Niagara Cave facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Niagara Cave |
|
|---|---|
Passageway in Niagara Cave
|
|
| Location | Fillmore County, Minnesota, United States |
| Depth | 200 ft |
| Discovery | 1924 |
| Geology | Galena formation, Ordovician Limestone |
| Access | Tours are available in season |
| Lighting | Solar Energy |
| Visitors | 25,000 - 30,000 per year |
| Features | Underground river, Subterranean waterfall, Wedding chapel, Fossils |
| Website | niagaracave.com |
Niagara Cave is an amazing underground world located near Harmony, Minnesota. It's a special type of cave called a limestone cave. This cool cave goes down about 200 feet (61 meters) into the Earth! Inside, you can find an underground stream, a tall waterfall, and even ancient fossils. You will also see incredible rock formations like stalactites and stalagmites.
Niagara Cave is owned by a private family. You can visit it during certain times of the year. About 25,000 to 30,000 people explore this natural wonder every year.
Contents
Discovering Niagara Cave
Niagara Cave was first found in 1924. It was a big discovery! Then, in 1932, three brave cave explorers, also called spelunkers, went deep inside. Their names were Al Cremer, Leo Tekippe, and Joe Flynn. They were the ones who gave the cave its famous name, Niagara Cave.
Opening as a Show Cave
Just two years later, in June 1934, Niagara Cave opened its doors to visitors. It became a "show cave." This means it was made safe and easy for people to explore and enjoy. A famous geologist named J Harlen Bretz studied the cave in 1938. He helped us learn more about its amazing features.
What Makes Niagara Cave Special?
Niagara Cave is known for many unique things. It's a great example of how water shapes the Earth over millions of years.
Underground River and Waterfall
One of the most exciting parts of Niagara Cave is its underground river. This river flows deep beneath the ground. It even has its own waterfall! The waterfall is about 60 feet (18 meters) tall. Imagine a waterfall hidden inside a cave! The Minnesota Geological Survey said in 1995 that Niagara Cave has "an excellent example of an underground river, complete with waterfall."
Amazing Rock Formations
Inside the cave, you'll see many cool rock formations. These are made over thousands of years as water drips through the limestone.
- Stalactites: These are pointy rocks that hang down from the cave ceiling, like icicles.
- Stalagmites: These are pointy rocks that grow up from the cave floor. They are formed by the drips from stalactites.
- Sometimes, stalactites and stalagmites grow together. They form tall columns!
Ancient Fossils
Niagara Cave is also home to many fossils. These are the preserved remains or traces of ancient plants and animals. They tell us about life that existed millions of years ago. Finding fossils in the cave helps scientists understand Earth's history.
The Wedding Chapel
Believe it or not, Niagara Cave even has a special area called the Wedding Chapel! People can actually get married deep inside the cave. It's a very unique and memorable place for a wedding.
How the Cave Was Formed
Niagara Cave is a limestone cave. Limestone is a type of rock that dissolves slowly in water. Over millions of years, rainwater seeps into cracks in the ground. This water is slightly acidic. It slowly dissolves the limestone rock. This process creates tunnels, rooms, and all the amazing features you see in the cave today. The cave is part of the Galena formation, which is from a very old time called the Ordovician period.
