The origin of Botovskaya cave

Abstract

Botovskaya cave was formed in the Low Ordovician limestone stratum of 6-12 m thickness under closed freatic conditions of Angaro-Lensky artesian basin (Lena River). The cave looks like subhorizontal two-dimensional maze 32.5 km length. The limestone layer is confined from above and from below by thick marine sandstones. Cave system was probably generated by corrosion caused by gently descending meteoric artesian waters mixed with vertical descending waters from underlying aquifer.