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The 10 Deepest Cave In The World: The Marvel Of Nature
When we think about the "deepest caves in the world," our minds are filled with visions of immense, pitch-black caverns stretching into the unknown. These hidden landscapes below the surface are not only captivating, but they also hold significant clues about the Earth's geological past.
In this article, we will share with you a list of the top eight deepest caves that exist. These remarkable underground wonders have so much to offer to those who are curious enough to explore their mysteries. From the enigmatic formations that adorn their walls to the daunting challenges faced by explorers, these caves are truly awe-inspiring.
Deepest Caves In The World: An Overview
Remarkably, the top four deepest caves in the world are all located in the same region: Abkhazia, Georgia. Following closely behind, caves ranked five to nine are located in various European countries, including France, Austria, and Spain. Rounding out the top ten is a cave in North America, specifically in Mexico.
|
Rank |
Name |
Location |
Depth (metric) |
Depth (imperial) |
|
1 |
Veryovkina Cave |
Abkhazia, Georgia |
2,212 |
7,257 |
|
2 |
Krubera Cave |
Abkhazia, Georgia |
2,199 |
7,214 |
|
3 |
Sarma Cave |
Abkhazia, Georgia |
1,830 |
6,004 |
|
4 |
Snezhnaja Cave |
Abkhazia, Georgia |
1,760 |
5,774 |
|
5 |
Lamprechtsofen Cave |
Austria |
1,735 |
5,692 |
|
6 |
Gouffre Mirolda Cave |
France |
1,733 |
5,686 |
|
7 |
Gouffre Jean-Bernard Cave |
France |
1617 |
5,305 |
|
8 |
Sistema del Cerro del Cuevón |
Spain |
1,589 |
5,213 |
|
9 |
Hirlatzhöhle |
Austria |
1,560 |
5,118 |
|
10 |
Sistema Huautla |
Mexico |
1,560 |
5,118 |
1. Veryovkina Cave
What to know about the deepest cave on the Earth? Petr Lyubimov, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Nestled amidst the Fortress and Umbrella mountains in the Arabika Massif of the Western Caucasus, the Veryovkina Cave is the world's deepest-known cave. The cave's name is a tribute to Alexander Verëvkin, a spelunker who passed away in Su Akan, an adjacent cave.
With a staggering depth of 7,257 feet (2,212 metres), it claimed this record in 2018; when a group of Moscow speleologists successfully descended to its lowest point.
A modest entrance, 9.8 feet (3 metres) wide and 13.12 feet (4 metres) high, belies the grandeur beneath. Inside the cave, there are over 30 rock formations, including canyons, sinkholes, and sheer mountain walls, adorn the cave's interior.
2. Krubera Cave
The cave system is incredibly complex and extensive. Yuri Kasyan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Depth: 7,214 feet (2,199 metres)
- Length: 14.3 miles
- Location: Abkhazia, Georgia.
Krubera Cave, also known as Voronya Cave or the "Cave of the Raven," is the second deepest cave in the world. Located in the Arabika Massif near Abkhazia in western Georgia, this cave system boasts an impressive record depth of 7,214 feet (2,199 metres).
Often referred to as the "Everest" of cave systems, Krubera Cave takes explorers to depths rarely seen by human eyes. Cave explorers must lower themselves into the recesses of Krubera Cave to reach its depths.
The cave is known for its water-filled passages or “sumps” (water-filled passage of a dry cave). Thus, you need scuba gear for traversing and exploring Krubera.
Water is not limited to the sump alone. Experts have discovered the presence of a frozen waterfall throughout the cave. This frozen waterfall gives rise to additional chambers filled with icy water.
3. Sarma Cave
Sarma Cave, the third deepest cave in the world, reaches a depth of 6,004 feet (1830 metres). It is located in the Abkhazia region, alongside Krubera Cave. Researchers discovered this remarkable cave in 1990 when they stumbled upon a small opening that led to a hidden underground marvel.
It is a karst cave with a complex system of interconnected chambers and passages linked by tunnels. It consists of three levels, with the deepest section spanning from 2,952 feet to 6,003 feet (900 to 1,830 metres).
But it can take the crowd of being the deepest cave in the world in near future. People theorise that there are further tunnels that could potentially extend the cave’s depth to around 6,561 feet (2,000 metres). Only time will tell.
The cave is accessible only to skilled members of specialised expedition teams with expertise in cave exploration. This precaution is necessary due to the cave's treacherous nature, which becomes particularly evident during heavy rainfall when water levels can rise suddenly and pose significant risks to speleologists.
4. Snezhnaja Cave
Let's talk about the fourth deepest cave on Earth, the Snezhnaja Cave. It goes down about 5,774 feet (1,760 metres). Soviet cave explorers first went into this cave back in the late 1960s. However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that people began to realise how incredibly deep it really is.
Interestingly, the cave connects to a system of underground waterways called the Snezhnaya-Mezhennogo-Illyuziya network. It resembles a big web of caves with water flowing beneath the ground. That's why they call it the “snow cave” in Russian.
Deep inside the cave, you'll find two amazing places: the Throne Hall and Hall X. These are the biggest underground chambers in Abkhazia. The Throne Hall is really huge, measuring approximately 1,013 feet (309 metres) in length and 357 feet (109 metres) in width. Its ceiling goes up as high as 131 feet (40 metres).
As for Hall X, it's also quite large, with dimensions of approximately 820 feet (250 metres) by 230 feet (70 metres), and its ceiling is even taller at 164 feet (50 metres).
5. Lamprechtsofen Cave
Lamprechtsofen Cave is both a show cave and a river cave. Sebastian Grünwald, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
With a depth of 1735 metres, Lamprechtsofen Cave ranks as the fifth deepest cave in the world. It held the title of the deepest known cave before the discovery of the Krubera Cave in Georgia.
People started studying the cave in the late 18th century, and in 1905, they found some human skeletons. They thought these skeletons belonged to treasure hunters. In the same year, they opened about 600 metres of the cave to the public, so people could see its amazing depths.
The cave has had some exciting events in its history too. In 1998, there was heavy rain, and the Lamprechtsofen Cave got flooded while 14 cave tourists from different parts of the world were inside. Luckily, they were eventually saved, which shows how important it is to be safe when exploring such places.
6. Gouffre Mirolda Cave
Deep within the magnificent Haut-Giffre mountain range in Haute-Savoie, France, lies the Gouffre Mirolda cave. It's the sixth deepest cave on our planet, plunging down an incredible 5,686 feet (1,733 metres).
Back in 1971, a shepherd named Marc Degrinis stumbled upon this incredible cave. Gouffre Mirolda connects to the vast Lucien Bouclier cave network, forming a complex underground world.
The name of the cave is a tribute to three cavers from the Rhodanien region: Michel Schmidt, Roland Chenevier, and Daniel Trouilleux. Unfortunately, they lost their lives in a flood that occurred in Gournier Cave in November 1976. You can see the cave’s name, "Mirolda" is a combination of their first names.
7. Gouffre Jean-Bernard Cave
Gouffre Jean-Bernard, or Jean Bernard, is a famous cave in the French Alps. It's one of the world's deepest caves, ranking seventh in depth. Located in the French Alps, specifically in the Samoëns region of France, it has been a site of significant interest for speleologists and cave explorers.
In 1959, three people found two bottomless pits beneath the Earth's surface. They were so deep that even the noise of falling rocks couldn't reach the surface. In 1963, people started serious research and found several entrances over the years.
In 1983, it became the first cave to surpass the 4,921 feet( 1.5 kilometres) depth mark, reaching 5,035 feet (1,535 metres). Then, in 2022, the cave's depth was a record of 5,305 feet (1,617 metres).
8. Sistema del Cerro del Cuevón Cave
Another exciting place from Spain is the Sistema del Cerro del Cuevón cave, which goes down as deep as 5,213 feet (1,589 metres). It's the eighth deepest cave in the world! There are various underground streams inside it, with the largest one being Rio Marbregalo.
As for its history, researchers started exploring the Picos de Europa mountain range in the 1990s. It wasn't until 1998 that they finally measured its full depth.
9. Hirlatzhöhle Cave
The cave entrance is rough. Benedikt Hallinger, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you have ever known the majestic Alps, you should know that the ninth deepest cave worldwide is also nested here. Hirlatzhöhle Cave is based on the Dachstein Mountains, a huge cave system with more than 320 caves.
In the winter, most of the entrance is covered by ice, in contrast to the flood in the rest of the season. Therefore, it is safer to go inside the cave during this time.
Let's talk about what is inside this cave. The bottom of its Hallstatt Lake has the deepest spot, about 1,453 feet (443 metres) above sea level.
To reach the cave, researchers need to climb horizontally to reach the Dark Star Pit. However, its height can be challenging, as it rises up to 885.8 feet (270 metres), and certain sections of the cave walls may be unstable with loose boulders.
10. Sistema Huautla Cave
There are underground rivers and unique rock formations inside the cave. Kasia Biernacka, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sistema Huautla is a really fascinating cave in the mountains of southern Mexico, Oaxaca. People often refer to Sistema Huautla as one of the most challenging caves to explore, with over fifteen entrances and numerous deep passages that go down to a depth of 1,560 metres (5,118 feet).
A researcher from America found this cave back in 1960, and when they did, it became the deepest cave in the Western Hemisphere. The karst nature of Sistema Huautla means that it plays a crucial role in the local hydrological cycle. Rainwater infiltrates through the porous limestone bedrock, creating underground rivers and reservoirs.
How Are The Depths Of These Caves Measured?
Traditionally, caves are surveyed using basic tools like a compass, clinometer, and tape reel. The process involves mapping out the cave by selecting distinctive points that can be easily recognised. These points offer clear lines of sight from one to the next.
Another method involves technology like LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). It's a scanning system that uses lasers to create detailed maps of cave interiors. By analysing the data, scientists can determine the shape and depth of the cave.
Sometimes, experts also rely on sound. They make loud noises or use instruments to create echoes, and by measuring the time it takes for the sound to bounce back, they can calculate the distance to the cave floor.
Are There Any Life Forms That Thrive In These Deep Caves?
A sleeping bat is found in a dark cave. Photo by Tine Ivanic on Unsplash
Certainly! Deep caves are home to special creatures known as cave organisms or troglobites. Some examples include bats, which come out at night to eat bugs; blind cave fish that don't need eyes because it's dark; cave crickets that have long feelers to find their way; and cave salamanders that use their senses to explore.
In addition to these, there are tiny organisms like bacteria and fungi that assist in breaking down organic matter within caves. These creatures are highly adapted to life in darkness and efficiently utilise their surroundings.
To be more precise, there is a type of shrimp known as Xiphocaridinella Demidovi that resides in Veryovkina Cave, deep within Nemo Lake at the Last Camp. Its name came from Pavel Demidov, a cave explorer who passed away in 2020 while exploring a nearby cave.
Can Tourists Visit These Deep Caves?
It depends. Tourists have the opportunity to visit certain deep caves that have been made accessible for exploration. These caves are often transformed into tourist destinations with guided tours and safety measures in place. However, not all deep caves are open to the public. Some caves might be too remote, hazardous, or delicate to allow visitors.
For instance, Krubera Cave is open to tourists. However, it is only accessible to travellers having a Georgian visa before entering Russia. Here, you can book your own tour guide to trust in the whole exploration.
First, remember that group exploration and climbing skills are essential for a safe descent into the cave. Moreover, some tasks like rappelling, navigating through narrow passages, and dealing with hazardous terrain need you to be patient and calm down. Also, before you put this essential gear in the packing list:
- Helmet
- Waterproof flashlights
- Gloves
- Knee & Elbow pads
- Warm clothes
- Bottle water
Bottom Line
The deepest cave in the world remains some of our planet's last frontiers of exploration. They hold a unique blend of mystery, beauty, and scientific significance. As we continue to push the boundaries of human understanding, these caves remind us of the awe-inspiring wonders that still await discovery beneath the Earth's surface.
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