Hidden Earth 2024

Lava Caves in the Eastern Rift Valley in Kenya

30 minute Lecture|Joerg Dreybrodt

Lava Caves in the Eastern Rift Valley in Kenya

Abstract

The East African Rift Valley Lava cave expedition explored the volcano areas north of Baringo lake and the valley rim at the western edge near Eldoret in 2022. Large lava caves were found at Silali Volcano based on literature references. The caves consist of three segments and belong to one system of 1.8 km length. One segment contains a very large bat colony with several different species. Further research is required on the bats and fauna in the caves as well as the presence of other lava caves of similar type in the regions towards Turkana lake.