Wednesday, September 2, 2009

11 Breathtaking Underground Lakes and Rivers

We often think that the most wonderful places to see are above our planet's surface. Not many people know that there are some real gems hidden underground. Calm waters of underground rivers, tranquile cave lakes, their tranquile surfaces untouched by human hand.
You can see some of those most spectacular Mother Earth's Underground Crown Jewels below:

1. Reed Flute Cave in Guilin, China was discovered during the Tang Dynasty almost 1,300 years ago.

Reed Flute Cave

Image by Ian Sewell


2. Cheddar Gorge is Britain’s biggest canyon and is found within the Cheddar Caves, where the UK’s oldest complete human skeleton was found in 1903. Known as the Cheddar Man, the remains were estimated to be 9,000 years old.

Cheddar Gorge

Snowman-1

3. Hamilton Pool Preserve, in Austin, Texas, was created quite naturally when the dome of an underground cave collapsed revealing this stunning natural pool. It is now frequented by day-trippers and naturalists. That’s naturalists not naturists, although no doubt someone has tried to go skinny dipping at one point!

Hamilton Pool

Van Sutherland

Hamilton Pool from another perspective. When there’s been heavy rainfall, 45ft waterfalls cascade from the rim of the cavern. It must be pretty spectacular when you’re bathing.

4. Stalagtites adorn the roof of Luray Caverns, Virginia, the still waters throwing a perfect reflection.

Luray Caverns

Ashley Dinges


5. Legend has it that early cavemen inhabited Wookey Caves in Somerset, England.

Wookey Hole

Wookey Caves


6. This underground lake in Mellisani Caves, near Kefalonia, was found when the roof of the cave collapsed after an earthquake in 1953.

Mellisani Caves

Liana Photography

7. Lechuguilla Cave, in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico is the fifth longest cave discovered yet at 120 miles (193 km) long and measures 489 metres (1,604 ft) deep, making it the deepest in continental United States.


Lechuguilla Cave

Dave Bunnell


8. This underground lake near Macan Ché on the Yucatán Peninsula is one of many that are considered to be gifts from the gods by the Mayans, and therefore sacred.

Macan Che

sanghavedanta


9. The limestone flow feeding into this underground lake in Mexico resembles a waterfall turned to stone. Maybe the Ice Queen is privy to this particular cavern?


Cavern Lake Mexico

Adam


10. How long must it have taken for this little waterfall in Banff, Canada, to make this underwater lake?


Underwater Cave Banff

Petr


Source:

If you know of other spectacular underground natural formations or if you have any pictures to share - go ahead, and write.

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