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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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World's Largest Cave Found

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(Newser) – A British expedition team has discovered what they believe to be the world’s largest cave deep within the Vietnamese jungle, the Telegraph reports. At 650 feet high and nearly 500 feet wide, Hang Son Doong—or Mountain River Cave—is twice the size of current record holder Deer Cave in Sarawak, Malaysia. The 13-man team spent five days exploring the cave and is still plotting its exact dimensions.

"It is a truly amazing-sized cave and one of the most significant discoveries by a British caving team," said a team member. The cave’s entrance was discovered by the group’s Vietnamese guide in 1991, but locals never ventured inside due to the small size of the cave mouth and a “frightful wind and noise” it emitted—caused by a large underground river.

American military members look around inside a cave at Marble Mountain near DaNang, Vietnam, in 2000. The North Vietnamese military used this cave as a hospital during the war.
American military members look around inside a cave at Marble Mountain near DaNang, Vietnam, in 2000. The North Vietnamese military used this cave as a hospital during the war.   (Getty Images)
Corey Rich of the US scales the side of the cave in the outskirts of Hanoi in Vietnam on the 23 April 2002.
Corey Rich of the US scales the side of the cave in the outskirts of Hanoi in Vietnam on the 23 April 2002.   (Getty Images)
A boat passes through a cave in Tam Coc in Ninh Binh Province, about 62 miles from Hanoi, Vietnam.
A boat passes through a cave in Tam Coc in Ninh Binh Province, about 62 miles from Hanoi, Vietnam.   (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)
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4 comments
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oldgoat
May 1, 09 6:07 AM CDT
So the NVN used it for a hospital, but the locals never went inside? Something doesn't add up here. Reply
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gmo
May 1, 09 12:03 PM CDT
The cave pictured is not the one described in the article, its just an example photo of a large cave.
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IN RESPONSE:
RatsInArabia
May 2, 09 3:20 AM CDT
locals were afraid of the sound coming from the cave entrance
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skylinesandsunsets
May 1, 09 3:53 PM CDT
The world's biggest cave. Or, as Republicans call it, "home sweet home." Reply
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