Cousin Bob Wolf (right) and guide Brian (next from the right) plus other tour guests enjoy the geologic formations visible throughout the Lincoln Caverns. In the two photos below right, visitors are left to ponder the near magic of water’s ability to form such massive, subterranean beauty.
SPELUNKERS FOR A DAY--
It is a peculiar sensation to be enjoying some speleology (cave exploration) in the dark and damp silence far below the Earth’s surface—and hear the nearby sounds of highway traffic.
We were on a guided tour of the Lincoln Caverns located between Altoona and Huntington, PA when we encountered the original entrance to the cave which was discovered during the construction of US Highway 22 in 1930.
While crews were then blasting their way through bedrock, one massive explosion revealed the cave to a very surprised construction crew. That became the original, commercial entrance to the cave but is now sealed behind a concrete block—but not soundproof—wall.
This cave, a meandering tunnel between randomly shaped and sized “rooms”, takes about an hour to tour leisurely; a very enjoyable experience when you have the pleasure of an informed and enthusiastic guide as we did.
Like most caves of this sort the tunnels and rooms are the result of flowing water dissolving the sub-surface rock over periods of geologic time. That process also leaves caves such as this with abundant formations of stalactites, stalagmites and columns; also the result of the process of minerals being dissolved by water then re-solidifying over those countless centuries.
Think of a stalactite being much like an icicle. With each drip of water and icicle grows longer almost imperceptibly, but it will form in a matter of days while a stalactite will often take thousands of years.
The stalactite grows from the ceiling down while its companion stalagmite will be growing from the ground up. When they finally join they form a column. The process is also different from an icicle’s which requires freezing temperatures while their underground counterparts grow happily in a constant temperature of 52 degrees F.
Other mineral formations found in caves such as this are pure white (popcorn) calcite and crystals. The caves are also rich in flowstones (think of theater drapery) and bacon; a thin, wavy deposit of minerals that looks surprisingly like bacon when back lit.
And, the entire cave formation is nicely lit by rich back lighting that accentuates the formations and allows safe passage in the subdued lighting.
This attraction is located 3 miles west of Huntington, PA on US 22.
For you GPS technocrats the coordinates are: N 40.30.441 by W 78.04.279.
SPELUNKERS FOR A DAY--
It is a peculiar sensation to be enjoying some speleology (cave exploration) in the dark and damp silence far below the Earth’s surface—and hear the nearby sounds of highway traffic.
We were on a guided tour of the Lincoln Caverns located between Altoona and Huntington, PA when we encountered the original entrance to the cave which was discovered during the construction of US Highway 22 in 1930.
While crews were then blasting their way through bedrock, one massive explosion revealed the cave to a very surprised construction crew. That became the original, commercial entrance to the cave but is now sealed behind a concrete block—but not soundproof—wall.
This cave, a meandering tunnel between randomly shaped and sized “rooms”, takes about an hour to tour leisurely; a very enjoyable experience when you have the pleasure of an informed and enthusiastic guide as we did.
Like most caves of this sort the tunnels and rooms are the result of flowing water dissolving the sub-surface rock over periods of geologic time. That process also leaves caves such as this with abundant formations of stalactites, stalagmites and columns; also the result of the process of minerals being dissolved by water then re-solidifying over those countless centuries.
Think of a stalactite being much like an icicle. With each drip of water and icicle grows longer almost imperceptibly, but it will form in a matter of days while a stalactite will often take thousands of years.
The stalactite grows from the ceiling down while its companion stalagmite will be growing from the ground up. When they finally join they form a column. The process is also different from an icicle’s which requires freezing temperatures while their underground counterparts grow happily in a constant temperature of 52 degrees F.
Other mineral formations found in caves such as this are pure white (popcorn) calcite and crystals. The caves are also rich in flowstones (think of theater drapery) and bacon; a thin, wavy deposit of minerals that looks surprisingly like bacon when back lit.
And, the entire cave formation is nicely lit by rich back lighting that accentuates the formations and allows safe passage in the subdued lighting.
This attraction is located 3 miles west of Huntington, PA on US 22.
For you GPS technocrats the coordinates are: N 40.30.441 by W 78.04.279.
If you prefer to take a peek from your armchair, click here: http://www.lincolncaverns.com/index.html
No comments:
Post a Comment