Grotte de Hnanawae, Natural cave in Lifou, New Caledonia.
Grotte de Hnanawae is a natural cave on Lifou in New Caledonia that extends 11,410 meters beneath the surface. An intricate network of chambers connects three main sections located roughly 20 meters underground.
French speleologists conducted the first scientific exploration in 1995, documenting that the cave formed 125,000 years ago through seawater interaction. This early study established the foundation for understanding its geological development.
The cave entrance served as a refuge for Melanesian communities, where painted walls and old fire sites still mark human presence. These traces show how people once used this sheltered space.
The cave entrance is located roughly 4.7 kilometers south of Wedrumel and reached through a five-meter-deep sinkhole. Access requires some preparation and proper equipment to safely descend into this underground space.
The eastern section contains a remarkable collection of stalactites, stalagmites, and tubular formations. These geological structures create an underground gallery that surprises visitors as they discover it.
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