The Mediterranean Sea - Submerged caves of Mallorca
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The Mediterranean Sea
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Introduction
The sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea are home to over 700 varieties of fish and almost 10 per cent of the world's marine species. Its coastline is one of the most densely populated in the world and the human pressure on this sea is magnified each summer with the influx of holiday makers. Western civilisation developed around these shores but now human activity is having a profound effect on this endangered sea.
Submerged caves of Mallorca
Overview
Beneath the island of Mallorca's eastern coast exists a vast network of submerged caves. These caves show evidence of a change in sea levels that took place thousands of years ago. The caves once existed above the water line, but were flooded when sea levels rose.
Deep within these underwater caves are formations which can only be formed in dry caves - spectacular sculptural stalagmites and stalactites. The unique mineral deposits found on these structures have been dated and reveal when the flooding of these caves occurred. The evidence shows that 60 to 80,000 years ago the Mediterranean was shallower than it is today.
| Importance: | These caves contain evidence of how Mediterranean Sea levels have changed over time. |
| Dive category: | This is an advanced cave dive and should only be attempted with thorough training and experience in cave diving. |
| Access: | This site can be accessed from land near the eastern coast of Mallorca. |
Interesting for
- The geology of stalactites and stalagmites
- Howstuffworks.com explains the difference between these two limestone rock formations and explains how they are formed.
- What's the difference between stalactites and stalagmites?
- An introduction to cave diving
- This scuba guide website gives an overview to the world of cave diving.
- Cave diving
BBC related content
- Oceans ultimate dives: Paul Rose's cave dive
- Oceans presenter biography: Tooni Mahto
- Oceans image gallery: The Mediterranean Sea
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