On the evening of Thursday, June 26, the first session of the lecture series “Caves: Unique Environments” took place — a programme funded by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, and the Balearic Department of Education and Universities.
Around 25 people attended the talk “Rock, Water, and Time: Mallorca’s Underwater Caves”, delivered by Dr. Xisco Gràcia, a geographer, scientist, and cave diver. During the session, Dr. Gràcia shared insights from over thirty years of exploration in the island’s most extensive cave systems.
The conference highlighted Mallorca’s status as a European leader in the study of coastal caves, thanks to its exceptional geological, ecological, and cultural richness. These submerged caverns host unique geological formations, endemic species, and significant paleontological and archaeological sites.
Dr. Gràcia also issued an urgent call for the protection of these fragile environments, under threat from pollution and human activity, stressing their importance as part of Mallorca’s natural heritage.
The next session in the series will take place on Thursday, July 10, with the talk “A Life in the Dark: Subterranean Fauna” by naturalist Lluc Garcia.
We look forward to seeing you there!
