Khaberni - In the depths of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, an enormous aquatic network extends, considered the longest of its kind. This cave, known as "Ox Bel Ha," is unlike any other natural system; it's a hidden world beneath the surface, where passages and tunnels intertwine to form an amazing maze that still reveals its secrets today. With each new exploration campaign, scientists find unexpected surprises, from untraversed human pathways to rare historical evidence of the Maya civilization, to precise ecosystems thriving in complete darkness.
Scientists have discovered that "Ox Bel Ha," the longest known underwater cave in the world in Mexico, is longer and more complex than previously thought. At the beginning of this year, a team of cave divers mapped out 524 kilometers (325.6 miles) of the underground passage network near Tulum, Mexico. However, it seems there is still much more to be explored.
Meaning and Origin of the Name
The name "Ox Bel Ha" is derived from the ancient Maya language and translates to three water paths, reflecting the branched and complex nature of this massive cave system.
Discovery Origins
This cave system was only discovered by Western explorers in 1996, and serious explorations did not begin for several years. Over the following decades, cave divers worked to penetrate as much of the underwater passages as possible and to map them precisely, according to the website "sciencealert".
Each exploration process requires careful coordination of oxygen, buoyancy regulation, and placement of guide marks inside the cave. This continuous contact with the surface is not just a safety measure for the divers, but also allows for the precise recording of the cave's length and mapping of all the massive passages and chambers discovered.
What Did Scientists Find Inside the Cave?
Divers discovered that "Ox Bel Ha" is not just an aquatic pathway, but a massive and complex maze filled with mystery and wonder; new passages and tunnels and hundreds of kilometers of pathways previously unexplored, which increased the length of the cave and provided a more accurate picture of its intricate network.
It contains vast chambers and underwater halls, some resembling huge ice halls, with vast spaces that can accommodate several divers at the same time. It also features unique natural cavities ranging from narrow passages to spacious chambers, distinguished by unique rock formations.
Scientists also found traces of the ancient Maya civilization, with some chambers and passages containing treasures and artifacts. The cave also houses special ecosystems, including microorganisms adapted to the darkness and high pressure underwater.
Recent Discoveries
A few years ago, a team of divers made a significant breakthrough during a re-survey of the existing passages, where they discovered about 10 kilometers of additional passages, opening the doors to areas previously unreachable.
In 2023, divers wrote in the magazine In Depth: "To our amazement, it appeared that we were the first to reach these passages." With this discovery, the total explored length of the cave increased from 496.8 kilometers (308.7 miles) to 524 kilometers, according to reports from the CINDAQ organization dedicated to the conservation of the aquatic and ecosystem in Quintana Roo.
In 2018, Ox Bel Ha was temporarily surpassed as the longest explored underwater cave after a connection was discovered between two other Mexican cave systems. Some chambers discovered by the divers contained ancient Maya treasures, adding a wonderful historical dimension to this discovery.
