CARLSBAD CAVERNS STALACTITES AND STALAGMITES PHOTO

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is some of the largest caves in North America with 300 known caves that average 800 feet below the surface in New Mexico. Formed by an inland sea 250 to 280 million years ago, the limestone caves were carved out by very aggressive sulfuric acid instead of being carved out by running water and streams like many limestone caves. The park contains 113 caves for exploring. One cave called the Big Room is 8.2-acres and has 200 foot high cathedral like ceilings of stalactites, soda straws, helictites and stalagmites that grow from the ground as high as 60 feet. It’s beautifully lit with a perfect balance of darkness and light that gives you an eerie feeling but just enough light to see the massive interior and numerous caves. There is also a store and a bathroom to amaze you even more. Discovered in 1898 by a 16-year-old cowhand who later became a national park ranger. The weather in the cave is a mild 56°F (13°C) year-round. New Mexico becomes a state after being a territory 62 years on January 6, 1912. From 1915 to 1918 the first photographs were taken. October 25, 1923 Carls Bad Cave National Monument was established. May 14, 1930 congress designates Carlsbad Caverns National Park. In 1931 a 750 foot deep elevator shaft was drilled and blasted from both ends. In 1959 the movie ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ was filmed in the kings palace and boneyard caves. December 1995 Carlsbad Caverns National Park was declared a World Heritage Site.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park Website