Up one level ShutterFreak Gallery » 2006 Brasil » Gruta Rei do Mato (King of the Jungle cavern)

Gruta Rei do Mato (King of the Jungle cavern)
This famous cavern near the city of Sete Lagoas (62km from Belo Horizonte) has a known length of about 1km, of which 220m are open for visits. This cavern consists of 4 main ‘rooms’: Salão do couve-flor (cauliflower room), Blocos desabados (fallen boulders), Salão principal (main room), and Salão das raridades (room of rarities).

2006-11-27_0032 Gruta Rei do Mato. 2006-11-27_0035 Gruta Rei do Mato. These twin columns have an height of 13m and are 30cm wide. The Altamira caverns (Spain) are the only other place in the world where similar features exist. An external flash in slave mode provided the light source for this shot. 2006-11-27_0036 Gruta Rei do Mato. These twin columns have an height of 13m and are 30cm wide. The Altamira caverns (Spain) are the only other place in the world where similar features exist. An external flash in slave mode provided the light source for this shot. 2006-11-27_0037 Gruta Rei do Mato. These twin columns have an height of 13m and are 30cm wide. The Altamira caverns (Spain) are the only other place in the world where similar features exist. Original illumination of the cavern. As can be seen on this photo, the columns don't touch the ceiling. 2006-11-27_0038 Gruta Rei do Mato. Various columns and stalagmites. Ambient illumination. 2006-11-27_0039 Gruta Rei do Mato. Various columns and stalagmites. Illumination provided with a slave flash. 2006-11-27_0043 Gruta Rei do Mato. These twin columns have an height of 13m and are 30cm wide. The Altamira caverns (Spain) are the only other place in the world where similar features exist. Original illumination of the cavern. As can be seen on this photo, the columns don't touch the ceiling. 2006-11-27_0045 Gruta Rei do Mato. Various columns and stalagmites. Ambient illumination. 2006-11-27_0046 Gruta Rei do Mato. Various columns and stalagmites. Illumination provided with a slave flash. 2006-11-27_0047 Gruta Rei do Mato. 2006-11-27_0048 Gruta Rei do Mato. 2006-11-27_0049 Gruta Rei do Mato. 2006-11-27_0051 Gruta Rei do Mato. 2006-11-27_0055 Gruta Rei do Mato. These stalactites have been looted some time after the discovery of this cavern. They thought the calcite crystals these stalactites were made from were very valuable. They were mistaken, but unfortunately the cavern's features have been mutilated. Illumination provided with a slave flash. 2006-11-27_0056 Gruta Rei do Mato. These stalactites have been looted some time after the discovery of this cavern. They thought the calcite crystals these stalactites were made from were very valuable. They were mistaken, but unfortunately the cavern's features have been mutilated. Illumination provided with a slave flash. 2006-11-27_0060 Gruta Rei do Mato. 2006-11-27_0063 Gruta Rei do Mato. A bat inhabiting the cavern, close to the main entrance.