Banggai Kepulauan Expedition
Overview
There are currently very few speleological expeditions specific to the Carbonate Islands of Indonesia resulting many unknown detailed information. Regardless of its geological intricacy, Indonesia’s plate collision phenomenon is fascinating. Careful research will reveal phenomenon from the inimitable oceanic-karst terrain, which is rich in biodiversity, and unique geological phenomena.
This expedition is initiated by UGM Karst Research Group and was a part of Road to International Karst and Cave in 2021 under patronage of Asian Union of Speleology and Federation of Indonesian Speleological Activities. The International Union of Speleology and Eurospeleo were also invited to join this event.
This expedition will be focused to two main locations: Banggai Kepulauan (as the main Carbonate Island) and Banggai Laut (as the small Carbonate Island, Marine Lakes, and Atolls).
Objectives
1. Finding and exploring new caves, including terrestrial (dry) and submerged (underwater) caves, and cave diving expeditions.
2. Study the karst hydrology on Carbonate Island, Karst Lake on Carbonate Island, Vertical Cenotes, Marine Lake, and Atolls.
3. Geological mapping of micro tectonic movements in eastern Indonesia
4. Speleogenesis on Carbonate Island
5. Biospeleology and Phylogeography
6. Small Island Community, Cultures, and Maritime Archaeology Investigation
7. Tourism planning on Small Carbonate Island
Specific Goals
In Banggai Kepulauan, exo-karst phenomena will be explored in the form of tidal karst-lakes at high altitudes and freshwater karst-lakes in coastal areas.
The Expedition Team will be challenged to explore vertical cenotes (up to 50 meters of
vertical caving), which will demand vertical caving and cave diving skills.
Caves needs to be mapped, including underwater caves. Aside from that, spring water and resurgent springs will be identified and mapped.
Terrestrial caves on small islands, underwater caves, marine lakes, atolls, and other karst phenomena in the Carbonate Island area will all be explored at Banggai Laut.
Mapping and exploring underwater cave biota will be an interesting discovery, and it has the potential to lead to further research.
Studies on aspects of the Banggai-Sula microcontinent’s movement in this area are likely to yield new scientific findings and strengthen the area’s use as an international geopark.
How to Get Here?
The airport hub is in Makassar, with flights to Luwuk Airport in Banggai district, on Sulawesi Island’s mainland. The journey will be continued for 4 hours by ferries directly to Salakan, Banggai Kepulauan. The group will be greeted with a welcome dinner and cultural performance by the Regent of Banggai Kepulauan.
The mobile expeditions will be conducted in Banggai Kepulauan. The accommodation alternative is by staying in local community owned guest houses, as well as flying camps invarious locations. Logistics are simple to obtain, even in these remote locations. In some cases, the caves in this area will be reached by boat.
The subsequent expedition is to Banggai Laut. The journey from Banggai Kepulauan to Banggai Laut will be carried out by boat, which will be used as transportation throughout the expedition. The Regent of Banggai Laut will also greet the group with a welcome dinner and a cultural performance.
The expedition will mostly be executed by boat to explore around the ocean water. The group will be staying in a local guest house, and flying camp. Diving equipment will be transported also on the boat. Participants are expected to have at least an advanced level diving certificate. For those who is intended to take part in the submerged caves exploration, they shall possess the Full Cave Diver competence.
Further Information
Banggai Kepulauan-Banggai Laut Expedition is in collaboration with Sainsreka Indonesia. For further and updated information please kindly visit our website here or flick an email to info@sainsreka.com. You can also download the flyer through the button below. We look forward to seeing you in Banggai Kepulauan!