years of professional assessment of cave, tunnel and mine stability in the Lake District and beyond will illustrate the key takeaways for the non-geologist speleologists.