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Ten caves in the makatea limestone of Mangaia, Cook Islands were explored and mapped, totalling over 3.7 km of passage. Of these, there was an apparent grouping by elevation that corresponds with previously described sea-level terraces in the makatea. Four caves have major level sections 10-20 m above sea-level, corresponding with a 14.5 m Pleistocene terrace. The high dimensions of these caves indicate downcutting during slow uplift, or multiple reoccupations by highstands of Pleistocene sea­levels. One major cave has level passage 20-30 m above sea-level, corresponding with a 26-27.5 m terrace. Three caves have level passage 40 m above sea-level, corresponding with a m terrace. Active conduit caves are developed at the present sea-level, but are closed with heavy clay deposits from recent soil erosion.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	makatea, sea-level change, cave formation
Research Division:	Earth Sciences
Research Group:	Physical geography and environmental geoscience
Research Field:	Geomorphology and earth surface processes
Objective Division:	Environmental Policy, Climate Change and Natural Hazards
Objective Group:	Understanding climate change
Objective Field:	Effects of climate change on the South Pacific (excl. Australia and New Zealand) (excl. social impacts)
UTAS Author:	Ellison, JC (Associate Professor Joanna Ellison)
ID Code:	132760
Year Published:	1994
Deposited By:	Geography and Spatial Science
Deposited On:	2019-05-20
Last Modified:	2019-06-12
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