Indian Echo Caverns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indian Echo Caverns |
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| Wilson Cave, Hummelstown Cave, Stoverdale Cave, Giant's Cave, Indian Cave, and Indian Echo Cave | |
Interior of the show cave
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| Location | Derry Township |
| Discovery | c. 1802 |
| Geology | Beekmantown limestone |
| Entrances | 2 (1 used) |
| Access | public |
Indian Echo Caverns is a cool show cave you can visit in Derry Township, Pennsylvania, USA. These amazing limestone caves are open for everyone to explore on a guided tour. They are located near Hummelstown in Dauphin County.
Contents
Exploring Indian Echo Caverns
Indian Echo Caverns is a special type of cave called a show cave. This means it has been made safe and easy for people to visit. You can walk through the caverns and see incredible natural formations.
Inside the Caverns
The main entrance used today is found in a rocky cliff. This cliff is right along the Swatara Creek. There was once a second entrance, but it was closed off. This happened when the caverns first opened to the public in the late 1920s.
The parts of the caverns that people know about are where two main passages meet. One passage comes from the east, and another from the north. They join together at a right angle. This creates a very large open area. This big space is known as the "Indian Ballroom."
How the Caverns Got Their Name
Because the caverns have large, easy-to-reach openings, Native Americans likely used them long ago. They might have used the caves for storing things or as a place to find shelter. However, no direct proof of this use has been found over time.
The caverns have had many different names throughout history. Some of the older names include Wilson Cave, Hummelstown Cave, and Giant's Cave. It was also known as Indian Cave. When the caverns became a public attraction, they were first called Indian Echo Cave. More recently, the name was changed to Indian Echo Caverns.
The Geology of the Caverns
The Indian Echo Caverns formed in limestone rock. This type of rock is easily dissolved by water over many years. The same natural process that created these caverns also causes many sinkholes in the area. A sinkhole is a hole in the ground that forms when the surface layer collapses. This happens because there are caves or empty spaces underneath. These sinkholes can be found in an area stretching from Hummelstown all the way to Palmyra. They also extend south towards Middletown.
Images for kids
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Interior of the show cave
