The quest to find the lowest accessible point on land continues in the dark, cold confines of subterranean systems. This vertical exploration, known as speleology, pushes the limits of human endurance and technology in the search for the world’s deepest cave. The title of the world’s deepest cave is a contested honor, representing a profound geological and human achievement.
The Current World Record Holder
The deepest known cave on Earth is Veryovkina Cave, a colossal shaft system plunging through the limestone of the Caucasus Mountains. Located in the Arabika Massif in Abkhazia, Georgia, this cave holds the current official world record for vertical depth.
Surveyed to a depth of 2,212 meters (7,257 feet), Veryovkina is one of only two caves known to exceed two kilometers in vertical extent. The entrance is a modest 3-by-4-meter opening situated 2,285 meters above sea level. This record-breaking measurement was confirmed by Russian speleologists from the Perovo Speleo Club during an expedition in March 2018.
How Vertical Depth is Measured
Determining the vertical depth of a cave system requires rigorous methodology and specialized surveying techniques developed by speleologists. The official depth record is defined by the vertical distance between a cave’s highest accessible entrance and its lowest explored point. This measurement is distinct from the total length of the cave, which is the sum of all horizontal and vertical passages.
The process involves a highly detailed underground survey, where cavers establish a series of fixed survey stations throughout the passages. At each station, they measure three components: the distance to the next station, the direction, and the inclination from the horizontal plane. Historically, this relied on a tape measure, a compass, and a clinometer, with the final depth calculated through trigonometric formulas.
Modern surveying teams now utilize digital tools like laser rangefinders and electronic inclinometers, which increase the speed and accuracy of data collection. These devices transmit measurements to a handheld computer, allowing for real-time error checking and the creation of three-dimensional cave models. The vertical depth is calculated by summing the vertical components of all the measured segments, ensuring the record reflects the true elevation difference from top to bottom. The final depth is often “tied” to a known geographical reference point, such as a GPS coordinate at the entrance, to verify its accuracy.
The History and Exploration of Veryovkina Cave
Veryovkina Cave’s history of exploration is a story of slow, intermittent progress followed by a breakthrough in the 21st century. The initial discovery occurred in 1968 when cavers from Krasnoyarsk, Russia, located the entrance and descended to 115 meters. The cave was rediscovered in 1982 by the Perovo Speleoclub from Moscow, who pushed the depth to 440 meters over the next few years.
Exploration efforts languished for nearly two decades, resuming in the early 2000s, spearheaded by the Perovo-Speleo team. The true potential of the cave remained hidden until 2015, when explorers discovered a new shaft that opened into a massive, deeper system of vertical pits and horizontal galleries. This discovery spurred intense expeditions, pushing the depth past 1,000 meters and then beyond 2,000 meters in 2017.
The exploration is an exercise in logistics, requiring teams to spend over a week underground, navigating immense vertical drops. Cavers must establish multiple underground camps to rest and stage equipment for the final push. The most significant challenge is the threat of sudden flooding, which can turn the cave’s deepest passages into deadly sumps. The final record depth of 2,212 meters was achieved when an expedition measured the depth of the terminal siphon lake, named The Last Nemo Station.
The Dynamic Nature of Cave Records
The title of the world’s deepest cave is not permanent, but is constantly challenged by ongoing exploration. Veryovkina Cave took the record from its neighbor, Krubera-Voronya Cave, which previously held the title for many years. Krubera-Voronya, located in the same Arabika Massif, was the first cave known to exceed the 2,000-meter mark and currently stands as the second-deepest at 2,199 meters.
The close proximity and similar geological structure of these two massive caves highlight the potential for future discoveries in this karst region. Speleologists believe that deeper passages may still exist. New expeditions in Krubera-Voronya and other deep systems continue to search for connections or deeper passages, with the possibility of surpassing the current record at any time.