The Algar do Carvão (Cavern of Coal), Terceira Island (Azores), Portugal

The Algar do Carvão (Cavern of Coal) is an ancient lava tube or volcanic vent located in the central part of the island of Terceira in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. It lies within the civil parish of Porto Judeu in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo. 

Their are few very few places in the world allow you to explore and go inside a volcano. One of these places is the Algar do Carvão, located in the Azorean island of Terceira. The name Algar do Carvão means “coal pit” because the cave walls are formed from dark black lava.  To enter the cave you need to go down the volcano chimney that is lava free today, uncommon in most volcanoes, and a tunnel and staircases offer access to the caves below. At the bottom there is a crystal clear lake formed by rainwater, with unique stalactites and stalagmites.

The Algar do Carvão is, in fact, one of the few volcanoes in the world you can visit and the only one in which visitors can explore a volcanic chimney and secondary magma chambers. The volcanic eruption that took place at Algar do Carvão 3,200 years ago originated into volcanic rock highly rich in silica. Then, a second eruption, 2,000 years ago happened in the same place but with basaltic lava that formed several magmatic chambers.

Thanks to this fluid lava the chimney and the magma chambers were left empty when it all settled down. Algar do Carvão is now the only place on earth where you can see these two structures, the chimney and chambers without being cooked alive. What stands out as unique in the world is the stalactites and stalagmites formed by amorphous silica – Alvar do Carvão actually has the biggest concentration in one place.

Tours and the general maintenance of the volcano cave is in charge of local association “Os Montanheiros.” The first group of Montanheiros went to the volcano interior Montanheiros in 1963 and in 1968 they led the first visitors. Visits take place all summer and have to be scheduled in advance in the winter. They also organize visits to the Gruta do Natal, on Terceira.

A crystal-clear freshwater lake covers the base of Algar do Carvao, formed by the constant rain. Nuno estimates it’s about 39ft (12m) deep, although it can rise to 82ft (25m). During periods of drought, the water completely dries up. Down here, the dripping has an eerie echo. The only lifeforms this far down are bacteria, and a fleet of endemic spiders, centipedes and beetles found in the Azores that lurk in the cracks and crevices.

Before climbing back up the 338 steps, I take a moment to let it all sink in. This is where molten magma exploded out from the depths of the Earth 2,000 years ago. The same magma that created this tiny island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

The existence of the cavern had been known for a long time, but the depth and lack of ambient light, made any descent difficult, owing to the vertical descent, and delayed any real exploration.

On 26 January 1893, the first descent, "...with the use of a simple rope, was accomplished by Cândido Corvelo and Luis Sequeira."

The second descent was made in 1934, by Didier Couto, who produced the first rough map of the interior. This drawing, based on visual observations alone (rather than measurements), turned out to be quite accurate.

On 18 August 1963, a group of enthusiasts organized a descent using a "chair" platform suspended on a nylon line and, later, a harness.

With the advent of portable lighting systems, it was possible to re-examine the observations first-hand, including the most remote and narrow sections of the cavern. The site was open to the public in the late 20th century, through weekly organized tours (except weekends and holidays) through the summer (from May to September). Access to the site is also possible through the Montanheiros (Mountaineers) organization, the group responsible for matters associated with the Algar.

The word, algar, is a Portuguese word that denotes a natural cavity in the earth that, unlike most caves or caverns, is more vertical in its orientation, like a well. The Portuguese word derives from the Arabic word, al-Gar, which means "the crease", while Carvão means "coal" in Portuguese. The Algar do Carvão is not a source of coal, and the term carvão has also been used in the Portuguese vernacular akin to "blackened", "sooty" or "burnt", referring to the dark composition of the rocks.

Terceira is the site of four large volcanoes (Pico Alto, Santa Bárbara, Guilherme Moniz, and Cinco Picos) grouped along a basaltic fissure zone that transects the island from northwest to southeast. The Algar do Carvão is directly associated with the caldera of the Guilherme Moniz volcano, but it is part of the same complex as Santa Barbara to the west, Pico Alto to the north, and Guilherme Moniz, which is a short distance to the south of the Algar do Carvão site. Algar do Carvão is situated at 583 metres (1,913 ft) above sea level.

The 40.5 hectares (4,360,000 sq ft) extent was classified as a Regional National Monument (Portuguese: Monumento Natural Regional) due to its peculiar volcanological characteristics, in addition to its environmental ecosystem. The mouth of the Algar consists of a 45 metres (148 ft) vertical passage to the interior, that reaches a ramp of debris and gravel. From here there is another decline to the clear waters of the interior pool, approximately 90 metres (300 ft) from the level surface. The pool is supported by rainwater, and can reach as deep as 15 metres (49 ft) depth or become dry in summer months, owing to little or no precipitation.

The cave itself is remarkable for the unique mineralogical characteristics of its silicate stalactites. The Algar is populated by a rich plant tapestry, that covers the mouth of the cone structure, including various endemic species. Further, there are several invertebrate species that make the cavern their homes, such as the cavernous spider Turinyphia cavernicola and other species of Troglofauna, like the centipede Lithobius obscurus azorae, the springtail Pseudosinella ashmoleorum and ground beetle Trechus terceiranus. Finally, there is a distinct presence of various moss, including those on the Red Data Book of European Bryophytes (ECCB), like the Alophosia azorica and Calypogeia azorica, among others

Deep Dive (World Larest & Deepest Swimming Pool), Dubai

Deep Dive Dubai, located in Dubai's Nad Al Sheba neighborhood, is now verified by the Guinness World Record as the world's deepest swimming pool, at a depth of 169.9 feet (60.02 meters) and holds 14 million liters of water. That, the owners say, is the equivalent of six Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Located in Nad Al Sheba neighborhood in Dubai, the massive pool features a sunken city that divers from all levels can explore featuring abandoned streetscape, an apartment, garage, arcade and many other surprises.

The pool features sound and mood lighting systems as well as a unique filtration system. To maintain fresh water, it gets filtered and circulated every six hours using a siliceous volcanic rock. NASA-developed technology and UV radiation is also used within the filtration system.

The pool’s water temperature is maintained at 30 degrees Celsius to ensure divers comfort. With a massive size of 1,500sqm, the facility features a diving shop, a gift shop and a restaurant that will be open to the public later this year. It also hosts a variety of meeting, event and conference spaces.

The exterior design is shaped like a enormous oyster to highlight the United Arab Emirates pearl diving heritage. Deep Dive Dubai also offers freediving and scuba diving experiences as well as courses for all abilities, from first timers to experienced individuals. Alongside the courses, participants can get a chance to gain scuba diving and freediving certifications.

Deep Dive Dubai has even had an A-list celebrity visitor, with actor Will Smith visiting the attraction in early July. The city of superlatives with the world's tallest tower among its many records, Dubai now has the deepest swimming pool on the planet complete with a "sunken city" for divers to explore.

 

Deep Dive Dubai, which opened recently but initially by invitation only, prides itself as "the only diving facility in the world" where you can go down 60 metres (almost 200 feet), 15 metres deeper than any other pool, as confirmed to AFP by Guinness World Records.

With graffiti, crumbling facades and a large portrait of Marilyn Monroe hanging on the wall, Dubai’s new vertical diving pool contains the remnants of a lost submerged city. There’s an apartment building and library even an arcade with a vintage Pac-Man machine, foosball and pool table. As for the size of the underwater city, several dives are needed to fully explore it, according to the website.

Beginners can dive to a depth of 40 feet, while those with certifications can explore the entire pool either with a guide or alone. Certified divers can also “free dive” which is diving without a tank, using breath only while connected to a fixed ascent line. Courses are also available to teach divers new skills.

Bookings are by invitation only. Actor and rapper Will Smith wrote about his visit in an Instagram post that has been liked more than 3 million times in four days.

There is, however, no living marine life, including coral, which is normally a huge part of the leisure diving experience.

"Deep Dive Dubai allows thrill-seekers to dive inwards and discover a new underwater dimension filled with adventure and wonder. It offer an unparalleled experience with year-round diving, in a safe environment, with outstanding instructors and services," Abdulla Bin Habtoor, spokesperson for Deep Dive Dubai, shared in a statement. "This facility is an investment in Dubai's growing sports culture and will add another world-class destination to Dubai's thriving tourist attraction and adventure tourism sector."

for more information - Deep Dive Dubai

Cordyceps Militaris - World’s Most Expensive Mushroom

Cordyceps Militaris is a species of fungus in the family Cordycipitaceae, and the type species of the genus Cordyceps. It was originally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as Clavaria militaris

The fungus forms 1–8 cm high, club-shaped and orange/red fruiting bodies, which grow out of dead underground pupae. The club is covered with the stroma, into which the actual fruit bodies, the perithecia, are inserted. The surface appears roughly punctured. The inner fungal tissue is whitish to pale orange. The spores are smooth, hyaline, long-filiform, and often septate. They decompose to maturity in 3–7 μm × 1–1.2 μm subpores. The asci are long and cylindrical. Sometimes an anamorphic state, which is Isaria, is found. Masses of white mycelia form around the parasitised insect; however, these may not be of the same species

Cordyceps Militaris can be cultivated in a variety of media including silkworm pupae, rice, or liquid nutrition. It is considered inedible or "probably edible" by American field guides. In Asia the fruiting body is cooked as a mushroom in dishes like chicken soup.

Cordyceps Militaris is a potential harbour of bio-metabolites for herbal drugs and evidences are available about its applications for revitalization of various systems of the body from ancient times. In traditional Chinese medicine, this fungi can serve as a cheap substitute of Ophiocordyceps sinensis. Both contain cordycepin. It contains a protein CMP18 that induces apoptosis in vitro via a mitochondrion-dependent pathway. It is thought that it might be toxic when eaten. Cooking destroys this protein. Cordyceps in the wild has more than 400 different species. Similar species include Cordyceps sobolifera, Elaphocordyceps capitata, and Elaphocordyceps ophioglossoides

Cordyceps is a fungus which grows from the spores fallen on caterpillars inside the soil which give rise to mushroom like body of fungus with stalk and head. As wild variety of this mushroom or fungus is rarely found so it is very expensive and difficult to afford. The world’s most expensive mushroom, prominently talked about in the mushroom category and regarded as the top mushroom with extraordinary properties is used as pre-workout supplement. It can be considered as one of the top super foods.

It is mostly found in high mountain regions of China. Cordyceps are found all over the world and include 400 species that typically infect other insects and arthropods.  As we check for the lifecycle then it is the spore that starts the whole formation. Cordycep spores will land on the insect and then the spore will start germinating, resulting in the formation of hyphae which grow inside the insect and turn into mycelium, which is an important part of the mushroom. Now that the mycelium start consuming the insect and the insect is fully consumed, a blade-like mushroom (fruiting body) will be produced from the insect’s head. The environmental conditions need to be favourable for the whole process. The lifecycle continues and the mushroom will again release spores and infect other one to spread the entire thing.

The wild species of Cordyceps is basically Wild Cordyceps sinensis -The Caterpillar fungus. It is considered as the father of present day Cordyceps which is not actually the sinensis species as being costly and rarely available. It is the most well known species of Cordyceps, now officially known as Ophiocordyceps sinensis which infects the caterpillar of the Hepialus moth. It is mainly found in high elevations in Tibet and Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai and Gansu but less abundant in India, Nepal and Bhutan. 

The history of Cordyceps dates back to 1993 during the Chinese national games in Beijing. It became popular when a Chinese athlete Wang Junxia consumed Cordyceps as the source of tonic and made a world record in 10,000 meter race in just 42 seconds. No other athlete in the past 23 years could beat her record. But later many athletes who also took Cordyceps as a tonic failed to give desired results. Hence this raised a big question on the efficiency of Cordyceps – whether it really helps in boosting the energy and stamina levels in athletes.

Cordyceps are known to improve the immune system and providing protection from several diseases specially cancer by formation of new cells that strengthen the immune system. It is also associated in shrinking of cancer or tumor cells especially in case of lung and skin cancer. They are also used in kidney problems and other problems related to it; is used after kidney transplant. It can also be used in male sexual disorders, liver related diseases and act as dopamine to improve athletics performances and many other conditions but there are no scientific evidence for above mentioned uses.  

You’ll be surprised to know that the species of Cordyceps or the supplements we are consuming are not actually the wild Cordyceps Sinensis but the commercial form grown invitro.  The cost of wild Cordyceps is around $20,000 per kilogram which is quite high and makes it the most expensive mushroom all over the world. 99.9 Cordyceps supplements do not contain wild Cordyceps not just because of its high price but also that it is exclusively sold in Asia and rarely available in North American market. The reason for the high price of wild Cordyceps is that for many years, the Chinese were unable to cultivate it which led to the lag in its production meanwhile commercial cultivation of the mushroom began by fermenting the spores and forming myceliums leading to the Cordyceps named as “Cordyceps Cs 4”.