The Minye Sinkhole: A Natural Wonder of New Britain Island

Deep in the heart of the Nakanai Mountains on New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea, lies a natural wonder that will leave you in awe - the Minye Sinkhole. This gigantic hole in the equatorial jungle is a sight to behold, with only a few people having seen it from above, and even fewer having had the privilege of descending into its depths.

Minye from above

A Sinkhole Like No Other

The Minye Sinkhole is a staggering 410 meters deep and 350 meters wide, making it one of the largest sinkholes in the world. To put its size into perspective, the Eiffel Tower could fit into it with room to spare. The sinkhole's walls are covered in dense jungle, and a powerful river system flows through its bottom, creating an extensive cave system that contains one of the world's most enormous caverns.

Formation of the Minye Sinkhole

The Minye Sinkhole is believed to have been formed due to the effects of underground rivers and heavy rainfall, which eventually wore away the limestone rock and led to the collapse of the surface layer. The Nakanai Mountains are made up of thick layers of Miocene limestone, making them prone to karst processes. The heavy rainfall in the region, which can reach up to 12m per year, has created a network of underground rivers that have carved out the limestone over thousands of years.

The downstream porch where the river disappears underground on the far side of the sinkhole.

Exploration of the Minye Sinkhole

The Minye Sinkhole was first explored by Australian speleologists in 1968, who descended to a depth of 60 meters. Since then, several expeditions have been conducted, including a French expedition in 1978 that reached the bottom of the sinkhole. The cave system contains exciting cave organisms, many of which are endemic to the region. The sinkhole is connected to the Tuke Chamber, which is one of the largest cave chambers in the world, measuring 240 meters long, 200 meters wide, and 130 meters high.

The Minye Sinkhole is a natural wonder that is a testament to the power of geological processes. Its sheer size and unique features make it a fascinating subject for exploration and study. As we continue to learn more about this incredible natural wonder, we are reminded of the importance of preserving our planet's natural wonders for future generations.

To experience the wonder of Minye sinkhole on one of our helicopter flights or caving adventures to the bottom, contact us.