Angel Falls Caves

Geography

The Angel Falls flow over the entrance to this cave system - a ledge several feet above the pool at the base of the waterfall.
Some of the water from the Stream of Mercies spills onto the ledge and pours through the cave system. It ends in a large grotto with a pool.
These limestone shafts are composed of fossilized corals, seashells, fish skeletons, and many small marine organisms on the sea beds. The caves are replete with stalactites and stalagmites. Many of these connect to form pillars, including helicites, spiral shaped cave growths. Along the walls are crystal deposits as well.
The grotto features a cold, deep pool.  There is a narrow ledge along the left side of the pool.  Potions of the ledge dip below the surface of the water.  In the center of the pool is an island.  Beyond the pool, through a narrow opening to an intersection that leads both up and down.

Ecosystem

The glowworm larvae use their luminescence to attract their prey - most often ants, beetles, and crickets, but sometimes even other glowworms. The ants also ate other insects as well as dead animals. Beetles eat the cave fungus. The crickets eat other insects and cave fungus.
The eels eat small fish and insects. The fish eat insects, algae, and fungi.

Localized Phenomena

Along the ceiling of this cave system are long, glowing blue strands of mucus with fungus gnat larvae on them. The larvae use the lights to attract insects into the sticky strings, where they are consumed.
There is also significant risk of slips, encountering confined spaces and flash flooding.  Heavy rainfall may risk rising water levels in the caves and periods of high rain causes ongoing flash flood risk.  The water running through the caves causes risk of slick rock and slipping hazards.  And as the caves are unmarked there is a risk of getting lost and/or trapped in confined spaces.

Fauna & Flora

A Gean-Cánach lives within this cave system. There have been Gean-Cánaches living in this cave system for years - they are the reason for the name of the falls and cave system.
There are a large number of glowworms that inhabit this cave. There are also albino cave ants and giant crickets. The waterways also have longfin eels and blind cave fish within them.
There are a variety of fungi including the cave flower, a mushroom-like fungus.
Bones of bats, birds, amphibians, and reptiles can also be found in these caves.

Tourism

The cave is hidden behind the waterfall, so it is not well known.  However, Gean-Cánach will occasionally bring a human into the cave system to continue their family.

Type

Cave System