Cuevas de Zaén, Geological cave system in Moratalla, Spain
The Zaén Caves are limestone cavities formed by natural dissolution of rock over time, with carbonate deposits visible on the walls and ceilings. The formations spread across the southern and western slopes in a series of separate chambers and openings.
The rock layers containing these caves formed during the Miocene epoch around 11 million years ago when this region was covered by water. This period represented a time when the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea maintained a connection.
The caves provided shelter for people and livestock herders who used them as protection from weather and a place to keep animals.
To reach the caves, take the road from El Sabinar toward Benizar and continue to Zaén de Arriba village, where a path leads to the cavities. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water since the route crosses open terrain with limited shade.
The caves contain reddish deposits left by ancient river systems millions of years ago, offering clues about the region's geological past. These sediments help researchers connect and map rock layers from the Miocene across a wider area.
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