Caves are underground geological formations found throughout the world that have a number of notable characteristics. These natural cavities are formed over thousands or even millions of years due to geological and climatic processes. Currently, the deepest cave in the world It is the Veryovkina Cave located in the Gagra Mountains in the Western Caucasus.
In this article we are going to tell you what are the characteristics of the deepest cave in the world and its secrets.
Characteristics of a cave
To put the importance of the world's deepest cave into context, let's first look at the common characteristics of all cave types:
- Geological origin: Caves are mostly formed from soluble rocks, such as limestone, gypsum, or dolomite. These rocks are susceptible to dissolving in water, creating cavities as water flows through them over long periods of time. You can learn more about their geological origin in our article on caves. what is geology.
- SpeleothemsInside caves, you can find various structures known as speleothems, which are mineral formations. These include stalactites, which hang from the cave ceiling due to the deposition of minerals dissolved in water; stalagmites, which form on the cave floor for the same reason; and columns, which are created when stalactites and stalagmites connect. If you'd like to learn more, we invite you to explore our article on stalactites and stalagmites.
- Underground systems: Caves are rarely isolated structures. In many cases, they form interconnected underground systems, meaning they can extend for miles underground and have multiple entrances and exits.
- Special microclimates: Inside the caves, unique microclimates develop. Temperature and humidity are usually constant, giving rise to ecosystems and life forms adapted to these particular conditions.
- Habitat for fauna: Despite the extreme conditions, the caves are home to a variety of life forms, from bats to insects adapted to the darkness and lack of sunlight. If you are interested in the fauna of these formations, you can read about the habitat of the cenotes.
- Archeology and paleontology: Caves have been important to archeology and paleontology, often containing evidence of ancient human occupation and remains of extinct animals. Cave deposits provide valuable information about Earth history and human evolution.
- Continuous training: Caves continue to evolve over time due to the action of water, erosion and mineral deposition. This means they are always changing and developing new features.
Deepest cave in the world
The Gagra Mountains in the Western Caucasus, located in the region of Abkhazia (Georgia), are a formidable sight with their imposing peaks that They rise above 4.000 meters above sea level. The area's difficult terrain makes access difficult and the region is often plagued by political instability and conflict.
The depths of this mountain range contain some of the deepest caves found on the planet. The Gagra mountain range is mainly composed of calcareous rocks that are susceptible to dissolving when rainwater mixes with carbonic acid, which results in karst modelingYou can learn more about karst models in our article on Curiosities of the Grand Canyon.
The karstification process is demonstrated in a multitude of ways, including, but not limited to, caves, canyons, sinkholes, and springs, which are among the best-known examples. In this particular area of the Caucasus there are complex karst systems beneath the surface, including the one containing Veryovkina Cave, currently recognized as the deepest cave in the world.
Discovery and tour
In 1968, a group of cavers from the city of Krasnoyarsk discovered a cave up to 115 meters deep. During that time, the land was still under the control of the USSR, and the cavity was initially called P1-7 for a couple of years. It was not until 1986 when the cave It was renamed after Alexander Veryovkin. a renowned speleologist and cave diver who died during one of his expeditions in 1983.
The entrance, which measures 3 meters by 4 meters in cross section, can be It is located at an altitude of 2309 meters above sea level, situated between the Krepost and Zont mountains. From the outside, the enormous underground world found in the cave is unimaginable. The temperature inside The cave fluctuates between 4°C and 7°C while the humidity remains constant at 100% throughout the year.
The cave in question is not a direct, linear path, but rather an extensive underground labyrinth filled with intricate routes that lead to several dead ends. Within these passages, one must beware of potential dangers such as flash flooding from the underground rivers that flow through the caverns, as well as the possibility of landslides. It is important to note that the cave can become extremely treacherous after heavy rain or heavy snowfall.
After episodes of heavy rain or heavy snowfall, The cave can become a trap, as several galleries suddenly flood. Despite these dangers, explorers have attempted to reach the end of the cave in recent years. The descent to the end of the cave takes three days, and it takes another three days to ascend, provided conditions are favorable. In March 2018, the Perovo-speleo team was able to measure the last accessible siphon of the cavity and ultimately determined that the total depth of the cave was 2.212 meters, making it the deepest cave in the world. However, it is important to note that this is not the end of the cave.
Second deepest cave in the world
The second largest cave in the world is located nearby. Located in the Ortobalagan Valley, the Krubera-Voronya Cave It is located at an altitude that exceeds 2.200 meters above sea level. Soviet explorers discovered this cave in 1960 and named it after Aleksander Kruber, a renowned Russian geographer. Until 2018, it was widely recognized as the deepest cave on Earth.
Several years ago, Gennadiy Samokhin and his team ventured to a depth of 2.191 meters. However, it is speculated that the cave system may extend even deeper, as it is linked to other caverns that are part of the same network, including those leading to the Black Sea. Besides, This extensive cave is home to a multitude of waterfalls, rivers and underground lakes. It is possible that, over time, this cave will regain its title as the deepest cave in the world.
