Basalt pillow lavas of the middle Eocene geological period
The cave complex is divided into several floors and includes several caves. It is outcropped in basaltic pillow lavas of the Middle Eocene geological period.
Pillow lavas are magmatic bodies resulting from the melting of pillow-shaped, spherical, ellipsoidal and other similar shaped magmatic bodies. It is bound by secondary products or sedimentary material.Pillow lava is formed during an underwater eruption of a volcano or when lava flows from land into water. Before solidification, the water-entrained lava flow breaks up into individual giant droplets (from a few centimeters to 2 meters and sometimes more), which are surrounded by a steam jacket. In this way, in a weighted state, it moves to the bottom of the basin and causes the pillow lava to melt. Pillow lavas are usually basaltic or andesitic. In the case of Satalao, it is basaltic type. It is found in formations of different ages. Pillow lava flows form on the slopes of submarine volcanoes, especially in rift zones. Pores and small spaces are filled with calcite, aragonite, chalcedony and others.
The Satalao caves located in the Uravalli valley were used as watchmen for travelers going to the valley in the historical past (“tala” means the night watchman of travelers).
