3DD: Drik Drik, Victoria

Overview

This is a soft-rock karst region with a complex geological history. Karst has formed in both Tertiary limestones and overlying Quaternary calcareous dunes, though the currently known caves are all in the Tertiary limestone. In addition there is a plateau capped with late Tertiary basalt that has subjacent karst dolines. The edge of this plateau may be a fault scarp.

Exploration and karst studies by the Victorian Speleological Association is continuing. The reports included here are only preliminary. The longest known cave currently has about 2 km of stream passage.

Some VSA Progress Reports

• Report on the geology and karst setting of the area, KG. Grimes, 1999 (.PDF)
• Trip report, KG Grimes, 2001 Hydrology & geomorphology of DD-4 cave
• Trip Report, KG Grimes, 2004 Hydrology & mud speleothems.

Pages of Photos

• Surface karst in the DD-4 area
• Photos of the main stream cave: DD-4
• Geological photos (mainly cave sediments)
• Speleothems in DD-4
• Mud Stalactites, etc. in DD-4
• Biology

Selected photographs and diagrams

KG.Grimes' photointerpretation map of karst and othe topo features in the Drik Drik area. As of Feb 2004. This is an active draft and subject to change. File: 3DD-Phot.png

Draft cave map of DD-4. Circa 2001, and being actively updated as the survey progresses. Upper levels shown in red. File: 3DD4-map.png