
Stalactites, Stalagmites, and Cave Formations
Apr 9, 2023 · A special sight in any cave are the strange and one-of-a-kind formations known as speleothems! Some places within the Mammoth Cave abound in wonderful formations not to be missed. In wetter areas these may be calcite formations like stalactites and stalagmites.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Mar 24, 2025 · High ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cactus, and desert wildlife—treasures above the ground in the Chihuahuan Desert. Hidden beneath the surface are more than 119 caves—formed when sulfuric acid dissolved limestone leaving behind caverns of …
Cave Geology in Depth - U.S. National Park Service
Apr 22, 2016 · There are many different types of caves, including solution caves, tectonic caves, boulder caves, sea caves, and lava tubes. Tectonic caves tend to be relatively small and can form in almost any type of rock that has been highly fractured.
Caves and Aquifers - U.S. National Park Service
Jun 10, 2024 · Resources in caves and karst landscapes can include countless new, cave-adapted species, paleontological and archaeological discoveries, and amazing recreation opportunities! There are also lots of different types of caves, …
Boyden Cavern - U.S. National Park Service
Jun 20, 2024 · Take a guided, 50-minute walking tour through this cavern, located below the towering 2,000 foot marble walls of the Kings Gates. A short but very steep trail leads to the cave, traveling under and around rock formations.
Speleothems - Caves and Karst (U.S. National Park Service)
Apr 27, 2022 · These stone formations exhibit bizarre patterns and other-worldly forms, which give some caves a wonderland appearance. Caves vary widely in their displays of speleothems because of differences in temperature; overall wetness; and jointing, impurities, and structures in …
How Caves Form - U.S. National Park Service
Apr 10, 2015 · Most water that enters the cave comes down through the joints, which connect the cave with the surface. Where there are many joints, sinkholes can form on the surface. Sinkholes act like funnels, collecting rain water from the surface and funneling it into the cave.
Cave Tours - Mammoth Cave National Park (U.S. National Park …
The Willd Cave and Introduction to Caving Tours are the most extreme cave tours offered at Mammoth Cave National Park. Learn what to expect and what to wear for these challenging crawling adventures. Last updated: March 24, 2025
Mammoth Cave National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Feb 27, 2025 · Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, earning it the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Region.
Lehman Caves Tours - U.S. National Park Service
Lehman Caves is the longest cave system in the state of Nevada. Tours have been entering the cave since 1885, and you can become another visitor in a long tradition of explorers. Lehman Caves is only available to enter on a ranger-guided tour.