Erdbachhöhle bei Erbach, Protected cave in Odenwald, Germany
Erdbachhöhle bei Erbach is a natural passageway formed through limestone, stretching roughly 400 meters beneath the Odenwald landscape. Water flows through the system year-round, shaping the passages and creating an environment separate from the world above.
The site was designated a natural monument in 1937, recognizing its geological value early on. This protection allowed researchers to study the formations and the life within them over the following decades.
Scientists regularly study the 104 specialized animal species inhabiting the cave, including rare spiders, pseudoscorpions, harvestmen, woodlice, and snails.
The temperature inside stays around 8 to 9 degrees Celsius (46 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit) year-round, with humidity typically above 90 percent. Visitors should bring warm clothing and sturdy shoes because of the cool air and damp surfaces.
Water entering through different openings reappears roughly one hour later at another spot in the system. Researchers confirmed this timing by tracing dye through the underground passages.
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