10 Incredible Underground Lakes and Rivers [pics]

Tue, Sep 9, 2008

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

Far below the Earth’s surface, where the sun rarely penetrates, is a world of twinkling glow worms, precious gems and limestone caves and mountains, a land inhabited by nature alone. Within this world are visions to rival many landscapes decorating our horizon; lakes lie still and calm, great networks of caves know no borders and rivers and rivulets carve an ever-evolving terrain.

We invite you to explore this remarkable subterranean domain through these incredible images we’ve complied for your viewing pleasure.

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.
Hamilton Pool
Stuck in Customs

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

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This post was written by:

Linda McCormick - who has written 130 posts on Environmental Graffiti.

Linda is a writer and editor, currently based in London. Growing up in N Ireland, she craved sunnier climes so set off around the world, forever chasing the sun. On her travels she discovered she was much more passionate about the environment than she realised – although never quite got the whole tree-hugging thing – and has always had a penchant for the unconventional and creative side of life, so working at Environmental Graffiti suits her just fine.

Contact the author

38 Comments For This Post

Leave a Reply

  1. ejd Says:
    September 9th, 2008 at 9:51 pm

    RE: 1 & 5. Cheeder Caves and Wookey Cave are the same.

  2. doe Says:
    September 9th, 2008 at 10:50 pm

    underwater lake, huh?

  3. Shawn Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 1:52 am

    No mention of the Lost Sea in Sweetwater Tennessee? [http://www.thelostsea.com/] Largest underground lake in the world.

  4. kyle Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 2:35 am

    http://www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/hamilton_pool.asp

    I live and austin an go to hamiltons pool often. i dont think it is 23 miles wide, infact i can tell you it isnt. your pictures make it look lots bigger than it is. i encourage anyone to go and check it out. beware, cows graze above the pool and when it rains, manure gets put into the water. this creates high bacteria levels in which you cannot swim, so check the website before going.

  5. yoshi Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 4:52 am

    you spelled #6 wrong. it’s Millasani. even that, I’m not sure about, but you definitely have the letters mixed up….Ls before Ss.

  6. Jo Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 6:14 am

    What is the name of the lake that’s in Banff, Canada? I live in Edmonton and have been visiting Banff all my life, but have never heard of this lake.

  7. Andy Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 6:28 am

    Simply amazing!

  8. The Lion Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 6:56 am

    Amazing. These photos are beautiful! I can’t help but imagine what other beauties are hidden beneath the surface of the Earth. Sadly, some things are probably best left hidden, lest we harm them.

  9. Sukhy Singh Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 7:07 am

    The one in Banff, Canada is Spectacular ! my honeymoon destination? may be.

  10. anon Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:27 am

    10. “underwater lake”?

  11. Brian Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 12:54 pm

    Don’t forget about the Waitomo glow worm cave in New Zealand! The cave itself is not so amazing, but the ceiling is home to thousands of insects that glow with an eerie blue light. It’s one of the most amazing things I’ve seen…

  12. starry Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 2:34 pm

    Nice pictures. I like wookey caves.

  13. Mr. Ferris Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 3:15 pm

    Glad to see Messalini mentioned. I was there years ago and it’s truly beautiful.

  14. Eso Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 4:08 pm

    It is so beautiful,actually gorgeous.

  15. Pedro Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 4:26 pm

    Lechuguilla was breathtaking in Planet Earth. Stunning footage and undoubtedly a treat to be able to witness first-hand, though most of us probably never will.

  16. Sacha Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 4:32 pm

    Plitvice Lakes in Croatia are the most beautiful I’ve seen

  17. Linda Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 4:49 pm

    Thanks guys for the heads up. I stand corrected.
    23 miles would be a mighty wide lake, eh? and Yoshi, all changed, no wonder I couldn’t find more info on Messalini Lake!
    L

  18. More Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 4:58 pm

    How about some high(er) resolution shots? The thumbnails are nice and all, but something a bit bigger would make this sooo much better.

  19. bangbouh Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 5:11 pm

    Awesome!

  20. me Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 5:34 pm

    no postojna?

  21. puckstopper9 Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 5:39 pm

    *waits for #5’s picture to be photoshopped for a Half-Blood Prince poster* Very beautiful places though.

  22. Tracy Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 6:26 pm

    Absolutely beautiful. I would love to visit some of these great sites in the future.

  23. Andrew Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 6:38 pm

    The one in Banff is a hot spring and the ‘lake’ is about 10 feet across and it flows out of the cave and down into a valley. It probably takes a couple hours to fill the ‘lake’. Do your research before posting stuff on websites..

  24. LiL Cleo Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 7:48 pm

    Aw. That’s pretty… :)

  25. AZ Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 7:49 pm

    I am also glad to see Melissani (correct sp) mentioned at #6. Beautiful place even though I’m a bit biased being from the island and all. Also, Melissani is located On the island of Kefalonia, not “near” it.

  26. Jim T Says:
    September 11th, 2008 at 6:27 am

    Glad to See Hamilton Pool. I’ve lived in Austin for over 30 years, and when I was younger and more of a risk taker, it was some of the best cliff diving in Texas. There’s one point that’s over 60 feet above the water. Beautiful pics, thanks!

  27. Boyblunder Says:
    September 11th, 2008 at 12:27 pm

    Wow, beautiful.

  28. sanjog Says:
    September 11th, 2008 at 1:45 pm

    great collections

  29. Zakopane pokoje Says:
    September 12th, 2008 at 6:41 pm

    wonderful images. great article.

  30. audrey Says:
    September 13th, 2008 at 1:39 am

    The one in Borneo, Mulu Caves is pretty awesome too.
    http://mpalace.tripod.com/maptour/mulucave.htm

  31. Steve N. Lee Says:
    September 15th, 2008 at 7:59 am

    These are stunning images.

    I’ve actually been scuba diving through an underwater cave complex in Mexico. It’s incredible to swim amongst the stalagtites and stalagmites, and some of the colours you get are unbelievable. There were access holes in places allowing natural light in but mostly you just used a powerful flashlight.

    Strangely, despite the fact you could very easily die down there, it wasn’t claustrophobic in the least. I think the sheer marvel of the place completely dispells any such negative thoughts.

    For non-divers there are caves you can explore on foot or swim in. It’s a wonderful experience I’d recommend to anyone.

    Steve N. Lee
    author of eco-blog http://www.lionsledbysheep.com
    and suspense thriller ‘What if…?’

  32. dj pigg Says:
    September 17th, 2008 at 7:30 pm

    Great pictures!

    Hamilton Pool (2 & 3) looks very much like the pool in the great film ‘Teeth’.

  33. web design Says:
    September 19th, 2008 at 4:40 pm

    A lot of these places were featured on Planet Earth by the BBC (later adapted and re-narrated by Discovery Channel).

    If you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favor and go watch it. Whether you;’re an environmentalist or not, the sheer beauty this planet holds that has been completely untouched by humans, is astounding.

  34. Ernie Says:
    September 23rd, 2008 at 10:54 am

    They are all beautiful wish I could visit each one of them. The pictures are good but I bet it does not give the place justest. One has to be there to see it in all it’s beatuifuties…

  35. mandy Says:
    November 7th, 2008 at 6:25 am

    wow These are really beautiful!

  36. jayceevr Says:
    November 11th, 2008 at 5:49 pm

    Just too marvelous

  37. tyo Says:
    November 25th, 2008 at 2:10 pm

    Waaa very good-looking. There could for the party of sex..?

  38. nedir Says:
    December 3rd, 2008 at 9:47 pm

    Especially 8. image is looking very fantastic. Also in our country we have an underwater lake like this.(Pamukkale)

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