Psari 2009 expedition — Akolie Psaris −442m

The “Psari 2009” expedition of the Hellenic Speleological Society surveyed 101 pits. Among them: Akolie Psaris (code Ψ207), reaching −442m — the 13th deepest cave in Greece. Located on the Psari summit of the White Mountains (Chania) at 1560m elevation.

Structure

Four consecutive vertical shafts:

1. −162m — multiple small descents
2. “Abyss” — 88m (total −241m)
3. “Throat” — 98m (total −338m)
4. “Eleftherios Platakis” — 85m (total −433m), ending in “Bekris Square” at −433m

At the final floor, a northern passage ends at a squeeze (blasting failed to open it); the southern passage — with water flow and strong air currents — leads through tight meanders to a squeeze at −442m that clearly continues.

Geology

Above −325m: Tripolis limestones and dolomites. Below −325m: conglomerate (impermeable to water). A 20m meta-flysch layer likely separates the conglomerate from the underlying platy limestone — the water flow at the bottom suggests the boundary is near.