Drought Cracks Ancient Caves
The drought is causing underground century-old caves to dry out, cracking columns and stopping stalactite growth.
Jim Hannel, the leaseholder of Princess Margaret Rose Caves in far western Victoria, says that clay below the floor of the cave has dried because the water table has dropped.
While some landholders have pointed the finger at nearby timber plantations for the drop in the water table, Mr Hannel says he's not so sure.
"I think drought's probably the major cause", he says.
"The reason I say that is because I've never experienced the cave so dry as it is today.
"All dampness on the formations and all drips on the formations in this cave are caused from rainfall.
"Our rainfall is nearly half that of the winter of 2006 and we really haven't got over that yet"
www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/2007/s2163658.htm