Returning to Madagasar to build on previous experiences and explorations, each trip was now filled with broadening the understanding and exploration of the active projects in Aven and Malazamanga, as well as pushing for further discoveries, one of which would open up a huge new gateway to Madagascars flooded wonders.

Aven

Working with an expanded team of scientists and palaeontologists from Central Michigan University, University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Malagasy delegation from University of Antananarivo, the expedition dive team began further collections. In a very short time collection boxes were filled by Phillip, Ryan and Zachery revealing fossils evidencing Voay (honed crocodiles), Lemurs and the legendary 12 foot tall Elephant Bird.

Avens formation and location has proven to be the perfect environment to not just attract the animal remains, but to create and preserve their fossil record, an incredible window into the past.

Malazamanga

Beginning to reach the limits on previous expeditions of what was possible on open circuit technology, this push to explore the extent of Malazamanga was done using closed circuit rebreather technology, allowing longer and deeper dive times with reduced decompression obligations. Important in the remote location.

The scale of the cave continues to challenge and even the application of 30,000 lumen video lights still cannot reveal its full extent. Reaching the previous end of line (furthest distance explored) some of the largest cave to be found provided a considerable challenge. Which way would the cave develop, onward routes could be hidden in ceilings, floors, side walls and through the smallest of entrances off these vast space.

Early dives were positive, pushing many more reels full of line, yet as time went on with no obvious development path divers returned with full reels and tired and doubstful of where further progress might be found.

Despite these frustrations Hans and Patrick extended the current 8000 feet of exploration penetration to over fiftenn thousand feet and to depths up to 50m.

This established Malazamanga as Africa’s largest flooded cave and in the teams view, one of the most beautiful.

Andakatomivola

Rumours of a large cenote style cave entrance near Andakatomivola called La Piscine (swimmimg pool) attracted Phillip and Ryan to head North. After a days dive in Andakatomivola they managed to connect with a local guide who after a short truck ride leads them on a straightforward hike to find a large open sinkhole at the foot of a Baobob tree. The team had been introduced to Anjanamba.

Anjanamba

Members of the local Mikea tribe for whom the site is sacred allow Phillip to do a quick dive in his boxers and to everyones excitement the news is positive. It looks big and it looks as if it ‘goes’, that is has great potential for exploration.

The next day Ryan and Phillip return, exploring very unusually formed cave where the erosion has been caused by multi directional flow. This has created many sharp angles and colours reminscient of saltwater sections of the Mexican Cenote Regina. Quickly running out of line and with no prospect of obtaining more a return is needed as soon as possible.