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Los sistemas kLos sistemas káársticos rsticos entre Arredondo y entre Arredondo y

MatienzoMatienzoJuan Corrin, Peter Smith and Philip Juan Corrin, Peter Smith and Philip

PapardPapard

(Expedici(Expedicióón Espeleoln Espeleolóógica a gica a Matienzo)Matienzo)

XXV Jornadas Cientificas de la XXV Jornadas Cientificas de la SedeckSedeck

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Matienzo Valley looking north from Fuente las Matienzo Valley looking north from Fuente las VarasVaras

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The Matienzo AreaThe Matienzo Area 26km26km22 imperviously-floored closed valley - imperviously-floored closed valley -

north of the Asón and its ridge east of Rivanorth of the Asón and its ridge east of Riva Water from surrounding caves sinks at the Water from surrounding caves sinks at the

north end flowing through a 55km system north end flowing through a 55km system to Secadura in Voto.to Secadura in Voto.

This paper covers two 35km systems under This paper covers two 35km systems under the north Asón ridge and their possibilities the north Asón ridge and their possibilities for yet forming another 100+km systemfor yet forming another 100+km system

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Caves in the Matienzo AreaCaves in the Matienzo Area

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The Caving ExpeditionsThe Caving Expeditions Spanish expeditions – 1960’s Spanish expeditions – 1960’s British-led since the 1970’sBritish-led since the 1970’s Members from: UK, Spain; Denmark; Norway; Members from: UK, Spain; Denmark; Norway;

Netherlands; Italy; Australia and Singapore.Netherlands; Italy; Australia and Singapore. Expedition based atExpedition based at

Bar German inBar German inMatienzoMatienzo

Data on 350km ofData on 350km ofcaves and 4000+caves and 4000+sites are open on: sites are open on: http://matienzocaves.org.uk

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South Vega System Behind Comellantes resurgence is the 33km long

and 317m deep- South Vega System Complicated system - deep pitches, between large

passages on different levels Water enters the system in the west A dye test from Torca del Hoyón showed a weak

positive - needs repeating, and it would only be a fraction of the flow seen

The rest may come from the Alisas area or from the south (Vallina)?

South Vega System Behind Comellantes resurgence is the 33km long

and 317m deep- South Vega System Complicated system - deep pitches, between large

passages on different levels Water enters the system in the west A dye test from Torca del Hoyón showed a weak

positive - needs repeating, and it would only be a fraction of the flow seen

The rest may come from the Alisas area or from the south (Vallina)?

South Vega System Behind Comellantes resurgence is the 33km long

and 317m deep- South Vega System Complicated system - deep pitches, between large

passages on different levels Water enters the system in the west A dye test from Torca del Hoyón showed a weak

positive - needs repeating, and it would only be a fraction of the flow seen

The rest may come from the Alisas area or from the south (Vallina)?

South Vega SystemSouth Vega System Behind Comellantes resurgence is the 33km long Behind Comellantes resurgence is the 33km long

and 317m deep- South Vega Systemand 317m deep- South Vega System Complicated system - deep pitches, between large Complicated system - deep pitches, between large

passages on different levelspassages on different levels Water enters the syWater enters the system instem in the west the west A dye test from Torca del Hoyón showed a weak A dye test from Torca del Hoyón showed a weak

positive - needs repeating, and ipositive - needs repeating, and it would only be a t would only be a fraction of the flow seenfraction of the flow seen

The rest maThe rest mayy come from the Alisas area or from the come from the Alisas area or from the south (Vallina)? south (Vallina)?

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South Vega SystemSouth Vega System

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South Vega SystemSouth Vega System

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Cueva del ArenalCueva del Arenal This half a Km cave lies above a cliff west of the This half a Km cave lies above a cliff west of the

end of the South Vega Systemend of the South Vega System Normally it draughts out strongly with no water Normally it draughts out strongly with no water

flow, but in flood a large stream cascades out. flow, but in flood a large stream cascades out. This cave may be a flood overflow for water This cave may be a flood overflow for water

beyond the end of the South Vega system, and beyond the end of the South Vega system, and if the final choke could be passed it could be to if the final choke could be passed it could be to an old higher level route to the Alisas area! an old higher level route to the Alisas area!

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Cueva del ArenalCueva del Arenal

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VViewiew up Vega valley to Alisas up Vega valley to Alisas - - South Vega SystemSouth Vega System//Cueva Vallina under Cueva Vallina under ridge on left.ridge on left.

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Cueva VallinaCueva Vallina On the Arredondo side of the ridge, lies On the Arredondo side of the ridge, lies

the 33km Cueva Vallinathe 33km Cueva Vallina Levels appear to correspond with Levels appear to correspond with

passages in the South Vega System passages in the South Vega System about 500m away. about 500m away.

Cueva Vallina

Cueva del Molino

Torca del Hoyón Sistema de La

Vega Sur,

N-S vertical section of caves between Rio AsN-S vertical section of caves between Rio Asóón and Matienzon and Matienzo

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Cueva VallinaCueva Vallina Large passages on a several levels, split into two equal Large passages on a several levels, split into two equal

parts (I & II) by a boulder squeezeparts (I & II) by a boulder squeeze Vallina II: ongoing work to link to the South Vega System Vallina II: ongoing work to link to the South Vega System

and also push to the westand also push to the west Vallina IVallina I:: main passage chokes, but the draught suggest main passage chokes, but the draught suggestss

it should extendit should extend to the eastto the east WWater from Vallina I & II flow to the ater from Vallina I & II flow to the west viawest via short sumps short sumps

to ato a 110m 110m still open sumpstill open sump This sump hThis sump heads towardseads towards Cueva Molino, but as Molino Cueva Molino, but as Molino

runs to the NW a dye test is neededruns to the NW a dye test is needed

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Cueva VallinaCueva Vallina I I

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Cueva VallinaCueva Vallina II II

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Cueva MolinoCueva Molino Complex cave with strong draught indicating a Complex cave with strong draught indicating a

dry connection to higher ground dry connection to higher ground Ends at a large sump dived to 340m and -82m Ends at a large sump dived to 340m and -82m

by Rupert Skorupka by Rupert Skorupka In 2011 good weather allowed Chris Jewell and In 2011 good weather allowed Chris Jewell and

Artur Kozlowski to push past – 93m to 885m at a Artur Kozlowski to push past – 93m to 885m at a depth of -12mdepth of -12m

Sump is still open and heading N-W towards Sump is still open and heading N-W towards AlisasAlisas

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Cueva MolinoCueva Molino

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Cueva

Vallina

S istema de La

Vega Sur,

Cueva del Molino

Torca del Hoyón

Fuente Aguanaz 7km

Caves between Rio Asón and Mateinzo and possible water routes (dotted blue arrows)

Sistema delAlto del Tejuelo

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Testing of drainage Testing of drainage routes routes

Torca del Hoyón dye test needs repeating, but other Torca del Hoyón dye test needs repeating, but other tests sites need to be involvedtests sites need to be involved

We suggest joint work with groups working to the We suggest joint work with groups working to the west and south of Alisas, and the water authorities west and south of Alisas, and the water authorities so the hydrology can be mapped and possible extent so the hydrology can be mapped and possible extent of cave systems indicated of cave systems indicated

To facilitate this process the British Expedition To facilitate this process the British Expedition believes in open access to all our information, which believes in open access to all our information, which can be found on our website at can be found on our website at http://matienzocaves.org.ukhttp://matienzocaves.org.uk

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Questions?Questions?