200m cave, the deepest in Dhofar, found in Rakhiout
A group of speleologists credited with the discovery of over one hundred caves in the sultanate has now found the deepest cave in Dhofar.
In the last five years, the Omani Caves Exploration Team (OCET) has documented more than a hundred caves.
Speaking to Muscat Daily, Dr Mohammed al Kindi, geologist and member of OCET, said, “Located in the foothills of Jabal al Qamar, near Ajdaroot village in the wilayat of Rakhiout, we have named the cave Imbaort.”
It is near a rocky fault that borders the southern side of Jabal al Qamar on the Arabian Sea. “This fault line was formed by a rupture of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, which occurred millions of years ago.”
Over 200m deep, the cave has remarkable stalagmite and stalactite formations. “Going down is tricky and needs expert caving skills. The team has documented at least 200m of vertical descent into the cave so far,” Kindi informed.
There are many small openings to the cave with water gushing down these. “This water penetrates further into the cave, and over the years this process led to the solidification of the cave walls.”
Unsure of its actual depth and the number of openings, Kindi said, “The cave may extend to the sea level, and openings may also be found at higher altitudes of Jabal al Qamar.”
In his estimation, Imbaort is the deepest cave found in Dhofar so far. The cave gradually narrows as it deepens to just 1mn in width.
OCET is hopeful that Imbaort and other newly discovered natural geological wonders in Dhofar add to the tourism potential and attraction of the governorate.
The team will soon return to the cave to complete its exploration and documentation.
Besides its mission of exploring caves in the sultanate and documenting these, the team is keen to spread the culture of adventure among members of the community and promoting tourism.
Going down Imbaort is tricky and needs expert caving skills. The team has documented at least 200m of vertical descent into the cave so far
DR MohaMMeD al KinDi