3 Captivating Caves of Asia l Geological Marvels

We sincerely hope that you greatly enjoy this article about 3 Captivating Caves of Aisa. Obviously the sites listed here constitute only a tiny percentage of such wonders found in this region. Despite that, we feel that they serve as excellent examples of their type.

These specific geological wonders will astound you with their various qualities. Each understandably shares some characteristics with the others, to be certain. Nevertheless, each of them also contains features and traits that distinguish them form the others.

Borra Caves

Borra Caves Facts

Leading off this compilation of 3 Captivating Caves of Asia comes the marvel that we think will appeal to you, known as the Borra Caves.
Most impressively, the truly incredible location quite easily ranks as one of the largest known caves in the country in which it formed. Its amazing wonders don’t end there, however. The truly magnificent site also holds yet another impressive status.
That’s because the fabulous site ranks as the deepest known cave in that same country. Quite surprisingly, this natural marvel of geology also sits at an usually high altitude. Though unknown, of course, such a combination nonetheless qualifies as unusual.
The local indigenous population, furthermore, long knew of the presence of the natural marvel. In fact, they knew of its existence for countless centuries prior to its discovery by Europeans. Extensive archaeological evidence pointing to this fact exists.
The caves first became known to outsiders, however, in 1807. This fortuitous discovery occurred as an accidental result of a geological survey of the country. William King George came across the site in the process of conducting that survey.
Finally, this truly fabulous natural site also has yet one more reason to stand out. This one, though, comes in the form of a sociological importance. That’s because the Borra Caves also plays an important role in the religious beliefs of the local population.
As part of these local beliefs, the native residents hold several legends revolving around the astounding caves. In fact, this even extends to the construction and maintenance of a small temple outside its opening, built at a currently undetermined date.

Borra Caves Physical Description

Perhaps most notably of all, the endlessly amazing Borra Caves extend for a relatively great distance. That’s due to the fact that they have a total length measuring about 660 ft (200 m) in total. In fact, that’s an impressive measurement for a natural formation of this type.

The site also boasts a remarkably large opening. This measures roughly 330 ft (100 m) in width, and about 246 ft (75 m) in total height. Furthermore, this well known and always fascinating site also boasts numerous natural features, especially stalactites and stalagmites.

The wondrous stalactites range in length from 0.3 – 11.5 ft (0.1 – 3.5 m) in length. Meanwhile, the equally marvelous stalagmites have an average length of 3.9 ft (1.2 m). The stunning location also boasts even more magnificent features to dazzle the observer, though.

That’s because the awesome site also contains numerous fascinating limestone columns. These comparatively massive features average roughly 20 ft (6 m) in height and about 2.5 ft (0.75 m) in overall width. But the marvels of the Borra Caves do not simply stop there.

Nature, it seems, worked to create multiple wonders in this location. In point of fact, the surrounding area consists largely of impressive mica formations. Due to the unique nature of this site, numerous precious stones also appear within the mica, including rubies.

Borra caves Location, Formation, and Ecology

Remarkably, the magnificent Borra Caves formed in a part of the world that’s itself quite remarkable. This marvel of Nature formed on what now represents the East Coast of the country of India, in Asia. Herein, it blends in perfectly with many other natural wonders.

Rather more specifically, this geological wonder formed in what is now the Ananthagiri hills, in the district of Andhra Pradesh. The Gosthani River, more precisely, created the incredible site. That’s true because it actually originates within the caves, before flowing onward.

In fact, the flowing water, over countless thousands of years, carved the caves as they exit now. It did this through its inexorable actions against the relatively soft limestone of the region. That’s not an uncommon pattern of formation, but here it’s taken to another level.

While it may seem like an inhospitable location, a multitude of life actually teems within the boundaries of the Borra Caves. For one thing, several species of fauna inhabit the caves. These mainly, but not solely, include various types of bats, and the golden gecko.

But, this seemingly miraculous location also serves as home to several varieties of very tiny crustaceans, however. Very strong evidence further indicates that this fantastic site was known to ancient man, in the quite distant past, as well as modern humans.

This holds true due to the facts uncovered by numerous expeditions to the site. As a result of these, researchers discovered numerous archaeological artifacts within the confines of the caves. To their amazement, some of these date back roughly 50,000 years.

Er Wang Dong

Er Wang Dong Facts

Appearing second in this listing of 3 Captivating Caves of Asia, though only due to random selection, is the mind-blowing marvel known as Er Wang Dong.
The breathtaking wonder of Nature that man is just known truly apprciating represents an incredible marvel of geology only recently discovered. Perhaps even more amazingly, prior to the year 2012, the true extent of this staggering site remained unknown.
Now that it’s known, however, it’s difficult for most individuals to believe. That holds true due to the fact that this natural marvel developed into a cave system whose extent remains impossible to believe. That’s true despite its having a long history of use.
Although nitrate miners have long used a few of the smaller surface caves, no one realized the marvels that lay further down. All this changed, however, much to the amazement of the world, a few years ago. It did so due to the efforts of one team.
At that time, a team of intrepid explorers finally undertook the task of investigating the truly gargantuan system in the year 2012. Remarkably, in fact, these brave individuals spent more than a month within the fabulous cave system, doing just that.
Many tunnels within Er Wang Dong still remain a mystery to explorers, however, despite the efforts of this group. That fact’s not surprising, though, considering its astounding expanse. So far, the explored tunnel length has reached 138,251 ft (42,139 m).
Nature did not limit its wonders to just size, though, however impressive that statistic is. That’s because a gargantuan cavern actually exists within its confines. This cavity formed so extensive in size that it actually contains its own weather system.

Er Wang Dong Formation and Geology

The truly magnificent Er Wang Dong formed an incredibly long time ago. Researchers estimate that it formed in what scientists now know as the Ordovician Period. This period lasted a total of nearly 45 million years, beginning roughly 488 million years ago.

The great majority of the walls, floors, and formations have a distinctive nature. These portions formed from comparatively soft native limestone. Long-term erosion by steadily flowing water susequently, and slowly, carved out the incredible caves and tunnels.

This, however, only represented the beginning of the long process of formation. The finishing touches occured later, deposits of sandstone atop the soft limestone subsequently aided in preserving much of the incredible system as we can still see it today.

The next step of its astonishing creation took place within the cave system. That’s because countless stalagmites and stalactites, some of them rather huge, appear throughout the vast stretch of the entire system. The net effect makes for a stunning spectacle.

Er Wang Dong Distinctiveness and Meteorology

The absolutely mind-blowing marvel of Nature that locals named Er Wang Dong formed in what now constitutes the Chongquing province of China, in Asia. Perhaps the most astonishing feature of the breathtaking site, however, remains to be detailed.

That would be the astounding feature that’s known as the Cloud Ladder Hall. This serves as the name of an enormous chamber that literally must be seen to be believed. This visually staggering area formed with a total volume of roughly 549,000 sq ft (51,000 sq m).

To put this in perspective, this measures significantly larger than the area of St. Peters Basilica. To be clear, that includes both the interior and exterior, in the Vatican City. The roof of this astonishing cavern itself additionally measures roughly 820 ft (245 m) in height.

The height of the cavern and the amount of moisture inside has an incredible effect. Combined, these allow clouds to form near the ceiling. The awesomeness of Nature did not stop there. The floor of the gargantuan cavern remains covered with lush vegetation.

As if all this wasn’t enough, Er Wang Dong also has yet another marvel to astound visitors. In fact, it contains a modest-sized underground river, as well as a relatively large sinkhole. Quite understandably, further explorations of this fabulous location are in planning.

Jeita Grotto

Jeita Grotto Facts

Closing out this article about 3 Captivating Caves of Asia is the stunning masterpiece of geological processes known simply as the Jeita Grotto.
This marvel of Nature, largely unknown outside of its immediate area, goes by a comparatively simple name. Perhaps most notably, however, the breathtaking site isn’t just another cave. That’s because it is significantly important to the region it formed in.
That importance isn’t restricted to just one way, though. In point of fact, it’s impact on the region occurs in cultural, social, and even economic ways. The fabulous site has, in fact, played a relatively major role in the region since long before our modern era.
Archaeological evidence indicates that ancient man used the lower section in prehistoric times, and over an extensive period. Researchers have yet to find any sign of use during that same period in the upper section, though inverstigations continue.
For reasons yet to be determined, its ancient inhabitants apparently abandoned it long before modern times. Reverend William Thomson accidentally rediscovered it in 1836, while exploring. It appears to have been completely unknown during the interim.
Due to its importance to the region, it now serves as the national symbol of the country it lies in. It’s magnificence does not go unnoticed now, though. The Jeita Grotto made the final round of consideration in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition.

Jeita Grotto Physical Description

The stunning Jeita Grotto holds many surprises for its visitors. This begins with the fact that it’s actually a system of two caves. While these remain separate, the caves interconnect. Together, the amazing system possesses an overall length totaling about 5.6 mi (9 km).

Because of its size, it ranks as the longest cave system in its part of the world. The upper cave measures roughly 6,990 ft (2,130 m) in length. The lower section, meanwhile, measures about 20,300 ft (6,200 m) long. Heights also vary, but reach as high as 39 ft (12 m).

It musn’t be overlooked, though, that this marvelous location houses many individual wonders, as well. These include columns, ponds, curtains, stalactites and stalagmites. In fact, it also holds the largest known stalactite in the world, at 27 ft (8.2 m) long.

It also contains three huge, separate natural chambers, as well as a subterranean river. The largest of the chambers measures an impressive 390 ft (120 m) long. The river it holds further serves as the source of drinking water for 1.5 million local residents.

Jeita Grotto Location, Geology, and Importance

The dazzling site now called the Jeita Grotto formed in an area of the world already renowned for its many remarkable natural features. That’s because the dazzling dual cave system formed in what mankind now knows as the country of Lebanon, in western Asia.

Within that region, the cave system sits about 11 mi (18 km) from the city of Beirut. That location makes its remaining unnotieced so long even more amazing. Its location places it on the western side of the Lebanon Mountains. More precisely, it’s in the Nahr al-Kalb valley.

Adding to its splendor is its proximity to the coast. Incredibly, the system sits only 3.1 mi (5 km) from coast of the Mediterranean Sea. This location places it in the Nahr al-Kalb valley. Its naturally formed opening lies approximately 330 ft (100 m) above sea level.

Not only the area around the Jeita Grotto, but the entire region has a largely limestone geology. This therefore allowed for the formation of the impressive limestone karst caves. The process further occurred over a currently undetermined span of millennia.

It now has rather varied usefulness in the region. Most notably, it remains one of the most important tourist sites in the region. But sadly, its use as a water source may soon come to an end. Pollution levels in the water due to agricultural runoff has begun to increase.