Abismo Guy Collet, Natural vertical shaft in Barcelos, Brazil
Abismo Guy Collet is a natural vertical shaft located within a tepui formation that descends 671 meters through layers of hard quartzite rock. A terminal lake sits at the bottom, filling the deepest section of this underground system.
Brazilian and Italian explorers conducted the first documented descent in 2006, reaching the terminal lake at the bottom of the shaft. This expedition marked a milestone in understanding this extreme underground formation.
The cave is named after Guy Christian Collet, a French-Brazilian scientist who helped establish speleological research practices in Brazil.
Accessing this remote site requires specialized caving equipment, extensive underground experience, and official permits from local authorities. Visitors should prepare for multi-day expeditions that demand proper training and careful planning.
This system holds the distinction of being both South America's deepest cave and the world's deepest cavity formed in quartzite rock. Few visitors realize they are exploring a formation with two simultaneous world records.
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