Based on the notes, seems to be unavailable. Keeping it active for those planning a trip through the area with the tour hopefully available soon.
EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS
Each cacher must send his/her own answers BEFORE logging a find. Enjoy the journey (learning adventure) as well as the destination (smiley earned). Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. To get credit for this Earthcache, complete the following tasks:
1. MESSAGE …. Why does the Frozen Niagara section of Mammoth Cave contain the majority of speleothems?
2. MESSAGE …. Meet the bus at Shelter B to begin your tour. Unfortunately, an early caretaker used the cave for monetary gain resulting in destruction of some of the speleothems. Describe three ways humans have negatively impacted this cave environment.
3. MESSAGE …. Identify the room where each of the six most common speleothems are found. a. Column / b. Drapery / c. Flowstone / d. Stalactites / e. Stalagmites / f. Straws
4. LOG …. Post a picture of you or your signature item anywhere along your tour. This picture is your log signature.
OPTIONAL - Please respect the time and effort involved in creating this earthcache by adding A and B to your log.
A. JOURNEY OF THE MIND ... Science explains what we observe. Relate (in your own words) something you found interesting in the reading. This adds to your learning adventure and your log.
B. JOURNEY OF THE HEART ... Art shares our personal experience of what we see. Share something special you found on site, and why it is special to you. This is a memorable addition to your log and will make other hearts smile.
Journeys of Heart and Mind ...
Stories to Touch the Heart and Puzzles to Challenge the Mind / Rainbow Tree Story
THANK YOU Mary Conner and Peggy Poynter for permission to place this earthcache.
SPELEOTHEMS
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speleothem#/media/File:Labeled_speleothems.jpg
A speleothem is a cave formation formed when calcium carbonate is dissolved by water. These formations are called dripstone because they are deposited from dripping water. The most common forms are stalagmites (attached to floor), stalactites (attached to ceiling), columns (floor to ceiling), straws (hollow cylindrical tube), flowstones (sheet covering floors and walls), and draperies (thin hanging sheet). It takes an average of 100+ years for a speleothem to grow one cubic inch.
HUMAN IMPACT
Before cave conservation became the norm, cave tours were based on activities that brought financial gain regardless of the impact on the cave. The slow growth of speleothems means the destruction will be visible for generations. On this tour, you will see the result of several of these activities.
MAMMOTH CAVE
Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system known in the world, with 400+ miles of surveyed passageways. The cave developed in thick Mississippian-aged limestone strata, and is capped by a layer of sandstone making the system stable to collapses. Since this upper sandstone caprock is relatively difficult for water to penetrate, it keeps most of the cave dry. Speleothems require flowing or dripping water to develop. Thus, the majority of formations occur in only one section of this cave system.
FROZEN NIAGARA TOUR
A bus brings you along the road directly into the sinkhole, which is responsible for the New Entrance to the cave. Before entering the cave, look up and you will see the Big Clifty Sandstone capping the soluble limestone of the sinkhole. This sandstone cap is not as thick here, which allows water seepage and thus the formation of speleothems.
"The Frozen Niagara entrance provides easy access to this area of the cave. Walk through a fairyland of formations to learn how dripstone is formed. An optional 49 step staircase takes visitors under the Frozen Niagara formation to the Drapery Room. This easy trip is ideal for people who want a short introduction to Mammoth Cave. A ten minute bus ride to and from the entrance is included."
According to the Rangers, nearly 80% of the formations present in Mammoth Cave occur in this section of the cave. Enjoy the scope and variety of Earth Mother's handiwork as you explore this section.
ROCK-WATER RELATIONSHIP
Water is necessary for speleothems to form. The nature of the cave formation depends on whether the water drips, seeps, condenses, flows, or ponds.
RESOURCES
Geology of Mammoth Cave http://kgs.uky.edu/kgsweb/olops/pub/kgs/XSP7reduce.pdf
https://www.tripsavvy.com/mammoth-cave-national-park-kentucky-3361769