From a modern potholer's point of view we use the words doline and
swallow-hole differently. There is also a difference in terminology between
north and south in this country. Indeed a potholer is the northern
equivalent of caver (that is a person who explores/visits caves for 'sport'
and sometimes science) reflecting the more vertical nature of caves in the
north (esp. the Yorkshire Dales).
We northern potholers would not usually use the word swallow-hole (a
southern term, particularly used in the Mendip caving area), preferring
sinkhole (swallet is another common term for the same thing and I bet the
Welsh cavers have their own terms), but in any case would see it applied to
a closed depression with a stream or drain (normally) running into it and
thence either flowing into an accessible cave or commonly sinking into an
impenetrable (by humans) hole or fissure/choke of boulders/the ground.
Sinkholes are usually 5-50m across although there are some bigger sites.
These terms are perhaps used more by 'traditionalists' and in older texts,
but you will find it in modern works and scientific papers as well.
A doline is a more general 'geological' word rather than the more vernacular
swallow/sink/swallet and in my experience is more used by those who have
caved abroad, particularly in western Europe. It generally a simple closed
depression or basin which may or may not have any drainage into it. Dolines
can be any size from very small (c.5m diameter, which you would expect to be
'dry) to huge (several kilometres across and with stream(s) or river(s)
flowing in). It would not be unusual to find a sinkhole in a doline
(particularly the larger ones), but you would not find a doline in a
sinkhole.
American terminology can be different, but visiting Europeans will often use
their own terms anyway (only way to civilize these colonial fellahs deah
boy!)
Both dolines and sinkholes are 'funnel-shaped' in cross-section, but are not
always round in plan, indeed many are elongated ovals or tear-drop shaped
and the bigger dolines can be very irregular in plan.
There are probably two main formation processes. The first is the simple
collapse of an underground hollow allowing the upper strata to slump into
them. The second is more complex but is essentially the transport of
surface material into an open hole, usually by water action. As you will
guess the usual thing is to have both processes working together to some
degree or other.
Whilst my experience is in limestone areas and with caves, these features
also appear in other calcareous rock areas such as chalk and gypsum. I am
not sure if you would also use these words in other cases, such as hollows
formed by the solution of underground salt deposits or collapses caused by
mining subsidence (flashes?).
By the way a cave that opens directly to a surface and without much of a
'funnel', e.g. from an area of limestone pavement, is normally termed a
shaft, regardless of size (3-300m deep, 1-500m wide and no I'm not
exaggerating) and whether or not it has a stream running into it.
If the above nerdspeak is of some interest to you then you might like the
British Cave Research Association ... http://www.bcra.org.uk/
Pete Iles, Lancashire CC.
-----Original Message-----
From: CARLISLE, Phil [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 04 January 2005 12:18
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Swallow Holes
Dear all
I've entered SWALLOW HOLE into the Thesaurus of Monument Types as a Narrower
Term of NATURAL FEATURE.
I checked to see what the OED said about Doline and this refers to 'A
typically funnel-shaped basin in a karstic region'. This doesn't appear to
be the same thing although if anyone knows different let me know.
Anyway the OED has a separate entry for Swallow-hole so in it goes (without
the hyphen!)
Phil
-----Original Message-----
From: Alexander, Magnus [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 04 January 2005 09:10
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Swallow Holes
I seem to recall a paper at TAG a few years ago on 'vertical caves' by Jodie
Lewis that discussed the archaeological significance of swallow holes. Not
that that helps much.
-----Original Message-----
From: Issues related to Sites & Monuments Records
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of David Evans
Sent: 30 December 2004 09:40
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Swallow Holes
At the moment I am referring to the geological features themselves but
want the record to indicate to non specialist users of the HER that they
cannot be ignored (ie filled with concrete) during development.
Thank You
David Evans
Historic Environment Record Officer
01454 863649
>>> [log in to unmask] 29/12/2004 13:50:26 >>>
David
Are you referring to the geological feature, or to archaeological
deposits
within it? If the former, I understand the correct geological term is
'doline'. If the latter, presumably you would use the term appropriate
to
the nature of the deposits.
Angie
Angela Simco
Bedford
-----Original Message-----
From: Issues related to Sites & Monuments Records
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of David Evans
Sent: 24 December 2004 12:11
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Swallow Holes
Your poser for the new year. What thesaurus term should be used for
swallow holes? I am using cave but don't like it.
Thank You
David Evans
Historic Environment Record Officer
01454 863649
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