Krubera Cave

Krubera Cave ranks as the deepest cave ever discovered on the planet and sits in the Western Caucasus. It also forms part of the Arabika Massif in Abkhazia, in Asia. It first gained official recognition of this fact in 2001.

In 2004, an expedition to the cave reached a depth of more than 6,562 ft (2,000 m). This marked the first time in recorded history that humans reached this depth of exploration in a cave. Krubera Cave still remains the only known cave on the planet with such an incredible measured depth.

Krubera Cave still remains the only known cave on Earth with such an incredible measured depth.

Krubera Cave Location

The opening to Krubera Cave occurs at an altitude of 7,401 ft (2,256 m) above sea level. This incredible wonder of geology formed in what man now calls the Ortobalagan Valley.

This remains a relatively shallow trough formed by glacial movement. The site also constitutes only one of several hundred caves located in the massif. Of these, five measure deeper than 3,300 ft (1,000 m).

Every one of the large caves of the Ortobalagan Valley currently lists as part of a single hydrological system. They all appear to be connected to large freshwater springs near the shore of the Black Sea.

Most scientists generally believe that Krubera Cave has a physical connection to this system.

Krubera Cave Geology

All the caves in the system mainly comprise a combination of random passages and deep shafts. Some portions of the system also appear to be partially filled with water.

The geological composition of the cave mostly includes clay, sandstone, and lava residue. Geologists currently believe that the cave initially formed due to a combination of volcanic activity and water flow.

There are multiple underwater flows in the immediate vicinity. There are also indications that the Krubera Cave has a connection to a deep flow system that connects directly to the Black Sea. Neither investigation or research has yet to discover this connection, however.

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