I was very sad to hear today of the deaths of eight tourists in a cave In Khao Sok National Park in Thailand.The connection with Higher Geography is that the area is predominantly underlain by limestone - hence the spectacular caves and underground scenery. As you should know from what we have been studying in class, one of the characteristic features of limestone is a structure of joints and bedding planes which allows water to travel down through the rock. Thus, heavy tropical rains can have serious consequences for people who are underground. If rain is absorbed into the ground faster than the underground drainage can dispose of it, then levels of water in caves and potholes will rise, trapping those who have no means of escape.
