Xenia Georgopoulou
EpirusPost.gr
16 July 2019
An amazing sinkhole is revealed
in the village of Amarantos, Konitsa, very close to the homonymous Thermal Springs
Baths. It has a depth of 268 metres, with a large vertical section of 200 metres, large
diameter of the cave's funnel (30 metres), with a hall exceeding 50 metres
in length and an impressive entrance.
The entrance to the cave is impressive. In’
It is flanked by two slopes, one steeper than the other opposite.
accessible, while between them lies a large single rocky surface («mirror»).
Access to most missions (except the last one) was via
less steep scree, with the rope secured to a tree at the top
Of the. In the last mission, the rigging was done by the rock.
At the bottom of the large rocky surface,
where the gullies end, is the entrance to the cave, which consists
from some bulky «steps» on rocky substrate. Descending these
steps, the rock becomes vertical and the light is lost in the first large vertical section
section of the abyss, reaching 80 metres.
A little further down, an even larger vertical section, touching 100 metres,
ends in a huge pile of stones. At that point, around -200
measures, daylight is still visible, due also to its large diameter
cave opening, which averages 30 metres.
From the bottom of the large vertical section, at -200 metres, a
a tunnel of approximately 50 metres in length, which leads, after a slight descent,
in a large hall, approximately 50 metres long. This hall leads to a
small corridor, which leads, after a short descent, to the end
of this section of the cave. It is a small space on two levels, the
floor of which is covered with mud, as is the floor of the great
hall.
From the aforementioned tunnel begins another section of the cave. A
a descent of about 16 metres leads to a hall with «tiers», which
From one side, after a descent of about 4 metres, it leads to
same level as the rest of the cave, while on the other it reaches a «chimney»
which is visible from the main part of the cave. From this chamber, which
exceeds 50 metres in length, three smaller tunnels begin, the two
uphill, with a total length approaching 40 metres.
The cave does not have any particular decoration. However, at some point the
Stalactitic material has formed a thin crust, leaving a void in between
on the rock and material, which is particularly impressive when lit
appropriately.
The depth of the show cave was measured during the mapping at -268
measures.
The origin of the cave's name:
Six years after the exploration was completed,
In June 2016, we happened to discuss the abyss with the member of
SP.EL.EO. Ania Lukashevich, who told us that «bezdna» in Russian means
«Abyss.
For exploring the sinkhole
several expeditions by the Hellenic Caving Exploration Club were needed
(EL.EU.SP.) and the following took part: Xenia Georgopoulou, Giorgos
Katsavos, Giorgos Georgiadis, Dimitris Zeppos, Giannis Kassimatis, Thomas
Theodossiadis, Periklis Katsanos, Dionysis Papadopoulos, Lefteris Karteris, Jan
van Driel, Charley Nikolaidou and Vasilis Liolios.
(The
photographs of the cave from its exploration missions and its description
which is quoted is from Ms. Xenia Georgopoulou with the kind
through the mediation of Mr Thomas Theodossiadis)
