Where is the Jenolan Caves and how big is it and when was it formed?

Answer 1

Jenolan Caves, discovered by Europeans in 1838, is one of the premier tourist attractions of New South Wales, located 182 km west of Sydney, in the Main Dividing Range. The caves are developed in the northern and southern sides of a natural bridge (The Grand Archway) in folded, near vertical late Silurian limestone. There are two large caverns open to daylight, the Devils Coach House (maximum 49 m high, 122 m long, 37 m wide at its northern entrance), and the Grand Archway (137 m long, 12 to 21 m high, 11 to 55 m wide). A large cave remnant, Carlotta Arch, is like a window looking out high above the Devils Coach House. There are nine caves regularly shown to tourists, although several hundred of various sizes have been found in this area. On the northern side of the Grand Archway are Lucas, River, Pool of Cerberus, Orient, Ribbon and Temple of Baal Caves; and on the southern side are Chifley, Imperial and Jubilee Caves. The north-side caves include those with high domed chambers (Temple of Baal and Orient) as well as tunnel-like caves, while the south-side caves are all tunnel forms.

The spectacular cave formations (speleothems) have been produced by crystallisation of calcite (and sometimes aragonite) from solutions which dissolved calcium carbonate while seeping through the limestone, and include stalactites, stalagmites, columns, shawls, helictites, straws, calcite pool crystals, canopies, cave pearls and rim pool dams. Some of the speleothems are richly coloured red, brown and yellow by iron oxides and hydroxides (especially Orient Cave), as well as pure white. Well-known features are the Minaret and Grand Column (River Cave), Broken Column and the Cathedral (Lucas Cave), Angel's Wing (Temple of Baal), Indian Canopy, Persian Chamber and Pillar of Hercules (Orient Cave), and the Fluted Column and Crystal Cities (Imperial Cave). Underground rivers have also played a role in enlarging and sculpturing the caves.

Answer 2

Anna, it is not allowed in this world to post material without attribution.

http://www.austmus.gov.au/geoscience/earth/jenolan.htm