Caves and Karst of Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai is composed primarily of a central shield volcano built from layered basalt flows starting 3.7km below the ocean surface. The speleological nature of the island is dominated by these basalt flows that created the Napoli and Okolele formations. With the brittle Napoli formation, karst and cave systems appear to be few but several small caves were located on the island during this visit. The Alakai Swamp caldera has been filled in by impermeable lava creating an impermeable plateau — one of the wettest places on earth. A fascinating geological contrast between the wet windward side of Kauai and the dry leeward side, separated by only a few miles of terrain.