Susundeng Cave, the hidden phreatic paradise of Banggai Kepulauan
- Wailino DC
- Apr 19
- 2 min read
September 28, 2023 after some preparation to do expedition of Banggai Kepulauan caves, we already spot several caves that were promising; Susundeng and Ba'banang in two different village within Pulau Peling, Banggai Kepulauan. Preliminary data about phreatic cave distribution was from https://caves.or.id/ Indonesian Speleology Society who already mapped the distribution incorporated with BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Indonesia) which was LIPI.
We are supported by Banggai Kepulauan Regional Board of Disaster Management (BPBD) & Banggai Kepulauan Regional Department of Tourism (Dispar) for the expedition transporting, accomodation, and also diving amenities. The team consists of Rock and Roll Divers from Bau-Bau, Wailino Dive Team from Jakarta, Oceana Luwuk Dive Team from Luwuk, and Banggai Kepulauan Divers
Based on the preliminary data, we decided to have a temporary stay in Pandaluk village meeting hall with the supplies of beds and logistics for around 3-4 days. Starting our dives in the morning with Sudiar (Rock & Roll Divers), Henoch Kindangen (Wailino Dive), and Rismauly (Wailino Dive). The cave entrance was bigger than we assume, then the cavern area was huge so that 9 up to 10 divers can dive within the cavern area (Picture 2)
Around cavern area there is pinkish boulder which formed by the collapsed formation of Susundeng cave. There are some speleothem such as stalagmites, stalactites, and flowstone which is around 20 m height. After leaving cavern area, then there is a dry chamber that allowed us to open the mask and helmet saw the soda straws, and some helectites. After the dry chamber, there is a restriction and the tunnel is going to be more narrow and deep. It has white colored limestone and chalk formation when it was going to be more narrow. The maximum depth of the end of the cave was 40 m.
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