Although tourists mostly choose Kish Island for their trips to Hormozgan Province;
some of the most interesting places in this province are in Qeshm.
One of the natural attractions of this island is called the Salt Cave.
Qeshm’s Namakdan Cave, also known as the “Three Naked Men”
cave, features a marvelous collection of salt icicles, stalactites, scenic
stalagmites, and other fascinating salt structures.
The cave is within the Qeshm’s salt dome, with 6.4 km long.
90 km away from Qeshm city, it is one of the most visited attractions in Qeshm Island.
See More: Things to do in Qeshm Island
Introduction to Namakdan Salt Cave of Qeshm
A dome-shape mountain with an elevation of about 237
meters is the highest part of the Qeshm Island.
This structure is known as the Qeshm’s salt dome.
In this salt dome, there are many shallow and deep dissolution phenomena.
The longest cave in this collection is Namakdan Cave 3, with a length of 6400 meters,
has named the world’s longest salt cave.
According to researches, the age of the salts in this cave is related to
the pre-Cambrian period, and therefore it is more than 570 years old.
Introduction to Namakdan Salt Cave of Qeshm
A dome-shape mountain with an elevation of about 237 meters is the
highest part of the Qeshm Island.
This structure is known as the Qeshm’s salt dome.
In this salt dome, there are many shallow and deep dissolution phenomena.
The longest cave in this collection is Namakdan Cave 3, with a length
of 6400 meters, has named the world’s longest salt cave.
According to researches, the age of the salts in this cave is related
to the pre-Cambrian period, and therefore it is more than 570 years old.
Based on the classification of Bosak et al in 1998, Qeshm Island’s
salt mountain is classified as a passive salt dome, and on its upper surface there is less rock salt.
The reason for this is the dissolution of rock salt with water and its reduction over time.
Although, the amount of gypsum in this dome is estimated to be high.
About the structure of the dome, it should be noted that this mountain
is made up of Igneous rock with sediments.
This Qeshm’s cave is one of the geosites of the Qeshm Geopark,
one of the Global Geoparks and is supported by UNESCO.
There are also speculations regarding the global registration
of Namakdan cave independently.
Although the condition is that the cave and the mountain should remain unchan
ged.This natural phenomenon, named Salt Cave 3N, was also registeredo
n the Iranian Natural Heritage List in 2011.
Where is Namakdan Cave in Qeshm?
Qeshm Namakdan Salt Cave is one of the natural attractions
and landmarks of Hormozgan province, which is about
90 kilometers from Qeshm city, in the southwestern part of the island.
Access to Namakdan Cave in Qeshm
To access the Namakdan Cave, you can pass through the Qeshm, Ramkan, Tonban,
and Tabl cities, then go ahead the north coast road of the island and cross Chahu
and Dar Kuh villages.
Moving south of Goori village, go to Kani village.
From Kani village to the Namakdan Cave, there is a dirt track for about 10 kilometers.
Then go south to reach Salakh village. And from Salakh village to Namakdan Cave, there is a 22 km-long dirt road.
Features of Namakdan Cave in Qeshm
Qeshm Namakdan Cave contains some chambers with different dimensions.
The first chamber is approximately 670 meters from the entrance.
The average width of the cave is five meters.
The salt in Namakdan cave is the best kind of table salt, and there are other
elements such as magnesium in its compositions. This is why this salt is also
called the medical salt, and can be used by professional athletes.
Because of the salt and other materials, this cave is a suitable place
for respiratory patients and those suffering from asthma,
and being there can be effective in improving their illness.
Formation of Namakdan Cave in Qeshm
Salt caves are often created in salt domes.
If a salt dome is created in hot and dry areas (like Qeshm),
due to low rainfall throughout the year, it can last longer and the possibility
of creating a salt cave inside it increases.
