Pwll Dwfn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pwll Dwfn |
|
|---|---|
Pwll Dfwn entrance
|
|
| Location | Tawe Valley, South Wales |
| OS grid | SN8332116494 |
| Depth | 97 |
| Length | 305 feet (93 m) |
| Geology | Limestone |
| Difficulty | Fully vertical, Single Rope Technique needed |
| Access | Public |
Pwll Dwfn is a fascinating cave located in South Wales. It sits high above another famous cave system called Dan yr Ogof. People who enjoy caving can easily reach Pwll Dwfn from the car park of the Dan yr Ogof show cave. The best part is, the entrance to Pwll Dwfn is not blocked by a gate, so it's open for experienced cavers to explore.
Contents
Exploring Pwll Dwfn Cave
Pwll Dwfn is a special cave because it requires a specific climbing method called single rope technique (SRT). This means cavers use ropes to go up and down the cave's deep sections. It is one of the few caves in this area that needs such advanced skills.
What is Pwll Dwfn?
Pwll Dwfn is a "pot" cave, which means it goes mostly straight down, like a deep well. The name "Pwll Dwfn" comes from the Welsh language and means "Deep Pit." This cave is known for its impressive vertical drops.
Getting Ready to Explore
To explore Pwll Dwfn, cavers need special training and equipment. The cave has five main drops, called "pitches." These pitches add up to a total depth of 97 meters (about 318 feet) from the very top to the bottom. Imagine going down a building that's over 30 stories tall!
What is Single Rope Technique (SRT)?
Single rope technique (SRT) is a way of moving through caves using a single rope. Cavers wear a special harness and use devices that let them slide down the rope safely. They also use other tools to climb back up the rope. It's a bit like rock climbing, but inside a dark cave. SRT is very important for exploring deep, vertical caves like Pwll Dwfn.
Inside the Cave
As you go deeper into Pwll Dwfn, you'll find some interesting features. The cave ends with two areas filled with water, and you can also see ancient fossils on the walls.
Deep Drops and Water Pools
At the very bottom of Pwll Dwfn, there are two "sumps." A sump is a section of a cave that is completely filled with water. These sumps in Pwll Dwfn are "static," meaning the water doesn't flow much. They mark the end of the cave's dry passages.
Ancient Fossils in the Walls
One of the coolest things about Pwll Dwfn is the presence of coral fossils on its walls. These fossils are from "colonial coral," which means they were made by many tiny coral animals living together a very long time ago. Finding these fossils tells us that this area was once covered by an ancient sea, millions of years ago. It's like a natural history museum hidden underground!
