Krubera Cave AKA Voronya Cave Is The ‘Everest of All Caves’ | Explorers Still Haven’t Gone To Its Bottom!
Krubera Cave, known as Voronya Cave, is the world’s second-deepest cave. Located in the Arabika Massif of Abkhazia, this underground wonder draws explorers and adventurers. Spanning more than 2, 197 meters deep, this is also referred to as the ‘Everest of all caves.’ Its very bottom still remains unexplored.
To understand the depth even better, some say the cave is as deep as 6.5 Eiffel Towers stacked on top of each other! Let’s explore more about the formation and what lies in the fascinating Krubera Cave.
The History and Geology of the World’s Second Deepest Cave!
Krubera cave almost secured its position as the world’s deepest after defeating the depths of the Austrian Alps. However, the Veryovkina Cave topped the list as the world’s deepest cave. Krubera remained as the second-deepest cave on the planet.
The network has several hundred caves and they have started forming with the rise of mountains. The cave network has started forming with the rising of mountains for over 5 million years.
It has sheer vertical walls that are made of limestone. The limestone dates to the Cretaceous and Jurassic ages. Some tunnels connect through the cave through small passageways. The tunnels consist of underground springs and pools as well. Explorers have also found icy chambers and a water-filled basin at the bottom. But its very depth is not yet explored.
Is Krubera Cave Fully Explored?
In 2001, the Ukrainian speleologist Gennady Samokhin pushed the cave’s known depth to 2, 080 meters with his daring exploration.
The network of caves is a complex system with tunnels, chambers, and water sources like springs and pools. Since some chambers are filled with water and even frozen waterfalls, it requires special equipment and training. The logistical cost and risk involved with exploring this cave make it a painstaking process.
Georgian geographers led by Levan Maruashvili explored the cave first in the 1960s. In the 1980s Kyiv Speleological Club started another thorough exploration of the cave and its tunnels. Years followed included many explorations from scientists all over the world. In 2010 The CAVEX Team Summer expedition led by Konstantin Mujin studied the cave further.
According to sources, the deepest explored point explored up to now is around 20 meters from the highest entrance. This daring task was done by Ukrainian diver Gennady Samokhin in 2012.
What Lies in the Unexplored Depths?
The unexplored depths of Krubera Cave hold mysteries that captivate our imaginations. Speculations are around about what could lie below. There might be more untouched ecosystems, remarkable geological formations, or even new microbial life. A scientific expedition done recently has led to the finding of an animal living over 1,980 meters deep. It is an arthropod belonging to the Collemboli order. The animal in the depths is Plutomurus Ortobalaganensis. It is an insect that feeds on fungus and decomposing matter.
Conclusion
Krubera Cave remains a symbol of the ultimate human adventure: facing the unknown with resilience and curiosity. It’s record-breaking depths and unexplored bottom serve not only as a challenge but as a reminder of the boundless wonders our planet harbors. The cave stands as a testament to what intrepid spirits can achieve and a beacon to those who dare dream of going where no one has before.
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