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Overview
On October 26, 2024 we set out as a group on a Hike & Geo-Explore excursion, to visit Morgan’s Pond Hole. We ended up entering the community of “Village” (Manchester, Jamaica) to access this cave.
Among other things, what led us towards to this location, was it’s title of being declared as the 2nd Deepest Cave in Jamaica. This declaration was made by the Jamaican Caves Organization.
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Introduced to our Tour Guide: Mr. Errol (Farmer)– An Unplanned Event
As we were parking our vehicles & setting up our hiking gear, we all were conditioning ourselves for the trekking experience. It was while I was tying the laces of my hiking boots, and telling a community resident “good morning” I saw Mr. Errol entering his field (farm).
With my Google Map as reference, I asked Mr. Errol if my pre-selected route could take us to the cave. As the group lead, I was prepared to use my geo knowledge to source the cave. However, even though Mr. Errol through my observation was not that familiar & fond of the Google Map, his suggested way was indeed a better option (shorter & less potentially treacherous.
This was when I knew that Mr. Errol should lead this excursion.
Mr Errol preparing to lead us as the Tour Guide to Morgan’s Pond Hole
Geo-Observations & Inferences of Rocks & Landscape Surrounding Morgan’s Pond Hole
With Mr. Errol leading the way, my eyes began to scan and observe the general landscape & nature of the rocks (geology). To summarize, the community itself has numerous caves. The rocks (cream-white-grey), has numerous holes at the hand & outcrop scale.
Rocks of Morgan’s Pond Hole. Numerous holes at outcrop & hand scale were observed.
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These rocks resemble (through their description) the rocks of Mile Gully Mountain.
While on a footpath to the Morgan’s Pond Hole, we walked past an obvious hole in the ground (1-2m diameter at its widest), that is within 10 meters to the back of a resident’s home. According to Mr. Errol, it is very deep, and is being repurposed as a pit. I couldn’t contain myself from thinking of the danger of an unsuspecting individual (adult or child; local or tourist), walking on the footpath, and without watching his/her step (such as because of chatter with fellow peers), end up drifting towards, and eventually falling into this hole.
It’s at this moment I began to think that it’s likely, there exist many sub-surface cavities (caves) beneath the community of Village, that’s connected to the entry & structure of Morgan’s Pond Hole.
Geologic Fault Potentially Guiding Subsurface Water Flow & Pooling of Morgan’s Pond Hole
General Waterflow into Morgan’s Pond Hole & Potentially out of Morgan’s Pond Hole.
General Waterflow (underground) from Morgan’s Pond Hole, Manchester Jamaica, to Porus, Manchester Jamaica.
Considering that as Mr Errol has indicated, waterflow into the cave, to Porus (outlet). And through my observation of the map, the reality that Morgan’s Pond Hole and the immediate landscape surrounding it, has an inferred major fault (relative), that guide the flow of water to the direction of Porus, Manchester, the likely potential exist that the subsurface of Village through its orientation of sub-surface rocks, guide waterflow the same direction as Morgan’s Pond Hole (Porus, Manchester direction).
Why is it Called Morgan’s Pond Hole?
Because there exists an area of the cave where a pond has formed.
Pond of Morgan’s Pond Hole, with leaf litter covering.
This pond according to Mr. Errol is very deep. Where we entered the cave, is not the same location as where we were observing the pond location. It is likely that cavity of the cave (pond ) is blocked by an area of resistance in the rock where we were.
Morgan’s Pond Hole: An Eco- Tourism Gem of Jamaica
The cave. The rocks & morphology that make up the cave. The bats. It’s significance in providing freshwater to the community of Porus, Manchester and beyond. The cultural relevance of the this cave to the Village community. All of these and more, in my view, make Morgan’s Pond Hole an Eco-Tourism gem of the Village community, and Jamaica in extension.
It’s very surprising that this site isn’t a known tourist attraction, such as the Green Grotto Caves.
Bats in Morgan’s Pond Hole huddled together, top right of this poorly lit photo.
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My sincere hope, is that if Morgan’s Pond Hole, does indeed become a much more commercialized tourist attraction, whereby the continuous significant work is put in place to not threaten the biodiversity, that call the Morgan’s Pond Hole their home. As well as the increased pollution of the ground-freshwater system connected to this cave, to say the least.
Let’s Fulljoy Morgan’s Pond Hole Sustainably.
About The Author
Oshane Bryant: BSc Geology, Geography Minor; ACE CPT since 2012; Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) Accelerator Graduate-2018 cohort; Licensed KUKIBO Martial Arts & Self Defense, Senior Instructor; CSA Certified Executive Protection; OB Fitness Founder & Managing Director.
