Deep within the Western Caucasus lies Veryovkina Cave, an extraordinary geological structure officially recognized as the deepest known cave in the world. With a confirmed depth of 2,212 meters, it surpasses every other subterranean system explored to date. The entrance to the cave is located in the Republic of Abkhazia at an elevation of 2,285 meters above sea level, positioned in the Arabika massif between Mount Krepost and Mount Zont. Measuring just three by four meters, the entrance opens directly into a vertical shaft descending 32 meters before accessing the extensive underground network.
The cave was first discovered in 1968 and initially received the designation S-115. Over time, this changed to P1-7, until 1986 when it was renamed Veryovkina Cave in memory of Alexander Veryovkin, a Russian cave diver and speleologist who died in 1983 while exploring another cave system in the Caucasus. His legacy as a pioneer in cave exploration remains deeply tied to this remarkable geological structure.
Veryovkina Cave has become a focus of both scientific research and technical exploration due to its extreme depth and complex structure. Scientists have documented unusual underground ecosystems that thrive in total darkness, as well as microclimates that change significantly with depth. The hydrology of the cave is equally fascinating, with seasonal flooding influencing the cave’s morphology and making exploration exceptionally dangerous. The limestone rock of the Caucasus has contributed to the cave’s sculpted passages, vertical shafts, and expansive chambers, formed over millions of years through water erosion.
The world’s attention turned to Veryovkina between 2017 and 2018, when Russian speleological teams successfully reached the deepest point ever explored. Their achievement confirmed the cave’s 2,212-meter depth, establishing a world record. Yet reaching such depths is perilous. Explorers contend with extremely narrow passages, sudden flooding, unstable rock formations, and low temperatures. In one notable incident in 2018, rapid water level changes trapped a team for nearly twenty hours before conditions allowed them to escape safely.
Despite the challenges, research continues because Veryovkina offers unparalleled insight into the Earth’s geological processes. The cave is not merely a record-breaking depth measurement but a natural laboratory for studying climate patterns, karst formations, and subterranean life forms that may hold evolutionary clues.
Veryovkina Cave stands today as one of Earth’s most astonishing locations. Its exploration demands physical endurance, technical expertise, and scientific curiosity. Every descent into its depths expands our understanding of the natural world and pushes the boundaries of human exploration.
