From the Daily Mail: "Inside the world's longest underwater cave: Subterranean water 'web' in Mexico extends at least 325 MILES." Found beneath the Yucatan Peninsula, the Ox Bel Ha ("Mayan for 'Three Paths of Water'") is what the article describes as "a sprawling water 'web' that makes up the world's longest underwater cave system" in which divers have "found giant sink holes, huge crystal chambers known as ice palaces, and 38 unique species of cave–dwelling animals." So far just a bit over 325 miles has been mapped, but cave divers believe there is much more to be found.
Scientists believe that the incredible complexity of Ox Bel Ha is due to the unusual way in which it formed.
Millions of years ago, rainwater and dissolved carbon dioxide filtered through a thick layer of limestone on the Yucatan Peninsula.
As this acidic solution filtered through the rock, it reacted with the limestone and carved out vast channels and tunnels.
Then, approximately 18,000 years ago, severe climate changes caused ocean levels to rise and flood the caves – sealing the underground landscape exactly as it is found today.
Nice! I wish I could explore some of these places. Closest thing to a mega-dungeon that I have any chance of seeing.
ReplyDeleteSealed off and submerged the caves 18,000 years ago? Awesome. Hopefully there are archaeological remains under there which will finally put to rest the ridiculous (and unfounded) paradigm of "Clovis First."
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