World's biggest underwater cave found in Mexico - Action News
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ScienceVideo

World's biggest underwater cave found in Mexico

A group of divers has found a connection between two underwater caverns in eastern Mexico to reveal what is believed to be the biggest flooded cave on the planet, a discovery that could help shed new light on the ancient Maya civilization.

263-km Sac Actun connects with the 83-km Dos Ojos system near Tulum in Yucatan Peninsula

World's largest underwater cave system discovered in Mexico

7 years ago
Duration 1:00
Consists of connected caverns spanning 347 kilometres

A group of divers has found a connection betweentwo underwater caverns in eastern Mexico to revealwhat is believed to be the biggest flooded cave on the planet, adiscovery that could help shed new light on the ancient Mayacivilization.

The Gran Acuifero Maya (GAM), a project dedicated to thestudy and preservation of the subterranean waters of the Yucatanpeninsula, said the 347-kilometre(216-mile) cave was identified aftermonths of exploring a maze of underwater channels.

A scuba diver looks at an animal skull at Sac Aktun underwater cave system during exploration as part of the Gran Acuifero Maya Project near Tulum, in Quintana Roo state, Mexico February 12, 2014. (Jan Arild Aaserud/Courtesy Gran Acuifero Maya Project (GAM) via Reuters)

Near the beach resort of Tulum, the group found that thecave system known as Sac Actun, once measured at 263 kilometres is connected tothe 83-kilometreDos Ojos system, GAM said in astatement.

A scuba diver measures the length of Sac Aktun underwater cave system. The Gran Acuifero Maya (GAM), a project dedicated to the study and preservation of the subterranean waters of the Yucatan peninsula, said the 347-km (216-mile) cave was identified after months of exploring a maze of underwater channels. (Herbert Mayrl/Courtesy Gran Acuifero Maya Project (GAM)/Handout via Reuters)

GAM director and underwater archeologist Guillermo de Andasaid the "amazing" find would help researchersto understand the developmentof the rich culture of the region, which was dominated by theMaya civilization before the Spanish conquest.

"It allows us to appreciate much more clearly how therituals, the pilgrimage sites and ultimately the greatpre-Hispanic settlements that we know emerged," he told Reuters.

Guillermo de Anda, director of the Gran Acuifero Maya project said the 'amazing' find would help researchers to understand the development of the rich culture of the region, which was dominated by the Maya civilization before the Spanish conquest. (Daniel Becerril/Reuters)

The Yucatan peninsula is studded with monumental relics ofthe Maya people, whose cities drew upon an extensive network ofsinkholes linked to subterranean waters known as cenotes.

Some cenotes acquired particular religious significance tothe Maya, whose descendents continue to inhabit the region.

Scuba divers tour an authorized area of Sac Aktun underwater cave system as part of the Gran Acuifero Maya Project near Tulum, in Quintana Roo state, Mexico January 24, 2014. (Herbert Mayrl/Courtesy Gran Acuifero Maya Project (GAM)/Handout via Reuters)