Carlsbad Cavern Stalagmite by junge1
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Description
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in Southeastern New Mexico. There are more than 300 known caverns, around 85 of which are located within the park. The caverns were formed when the earth's crust shifted and formed cracks in the limestone. This allowed water to sift through the limestone. The slightly acidic water dissolves some of the limestone and carries it downward. When the water evaporates the limestone appears to have flowed downward and forms a stalactite. Water that does not evaporate drips to the floor and after evaporation forms a stalagmite. They always form in pairs. When the stalactite and stalagmite grow together they form a column. The average growth rate of stalactites is 0.13mm (0.005-inches) a year. The quickest growing stalactites are those formed by fast flowing water rich in calcium carbonates and carbon dioxides. They can grow 3mm (0.10-inches) a year. The cave temperature is a constant 56F.
Entrance to the caves is either by a gentle 1/2 mile long downward walk of 750-ft. or descent of 900-ft. by elevator, exit is only via elevator. From April to September the caverns are home of approximately one million Mexican free-tail bats that live in one of the branches of the cave. Each sunset the colony emerges which takes up to half an hour.
There are numerous large caves, one, called 'The Big Room' is 1,800-ft. long and 1,100-ft. wide, another is 250-ft. high. A walking tour, about 1.5 miles long, allows visitors to see some of the caves. The majority of caves are off limits and there are many still unexplored. Many formations of stalactites and stalagmites have names and are lit by colored lights.
Carlsbad Caverns were made a National Monument on October 25, 1923 and a National Park on May 14,1930.
They were made a World Heritage Site on December 6, 1995.
This picture was taken in September 1998 and later scanned.
Thank you for viewing and commenting on my recent uploads and a special 'Thank you' to those that may have added some of them to their favorites,
Sig...
Comments (31)
pixelmeister
Very nice and cool shot! Anyway because it is in a cave!
flora-crassella
ein sehr schönes Foto von diesem großartigen Naturwunder!
jeroni
Splendid composition and colors my friend
M2A
It is a big one. Such cavern "creatures" have always an impressive feeling.
lyron
Excellent shot!!
durleybeachbum
Wow! How interesting.
bebert
SUPERB shot !!!
marybelgium
superbe !
virginiese
stunning formation and great light
artaddict2
Wow! Amazing!
Amosicho
Excellent shot!
bmac62
A mitey-titey column. Nice pic with a very good explanation. Feels great, particularly on a hot summer's day. Bill
CavalierLady
Another neat shot of an amazing place!
timtripp
WOW!
bronwyn_lea
The picture and the history is fascinating. My parents went there and said it was amazing. Thanks for sharing.
moonrancher
Wonderful structure and nice depth in your capture. Thanks. We've got it on our list.
ElizaB
intetresting and beautiful capture
PIERRE25
Excellente photo!
moochagoo
I've ben there, unforgetable !
flaviok
Outra captura e explicação esplendida, obrigado, aplausos (5)
Digitaleagle
Another excellent shot in this series, love the textures and colors!!!!
thevolunteer
Oh, I really like this one. wonderful pov and lighting. Now I wish I could have gone. Great capture Sig. Aloha
kgb224
Excellent capture.
Minda
this is amazing great textures and colors sig...awesome shot..
ysvry
amazing foto indeed, well done.
lucindawind
fabulous ! I would love to visit there one day
tetsu-pino
Fantastic capture!!
densa
amazing shot
debbielove
Truly Awe inspiring!! The wonder of nature.... Great picture indeed. Well done, my friend. Rob.
MagikUnicorn
Million year stalagmite!!! Very well preseved...WOW Thanks for sharing