World's Deepest Caves List Reaches 2,212 Metres Below Ground

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Geographical mapping of the world encompasses not only highlands and mountain peaks, but also underground cave systems. According to the latest data, the world’s deepest cave reaches 2,212 metres. Of the top 10 deepest caves globally, seven exceed 1.6 kilometres in depth, with four concentrated in the karst mountain regions of Abkhazia and Georgia. Measured Depth Veryovkina Cave currently holds the title of the world’s deepest at 2,212 metres. This first place is just 13 metres deeper than Krubera-Voronja Cave at 2,199 metres. Krubera-Voronja had held the record for over a decade before Veryovkina’s depth was mapped. Outside these two, most caves in the list range between 1,560 and 1,830 metres. Sarma Cave, ranked third, is 1,830 metres deep and classified as a high-risk area, accessible only to professional speleologists. Geological Factors of the Caucasus Region The concentration of deepest caves in the Arabika Massif, Abkhazia, is formed by local geological conditions. The area consists of thick limestone or karst rock with high solubility. Over millions of years, rainwater seeps through karst rock fissures, slowly dissolving them to form massive vertical shafts. High mountain topography, heavy rainfall, and thick limestone layers are key factors in forming these cave systems. Beyond the Caucasus, other deep caves are found in the limestone ranges of the Alps and Pyrenees, located in Austria, France, and Spain. Potential Rank Changes Cave depth rankings are provisional, as they are based on the furthest point physically reached by exploration teams. Many cave systems are projected to have depths far exceeding current measurements. The discovery of connecting routes between previously separate cave systems can instantly restructure the rankings. One recent exploration effort is underway in Mexico in February 2026. A US expedition team is mapping to confirm a connection between Chevé Cave and a lower cave system. If verified, Chevé Cave could become the world’s deepest. Until new exploration data is verified, the record remains with the Caucasus region.