subject: History of Carlsbad Caverns [print this page] Carlsbad Caverns are some of the most interesting caves in the United States, and they are now one of the country's most treasured National Parks. The caverns were formed millions of years ago as part of a larger basin. The interesting thing about these caves is how, exactly, they were formed. Typical caves are cut out by the slow dripping of groundwater that eventually carries away rock sediment to carve out the cave. The Carlsbad Caverns, though, were formed not only by groundwater but also by sulfuric acid that formed with some interesting geological phenomena in the area. This acid helped to form the biggest part of some of the caves' interesting features.
The caves in Carlsbad Caverns National Park were made a national monument in 1923. In 1930, the entire park was set aside for preservation. It took a while, though, for people to really understand what the caves held. For many years, people used the caves to collect valuable bat guano. This was great because over 400,000 bats lived in the caves, and there are still thousands upon thousands of Brazilian bats in these caves today.
The first person to really explore the Carlsbad Caverns was Jim White, an area local. Using handmade tools and his own ingenuity, White went spelunking in the caves and found some of their most interesting features. Many of the areas of the caves still retain the names that White gave them during his original explorations.
Today, Carlsbad Caverns still have much to offer the United States. They're a beautiful sight and some of the most interesting caves in the United States. They also hold many historical artifacts from the Indians and Mexicans who originally lived in this area. The cave has held more than a million artifacts that are still being preserved by the park rangers today. Besides this, the cave is home to some of the most interesting fossils in the United States, and it's a great place to learn about the country's natural heritage, as well.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is really a must-see destination for American families today. The caverns offer many guided tours for different people to enjoy. You can walk through many areas of the caves on your own or with a guided tour led by the knowledgeable park rangers. Besides this, you can enjoy camping in the park or watch the bats come out in droves at night.
