Skyline Caverns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Skyline Caverns |
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| Type | Natural area |
| Created | 1939 |
Skyline Caverns is a fascinating series of natural caves. It is a popular tourist spot in Warren County, Virginia. The caverns are located just one mile south of Front Royal.
A retired geologist (someone who studies Earth's rocks and landforms) and mineralogist (someone who studies minerals) named Walter S. Amos discovered these amazing caves. He found them on December 17, 1937. Today, Skyline Caverns welcomes visitors all year long. You can take guided tours deep into the Earth.
Discovering Skyline Caverns
How Walter Amos Found the Caves
Walter S. Amos was hired to find new caves. These caves would be near the famous Skyline Drive. During his search, he found a large sinkhole. A sinkhole is a dip in the ground, often formed when a cave roof collapses.
Amos noticed there was no water in this sinkhole. This meant there had to be a drain or opening nearby. He believed this was a sign that a hidden cavern system was below.
Clues from Nature: Camel Crickets
Amos then looked closely around the edges of the sinkhole. He was searching for an entrance to the possible caves. He found a small group of camel crickets living under a ledge. These crickets only live in dark, damp places. This was a big clue!
Opening the Underground World
Amos started digging at the spot where he found the crickets. He soon broke into the first "room" of the caverns. He discovered a huge system of connected rooms. Most of these rooms were already clear and easy to explore.
About 90% of the caverns were naturally open. Only 10% needed to be dug out, mostly near the entrance. However, the cavern floors were covered with about 14 inches of mud and clay. This mud had to be removed before people could visit.
When Skyline Caverns Opened
The hard work of clearing the mud took time. Finally, Skyline Caverns opened to the public on April 13, 1939. It was unusual because its discovery used scientific thinking. Scientists estimate the caverns are incredibly old, about 50 to 60 million years!
Amazing Anthodite Crystals
Finding Rare Crystals Underground
While clearing the mud, Amos and his team made another exciting discovery. They found an area that had been blocked for many years. After clearing this new section, the geologist found something very special: anthodites.
What are Anthodites?
Anthodites are a very rare type of crystal. They are perfect six-sided shapes made of pure calcite. These beautiful crystals are so unique that they are protected by Virginia State Law. They are kept behind special doors. A tour guide must open these doors for visitors to see them.
Exploring the Caverns Today
Your Guided Tour Experience
Today, you can take a guided tour of Skyline Caverns. Tours run all year, even on Christmas Day! A new tour starts every 15 to 20 minutes. Each tour lasts about one hour.
You will walk about 1 and 1/8 miles underground. The deepest part of the tour is about 260 feet below the surface. You will see about 20% of the entire cavern system. The rest is not open to visitors.
What You Will See Inside
On your tour, you will see many amazing cavern formations. These include stalactites (which hang from the ceiling) and stalagmites (which grow up from the floor). You will also see columns, "flow-stone," and the rare anthodites and aragonites.
The caverns also have five flowing streams. You will be able to see three of these streams during your tour.
More Fun at Skyline Caverns
Besides the cave tour, there are other fun things to do. You can enjoy a miniature train ride. There is also a tricky mirror maze to explore!
