Fox Cave facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fox Cave |
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| Ice Cave | |
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A photo taken of the exterior of Fox Cave in 1955
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| Location | Ruidoso, New Mexico |
| Geology | Micritic limestone |
Fox Cave is a fascinating natural cave located in Ruidoso, New Mexico. You can find it along East Highway 70, between the towns of Roswell and Alamogordo. This cave has a cool history! It was once used as a secret hideout by a famous person from the Old West.
That person was Billy the Kid, a well-known frontier outlaw from the 1800s. He was also known as William H. Bonney. The cave offered a perfect place to hide away.
Discovering Fox Cave
Fox Cave was first known by a different name. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, people called it "Ice Cave." This name likely came from how cool it stayed inside. It might have even had ice formations during colder times.
How the Cave Formed
The rocks that make up Fox Cave are mostly a type of rock called micritic limestone. This is a very fine-grained kind of limestone. The cave itself was not always there. It formed over many, many thousands of years.
The Ruidoso River played a big part in shaping the cave. Over time, the river's water slowly wore away the rock. This process, called erosion, carved out the passages and chambers we see today. It's amazing how nature can create such incredible spaces!
