Not the most profound, but one of the longest caves

VIRTUAL TOUR in the very deep caves USA Interesting statistics Located in the National Park Carlsbad Kevernz "(caves of Carlsbad, ca. Perevi.), New Mexico, cave Lechugilya is the deepest cave in the United States. However, in the world rankings this interesting place does not take a leading position, at least with regard to depth. The deepest cave of the world lies in the west of the Caucasus Mountains, Republic of Georgia. The cave is called the Crow, was officially confirmed by the depth of 2140 m (7021 ft). However, not all indicators of the deepest cave of the United States "missed" by dozens of the strongest. Lechugilya ranks third in the world in length, yielding to his "compatriot", Mammoth Cave (Kentucky), and Ukrainian "opponent", Sunshine cave, which is located in Podolsk, Russia. Since each cave is a twisting, winding underground labyrinth, then, for obvious reasons, not all the caves on our planet is fully investigated and, moreover, they are not all mapped. As for the "heroine" of the story, there are currently 101 miles (156.5 km) Leguchili were successfully mapped, but the end of the cave is not visible. Currently, the deepest part of the measurements of the cave is 1,632 ft (497 m). Timeless jewel among the caves first Leguchilya was discovered in 1986 when cavers decided to explore the bottom of the pit depth of 90 feet (27 meters), this pit called Hole poverty. They dug the bottom of the pit and found the entrance to the cave. Eerie howling wind, escaping from the bottom of the new holes, left no doubt that the bottom is unusually extended system of caves. Entrance to the cave since its discovery, Leguchilya investigated and map commands enthusiastic cavers who are keen perspective study places has never gone before. However, we should not think that there can enter anyone. The cave is strictly guarded, as there are found delicate and hitherto unheard-crystal formation and the inexperienced and careless people can easily damage them. In addition, there is a danger of pollution and destruction of the ancient beauty of caves idle vacationers. Anyone wishing to enter the cave to get special permission and tolerance. But this is not enough, you should be experienced cavers, because even the penetration through the cave entrance can be dangerous to life and health. So, thanks to this article, you now can take a virtual tour, so wear their helmets and went down the Conditions of stay order to be inside the cave, we first went down in 118 feet (36 meters), almost vertically on a rope channel , a staircase and tunnel. Now that we have in place, note that within the pleasant temperature of 68 ° F (20 ° C), which is much cooler than the heat to 105 ° F (41 ° C), which is now outside the cave. In moving deeper you start to feel the oppressive humidity - nearly 100%. The slightest movement you throw into the pot, not even the slightest breeze, which could take you a little bit cool. Downstairs, in the depths of Leguchili, silence is perceived quite special. When we stop to sit down for a much desired rest, all we hear - is the beating of our hearts, our own breathing, blood flow in our ears. That's what it means to hear loud silence. We continue our journey, and you begin to feel what thickness of rocks lies between you and the blue sky, and how much time you need to go back. We continue to descend through the incredibly tight areas, so small that we had to lie to squeeze through them. You start to feel keenly, what an incredibly BLACK darkness in the cave, your only source of light is a small flashlight attached to your helmet. You start to think: "What would I do if my lantern goes out?" But you have prepared. Since we are in a cave with experienced cavers, we brought extra batteries, light bulbs, flashlights, plenty of fluids and emergency power sources. Now you are deep in the cave and you have only one way to get out - that which we came. Bottle brush It's time to see the cold crystals - in the end, precisely because of this, we are here ... Now, let's continue our virtual tour and look at this stunning crystal-like brush for washing bottles, crystal and called - "bottle brush" - a very simple reason . This is a creation of nature and in fact very much like a simple kitchen tool. Crystal formed from the usual and rather well-known mineral - aragonite, but the form it is already too bizarre. Crystal-like bottle brush inside such caves as Lechugilya there are no factors that would limit the growth of crystals, because the underground is enough free space. (Many of the crystals formed in the cooling of volcanic lava, but they hinder the growth of the surrounding rock.) The growth of crystals in the cave is as follows. Water dripping from the ceiling of the cave over thousands or even tens, perhaps hundreds of thousands of years, bringing with it a tiny portion of the minerals dissolved in it. Because every time a drop of water falls into the same point, leaving behind a few molecules of a mineral, there are conditions for crystal growth, and in a large cave area, this growth is nothing to limit. Crystal, which you can see in the photo, grew up over many thousands of years. If you look closely, you can see a small drop of water on the lowest point of education. It turns out that the crystal continues to grow right before your eyes! Hall worthy vysokosvetskih balls Our tour continues, and now we have to spend much more effort, clambering over the rocks and moving through the cave up and down. Our efforts will be handsomely rewarded, because we came to the famous Grand Ballroom (Chandelier Ballroom is literally translated "ballroom, lit by chandeliers, prim.perev.)" Chandeliers "Ballroom This room is the cave got its name from an incredibly sparkling gypsum crystals hanging from the ceiling. These crystals are often called Alabaster (alabaster - alabaster prim.perev.) To emphasize their gorgeous matte white. Because gypsum - very soft mineral, these "crystal chandeliers" could be easily broken hungry tourists touch them. Leadership of the national park is well aware that an overwhelming desire may be stronger than the official ban, so this part of the cave is closed to regular visits to the public. One can only imagine what would become of the beautiful "lights", if each of those 150,000 park visitors who come here each year, touched, or would, contrary to expectation, broke off a piece of plaster in the memory. It is clear that there would have never had to look at! "... I do not find the pearls in the sea midday!" We are going to visit another interesting room before we get to the surface and see the blue sky. Here is the real miracle of nature - the cave pearls. This room was named "Perlsian Gulf" (a play on words, Persian Gulf - Persian Gulf, pearl - a pearl, approx. Perevi.) Because all these pearls are found in cavities filled with water. These formations are not excist called pearls, not only because they look like the real precious gifts to the southern seas, but also because they were created by nature in much the same way as marine oyster creates a real pearl. Oyster envelops peschinku, which fell into the sink, a special substance similar to mucus. Subsequently, this substance hardens and forms a so-depleting substances Pearl. The process is then repeated, and so it turns out a gem. In our case, the water dripping from the ceiling of the cave and forms a puddle. Water contains a barely noticeable amount of dissolved calcium, which is why there is a process of "building" a small fragment of rock. For a long time because of accumulating calcium form smooth, round pearl. Cave pearls It's amazing how such a mineral-laden water can create such a variety of crystals of various types, shapes and colors. Many of the crystalline formation found in cave Leguchilya, you can not see anywhere else, because of the unique environment of the irrefutable nature attractions of America. See also: Pearl of the tourist maps of Turkmenistan ... It flows from the rocks water ordinary largest lake in the world based on the volume and surface area of ??the largest river in the world as formed the largest seamounts Dead Sea - why is it called so? Giants ice kingdom