Wollenloch, Natural sinkhole in Oberkochen, Germany.
Wollenloch is a sinkhole in Oberkochen formed by the collapse of underground limestone layers, creating a deep vertical shaft with narrow rocky walls. The formation drops straight down from ground level, with the walls varying in width as they descend.
Exploration of this sinkhole began in the late 1800s when organized groups started investigating the formation. A fatal incident in the mid-1900s halted regular descent activities into the depths.
The sinkhole stands as a testament to the geological characteristics of the Swabian Jura region, where water and limestone interactions create natural vertical formations.
The sinkhole is reached by hiking through the local countryside and can be viewed from the top where protective barriers are in place. The steep rocky walls and narrow opening make descent impossible for visitors without specialized equipment.
Underground water channels connect this sinkhole to a distant spring through passages hidden in the limestone, a discovery made possible by scientific tracing methods. This hidden network reveals how water moves through the rock layers beneath the region.
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