SubTropolis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SubTropolis |
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SubTropolis
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| Location | Kansas City, Missouri, United States |
SubTropolis is a massive man-made cave in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. It is located in the bluffs above the Missouri River. This huge underground space is known as the world's largest storage facility.
It's so big that it's even called the World's Largest Underground Business Complex. Many different businesses use this unique space for their storage needs.
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How SubTropolis Was Created
SubTropolis was dug out of a special kind of rock called Bethany Falls limestone. In some places, it is as deep as 160 feet (about 49 meters) underground.
The cave was made using a method called "room and pillar" mining. This means miners dug out large rooms and left strong pillars of rock to support the ceiling. The tunnels are 16 feet (5 meters) high and 40 feet (12 meters) wide. The pillars are 25 feet (7.6 meters) square.
Inside, there are almost 7 miles (11 kilometers) of lit, paved roads. There are also several miles of railroad tracks. This makes it easy to move goods in and out.
What Makes SubTropolis Special?
One cool thing about SubTropolis is its natural temperature. It stays between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (18 and 21 degrees Celsius) all year round. This natural climate control saves a lot of energy.
Many important organizations use SubTropolis for storage. The United States Postal Service keeps its collectible stamps there. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses space for training and logistics. The National Archives and Records Administration also stores federal records here.
Fun Facts About the Area
The person who developed SubTropolis also built the Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun amusement parks. These popular parks are located nearby, on the north edge of the complex.
Other Underground Spaces
While SubTropolis is the biggest, other places also use abandoned mines for storage. For example, an old mine in Butler, Pennsylvania is used for secure storage.
Many companies are looking for ways to use these large underground spaces. They can be used for all sorts of things. This includes growing mushrooms or storing things like crude oil.
