Lechuguilla Cave, located in New Mexico is by far the most special cave in the world. Interestingly, up until 1986, it was considered a rather small and insignificant cave; however, recent exploration proved it to be otherwise, as the discovery of its massive chambers along with some of the rarest formations ever seen.
At 138.3 miles (222.6 km) is actually the longest limestone cavern in the United States. Lechuguilla is named for the canyon it goes through, which is named after Agave lechuguilla, which is a species of plant found there. Access to the cave is limited due to scientific research constantly taking place there.
Caves Filled With Poison: Part II
Movile isn’t the only poisonous cave Constanta has to offer. In fact, it is home to many such caves that are extremely dangerous and require careful planning and safety equipment to explore. Some scientists, of course, are willing to try their luck. One of the most intense caves they’ve uncovered requires climbers to drop down into its depths where the oxygen level of the atmosphere is reduced by half.
Once the descent has been made, wading through its poisonous waters adds an extra layer of danger to its already hostile environment. Being fitted with a breathing apparatus is essential. Otherwise, adventurers would quickly develop a headache, become hypoxic, and die on the spot. This cave is home to numerous species that scientists are dying to study.
Caves Filled With Poison: Part III
The stories that emerge from these poisonous caves are astonishing but few and far between. If scientists were able to examine the caves more regularly (and safely) they’d certainly be able to come up with scientific reports that read more like works of science fiction. One line of inquiry they’re currently working on is how bacteria are able to subsist in ecology that offers no oxygen at all.
To adapt, they have developed a way to break down the chemicals in the air. They function similarly to plants in taking in carbon dioxide. Some bacteria break down sulfur into sulfur oxide. Strangely enough, this increasing presence of sulfuric acid eats out the surrounding limestone, allowing the cave to expand its size even further.
The Spider from Baja
If you cringe upon the sight of a large house spider, the Baja spider might just be too much for your mind to take in. Unlike the common spiders, we are accustomed to seeing (that still make us leap in fear), the Baja spider is just as deadly as it looks.
But they can’t be found just anywhere, so there’s no need to fear them… unless you plan on exploring the caves up in the Sierra Cacachila mountain ranges. Baja spiders like to spy on their prey, waiting for the right time to pounce and take them out. They lurk in the darkness of the cave walls. Their dark color perfect for melting, unseen, into the shadows. Despite their mammoth four-inch diameter (the average length of a smartphone), these little devils are practically invisible. The Baja spider is closely related to the Brazilian wandering spider, a.k.a. the most poisonous spider in the world.
Dark Blue Holes
Many people entertain the false belief that, to have a shot at cave exploration, they would first have to climb mountains or trek through forests and ranges. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Some caves require diving into the ocean, too.
There are many underwater caves all over the world, but the Bahamas has the highest number of them. Like caves found on dry land, underwater caves are defined by their dark orifices. The darker its shade, the deeper it plunges. The substrata of the caves trap the incoming light, causing the waters to appear a darker shade of blue. It is a sight to behold from above, especially now, in the day and age of drones.