Please Vote 4 Lebanon
Jeita Grotto is a finalist in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition. One of Lebanon's most popular tourist sites, the Jeita Grotto, is a finalist in a global competition recognising natural wonders ... is in a competition to become one of the new Seven Wonders of Nature.
Please vote here - Vote 4 Lebanon
- This is one of the most amazing things to see in Lebanon.
The Jeita Grotto (Arabic: ????? ??????) is a compound two separate but interconnected karstic limestone caves spanning an overall length of nearly 9 kilometres (5.6 mi). The caves are situated in the Nahr al-Kalb valley within the locality of Jeita, 18 kilometres (11 mi) north of the Lebanese capital Beirut. Though inhabited in prehistoric times, the lower cave was not rediscovered until 1836 by Reverend William Thomson; it can only be visited by boat since it channels an underground river that provides fresh drinking water to more than a million Lebanese.
In 1958, Lebanese speleologists discovered the upper galleries 60 metres (200 ft) above the lower cave which have been accommodated with an access tunnel and a series of walkways to enable tourists safe access without disturbing the natural landscape. The upper galleries house the world's largest stalactite. The galleries are composed of a series of chambers the largest of which peaks at a height of 120 metres (390 ft).
Aside from being a Lebanese national symbol and a top tourist destination, the Jeita grotto plays an important social, economic and cultural role and is a finalist in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition.
5 Answers
Jeita, is famous for its grotto, which is considered among the most important natural tourism features of Lebanon. Next is Our Lady of Lebanon, Harissa, where the statue of the Virgin dominates a sanctuary (a chapel in the pedestal). A panoramic view is guaranteed at the top of the statue. Finally, you will see Byblos, one of the most important archeological sites in the area, where medieval Arab and Crusader remains are continuous reminders of the past
Our Lady of Harissa in Lebanon.
Anywhere in the world that boasts of natural wonders gets my vote . there are too
few of them left , thank you Miro for showing this , good work .
Geology
Lower cave at Jeita.The Jeita grotto is located within the Lower-Middle Jurassic strata of Keserouane which has a stratigraphic thickness of 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) and consists of dolostone and micritic limestone.[15][17] The Keserouane formation was exposed to air by a local uplift during the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous. The Keserouane strata became karstified after its aerial exposure and then was buried during the Cretaceous. In the Neogene, upon the final uplift of Mount Lebanon, this early karstification phase was reactivated.
At the Nahr al-Kalb valley, the impervious Upper Jurassic volcanic rocks and Lower Cretaceous sand slant almost vertically forming a hydrogeological barrier and forcing the outlet of the Jeita underground river to the surface. This barrier could be the reason for the westernmost, large cave chambers with heights exceeding 60 metres (200 ft). Karstification of the Keserouane limestone was further intensified by the steep topography of the area and the volume of precipitation over the Lebanon (more than 1200mm).
A ratio of total slope gradient of 1/100 is calculated between the entrance of the cave and its inland extremity. This shows its smooth flat course even though it is sometimes interrupted by several small cascades and rapids. From the west, the Jeita cave starts with large halls and meanders. Through some rapids, the dimension becomes narrower. Going forth, it is spacious with the Thompson’s cavern (250 metres (820 ft) long and 60 metres (200 ft) wide), Grand Chaos 500 metres (1,600 ft) long) and Mroueh’s Hall (200 metres (660 ft) long and 50 metres (160 ft) wide). The latter two are floored with collapsed blocks. The cave ends with a Y-shaped pattern, where, each branch ends with a siphon.
Bump!
(Voted)
YOUR VOTE NOW FOR JEITA GROTTO IS VERY VALUABLE. THE DEADLINE IS 11/11/11
The closing date of the final phase of voting for the New7Wonders of Nature has been set for 11/11/2011.
Making this site a natural wonder makes all the difference, as it will help to preserve it for generations to come and further acknowledging it as an Icon for World Tourism.
Everyone's continuous support is vital for Jeita's Grotto to be a part of history so please let your voices be counted now. Lebanon deserves !!
So Please Vote here.
