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Gourgouthakas (Greek: Γουργούθακας; from "small cutting on rocks, in which rain water is collected and from which animals drink water") is a cave located in the Lefka Ori mountains on the Greek island of Crete. Until resurveyed in 2022, it was considered the deepest cave in Greece, with an explored depth of 1,208 metres (3,963 ft), and was the 43rd deepest in the world in 2010. Following the re-survey conducted by the Gourgouthakas expedition of 2022, the depth has been re-evaluated at 1,100 metres (3,600 ft).

Gourgouthakas was discovered in 1990 by the Speleological Mission of the Catamaran team, based in Μontbeliard, France. The depth of 985 m was reached in 1997. In 1998, the same group reached the small lake (sump) at the bottom, at a depth of 1,208 metres (3,963 ft). The lake has not yet been explored.

The cave is primarily a deep vertical shaft, filled with intersecting arcades and huge stalagmites and stalactites. Due to its configuration, specialized equipment and expertise is required to explore it.

See also

List of caves in Greece

References

1. "Levka 2008" (PDF) (in French). p. 50. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
2. "Levka Ori 1998" (PDF) (in French). Retrieved 28 May 2023.
3. Gulden, Bob (21 September 2010). "Worlds deepest caves". National Speleological Society GEO2 Committee on long and deep caves. Archived from the original on May 15, 2006. Retrieved 17 October 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
4. "Gourgouthakas expedition report 2022".
5. ^ "Gourgouthakas, the underground giant". cretazine. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
6. "Levka Ori 1997" (PDF) (in French). Retrieved 29 May 2023.
7. ^ "Cave Gourgouthakas". Terrabook. Retrieved 20 November 2014.

• Caves of Greece
• Landforms of Crete
• Tourist attractions in Crete
• Landforms of Chania (regional unit)