Musfur Sinkhole is the largest known of the still accessible sinkhole caves in Qatar, which is relatively easy to reach and explore. It is worth a visit, especially in summer, when the cave keeps a cool temperature all day long.
Believed to have been formed 325,000 to 500,000 years ago during the mid-Pleistocene Era, this mostly-unexplored cave system has an opening of about 12 metres and the visible bottom is around 100 metres deep, but some scientists suspect a larger cave-system to extend below. When you enter the cave through the relatively small opening, you will see a large chamber opening up and extending below.
Some of the most interesting features of the Musfur Sinkhole are its rock and sediment layering, traces of small mammals, and hundreds of nesting birds. There is a large chamber opening up and extending below and, as you dig down the sinkhole, daylight will be scarce – so if you have a friend who’s claustrophobic, don’t urge him or her to join in with you.
It’s sad because besides the countless graffiti painted all over the cave walls, there’s also an ample sum of litter mindlessly scattered inside the Musfur Sinkhole.
We should be preserving the order and beauty of this natural wonder, but why are we doing otherwise? If you really can’t stop producing waste, bring a garbage bag at least so that once you leave; your trash also leaves with you! Give the next visitors a reason to come back to the Musfur Sinkhole.
— Photos and text
by Mohammed Adnan Abdul Waheed
@20ADDZ
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