Ohio Caverns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ohio Caverns |
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Postcard view of entrance
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| Nearest city | West Liberty, Ohio |
Ohio Caverns is an amazing underground world located in Ohio, not far from West Liberty. It's like stepping into a giant, sparkling secret! This special place is the biggest cave system in Ohio and is famous for its incredible crystal formations. Imagine seeing thousands of shiny stalactites and stalagmites, many of which are still slowly growing today! Long, long ago, this cavern was actually an underground river, filled with water from melting glaciers. Now, that river has moved deeper, leaving behind the beautiful caverns we can explore. It's a popular spot for visitors and is part of the National Caving Association.
Discover Ohio Caverns: An Underground Adventure
Ohio Caverns offers a unique chance to explore a hidden world beneath your feet. When you visit, you'll see stunning natural art created by water and minerals over thousands of years. About 90% of the cave's formations are still "active," meaning they are still growing, drop by tiny drop. This makes the caverns a living, changing natural wonder.
How Did Ohio Caverns Form?
Ever wonder how a huge cave like Ohio Caverns gets made? It's a fascinating story that took millions of years! Caves usually form when water slowly dissolves rock, creating tunnels and rooms underground. For Ohio Caverns, the story involves ancient glaciers and a special kind of rock.
The Story of Glaciers and Rocks
Long, long ago, huge sheets of ice called glaciers covered much of Ohio. As these glaciers slowly moved and melted, they caused a lot of erosion. This erosion was especially strong in certain areas, like around a sunken part of the land called a "graben." Think of a graben as a long, dropped-down block of Earth's crust.
Because of this erosion, the protective layer of rock called Bedford shale was worn away in some places. This left the limestone underneath more open to water. Over time, the graben area, which was once lower, actually became a high point because the surrounding land eroded even more. Today, this area is the highest point in Ohio, sitting at 1,549 feet above sea level. This unique geological history helped create the perfect conditions for Ohio Caverns to form.
