Tunnel de lave Citron Galets

Tunnel de lave du Brûlé de Citron-Galets

Useful Information

Location:	N2 Le Tremblet. (-21.2983236, 55.7998972)
Open:	no restrictions. [2023]
Fee:	free. [2023]
Classification:	lava tube
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	L=690 m, VR=94 m.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Tunnel de lave Citron Galets.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

SEP-1800

cave formed during the lava flow of 1800.

Description

Tunnel de lave Citron Galet (Lemon Pebble Lava Tube) is one of dozens of lava tubes on the eastern slope of the island. It is only a short walk from RN 2 a few hundred meters north of the bar Warren Hasting Bar Lounge bis. This cave is quite popular and tours are offered by most cave-trekking operators.

This cave was formed by the lava flow of 1800, so it is one of the older lava tubes, others were formed during the last 20 years. This rather big age caused the formation of biochemical formations, a result of oxidation processes which created soft white-gray concretions fed by water runoff from the soil. The upper part is rather small and only 1.5 m high, but the lower part has much larger dimensions, This part of the tunnel is the flood spillway for the Citron-galets ravine, as a result of the construction of the road. The results are erosional forms, and the minerals and sediments are disturbed by the flowing water. Unfortunately, rubbish like plastic bottles is also transported into the cave by the floods.