Veryovkina Cave, Limestone cave in Gagra District, Abkhazia
The site opens as a narrow entrance on a rocky slope of the Arabika Massif, leading into a system of shafts and passages that descend through layers of limestone. The route inside combines vertical drops with narrow horizontal sections, forming a labyrinth that extends deeper than any other explored formation of its kind.
Speleologists from Krasnoyarsk located the entrance in 1968 and recorded an initial depth of around 115 meters (377 feet). Later teams pushed further down through the decades, reaching the current known limit of 2,212 meters (7,257 feet) in 2018.
The cave received its name in 1986 to honor Alexander Veryovkin, a speleologist who died during a separate cave exploration mission.
Entry beyond the initial chamber requires specialized climbing gear, prior permission from regional authorities, and experience with vertical underground work. Conditions inside remain cold throughout the year, with walls that are often wet and slippery.
Measurements taken in 2018 confirmed a depth of 2,212 meters (7,257 feet), placing this formation deeper than any other known cave on the planet. A complete descent from the entrance to the lowest point requires multiple days and involves setting up camps at different levels along the way.
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