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- TL;DR Summary
- The dangers of caving at the world's deepest cave.
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Dangers at the World's Deepest Cave
- Thread starter jedishrfu
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In summary, the video talks about the deepest cave found so far at 7000 ft and about folks who have ventured there, and the water hazards they faced. A small amount of surface rain produced torrents of water flooding the cave system.
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Vanadium 50
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Maybe you could post a summary?
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Yes, the video talks about the deepest cave found so far at 7000 ft and about folks who have ventured there, and the water hazards they faced. A small amount of surface rain produced torrents of water flooding the cave system.
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dlgoff
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Dang. You wouldn't catch me in there. 7257 feet (2212 m) deep.
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Drakkith
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I was just watching some videos and looking up some information on Veryovkina Cave a few days ago. Interesting that this video was posted soon after lol.
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anorlunda
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I'll second that. Visualize water falling down a vertical shaft. It would not be isolated drops. so I'm not sure what the terminal velocity would be. Whatever, it sounds pretty fatal to me.dlgoff said:
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anorlunda
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I've been trying to imagine modeling the water falling in that 2000 m deep cave. The complexities make my head hurt, even for the simplified case with a smooth vertical shaft.
But one thing is abundantly clear without models. It is amazing that nobody died in this incident.
- As the stream of water falls down, there must be a current of air flowing up. There would be a boundary layer and a core layer in the water stream.
- Terminal velocity of independent falling drops would not apply. I don't know how to calculate terminal velocity for this geometry.
- Would the tip of the water stream be bullet shaped, as in a river, or mushroom shaped?
- A critical parameter is the difference in shaft radius Rs, and water stream radius Rw. Imagine an annular shape for the rising air. As (Rs-Rw) approaches zero, the falling stream becomes a piston compressing the air below, and decelerating the water.
- Air below the water would be compressed. For a shaft that deep, fantastic pressures in the range of 100-200 bar are possible. Might the rising air even go supersonic?
- Energy stored compressing the air would rebound. That might cause the falling water to reverse direction and become a geyser. It could even be oscillatory.
- The rising air might take the form of bubbles, rather than a continuous annular flow. The whole thing might resemble gurgling water coming out of an upside down bottle.
But one thing is abundantly clear without models. It is amazing that nobody died in this incident.
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Actually, someone did die. In a separate incident, a lone caver went in and couldn't get out.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...h-worlds-deepest-cave-reclaimed-team-100.html
He's mentioned in the video I posted in another thread where they said he had descended about 3000ft into the cave and was stopped when he realized he couldn't get past the water issues below.
While he had hand ascenders, he didn't have ascender stirrups for his feet and couldn't ascend the rope to get out and died from exhaustion.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...h-worlds-deepest-cave-reclaimed-team-100.html
He's mentioned in the video I posted in another thread where they said he had descended about 3000ft into the cave and was stopped when he realized he couldn't get past the water issues below.
While he had hand ascenders, he didn't have ascender stirrups for his feet and couldn't ascend the rope to get out and died from exhaustion.
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dlgoff
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I saw that part of the video. Poor guy. :(jedishrfu said:
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256bits
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Similar to a waterfall no doubt - misty, huge droplets, air entrained.anorlunda said:
One can turn on a tap and see the flow thin out and break up into droplets due to acceleration due to gravity and surface tension.
Just put several thousand of these taps together and investigate to flow.
FAQ: Dangers at the World's Deepest Cave
1. What are the potential physical dangers at the world's deepest cave?
The world's deepest cave presents a number of physical dangers, including extreme temperatures, lack of oxygen, and difficult terrain. The temperature in the cave can drop to below freezing, and the lack of oxygen at such depths can lead to dizziness, disorientation, and even loss of consciousness. The terrain can also be treacherous, with narrow passages, steep drops, and loose rocks posing a risk to explorers.
2. Are there any biological dangers at the world's deepest cave?
Yes, there are several potential biological dangers at the world's deepest cave. The cave may be home to various species of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that can cause infections or illnesses. In addition, there may be larger animals such as bats or insects that can carry diseases or pose a physical threat to explorers.
3. How do scientists prepare for the dangers of the world's deepest cave?
Scientists who plan to explore the world's deepest cave must undergo extensive training and preparation. This may include physical fitness training, learning about cave safety and rescue techniques, and studying the potential dangers of the specific cave they will be exploring. They also typically carry specialized equipment, such as oxygen tanks and protective gear, to help mitigate some of the dangers.
4. What precautions should be taken to ensure the safety of scientists exploring the world's deepest cave?
Scientists exploring the world's deepest cave should always follow proper safety protocols and procedures. This includes traveling in groups, carrying necessary equipment and supplies, and regularly checking in with a surface support team. They should also be aware of their own physical limitations and take breaks as needed to prevent exhaustion or other health risks.
5. What discoveries have been made in the world's deepest cave despite the dangers?
Despite the dangers, scientists have made some incredible discoveries in the world's deepest cave. These include new species of bacteria and other microorganisms, unique geological formations, and even evidence of ancient human settlements. The extreme conditions of the cave can also provide valuable insights into the limits of human endurance and the potential for life in extreme environments.