*By Kostas Chalkiadakis
The international speleological community is turning its attention to the depths of the White Mountains as of today, as more than 40 speleologists from eight countries in Europe and America are participating in the international expedition “STERNES 2026”, which takes place from August 29 to September 13 in the Sternes area of Sfakia.
At the heart of the mission is one of the most important caves in the country. The cave at Sternes in the White Mountains exceeds 10,500 meters in length and reaches a depth of 722 meters, characteristics that rank it as the fourth deepest and second longest cave in Greece.
This year’s expedition is particularly important due to its international participation and the scientific research being carried out in the region. A team of geologists from universities in Greece and the United Arab Emirates is participating in the work, as part of a UNESCO-funded program to study the creation of the White Mountains.
Support of 10,000 euros from OFYPEKA
A significant boost to the research effort is the decision of the Board of Directors of OFYPEKA to grant a grant of 10,000 euros to the Speleological Club of Crete and the international mission “STERNES 2026”, following the intervention of the mayor of Sfakion, Ioannis Zervos.
The funding aims to support the activity of the Speleological Group of Crete, research work and the collection of new data that can be utilized by the scientific community.
At the same time, the Municipality of Sfakia is actively participating in the operational support of the mission. During the two weeks, at least ten transfers of people and materials are planned to be carried out by 4X4 vehicles from Sfakia or Anopolis to Sternes, while there will also be assistance in the supply of food and other necessary items from local businesses.
The White Mountains as a field of scientific and alternative tourism
Beyond the purely scientific aspect, the international presence in the White Mountains highlights a different side of the Sfakia tourism product. Speleology, geology and exploration of the mountain range can function as fields for the development of special forms of tourism, linking the protection of the natural environment with scientific knowledge and the international promotion of the destination.
As the mayor of Sfakion, Ioannis Zervos, points out, supporting the mission is a “conscious choice of strategic importance” for the region, as the White Mountains possess a particularly important geological and environmental wealth.
“Through the work of the “STERNES 2026″ mission, our municipality is firmly placed at the center of global scientific interest,” he notes, emphasizing that this specific activity enhances knowledge about groundwater and the ecosystem, while at the same time it can contribute to the development of quality and alternative tourism.
At this point, the international dimension of the mission takes on added importance for Sfakia. The presence of scientists and explorers from eight countries, combined with the participation of university teams and the connection of the research to a UNESCO program, carries the image of the White Mountains beyond the Greek borders.
And beneath a landscape that is already a strong point of reference for mountaineering and nature tourism in Crete, there still exists a second, underground world over ten kilometers long, which the scientific community continues to explore and map.
Source: tornosnews.gr