Top-10 Deepest Caves in the World 2024

Caves have always fascinated humans, drawing explorers into their mysterious depths. Among these subterranean wonders, some delve deeper into the Earth’s crust than others, revealing breathtaking geological formations and unseen ecosystems. Here, we delve into the depths of the Earth to uncover the top 10 deepest caves in the world.

World’s Deepest Caves 2024

Topping the list of the world’s deepest caves is Veryovkina Cave in Abkhazia, plunging an astonishing 7,257 feet (2,212 meters). Following closely is Georgia’s Krubera-Voronja Cave at 7,215 feet (2,199 meters), renowned among cave explorers. Sarma Cave, also in Georgia, secures third place with a depth of 6,004 feet (1,830 meters), famed for its challenging passages. Snezhnaya Cave in Georgia and Lamprechtsofen in Austria claim fourth and fifth positions respectively, each boasting unique geological features and vast underground expanses.

Deepest Cave in the World

The Veryovkina Cave, also known as Verëvkina Cave, stands as the world’s deepest cave, recognized by the Guinness World Records. Situated in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, northwest Georgia, it plunges to an approximate depth of 7,257 feet (2,212 meters), reaching well over 1.37 miles (2.2 km) below the Earth’s surface. Discovered in 1968, its true depth was fully realized in 2018 by Russian speleologists. Named after Alexander Verëvkin, a cave diver who tragically lost his life there in 1983, it lies within the Arabika Massif of the Gagra mountain range. The cave’s exploration in 2018 yielded the discovery of several rare and previously unseen troglophilic (“cave-loving”) species, emphasizing its significance in scientific research and exploration.

Top-10 Deepest Caves in the World

Veryovkina Cave, located at Abkhazia at the depth of 7,252 feet, holds the title of the deepest cave in the world, followed by Krubera – Voronja Cave, Sarma Cave, and Snezhnaya Cave.

Here is the list of top-10 deepest caves in the world:

Deepest Cave in the World – Veryonvkina Cave

Location: Abkhazia

Depth: 7,252 feet

The Veryovkina Cave, or Verëvkina Cave, holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s deepest cave, with an approximate depth of 7,257 feet (2,212 meters). Located in the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, northwest Georgia, it was first discovered in 1968 but fully explored in 2018 by Russian speleologists. Named after Alexander Verëvkin, it harbors rare troglophilic species and lies within the Arabika Massif of the Gagra mountain range.

Second Deepest Cave in the World – Kruber- Voronja Cave

Location: Georgia

Depth: 7,215 feet

Krubera-Voronja Cave, with an approximate depth of 7,208 feet (2,197 meters), was formerly known as the world’s second deepest cave before the groundbreaking exploration of Veryovkina Cave in 2018. Named after Russian geographer Alexander Kruber, it’s also called “Crows’ Cave” due to nesting crows near its entrance pit. This challenging cave boasts a water-filled basin at its bottom and houses Plutomurus ortobalaganensis, one of Earth’s deepest-living land animals.

World’s Third Deepest Cave – Sarma Cave

Location: Georgia

Depth: 6,004 feet

Sarma Cave, with an approximate depth of 6,004 meters (1,830 meters), ranks as the world’s third-deepest cave, located in Abkhazia, Georgia. Discovered in 1990, it features challenging vertical sections and multiple levels with halls, tunnels, and passageways. There’s speculation about its potential connection to Veryovkina Cave, which, if proven, would be a landmark event in speleology.