Pit cave

The cave type of vertical cave consists of shaft-like, predominantly vertical passageways. The term "bay " is generally used in this context leading downwards, more or less vertical cave passages. Their vertical extent ranges from a few meters to several hundred meters depth. If several wells in immediate succession, one speaks of manhole steps. The shaft cross -sections are often expanded bell-shaped approximately elliptical and down.

Depending on the considered area of ​​each local names are used, such as Chasm or Aven (France), Sima (on the tepuis in South America), or about Tiankeng (China). If a manhole discovered from below, it is called caving in of a fireplace (or vent ) and refers merely to the different - much more difficult - Befahrung technology.

Shafts are usually associated with the Einseiltechnik (single rope technique, SRT) traveled.

Shaft caves come in the Alps are often present but are in other karst landscapes in the world spread.