Moving grass led Australian caver to discover one of Victoria’s longest caves
An Australian caver discovered the Elk River Cave in Victoria after noticing unusual grass movement caused by underground airflow. The discovery has led to the mapping of a significant 3.13-kilometer subterranean system within a limestone karst landscape.
Why it matters
The discovery highlights how small, observable surface anomalies can lead to significant geological findings, contributing to the understanding of regional karst systems.
In 2006, Australian caver Kim Van Dyke noticed something unusual while walking through a reserve near Buchan in Victoria’s East Gippsland. A small patch of grass was moving, even though the surrounding vegetation was completely still and there was no wind.For most people, the movement might have seemed insignificant. For Van Dyke and her husband, John, it suggested something hidden beneath the ground. They began digging and soon discovered rock, and evidence of an underground current of air.That small clue led to the discovery of Elk River Cave, a vast subterranean system concealed beneath a seemingly ordinary paddock. Nearly two decades later, explorers have mapped 3.13 kilometres of the cave, making it one of Victoria’s longest.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in