Vrtiglavica, also Vrtoglavica (both from Slovene vrtoglavica 'vertigo'), is a karst shaft on the Kanin Plateau, part of the Kanin Mountains, Western Julian Alps, on the Slovene side of the border between Slovenia and Italy. It has the deepest known pitch in the world, at 603 metres (1,978 ft).[2] The cave formed in a glaciokarst landscape; that is, a karst landscape that was subjected to Pleistocene glacial activity.[3]

Vrtiglavica
Map showing the location of Vrtiglavica
Map showing the location of Vrtiglavica
LocationPlužna, Bovec, Slovenia
Coordinates46°20′12″N 13°28′2″E / 46.33667°N 13.46722°E / 46.33667; 13.46722
Depth643 m (2,110 ft)
Length643 m (2,110 ft)
Elevation1,900 m (6,200 ft)[1]
Discovery1996
Entrances1
Accessopen cave with free entrance

The total depth of the cave is 643 m (2,110 ft). It contains one of the tallest cave waterfalls in the world; the estimated height of the falls is 400–440 m (1,310–1,440 ft). It was discovered in the summer of 1996 by Italian speleologists and the bottom was reached on October 12, 1996, by a joint Slovene–Italian expedition.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Podatki o jami - 6926 - Vrtiglavica".
  2. ^ List of longest drops with definitions
  3. ^ Gabrovšek, Franci. "Kaninski podi". DEDI - enciklopedija naravne in kulturne dediščine na Slovenskem (in Slovenian). Retrieved 13 December 2016.

46°20′12″N 13°28′2″E / 46.33667°N 13.46722°E / 46.33667; 13.46722