MOUNT SODOM, Israel (Reuters) - Israeli researchers say they have discovered the world's longest salt cave near the desert site where, according to the Bible, Lot's wife was turned into a pillar of salt.

The 10-km (6-mile)-long warren of underground passages and chambers in Mount Sodom, overlooking the Dead Sea, was mapped out over two years by cavers from nine countries led by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

During one dinner break in the Malham Cave, said the university's Boaz Langford, the explorers felt their pasta lacked seasoning: "So we just broke some salt off one of the rocks and used that".

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Malham has taken a 13-year record held by the Cave of the Three Nudes, a 6,850 meter (4 mile)-long salt cave in Iran, the researchers said. Sluiced by rain run-off that dissolves its surfaces, Malham will lengthen further over time, they added.

Boaz Langford, a member of Hebrew UniversityÕs Cave Research Center and head of the 2019 Malham Cave Mapping stands next to salt stalactites inside the Malham Cave, which Israeli researchers say is the world's longest salt cave, in Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea, Israel March 27, 2019. Reuters/Nir Elias Salt stalactites are seen inside the Malham Cave, which Israeli researchers say is the world's longest salt cave, in Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea, Israel March 27, 2019. Reuters/Nir Elias A salt stalactite is seen inside the Malham Cave, which Israeli researchers say is the world's longest salt cave, in Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea, Israel March 27, 2019. Reuters/Nir Elias A woman crawls inside the Malham Cave, which Israeli researchers say is the world's longest salt cave, in Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea, Israel March 27, 2019. Reuters/Nir Elias Salt formations are seen inside the Malham Cave, which Israeli researchers say is the world's longest salt cave, in Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea, Israel March 27, 2019. Reuters/Nir Elias Salt stalactites are seen inside the Malham Cave, which Israeli researchers say is the world's longest salt cave, in Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea, Israel March 27, 2019. Reuters/Nir Elias Boaz Langford, a member of Hebrew UniversityÕs Cave Research Center and head of the 2019 Malham Cave Mapping stands inside the Malham Cave, which Israeli researchers say is the world's longest salt cave, in Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea, Israel March 27, 2019. Reuters/Nir Elias Yoav Negev, Chairman, Israel Cave Explorers Club and project leader of the Malham Cave Mapping stands at the entrance to the Malham Cave, which Israeli researchers say is the world's longest salt cave, in Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea, Israel March 27, 2019. Reuters/Nir Elias A salt stalactite is seen inside the Malham Cave, which Israeli researchers say is the world's longest salt cave, in Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea, Israel March 27, 2019. Reuters/Nir Elias Efraim Cohen, a member of Hebrew UniversityÕs Cave Research Center, stands next to salt stalactites inside the Malham Cave, which Israeli researchers say is the world's longest salt cave, in Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea, Israel March 27, 2019. Reuters/Nir Elias A woman looks at salt stalactites inside the Malham Cave, which Israeli researchers say is the world's longest salt cave, in Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea, Israel March 27, 2019. Reuters/Nir Elias Salt stalactites are seen inside the Malham Cave, which Israeli researchers say is the world's longest salt cave, in Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea, Israel March 27, 2019. Reuters/Nir Elias A woman walks inside the Malham Cave, which Israeli researchers say is the world's longest salt cave, in Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea, Israel March 27, 2019. Reuters/Nir Elias Salt stalactites are seen inside the Malham Cave, which Israeli researchers say is the world's longest salt cave, in Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea, Israel March 27, 2019. Reuters/Nir Elias Members of the media are seen during a tour inside the Malham Cave, which Israeli researchers say is the world's longest salt cave, in Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea, Israel March 27, 2019. Reuters/Nir Elias A general view shows part of the interior of the Malham Cave, which Israeli researchers say is the world's longest salt cave, in Mount Sodom near the Dead Sea, Israel March 27, 2019. Reuters/Nir Elias