Help geology / ?? Found in a stone cave .

Tcar

Jr. Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2024
Messages
21
Reaction score
25
Golden Thread
0
Quick brief , I’m from Appalachian mountains . I found a hole in the ground that had a large rock on top covering a hole maybe 12”x12” hole . The rock was 2’X3’ I dug 5’ or so down a carved square hole in solid stone that leads to whatever this is. With an endoscope 12’ or so down it opens up in to this whatever it is ???? Anyone any ideas ? I see old metal wood stone ????
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3193.webp
    IMG_3193.webp
    371.2 KB · Views: 71
  • IMG_3179.webp
    IMG_3179.webp
    49.7 KB · Views: 62
  • IMG_3177.webp
    IMG_3177.webp
    53.5 KB · Views: 62
  • IMG_3176.webp
    IMG_3176.webp
    37.5 KB · Views: 59
  • IMG_3181.webp
    IMG_3181.webp
    33.4 KB · Views: 56
  • IMG_3182.webp
    IMG_3182.webp
    37.9 KB · Views: 60
  • IMG_3191.webp
    IMG_3191.webp
    37.6 KB · Views: 67
  • IMG_3190.webp
    IMG_3190.webp
    37.1 KB · Views: 71
Interesting pictures! No clue from me. However, it is intriguing.
 

I found a hole in the ground that had a large rock on top covering a hole maybe 12”x12” hole . The rock was 2’X3’ I dug 5’ or so down a carved square hole in solid stone

I don't know why anyone would bother cutting a 12" square hole through five feet of solid rock. If it's a cap, it wouldn't need the hole (and the stone to cover it). If it's a well or cistern, a round hole would have been easier (and a location where it wasn't solid rock would have been a better choice). If it's a passageway, it's too small to be usable by just about anyone.

Got any photos of the hole through the rock itself?
 

Well if mans been in there he sure the hell didn't come in the way your looking.
 

It's hard to tell what we're seeing in the pics.
You could have found a vent shaft for a mine.
The mine shaft could be caved in.

Could be a hidey-hole for shine running.
Could have traps...
More pictures of the cut solid stone might help.
 

Ok here are some more pics
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3201.webp
    IMG_3201.webp
    218 KB · Views: 47
  • IMG_3203.webp
    IMG_3203.webp
    412 KB · Views: 38
  • IMG_3202.webp
    IMG_3202.webp
    498 KB · Views: 36
  • IMG_3208.webp
    IMG_3208.webp
    43.8 KB · Views: 36
Here are more , and there are two sunken places within50’ one 4’X6’ sunk 4 feet dug down 4 more feet solid rock and another sunken in area 30’x30’ sunk 8’ or so ??? So there may be another entrance . I can almost squeeze in I’m skinny lol but still digging ! lol
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3208.webp
    IMG_3208.webp
    43.8 KB · Views: 34
  • IMG_3211.webp
    IMG_3211.webp
    46.1 KB · Views: 33
  • IMG_3212.webp
    IMG_3212.webp
    55.2 KB · Views: 29
  • IMG_3209.webp
    IMG_3209.webp
    24.7 KB · Views: 25
  • IMG_3207.webp
    IMG_3207.webp
    37.4 KB · Views: 24
  • IMG_3205.webp
    IMG_3205.webp
    36.7 KB · Views: 21
  • IMG_3210.webp
    IMG_3210.webp
    43.2 KB · Views: 21
  • IMG_3213.webp
    IMG_3213.webp
    29.9 KB · Views: 36
It doesn't look like a carved channel so much as just a space between rocks. Though there does look to be something down there that isn't just dirt and rock, but I can't tell what.
 

Very interesting. I hope someone can help you "_
 

I've done a lot of spelunking, so everything I say is from personal experience.
Looks like limestone-
If there are large depressions/sinkholes(Karst features) in the top of the ground above and around this area
then it could be a space formed after a collapse(tumble down cave).
Some of them can have formations and some have been used by people and/or animals in the past.
Be very careful when digging or moving stones, make sure they are not structural to the integrity of the cave.
If you're coming in from the top you've already compromised that part of the ceiling.
Tumble downs with sinkholes are tricky. You don't know what has fallen away underneath and you don't know
when or if the ceiling will fall more.

From your other pics this looks like an old tumble down that got sealed off.
Some of the rocks appear to have formations on them.
Stalactites, stalagmites, bacon, sunny side eggs, soda straws, etc. are very cool.
Try not to break any.

Recon the whole area and see where or if any holes are blowing or sucking air.
Look windward and leeward.
If they are, it's a good indication that this part of the hill has a lot of cave.
It also indicates that the caves are breathing and there is probably good air inside.
Probably, not definitely.
If you don't have an O2 meter be very careful. Lots of caves have low O2, methane, CO2 etc.

We opened one that was in the top of a ridge between hills. The whole ridge was a sinkhole.
Found some interesting animal skeletons inside. The entrance was the size of two fists.

NEVER go alone!
One in with a rope attached, one out with a phone/radio at the ready.

Have you done much spelunking?
 

Last edited:
The hole is vertical at an angle and the other seems horizontal . No spelunking, coal mine yes but that’s a controlled environment , I’m pretty sure I can get there I’m less that 10’ away and will proceed very carefully ! There’s so much disturbed
I've done a lot of spelunking, so everything I say is from personal experience.
Looks like limestone-
If there are large depressions/sinkholes(Karst features) in the top of the ground above and around this area
then it could be a space formed after a collapse(tumble down cave).
Some of them can have formations and some have been used by people and/or animals in the past.
Be very careful when digging or moving stones, make sure they are not structural to the integrity of the cave.
If you're coming in from the top you've already compromised that part of the ceiling.
Tumble downs with sinkholes are tricky. You don't know what has fallen away underneath and you don't know
when or if the ceiling will fall more.

From your other pics this looks like an old tumble down that got sealed off.
Some of the rocks appear to have formations on them.
Stalactites, stalagmites, bacon, sunny side eggs, soda straws, etc. are very cool.
Try not to break any.

Recon the whole area and see where or if any holes are blowing or sucking air.
Look windward and leeward.
If they are, it's a good indication that this part of the hill has a lot of cave.
It also indicates that the caves are breathing and there is probably good air inside.
Probably, not definitely.
If you don't have an O2 meter be very careful. Lots of caves have low O2, methane, CO2 etc.

We opened one that was in the top of a ridge between hills. The whole ridge was a sinkhole.
Found some interesting animal skeletons inside. The entrance was the size of two fists.

NEVER go alone!
One in with a rope attached, one out with a phone/radio at the ready.

Have you done much spelunking?
thanks for the advice ! I have found 3 vent hole one being what I think I’m in . The other two had 48 degree air coming out them when there was snow on the ground a couple months ago .
As far as the rocks ? Don’t break any ? I have probably 20 tons of this piled up in a low area . The same white limestone with amber colored stuff all over it lots of it have working marks . I have a theory and have been trying to prove it wrong to myself but the more I learn the more it backs up my theory lmao ! I have literally been trying to prove myself wrong ???
I’d love to talk about the spelunking as I don’t want to die ! And if I’m correct I need to be underground . lol I think there are traps and have no way to identify them . Thanks tcar
 

I meant don't break formations(stalactites, stalagmites) unless you absolutely have to.
Leave them for future people to look at.
Because they are beautiful and take a while to form.

PM me about spelunking and traps.
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest Discussions

Back
Top Bottom