Cova de la Dona Morta

The cavity develops along a NNE-SSW joint that cuts a series of grey sandstones of marine origin, corresponding to the Calcina levels identified on the geological map (Berástegui & Losantos, 2003). In the first metres of drop there is an intercalation of conglomerates, and at the base of the cavity there is a level of marls. In the main chamber a small step of cm-dm order can be seen (sunken eastern block).

The entrance, a couple of metres high by one metre wide, gives access to a steep ramp almost 20 metres long. The inclination exceeds 40º and the floor is of sand and small pebbles, which makes the descent quite entertaining. The ceiling of the ramp stays horizontal from the entrance, which makes it gain height as we descend. Shortly before reaching the main chamber, on the left we find a small recess through which the lower northern crawls are reached.

The large conduit of the main gallery is 41 metres long and develops toward the South, but turning slightly toward the West. The initial width is a good size, since it reaches 4 metres, although this lasts only a short while; as we advance it narrows quickly to barely 2 metres, just where we find a large trunk placed expressly to access the upper level. If until now the ceiling seemed almost imperceptible to us, from this point we can follow it easily.

For 16 metres, both the height of 2.5 metres and the width of 1.5 metres are almost constant. Several holes can be seen in the ceiling that connect with the upper level, while the floor becomes flat, except for a small hollow located at the end of the gallery, on the left side.

A right-angled fissure suddenly narrows the passage while also reducing its height. The ceiling rises again until reaching 4 metres, and 6 metres further on a pile of stones narrows the passage again. This time, the ceiling stays at the same level and it is the floor that drops one metre more suddenly, letting us continue for about 5 metres of gallery.

A stalagmitic formation in the form of a flowstone, which collects a plunge pool 2 metres long where the main gallery ends.

It seems to be an ancient spring excavated following a marl stratum, like the Mentirosa de Monistrol, which became dead when the Tortuguer torrent was cut.

Following the ramp down, a short step must be passed to reach the main gallery. A half-metre step must be descended to continue the exploration.