Atlantida is the only cave with horizontal three-level structure within Ukraine. This structure bases on a system of wide and high galleries of the lower level, formed by powerful localized underground flows. On the same level in the gypsumstratum lies a labyrinth of downgoing passages called "cellars" (as many of them are deadlock). The second level extends about 9 m above and consists of narrowed to 1-1.5 m cavities. The upper level, which contains two 5 m high passages, is located just at the top of gypsum bed. There are also a number of halls up to 12 m high at the crossings of galleries. The largest are Dynamo, the Hall of the Conquerors of the caves, the Hall of Kyiv speleologists.
The morphology of galleries and halls of Atlantida is not much affected by process of destruction. The gypsum speleothems like stalactites, stalagmites and straws of different colorations create a spectacular sculptural shape of the cave's ceiling and walls. The great variety of crystals from miniature needles to 1.5 m long units makes the cave a unique mineralogical museum. The cave is inhabited by rare species of bats.[3]
History
In 1950s, in Zavallya was set a quarry for gypsum mining. However, it did not work for long because of numerous holes in rock, which made the business unprofitable. The holes attracted young speleologists from Kyiv under the guidance of Valery Rogozhnikov who discovered Atlantida cave in 1969. One of the largest halls in cave is devoted to them – "The Hall of Kyiv speleologists". The cave has become a natural geological monument of national importance since 1975.[4]
