Diving investigations of the cave system Miljacka I-V
In the period August 23-30, 2024, the Society for Karst Research - Freatik conducted speleology diving research in the submerged part of the Miljacka I-V cave system
This is a continuation of the research from 2017, when 1008 m of the main submerged channel was investigated and topographically recorded. It was expected that the channel would continue to extend in the same direction and emerge into a dry part after a few hundred meters. The system was then explored for an additional 754 m, and the total length of the system measured 2284 m.
The complexity of the cave system required the use of varied research techniques, and a new safety element (Ariadne's thread) was installed for a length of 1 km.
The conducted research revealed two new submerged side canals, the First Bypass with a length of 40 m, and the Second Bypass with a length of 81 m, the morphology of which indicates that they developed parallel to the main channel in the zone of the water base. The newly explored part of the main channel starts at a depth of 24 m and continues with an 8 m deep vertical channel, from which it extends diagonally. The investigations stopped at a depth of 56 m, where the channel continues with a new drop of several meters in depth. The channel continues in the general NW-SE direction, however, its morphology is significantly more complex, which indicates more pronounced tectonics in this part of the system. There is a perspective for further exploration of the main channel at a depth greater than 56 m, which is extremely demanding in terms of technique and safety. The measured water temperature was 13°C and is constant along the entire Miljacka I-V system.
During the surveying and topographical recording of the newly explored parts of the Miljacka I-V system, its known length was increased by a total of 251 m. The new length of the Miljacka I-V system is 2707 m, the depth of the large siphon 56 m, the total depth 57 m, and the height difference 68 m. The main channel of the Miljacka I-V system is the deepest submerged channel in the Krka National Park and is one of the 5 longest submerged channels in Croatia.
During the investigations, individuals of stygobiont species were recorded: cave shrimp Troglocaris sp., cave isopods Monolistra sp., cave water-lice Spheromides sp., and the olm, the old (Proteus anguinus),. We are particularly pleased that in a remote part of the system, a new microhabitat of olms with a large number of juvenile and subadult stage individuals was discovered.
Research
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