Pınargözü Cave
Cave in Turkey / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pınargözü Cave (Turkish: Pınargözü Mağarası, literally "eye of the water"[6]), is a cave 18 kilometres (11 mi) west of the town of Yenişarbademli in Isparta Province, Turkey.[1] It is considered the longest cave in Turkey, although it has not yet been fully explored, and the precise extent to which it has been explored is in dispute.
Pınargözü Cave | |
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Pınargözü Mağarası | |
Location | Yenişarbademli, Isparta Province, Turkey |
Coordinates | 37°41′48″N 31°18′27″E |
Depth | 720 metres (2,362 ft)[1] |
Length | 16 kilometres (10 mi)[2] |
Height variation | 248 metres (814 ft)[3] |
Elevation | 1,550 metres (5,085 ft)[4] |
Discovery | 1964[5] |
Geology | Limestone karst |
Entrances | 1 |
Access | Restricted |
The entrance is on the slopes of Mount Dedegöl at an elevation of 1,550 metres (5,090 ft), in a forested area of the Kızıldağ National Park.[4][7] It is easily recognized by the stream of water that pours continuously from its mouth, called the Devre Su.[3] A constant wind of up to 166 km/h (103 mph) blows through the cave's narrow opening due to the chimney effect.[8]
Since its discovery, surveyors have considered the cave extremely difficult to explore, owing to the numerous waterfalls, flooded passages, and traverses within.[5] As a result, it is not included on the list of Turkish caves open to the public. Access is only permitted to approved professionals with appropriate caving gear.[9]