but it's only with the help of today's technology 但只有借助现代科技
roots of giant tropical trees have pushed their way through cracks in the limestone 大型热带树木的根系 却已穿透石灰岩裂缝
Away from the life-giving rays of sunshine 这里远离给予生命的阳光
But in the darkness of the cave tunnels 但是在黑暗的洞穴通道内
These flooded shafts are the region's only source of open fresh water. 这些水潭是整个地区 唯一的露天淡水资源
500 years ago they supported one of the world's great civilisations 500年前 它们维系着 一个世界上最伟大的文明
can take many thousands of years to develop. 经历了数千年的形成过程
These flooded caves in Mexico have remained virtually unchanged for thousands of years. 墨西哥的这些水洞 几千年来几乎保持不变
the slow deposition of dissolved limestone. 都是由水溶碳酸钙缓慢沉淀而来
produce an infinite variety of forms, but all are created by the same process - 造就了千姿百态的溶洞地形 但它们的形成过程都是一样的