Talus Cave: The Fallen Rocks

A cave is commonly formed as a result of several geological processes over a course of million years. Most caves, like what you what probably know, are formed by dissolution of limestones. Interestingly, a talus cave is not part of this group of caves.

A talus cave, also known as boulder cave, is formed as boulders and large stones collapse and get deposited at the base of cliffs, gorges, slopes, narrow slopes, or precipices. Technically speaking, these are not caves as the “subterranean” spaces were created by these large chunk of boulders serving as ‘roof’, bringing forth tunnels, also termed as talus caves.

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The coarseness of most talus deposits makes them resistant to subsequent erosion: they are generally stable, long-lasting elements of the landscape and may be preserved as fossil forms [1]. Although most talus material originally accumulates by discrete rockfall events operating over a long period of time, these boulder formations vary considerably in morphology, composition, and geomorphic setting ^[1].

Talus caves are seen worldwide and Europe seems to be the best doing doing research on these boulder caves ^[2]. One of the best talus caves in the Philippines is found in Balbalan, Kalinga. This is the Uguid Subterranean River. There still more talus caves in the country that needs to be discovered.

Whether these talus caves are technically not caves, every visitor of these places should still strictly practice LNT principles when moving about inside them. Also, do not be part of the growing horde of unruly travelers, besmirching nature and human tourist spots.

References

[1] Luckman, B., 2013. 7.17 Processes, Transport, Deposition, and Landforms: Rockfall. Treatise on Geomorphology, pp.174-182.

[2] Holler, C., 2019. Pseudokarst. Encyclopedia of Caves, pp.836-849.