Copyright: National Geographic
Caves are beautiful and mysterious. Man has been exploring them almost since the beginning of time. This week our picture depicts one of the deepest known to man.
Enjoy this week’s installment of: Snapshot Monday ~ The Deepest Cave on Earth
The Deepest Cave on Earth
How deep is it?
I’ll admit, I’m terrified of caves. Although I think they are beautiful and full of wonder, I can’t help but think that if I start exploring one, I won’t find my way out! I’m also not so thrilled about bats…nope, don’t like them…long story!
I’ve spent the last few years in Southeast Asia and have come across several caves that were begging to be explored but as soon as I cross the entrance the squeaking of thousands of those critters reach a deafening crescendo and I quickly back out covering my head and cringing at the thought of rabies!
The deepest cave on earth is the Krubera Cave and can be found in Abkhazia, Georgia (the country, not the state). At it’s deepest point it is 7,208 ft (2,197 meters) deep (that’s taller than the Eiffel tower!) and 8,346 miles (13.432 kilometers) long.
There are parts that are deeper but they’re found underwater. However, they have been reached by a diver named Gennadiy Samokhin who holds the record for the deepest dive.
Caves fascinate me, I’m in awe of stalagmites and stalactites. Do you know what they are and what makes them different? The longest stalagmite is located in Vietnam and is more than 230 ft (70 metres) long. The longest stalactite is located in a grotto in Beirut and is 27 feet (8.22 meters).
Have you ever explored caves? Have you ever been to Krubera Cave, the deepest cave on earth? Do you have a favorite cave you would like to share with us?
