Krubera Cave Map: Once The Deepest Cave System In The World At -2,196m (-7,204ft)

Map found on RedditThe map above is a topographical map of the Krubera-Voronya Cave, located in the Western Caucasus, in the Arabika Massif region.

This cave is notable for being one of the deepest known caves in the world.

Here are the key points from the map:

1. Cave Depth and Structure: The map shows the cave’s complex vertical structure, with a depth reaching up to 2,191 meters, marked at the deepest point. Various depths along the cave are labeled, indicating significant waypoints and expedition milestones.
2. Historical Expeditions: The map highlights different segments of the cave explored over various years, with labels such as “Aug 1999,” “Aug 2000,” and “Sept 2007,” showing the progression of cave exploration over time. Notable milestones such as reaching -1,710 meters in 2001 and -2,158 meters in Sept 2006 are marked.
3. Underground Camps: Several underground camps are marked along the cave route, indicating areas where expeditions set up temporary bases during their explorations. These camps are critical for resting, planning further descent, and ensuring safety.
4. Key Features and Series: The cave is divided into different series and named sections such as the “Zaslonja (Post-sifon) Series” and “Vikna (Windows) Series.” These names often reflect significant obstacles, geological formations, or notable points within the cave.
5. Comparison to Eiffel Tower: On the right side of the map, there is a visual comparison of the cave’s depth to the height of the Eiffel Tower (324 meters), providing a sense of scale for how deep the cave goes compared to well-known landmarks.
6. Target of Exploration: At the deepest part of the cave, marked at -2,191 meters, there is a note about the “Towards the Centre of the Earth” expedition, indicating this as the target depth reached by explorers.
7. Geological Features: Various cave features such as cascades, neanders (meanders), and junctions are marked, illustrating the intricate and challenging nature of navigating through the cave system.

The map was prepared by the Ukrainian Speleological Association, with data compiled from expeditions between 1999 and 2007.

It serves as an essential guide for understanding the cave’s depth, exploration history, and the logistics required for navigating such a deep and complex underground system.

Is the Krubera-Voronya Cave the deepest in the world?

Not any more, the Veryovkina Cave is currently the deepest known cave in the world, with a measured depth of approximately 2,212 meters (7,257 feet).

It is located in the Arabika Massif in the Western Caucasus region of Georgia, specifically in the Gagra Mountain Range of the Abkhazia region. Here are some key details about Veryovkina Cave:

Key Features:

1. Discovery and Exploration:
   • Veryovkina Cave was first discovered in 1968 by a group of Soviet speleologists, but initial explorations were limited, and its true depth remained unknown for many years.
   • Significant exploration began in the early 2000s, led by Russian cavers. The cave’s depth was progressively increased through multiple expeditions, reaching new records with each attempt.
2. Depth and Structure:
   • The cave is measured to a depth of 2,212 meters, making it the deepest known cave on Earth. This measurement surpasses the previously known depth of Krubera-Voronya Cave, which held the record for many years.
   • The cave system consists of narrow vertical shafts, deep pits, and complex passages that require advanced caving techniques, including rope work, to navigate.
3. Challenging Conditions:
   • The descent into Veryovkina Cave is extremely challenging due to its vertical nature, cold temperatures, and the presence of underground rivers and water-filled passages.
   • The cave has multiple difficult sections, including vertical drops exceeding several hundred meters, making it one of the most demanding environments for cavers.
4. Exploration Milestones:
   • A significant milestone was reached in August 2017 when an expedition by the Perovo-Speleo team from Russia managed to reach a depth of 2,204 meters.
   • In 2018, further explorations pushed the depth to its current known extent, solidifying Veryovkina Cave’s status as the world’s deepest cave.
5. Underground Life:
   • The cave is home to unique underground fauna, including small invertebrates adapted to life in dark, cold, and nutrient-scarce environments. The biodiversity found here is a subject of ongoing scientific study.
6. Safety and Logistics:
   • Exploring Veryovkina Cave requires meticulous planning, including the establishment of underground camps, food and equipment supply lines, and rigorous safety protocols to deal with potential hazards such as flooding, rockfalls, and hypothermia.
7. Comparative Depth:
   • The cave’s depth is often compared to well-known landmarks to give perspective; for instance, it is over twice the height of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, in terms of vertical extent.

Would you go down into one of these caves why or why not?