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About 20 miles west of Madison
Wisconsin, and just a half mile off of U.S. Highway 18/151, is a
natural limestone cave know as Cave of the Mounds. While not a
particularly large cave system, it is significant in its variety of
mineral formations and is considered to be a geological "jewel box"
among important American Caves.
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For much of its existence, Cave of the
Mounds lay hidden from mankind. For several millennia it
grew in silent darkness, sealed completely from the world above.
The cave was discovered in 1939 quite by accident when quarry
workers blasted away a wall of limestone revealing an opening. |
Fortunately, the workers realized they had discovered something
quite remarkable and work on the quarry was stopped immediately.
The cave was also immediately closed to protect it from those
curious types who might otherwise destroy the cave by breaking off
stalagmites and stalactites as souvenirs. (Yes, those types
existed even way back in 1939.) The cave was reopened in
1940, after wooden walkways and lights were installed. Cave of
the Mounds has been a 'show cave' ever since. Today the
walkways are concrete and the lighting can best be described as
theatrical, bringing out the true beauty of the cave.
You can explore the cave by 'Guided Tour Only' and it is well worth
the modest admission charge (check their website for current rates.)
There are some steps, uneven surfaces, and narrow passages, but tour
is a fairly easy 50 to 60 minute walk. It is a constant 50
degrees Fahrenheit in the cave all year round, so you may consider
long pants, a sweater or jacket. Decent walking shoes are a
must.
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The
beginnings of the cave go back to approximately two million years
ago when cracks in the large limestone deposits in the area began to
form. These fissures allowed naturally acidic rainwater* to
seep deep into the rock and start the process of dissolving the
limestone rock.
*Rainwater and melting snow form a weak carbonic acid because they
absorb carbon dioxide as they seep into the soils. This
carbonic acid slowly dissolves limestone, thereby shaping the cave.
There was a great deal more carbon dioxide in our prehistoric
atmosphere then there is today, but in essence, Cave of the Mounds
continues to grow and change through this natural process.
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Speleothems:
At this spectacular 'show cave' you will see the a broad range of
formation types (speleothems).
- Stalactites & stalagmites (the
most recognized cave formations)
- Curtains - flowing sheets of
deposits that look like curtains!
- Soda straws - thin hollow
tubes made of mineral deposits.
- Flowstones - mineral deposits
from water flowing over a surface.
- Helictites - unusual form of
stalactite that grows at odd angles.
- Oolites - a.k.a. "cave pearls"
very rare and do resemble pearls!
- Lily Pads - created by water
dripping into a puddle and slowly forming a deposit that
somewhat resembles a lily pad.
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by:
Dr. Von Zuko 2008 |
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Great American Road Trips Index:
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Roadside
attractions: 
