The Cueva de Don Justo (or Cave of Don Justo) is one of approximately 70 caves and volcanic galleries on the island of El Hierro in the Canaries.[1]

The Cueva de Don Justo is over 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) in length,[1] the cave is located in the El Lajial pahoehoe lava field near the Orchilla lighthouse in the south of El Hierro, it is a wild cave that extends around the Irama mountain (also called Prim mountain) for a total distance of 1,360 metres (4,460 ft) (with the parallel passages making up the extra distance).[2] It was first explored and mapped by a speleological expedition in 1961, with further expeditions in 1974, 1976, and 1978, before the 1979 expedition completed the mapping of the 6,315 metres (20,719 ft) of cave system.[3] It is the longest of 28 known lava tubes on El Hierro,[2][3] and the 3rd longest lava tube in the Canary Islands, and the 13th longest in the world.[2]

The cave has a maximum depth of 135 to 140 metres (460 ft) and at some points has up to 8 passages running in parallel.[2][4] The cave contains well developed troglobitic fauna including seven species of troglobitic fauna exclusively found in this cave.[2] The Cave is gated to protect these species,[2] and is closed for tourists.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 "El Hierro. Geología" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2015-07-21. Retrieved 2012-04-06.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Caves of Spain".
  3. 1 2 "Volcanic Caves in El Hierro" (PDF).
  4. 1 2 "Photo Diary from the entrance of Cueva de Don Justo". Archived from the original on 2015-07-21.


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