The largest caves on the planet are stunning in their grandeur, which can fascinate anyone. It's scary to look into the trap of a huge cave. It seems impossible to get back out of this place. This mysterious one separate world silence and silence can suck any unwary tourist into its open spaces.
Expeditions to study the most complex caves began in the 18th century. The then famous scientist I. Nagel led the largest expedition to the caves of Moravia. During the expedition, the group reached a depth of 138 m.
M. Lomonosov contributed a large amount of knowledge about underground depths. Explanation of the chemical nature of caves - Lomonosov's theory. The movement of air at the depths of caves and the formation of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the formation of ice in caves - this knowledge is the merit of our scientist.
Absolutely all caves are different from each other, but they can safely be included in the list of the most unusual places on the ground. The presence of wells, lakes, grottoes, waterfalls and glaciers are the elements of caves that create the overall picture and make certain differences.
Caves are a natural underground cavity accessible to human penetration. They are the object of study of the science of speleology. It is speleologists who make the greatest contribution to cave exploration. Some of nature's creations amaze with their beauty, others with their bizarre shapes, and others with their size. The top 10 includes the largest caves in the world by length, volume or area occupied.
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Optimistic Cave (Ukraine) opens the top ten large caves. It is also the longest gypsum cave in the world. The explored territory is 230 kilometers long, but the cave itself is much longer.
The rest of it has not yet been studied by researchers. The Optimistic Cave was discovered in 1966 by Lviv speleologists. Initially it was assumed that its length was no more than 3 meters, but further persistent research showed that the cave is one of the longest in the world.
It got its name because speleologists who were skeptical about exploring the cave called Lviv residents optimists. Since then, more than 200 expeditions have been made here.
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Sarma Sarma (Abkhazia) is included in the list of the deepest caves in the world, which is located in the Arabica mountain range. It was discovered in 1990 by Sergei Shipitsin. The entrance to it is located at an altitude of 2150 meters above sea level.
The maximum known depth of Sarma is 1830 meters. The cave is formed by limestone and gypsum rocks. Many speleologists took part in her research. Among them are Rudko Pavel, Koreshnikov Evgeniy, Plotnikov Vladimir, Osintsev Alexander, Sukhachev Vasily, Zakrepa Andrey, Safin Rafail, Bezverkhy Anatoly, Verbitsky Alexander, Kalachev Artem and many others.
Krubera-Voronya
Krubera-Voronya (Abkhazia) is the deepest cave in the world, known for speleology. Its depth is 2.2 kilometers, and it is located in the Arabica mountain range in Georgia. The entrance to it is located at an altitude of 2250 meters above sea level. It is a subvertical type cave, consisting of a series of wells, which are connected by climbers and galleries. Another entrance to Krubera Voronya was opened in 2014 and is located at an altitude of 2253 meters above sea level. At a depth of two hundred meters, the cave branches into the Main and Nekuibyshevskaya branches, which are the main ones.
Then there are many smaller branches. Krubera-Voronya was first discovered in 1960 by a speleological expedition of the Institute of Geography named after. Vakhushti Bagrationi AN GSSR. In 2014, a team of speleologists opened a new entrance, located above the main one, which made it possible to set a new world record for the depth of the cave system, which became equal to 2199 meters.
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The Lebanese Great Caves are some of the most magical caves on Earth. The upper cave was discovered in 1836, the lower one much later - in 1958.
The length of the cave is 2250 m.
Jeita is very popular among tourists, who have the opportunity to visit only part of the cave, 700 m deep, the rest of the path is blocked.
The upper cave has 3 halls and special underground reservoirs. Stalagmites and stalactites also decorate the view of the Lebanon Cave.
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Sac Actun (Mexico) is one of the largest caves in the world, almost completely flooded with water. It is also included in the list of the longest caves in the world.
Its total length is more than 317 kilometers, of which only 5 kilometers are not flooded. Speleologists began studying it in the second half of the 20th century.
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One of the most most beautiful places on our vast planet is located on the border of Chile and Argentina in the Patagonian Andes. A fabulous creation created by nature itself is located in South America in one of the deepest lakes in the world - Buenos Aires.
Locals majestically call it the Marble Cathedral, but in many tourist brochures it is referred to as Las Cavernas de Marmol or the Marble Caves of Chile. This is the most striking and memorable attraction of Patagonia, which is visited annually by tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world.
The pristine beauty of blue-blue rocks, shimmering in crystal clean waters lakes, according to most travelers who have seen this miracle of nature, makes one believe that paradise on earth still exists. I would like to note that in some sources you can find information that Las Cavernas de Marmol are located in the waters of Lake General Carrera (Lago General Carrera). This is not a mistake or a typo, the whole point is in the territorial location of the marble caves: General Carrera is the Chilean name, Buenos Aires, as you might guess, is Argentine.
The intricate labyrinths of the Marble Caves will not leave any traveler indifferent. The grandeur and some unearthly beauty of the carved marble vaults, which on a sunny day is emphasized by the bright rays of the sun peeking here and there, is a truly unforgettable sight. The reflections of light in the emerald blue water, as if playing in a lake, create amazing optical illusions every second. That is why the Marble Caves look different on a bright sunny day and in cloudy weather.
The variability of the water level, which is caused by the seasonal melting of glaciers, also contributes to the “reincarnation” of the fantastic tunnels of the cave. Travelers who have already visited this amazing corner advise all those who are just deciding to go to Chile to the marble caves to make their excursion before the beginning of spring. During this period of time low level water in the caves allows curious tourists to take pleasure boats provided by local guides and enjoy the splendor of nature inside the caves. A walk under the arches of the miraculous Marble Cathedral on the water allows you to see this miracle of nature up close, look into the so-called “dark windows” of the cave, which are more reminiscent of an endless tunnel. However, who lives there remains a mystery to tourists, because a boat can no longer get deep into the caves...
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Mammoth Cave (USA) is recognized as the longest in the world. It is located in the state of Kentucky, USA, in the eponymous national park. Its length is more than 587 kilometers. In fact, the cave is much longer, but researchers have only studied this part so far.
Now in this cave system there are 225 known underground passages and about 20 huge halls. It got its name because of its impressive dimensions. In one of the passages flows the rather large Echo River, whose width is 60 meters and depth is 10 meters.
Mammoth Cave was formed approximately 10 million years ago. The Indians have known about its existence since ancient times. Subsequently, scientists discovered Indian burials in the cave.
Its discovery by Americans took place at the end of the 18th century.
It is famous not only for volcanoes and geysers, but also for other amazing natural phenomena!
These are unique ice and snow caves, which were formed by the forces of nature, and are amazing tourist sites!
Photographic tours are held here especially for those who like to take an unforgettable photo; it is likely that such a sight cannot be found anywhere else in the world!
On Far East Russia, in the area of the Mutnovsky volcano in Kamchatka, it was formed under very interesting conditions.
Hot lava flows, ice, geysers and sunlight created fabulous beauty cave. IN Lately The glaciers on the Kamchatka volcanoes are melting very quickly, so the upper ice layer of the cave has become very thin. Because of this, bright sunlight penetrates the layers of ice, creating an incredible glow.
Snow in these latitudes lies from October to the end of May. The peninsula also has a chain of active volcanoes that form the spine of the peninsula.
It's interesting that before the breakup Soviet Union in 1991 Kamchatka was closed to foreigners and most Russians.
Based at the southern end of the peninsula military base submarines with nuclear warheads.
After the collapse of the USSR, Kamchatka became a popular destination for adrenaline junkies; it especially attracts fans of extreme sports. winter species sports
Photographers come here in search of stunning shots of untouched nature. Photographer Denis Budko presented to our attention an amazing ice cave, which until recently was hidden from view. prying eyes under a large layer of snow.
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Caves have always attracted people with their mystery, uniqueness, and original combinations bizarre sculptures, often reminiscent of fantasy images of mythical heroes.
Grottoes often served many people as a roof over their heads, a reliable shelter from bad weather, and a place of blessed hermitage. And now that many of them have become accessible to visitors, anyone can become a little closer to their own history, which is so fascinating and alluring.
Kungur cave
She is considered the most beautiful in Russia. And this is not surprising, because, once inside, every person experiences a strong feeling that he has entered the very kingdom of the Snow Queen. All this is because the entire cave surface is covered with eternal layers of ice and frost. According to scientists, the age of the ice layers reaches about 10 thousand years.
The views that tourists have the opportunity to admire are truly impressive. Ice droplets here gather into magnificent crystals, shimmering in many colors. This is achieved thanks to a lighting system based on laser illumination. There are also man-made ice sculptures here.
Surprisingly, despite the eternally reigning cold, a person once lived in the cave. This is evidenced by the hermit's hut discovered here, a dug well, as well as a lost bast shoe.
Where is it located and how to get there? The cave is located near the city of Kungur (Perm region). You can get here by bus from Yekaterinburg.
Batovskaya Cave
It is considered the longest cave in all of Russia, because its length reaches about 62,103 meters.
The cave was discovered completely by accident: a local hunter, following the trail of a bear, suddenly came across the entrance to it.
Inside the grotto there are permanent lakes one and a half meters deep and ten meters long. The uniqueness of the attraction lies in the fact that it is based on both limestone and sandstone. And this is rare, since most karst caves consist exclusively of limestone. Botovskaya Cave is considered a horizontal type cave, representing a labyrinth of intricate passages.
Where is it located and how to get there? The facility is located in the Irkutsk region, near the village of Konoshalovo. It is recommended to consult guides to get to the cave. It is impossible to drive close to the entrance by car.
Barlog's Throat
It is considered the deepest cave in Russia. So, its depth is about 900 meters, and its length reaches 3000 meters. It got its name in honor of the character of the same name from The Lord of the Rings. After all, when the researchers had to go deep down, negotiating the path along a narrow well, it seemed that they had made their way through the throat of a fantastic monster.
The cave is relatively young, as it was discovered only in 1994. The entrance to the grotto is located at the highest point of the Atsgara River; its peak reaches a height of 2825 meters above sea level.
Where is it located and how to get there? Barlog's Throat is located in the Urupsky region of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic. Take a bus to Kurdzhinovo, then rent a car. If the road is not washed out, then you can get to Mostovskaya Polyana on the Zagedanka River.
Kapova cave (Shulgan-tash cave)
She gained worldwide fame thanks to Paleolithic drawings. The age of the rock paintings is impressive: about 14–14.5 thousand years. The size of the drawings is also considered rare (ranging from 44–112 centimeters). Some of them are made with red ocher, and the rest with charcoal. Quite curious is the fact that no traces of soot were found on the ceiling of the object (after all, light was required to complete the drawings). But, as it turned out later, ancient people had a certain analogue of a kerosene lamp, in which fat acted as an alternative to kerosene.
As a result of archaeological excavations, it was possible to find human skulls without skeletons. It is assumed that the separate burial of the head indicated the importance of the deceased person. It is possible that the heads belonged to a shaman and leaders, since previously the cave was an analogue of a sanctuary where certain rituals took place.
Where is it located and how to get there? Located in the Burzyansky district of Bashkiria on Southern Urals, in the Shulgan-Tash nature reserve. You need to go from Ufa to Sterlitamak, turn to Beloretsk. Before reaching it 50 km, turn to Starosubkhangulovo. Drive to Mindigulovo, then follow the sign “Shulgan-Tash”.
Vorontsov Cave
It ranks sixth among the longest caves in Russia (length is 11,720 meters). It is the largest cave system in the Caucasus.
During archaeological excavations in the cave, traces were found ancient man(from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages). And during the period Civil War the grotto acted as a reliable shelter for the Red partisans.
Vorontsovskaya Cave is also called an excellent geological monument. For example, the length of the stalactites is impressive. In the same Labyrinth Cave (which is a continuation of Vorontsovskaya), a stalactite called Rocket rises more than 6 meters high.
Where is it located and how to get there? Located near the city of Sochi. You can get there from Khosta by car. But you should keep in mind that regular buses will only take you to Kalinovoe Lake, from where you will have to walk 5–7 kilometers.
Akhshtyrskaya cave
The uniqueness of this attraction is that it was once inhabited primitive people, as evidenced by the discovered objects, traces and rock tempera.
The first settlement arose in a cave 70 thousand years ago. Its main representatives were Neanderthals. Then for 20 thousand years the grotto was empty. And about 30-35 thousand years ago it was inhabited by Cro-Magnons. In later times, people also lived in the cave. Such gaps between settlements arose during a period of time when the cave (based on the same indicators of dampness) was not suitable for habitation. But if people did not live in it, then it was still not empty, becoming a refuge for bears.
Regarding the Akhshtyrskaya Cave, a rather interesting assumption was made by mythologists who claim that Odysseus once met with the Cyclops here.
Where is it located and how to get there? The cave is located 15 kilometers from Adler. You can get there along the way from the trout hatchery or by bus from Adler.
Where is it located and how to get there? Located in Khakassia, 9 kilometers south from the village of Topanova. You can get there along the Shira – Kommunar highway.
The largest caves on the planet are stunning in their grandeur, which can fascinate anyone. It's scary to look into the trap of a huge cave. It seems impossible to get back out of this place. This mysterious separate world of silence and silence is capable of sucking any unwary tourist into its vastness.
Expeditions to study the most complex caves began in the 18th century. The then famous scientist I. Nagel led the largest expedition to the caves of Moravia. During the expedition, the group reached a depth of 138 m.
M. Lomonosov contributed a large amount of knowledge about underground depths. Explanation of the chemical nature of caves - Lomonosov's theory. The movement of air at the depths of caves and the formation of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the formation of ice in caves - this knowledge is the merit of our scientist.
Absolutely all caves are different from each other, but they can easily be included in the list of the most unusual places on Earth. The presence of wells, lakes, grottoes, waterfalls and glaciers are the elements of caves that create the overall picture and make certain differences.
For centuries, water erodes rocks and creates huge labyrinths of mysterious and powerful caves. What are the sizes of the largest caves on Earth?
We present to your attention 7 of the largest caves on Earth.
Kruber Cave.
Krubera Cave is also called Crow Cave. It is one of the deepest caves on the planet. Voronya is the only cave that has a depth of more than 2 km. It is located in Georgia. The entrance to its expanses is located at an altitude of 2249 m. The vertical cave has many wells, which are connected by a large number of climbs. At a depth of about 200 meters, the cave divides into 2 branches. The main branch has a depth of 2197 m. Nekuibyshevskaya - 1698 m. 
Krubera Cave was discovered in 1960 by an expedition of the Research Institute named after. Bagrationi. The Crow Cave has seen a huge number of different expeditions and scientific research.
Jeita Caves.
The Lebanese Great Caves are some of the most magical caves on Earth. The upper cave was discovered in 1836, the lower one much later - in 1958. The length of the cave is 2250 m. 
Jeita is very popular among tourists, who have the opportunity to visit only part of the cave, 700 m deep, the rest of the path is blocked. The upper cave has 3 halls and special underground reservoirs. Stalagmites and stalactites also decorate the view of the Lebanon Cave.
Mammoth cave.
The Mammoth karst cave system is located in Kentucky (United States).
Built there national park, and the cave is its attraction and pride. Mammoth Cave is considered the longest cave in the world (588 km). Mammoth Cave has 226 underground passages, as well as more than 20 halls and 25 deep shafts. 
By the way, the name “Mamontova” is not associated with any surname or with mammoths. "Mammoth" means "huge".
It is known that Mammoth Cave was formed more than 10 million years ago. The Indians knew about its existence. This fact was confirmed by scientists after Indian cemeteries with mummies were discovered in the cave.
Caves of Crystals.
Crystal Cave is the most unusual and amazing cave all over the world. It is located in Mexico and is unique because... it is filled with giant gypsum crystals. The largest crystal was discovered at the beginning of the 20th century. It is 11 meters long and weighs 54 tons. The temperature inside the cave exceeds +50°C with 100% humidity. 
The cave was discovered in 1910 by Mexican miners. The Ice Palace is the most famous hall of the Crystal Caves complex. It was discovered during drilling work in 2009. Oddly enough, with its depth of 150 m, the hall is not filled with water.
Dragon Caves.
The Dragon Caves are of amazing beauty and are the main mystery of Mallorca. Exploration of these caves began in 1886. 
The caves are 1250 m long, equipped with special lighting equipment and a huge auditorium, which was built to host various shows and concerts. Musical performances take place on boats on Lake Martel.
Son Doong Cave.
The largest cave in the world is located in Vietnam. They learned about it in 1991, and in 2009 a group of British scientists began an in-depth study of Shondong. The cave with the highest and widest passages has a total volume of 38 million m³. 
Shondong has its own jungle (the height of the trees reaches 3 meters) and a river flows with a fairly fast current.
Optimistic cave.
The cave is located on the territory of Ukraine and reaches a length of more than 200 km. The cave, discovered in 1966, has not been fully studied. In the cave, in addition to stalactites, there are formations reminiscent of the crystals of the Crystal Cave in Mexico. However, the Optimistic Cave crystals are much smaller. 
The cave received the name “Optimistic” because, contrary to the predictions of other scientists, Lvov speleologists considered the cave to be one of the largest in the USSR. As a result, their assumptions were confirmed.
These unique caves are not movie sets or Photoshop. They actually exist and are located in Asia, North America and Europe. Some caves are formed due to the fact that water seeps through cracks in the limestone rock and - not in a year, not in two - over millions of years, drops of water erode their “path”, at the same time forming these majestic caves. Other caves are formed due to the inexorable influence of lake or sea water. Some grottoes can be freely visited by any tourist, however, most of them are still accessible only to extreme adventurers who will not be too lazy to get a pass to visit this wonderful natural formation in advance. So, here are the 13 most beautiful caves in the world.
Son Doong Cave, Vietnam
Shondong is the largest currently known cave in the world. It is filled with countless wonders, isolated ecosystems and amazing geological formations. Local residents of Quang Binh province discovered this cave in the early 90s of the last century, and only 20 years later a group of British speleologists went there, who told the whole world about the extraordinary grotto.
Ice cave of Mutnovskaya Sopka, Russia
The active Mutnovsky volcano in Kamchatka is one of the largest geothermal deposits in the world. The hill is hugged by ice caves that were formed by the release of warm volcanic gases called fumaroles.
Nike Mine, Mexico
This cave contains some of the largest crystal formations in the world - up to 15 meters long and up to 1.2 meters wide. The Cave of Crystals is not accessible to visitors due to its deep location and other factors that complicate the descent. However, there are many photographs that prove the incredible gifts of nature.
Vatnajokull Glacier Cave, Iceland
This natural wonder is located in the Vatnajokull glacier, the largest in all of Europe. The caves were formed due to the melting of glaciers, and, by the way, visiting the grotto is unsafe, since the glaciers are constantly collapsing and changing their shape.
Batu Caves, Malaysia
These caves were once inhabited by English and Chinese settlers, as well as the indigenous inhabitants of this region of Malaysia, the Temuans. In the caves, the inhabitants mined guano, i.e. humus with particles of bird droppings and bats, which was actively used for agricultural purposes. And today the cave impresses with its temple complex and, of course, unique gloomy landscapes.
Mendenhall Cave, USA
This glacier cave is part of the Mendenhall Glacier, which is located near Juneau, Alaska. The beautiful cave was formed by the melting of a glacier, and it is not entirely clear how long this cave will exist on the face of the earth due to the fact that the ice masses continue to gradually melt.
Algarve Cave, Portugal
The Algarve is the southernmost province of Portugal, and is also home to the most diverse and amazing coastal formations, including this cave. The amazing grotto near Lagos can only be reached by water.
Waitomo Cave, New Zealand
One of the country's main attractions is located 12 km north-west of the tiny town of Te Kiti. The name Waitomo in the Maori language means “wai” - water and “tomo” - funnel, failure. That is, “water passing through a funnel.” But these caves are much more popular for their small inhabitants - fireflies, which is why the cave is sometimes called “Glowworms Cave”. The shiny silk threads of these insects hang from the ceiling of the grotto and glow, attracting the attention of the victims of fireflies - other insects, but for everyone else - it’s just a gorgeous “light show”.
Tam Lod Cave, Thailand
The beautiful Nam Lang River flows through the cave, and hundreds of thousands of Pacific swifts make their nests in the amazing stalactites and stalagmites. This grotto is located in the national park of the same name, located 77 kilometers from the city of Mae Hong Son.
Kyat Se Cave, Myanmar
Little is known about this cave in Myanmar, except that there is a beautiful Buddhist temple inside. But the views are definitely impressive!
Marble Caves, Patagonia
Caves in Patagonia, parts South America, is a real natural kaleidoscope: amazing turquoise waters that cast pearlescent reflections on the white marble ceiling of the cave, play of colors and smooth curves of shapes. This cave is so good that it is even called Marble Cathedral, that is, Marble Cathedral.
Antelope Canyon, USA
The canyon in Arizona has been created by persistent winds and flash floods for thousands of years, and the result of Mother Nature’s labors today is more than impressive: smooth walls, rich red-red colors, reminiscent of antelope skin, graceful lines. This canyon is not as widely known as the Grand Canyon or Bryce Canyon, however, it is certainly a unique sight.
Ellison Cave, USA
The most interesting part of this mountain complex is the Fantastic Mine, popular among speleologists, that is, geologists who specialize in the study of caves. Its depth is 178 meters, and you can go down using a rope. 
Caves have served as a refuge for humans since the dawn of civilization. And today, these underground voids attract brave cavers seeking to penetrate as deep as possible into the heart of the Earth.
Today's top ten contains largest caves in the world. Two of them are located on the territory of Abkhazia, which allows hundreds of Russian tourists to visit these natural monuments every year.
"Optimistic" is the largest gypsum cave in the world. It is located on the territory of Ukraine in the Ternopil region. The cave has not been fully explored, but the length of the corridors known to speleologists is 230 km.
9. Ox-Bel-Ha
The name of this system of underwater caves translated from one of the Indian dialects means “three paths of water.” The system is located in Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula, the total length of the corridors is 256 km.
8. Jewel Cave System
Located in South Dakota, the cave system has a total length of more than 257 km. There are strong drafts in the galleries of the cave, gusts of which reach 15 m/s. The maximum depth of the cave is 192 meters.
7. Lamprechtsofen
This cave system is located in the Austrian state of Salzburg. Its length is 38 km, and its maximum depth is 1,632 meters. It is noteworthy that the practical Austrians built a mini-power plant in the cave, which produces energy from the flow of an underground river.
6. Mammoth Cave
Located in Kentucky (USA), the karst cave is considered the longest in the world. The length of the studied part of the transitions exceeds 587 km. The cave was discovered in 1797. Its maximum depth is 115 meters.
5. Snezhnaya
One of the deepest caves in the world is located in Abkhazia. Its depth is 1,753 meters, and the length of all corridors, sometimes quite low, is more than 24 km. “Snezhnaya” is a system of three caves that are connected to each other without siphons - underwater tunnels filled with water.
4. Škocjan Caves
The cave system, located in the mountains of Slovenia, has a length of 6 km. The height of the vaults reaches 50 meters. The cave system has more than 30 underground waterfalls, and there is also a 15-meter stalagmite, nicknamed the Giant.
3. Grotto Sarawak
Located on the island of Borneo, the grotto is 400 meters wide, 700 meters long and up to 70 meters high. The grotto is part of the huge Gua Nasib Bagus cave. Only prepared tourists are allowed on excursions to Sarawak; visiting the grotto lasts the whole day.
2. Krubera Cave
It is also called the Crow Cave, and it is located in the Gagra ridge on the territory of Abkhazia. The cave has two branches and is the deepest in the world. The depth of the first branch is 2,196 meters, the second is 1,300 meters.
1. Son Doong Cave
The world's largest cave is located in Vietnam 500 km from Hanoi. The height of the cave arches is up to 240 meters, the width is 100 meters, and the length of the passages and corridors has been studied so far for only 6.5 km. Cavers discovered the grotto in 2005, although locals had known about Shondong since 1991.