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Kilsby sinkhole: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 37°53′33″S 140°40′35″E / 37.89238°S 140.67627°E / -37.89238; 140.67627
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{{Short description|Sinkhole in Mount Gambier, Southern Australia.}}
{{Short description|Sinkhole in Mount Gambier, Southern Australia}}
{{Infobox cave
The '''Kilsby sinkhole''' is a sinkhole in [[Mount Gambier]], [[South Australia]]. Since the late 1960s, the naturally occurring [[karst]] [[cenote]] has been used for recreational diving as well as civilian and police dive training.
| name = Kilsby Hole
| other_name = Kilsby Cave
| photo =
| photo_width =
| photo_caption =
| map = South Australia
| map_width =
| map_caption =
| map_alt =
| location = Sisters Road, [[Moorak, South Australia|Moorak]] South Australia, 5291, Australia
| coordinates = {{coord|37.89238|S|140.67627|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref = <ref name="LMV">{{cite web |title=Search result for "Kilsby Hole Cave" with the following datasets selected - 'Suburbs and Localities', 'Gazetteer', 'SA Government Regions' and 'Roads' |url=https://location.sa.gov.au/viewer/?map=topographic&x=140.70535&y=-37.87705&z=13&uids=19,20,105&pinx=140.676270&piny=-37.892380&pinTitle=Location&pinText=Kilsby+Hole,+Cave |website=Location SA Map Viewer |publisher=Government of South Australia |access-date=13 December 2021}}</ref>
| land_registry_number =
| grid_ref_UK =
| grid_ref_Ireland =
| grid_ref =
| depth =
| length =
| height_variation =
| elevation =
| discovery =
| geology = [[Miocene]] [[limestone]]<ref>{{cite web|work=Aquifer Tours - Mount Gambier|title=Mount Gambier Geological History|publisher=Aquifer Tours|access-date=14 March 2014|url=http://www.aquifertours.com/history/geological_history.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103120539/http://www.aquifertours.com/history/geological_history.html|archive-date=3 January 2019}}</ref>
| entrance_count =
| entrance_list =
| difficulty =
| hazards =
| access =
| show_cave =
| show_cave_length =
| lighting =
| visitors = Yes
| features =
| survey =
| survey_format =
| website =
}}

The '''Kilsby sinkhole''' is a sinkhole located near [[Mount Gambier]] in [[South Australia]]. Since the late 1960s, the naturally occurring [[karst]] sinkhole has been used for recreational diving as well as civilian and police diver training. By visiting the Kilsby Sinkhole website, public can now access the site via a pre booked Sinkhole Tour or Snorkelling Tour.


==History==
==History==
The sinkhole is located on private property owned by the Kilsby family since the late 19th century.<ref name="ABCKilbyFamily">{{cite web |title=What responsibility do businesses have when it comes to acknowledging First Nations people? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-29/elders-emotional-work-support-aboriginal-communities/100155922 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU |date=28 May 2021}}</ref> Due to insurance and liability concerns, access to the site is highly controlled.<ref name="1969threedeaths" /> Some commercial dive companies teach diving at the site, and limited independent recreational diving and snorkelling is allowed.<ref name="ABC">{{cite web |title=Police divers deeply immersed in training at SA sinkhole |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-05/south-east-police-diver-training-at-kilsby-sinkhole/12851100 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU |date=5 November 2020}}</ref>
The sinkhole is located on private property owned by the Kilsby family since the late 19th century.<ref name="ABCKilbyFamily">{{cite web |title=What responsibility do businesses have when it comes to acknowledging First Nations people? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-29/elders-emotional-work-support-aboriginal-communities/100155922 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU |date=28 May 2021}}</ref> Due to insurance and liability concerns, access to the site is highly controlled.<ref name="1969two deaths" /> Some commercial dive companies teach diving at the site, and limited independent recreational diving and snorkelling is allowed.<ref name="ABC">{{cite web |title=Police divers deeply immersed in training at SA sinkhole |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-05/south-east-police-diver-training-at-kilsby-sinkhole/12851100 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU |date=5 November 2020}}</ref>


In the late 1960s cave and sinkhole diving gained popularity in the area, leading to frequent dives of inexperienced divers at the Kilsby sinkhole.<ref name="CDAAReport"/>{{rp|14}} On April 6, 1969, two such inexperienced divers died at the Kilsby sinkhole.<ref name="CDAAReport"/>{{rp|14}}<ref name="1969threedeaths"/> Later that year, and until at least 1983, the [[Australian Department of Defense|Australian Department of Defence]] took on an exclusive lease on the sinkhole and did not allow public access or recreational diving.<ref name="CDAAReport">{{cite web |title=Report No. 1 Kilsbys Hole |url=http://www.swiss-cave-diving.ch/PDF-dateien/CDAA%20Research%20Group%20Report%20Number%201%20-%20Kilsbys%20Hole%201983.pdf |website=swiss-cave-diving.ch |publisher=Cave Diver's Association of Australia Research Group}}</ref> In the 1970s the site was used to test the [[Barra Sonobuoy]], a classified submarine detection buoy.<ref name="Sonobuoy">{{cite web |last1=Bedwell |first1=Ian |title=Australian Sonar Transducer Technology |url=https://www.acoustics.asn.au/conference_proceedings/AAS2013/papers/p21.pdf |website=acoustics.asn.au}}</ref><ref name="ANOWSONOBUOY">{{cite web |title=Kilsby Sinkhole near Mt Gambier to open to general public |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/kilsby-sinkholes-natural-beauty-and-crystal-clear-water-to-be-experienced-by-general-public/news-story/b4a4426a7af42a38f97b1b81727db916 |website=Adelaidenow.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref name="NINECOMAUBarraSonobuoy">{{cite web |title=VIDEO: Diver explores mysterious South Australian sinkhole |url=https://www.nine.com.au/entertainment/viral/kilsbys-sinkhole-south-australia-diving-footage/81ecbaf1-f000-4e5b-bc9f-8be4dc61ee20 |website=www.nine.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref> The sinkhole has been consistently used to train police divers of the [[South Australian Police]] since the early 1980s.<ref name="ABC"/><ref name="1969threedeaths" />
In the late 1960s cave and sinkhole diving gained popularity in the area, leading to frequent dives of inexperienced divers at the Kilsby sinkhole.<ref name="CDAAReport"/>{{rp|14}} On April 6, 1969, two such inexperienced divers died at the Kilsby sinkhole.<ref name="CDAAReport"/>{{rp|14}}<ref name="1969two deaths" /> Later that year, and until at least 1983, the [[Australian Department of Defense|Australian Department of Defence]] took on an exclusive lease on the sinkhole and did not allow public access or recreational diving.<ref name="CDAAReport">{{cite web |title=Report No. 1 Kilsbys Hole |url=http://www.swiss-cave-diving.ch/PDF-dateien/CDAA%20Research%20Group%20Report%20Number%201%20-%20Kilsbys%20Hole%201983.pdf |website=swiss-cave-diving.ch |publisher=Cave Diver's Association of Australia Research Group}}</ref> In the 1970s the site was used to test the [[Barra Sonobuoy]], a classified submarine detection buoy.<ref name="Sonobuoy">{{cite web |last1=Bedwell |first1=Ian |title=Australian Sonar Transducer Technology |url=https://www.acoustics.asn.au/conference_proceedings/AAS2013/papers/p21.pdf |website=acoustics.asn.au}}</ref><ref name="ANOWSONOBUOY">{{cite web |title=Kilsby Sinkhole near Mt Gambier to open to general public |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/kilsby-sinkholes-natural-beauty-and-crystal-clear-water-to-be-experienced-by-general-public/news-story/b4a4426a7af42a38f97b1b81727db916 |website=Adelaidenow.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref name="NINECOMAUBarraSonobuoy">{{cite web |title=VIDEO: Diver explores mysterious South Australian sinkhole |url=https://www.nine.com.au/entertainment/viral/kilsbys-sinkhole-south-australia-diving-footage/81ecbaf1-f000-4e5b-bc9f-8be4dc61ee20 |website=www.nine.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref> The sinkhole has been consistently used to train police divers of the [[South Australian Police]] since the early 1980s.<ref name="ABC"/><ref name="1969two deaths" />


==Diving deaths==
==Diving deaths==
Since 1969 six divers have died diving the sinkhole. In 1969 three divers died while diving there.<ref name="1969threedeaths">{{cite web |title=Sinkhole access at stake in rift between landowners and cave diving association |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-14/kilsbys-sinkhole-access-rights-rift/7932012 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU |date=14 October 2016}}</ref> In 2010 a diver died when he became entangled in a cable 37 metres below the water's surface.<ref name="2010DeathSMHerald">{{cite web |title=Buddy found dead diver |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/buddy-found-dead-diver-20111017-1v5g6.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |date=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref name="1969threedeaths" /> Two others died diving the sinkhole the same year.<ref name="AGEDeath">{{cite web |author=Staff reporters |title=Diver forced to leave dying mate to drown in cave |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/diver-forced-to-leave-dying-mate-to-drown-in-cave-20100314-q63k.html |website=The Age |language=en |date=14 March 2010}}</ref><ref name="1969threedeaths" />
Since 1969 there has been three divers die diving the sinkhole. In 1969 two divers died while diving there.<ref name="1969two deaths">{{cite web |title=Sinkhole access at stake in rift between landowners and cave diving association |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-14/kilsbys-sinkhole-access-rights-rift/7932012 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU |date=14 October 2016}}</ref> In 2010 a diver died when he became entangled in a cable 37 metres below the water's surface.<ref name="2010DeathSMHerald">{{cite web |title=Buddy found dead diver |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/buddy-found-dead-diver-20111017-1v5g6.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |date=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref name="1969two deaths" /><ref name="AGEDeath">{{cite web |author=Staff reporters |title=Diver forced to leave dying mate to drown in cave |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/diver-forced-to-leave-dying-mate-to-drown-in-cave-20100314-q63k.html |website=The Age |language=en |date=14 March 2010}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 17:25, 22 October 2024

Kilsby Hole
Kilsby Cave
Map showing the location of Kilsby Hole
Map showing the location of Kilsby Hole
LocationSisters Road, Moorak South Australia, 5291, Australia
Coordinates37°53′33″S 140°40′35″E / 37.89238°S 140.67627°E / -37.89238; 140.67627[1]
GeologyMiocene limestone[2]
VisitorsYes

The Kilsby sinkhole is a sinkhole located near Mount Gambier in South Australia. Since the late 1960s, the naturally occurring karst sinkhole has been used for recreational diving as well as civilian and police diver training. By visiting the Kilsby Sinkhole website, public can now access the site via a pre booked Sinkhole Tour or Snorkelling Tour.

History

[edit]

The sinkhole is located on private property owned by the Kilsby family since the late 19th century.[3] Due to insurance and liability concerns, access to the site is highly controlled.[4] Some commercial dive companies teach diving at the site, and limited independent recreational diving and snorkelling is allowed.[5]

In the late 1960s cave and sinkhole diving gained popularity in the area, leading to frequent dives of inexperienced divers at the Kilsby sinkhole.[6]: 14  On April 6, 1969, two such inexperienced divers died at the Kilsby sinkhole.[6]: 14 [4] Later that year, and until at least 1983, the Australian Department of Defence took on an exclusive lease on the sinkhole and did not allow public access or recreational diving.[6] In the 1970s the site was used to test the Barra Sonobuoy, a classified submarine detection buoy.[7][8][9] The sinkhole has been consistently used to train police divers of the South Australian Police since the early 1980s.[5][4]

Diving deaths

[edit]

Since 1969 there has been three divers die diving the sinkhole. In 1969 two divers died while diving there.[4] In 2010 a diver died when he became entangled in a cable 37 metres below the water's surface.[10][4][11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Search result for "Kilsby Hole Cave" with the following datasets selected - 'Suburbs and Localities', 'Gazetteer', 'SA Government Regions' and 'Roads'". Location SA Map Viewer. Government of South Australia. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Mount Gambier Geological History". Aquifer Tours - Mount Gambier. Aquifer Tours. Archived from the original on 3 January 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  3. ^ "What responsibility do businesses have when it comes to acknowledging First Nations people?". www.abc.net.au. 28 May 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Sinkhole access at stake in rift between landowners and cave diving association". www.abc.net.au. 14 October 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Police divers deeply immersed in training at SA sinkhole". www.abc.net.au. 5 November 2020.
  6. ^ a b c "Report No. 1 Kilsbys Hole" (PDF). swiss-cave-diving.ch. Cave Diver's Association of Australia Research Group.
  7. ^ Bedwell, Ian. "Australian Sonar Transducer Technology" (PDF). acoustics.asn.au.
  8. ^ "Kilsby Sinkhole near Mt Gambier to open to general public". Adelaidenow.com.au.
  9. ^ "VIDEO: Diver explores mysterious South Australian sinkhole". www.nine.com.au.
  10. ^ "Buddy found dead diver". The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 October 2011.
  11. ^ Staff reporters (14 March 2010). "Diver forced to leave dying mate to drown in cave". The Age.
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