Beneath what was once Hebron Christian College lies a secret world. This is the Hebron College Cave, a lava cave formed about 50000 years ago. Today we will explore its history and significance.
Hebron Christian College was located in Mt Albert Auckland. The school closed in December 2017. Before that students ran and played unaware of the hidden cave beneath their feet.
These caves formed when flowing lava crusted over. The interior lava then drained away creating a cave. These lava caves are unique to Auckland. Auckland’s lava is not too sticky to form caves unlike other parts of the country.
There are almost 200 documented caves in Auckland. Sadly only about 50 are still accessible. Many have been covered by concrete or buildings. Some have even been destroyed.
In 1980 Hebron Christian College took over the site. Rubbish had already accumulated inside the Hebron College Cave. Old paint tins soft drink bottles and pram wheels were among the debris. It was quite a mess.
Principal Geoff Matthews expressed his excitement. He wanted to explore the cave with staff and students. The children were thrilled to learn about the cave. Six-year-old Davina White thought the lava flow was cool.
Her classmate Jacqueline Jiang was disappointed by the litter. She lamented the plastic bottles and called it a bad thing. Mr Matthews was keen to allow students into the cave. He wanted to ensure it was safe first.
He clarified that the roof was solid and not in danger of collapse. He acknowledged that the cave might be scary for those with claustrophobia. Another large cave exists across the road. It lies underneath the New North Rd BP petrol station. Its entrance has been concreted over.
Auckland caves vary greatly in size. The largest cave in Wiri is about 300 meters long. Some caves require crawling while others could fit a double-decker bus. Many Aucklanders are unaware of the exact locations of these caves.
The discovery of the Hebron College Cave brought excitement. It sparked interest in Auckland’s geological history. It highlighted the need to preserve these unique natural formations. Imagine the stories these caves could tell if walls could speak.
The Hebron College Cave may be hidden. It serves as a reminder of the natural wonders beneath our feet. The cave represents a unique aspect of Auckland’s landscape. It deserves our attention and protection for future generations.