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ScienceQuiet 42h · day 7

Nullarbor trenches mapped as collapsed ancient cave systems

Australian research reveals kilometers-long surface depressions are caused by deep underground cave roof collapse, not water erosion.

newest coverage 1d agosummary written 6d ago8 pieces MastodonNewswiresGoogle News

What to know

  • Kilometers-long trenches on Australia's Nullarbor Plain are surface signatures of deep ancient cave systems with progressively collapsed roofs, not water-carved valleys.
  • The trenches, which can exceed 20 km long but are less than 9 meters deep, were confirmed through geophysical surveys, mapping, and exaggerated digital terrain modeling.
  • The method provides a new framework for identifying hidden subsurface voids in arid environments on Earth and could help detect potential caves on Mars.

Dr. Matej Lipar Lead researcher, geomorphologistCurtin University Research institution

Nullarbor trenches mapped as collapsed ancient cave systems
sflorg.com

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 4 pieces in two hours at Sep 22, 8 AM; 8 pieces over 7 days (6 articles · 2 posts) Sep 17, 4 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Sep 17, 6 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Sep 17, 8 AM — quietSep 17, 10 AM — quietSep 17, 12 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 17, 2 PM — quietSep 17, 4 PM — quietSep 17, 6 PM — quietSep 17, 8 PM — quietSep 17, 10 PM — quietSep 18, 12 AM — quietSep 18, 2 AM — quietSep 18, 4 AM — quietSep 18, 6 AM — quietSep 18, 8 AM — quietSep 18, 10 AM — quietSep 18, 12 PM — quietSep 18, 2 PM — quietSep 18, 4 PM — quietSep 18, 6 PM — quietSep 18, 8 PM — quietSep 18, 10 PM — quietSep 19, 12 AM — quietSep 19, 2 AM — quietSep 19, 4 AM — quietSep 19, 6 AM — quietSep 19, 8 AM — quietSep 19, 10 AM — quietSep 19, 12 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Sep 19, 2 PM — quietSep 19, 4 PM — quietSep 19, 6 PM — quietSep 19, 8 PM — quietSep 19, 10 PM — quietSep 20, 12 AM — quietSep 20, 2 AM — quietSep 20, 4 AM — quietSep 20, 6 AM — quietSep 20, 8 AM — quietSep 20, 10 AM — quietSep 20, 12 PM — quietSep 20, 2 PM — quietSep 20, 4 PM — quietSep 20, 6 PM — quietSep 20, 8 PM — quietSep 20, 10 PM — quietSep 21, 12 AM — quietSep 21, 2 AM — quietSep 21, 4 AM — quietSep 21, 6 AM — quietSep 21, 8 AM — quietSep 21, 10 AM — quietSep 21, 12 PM — quietSep 21, 2 PM — quietSep 21, 4 PM — quietSep 21, 6 PM — quietSep 21, 8 PM — quietSep 21, 10 PM — quietSep 22, 12 AM — quietSep 22, 2 AM — quietSep 22, 4 AM — quietSep 22, 6 AM — quietSep 22, 8 AM — 4 pieces · 3 articles · 1 post — Google News 2, Mastodon 1, Newswires 1Sep 22, 10 AM — quietSep 22, 12 PM — quietSep 22, 2 PM — quietSep 22, 4 PM — quietSep 22, 6 PM — quietSep 22, 8 PM — quietSep 22, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 2 AM — quiet 1–2
Sep 18Sep 19Sep 20Sep 21Sep 22yesterdaynow · 4:44 AM ET
  1. 1

    Findings offer framework for detecting hidden voids on Earth and Mars

    The research demonstrates that stable, dry landscapes preserve subtle structural surface clues to subsurface voids, rewriting assumptions about trench formation in arid environments. The method provides a new tool for identifying hidden cave systems relevant to engineering and water resources on Earth, and could help scientists detect potential caves on Mars that might shelter extraterrestrial life or future astronauts.

  2. background

    Terrain scale and geophysical evidence confirm subsurface cavity origin — The trenches range from several kilometers to over 20 kilometers long and 100 to 500 meters wide but remain less than 9 meters deep, making them difficult to spot on the vast plain. Exaggerated digital terrain models revealed the features more clearly, while geophysical surveys confirmed deep underground cavities and several trenches aligned with known caves and collapse zones.

  3. 2

    Curtin University research reveals Nullarbor trenches as cave collapse signatures

    Research led by Dr. Matej Lipar identified that shallow, sediment-filled trenches stretching kilometers across Australia's Nullarbor Plain are surface footprints of deep, hidden ancient cave systems rather than water-carved valleys. Using mapping, geophysical surveys, and digital terrain analysis, the team confirmed that cave roof progressive collapse caused overlying rock to sag, creating the surface depressions.

    “From the surface, these features can look remarkably like shallow valleys or drainage channels, but our evidence shows they have a very different origin.”
    — Dr. Matej Lipar
    1. 3 outlets Hidden caves beneath the Nullarbor revealed by subtle surface trenches

      first by Curtin University, 1d ago · also ScienceAlert, Live Science

      2 more headlines
    2. 1 outlet Nullarbor mapping reveals surface signs of deep, hidden cave systems

      first by Phys.org, 4d ago

    • sflorg@mastodon.social

      Subtle, shallow surface trenches on the Nullarbor Plain in Australia are the visible evidence of massive, deep underground cave systems whose roofs have progressively collapsed over time. # EarthScience # Geomorphology # PlanetaryScience # sflorg https://www. sflorg.com/2026/09/es09172601. html

      sflorg@mastodon.socialMastodon6d agoview on Mastodon ↗