MORPHOLOGICAL COMPARISON OF CAVES ON SAN SALVADOR ISLAND, THE BAHAMAS

The purpose of this study is to compare and contrast two morphologically different types of caves found in San Salvador, The Bahamas. The two types discussed are littoral and flank margin caves. In particular, the flank margin caves found behind the Gerace Research Center (GRC) and the littoral caves found along Sandy Point on San Salvador, The Bahamas. To have a comprehensive comparison one must look at how both types are formed as well as the specific morphological characteristics of each type. Littoral caves are formed by coastal processes: mechanical weathering due to waves acting upon weaker parts of the rock (Dipova and Okudan, 2011). Whereas, flank margin caves are thought to be directly affected by the current sea-level as they are formed in conjunction with the movement of the freshwater lens (Waterstrat, 2007). It can be important to compare these caves as potential indicators of past sea levels, paleo-environments, and groundwater flow regimes.