Staircase Cave EarthCache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(not chosen)
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Staircase Cave is located on the Birch Knob Section of Pine
Mountain Trail. This cave is one of many rock formations on this
section of the trail. This section of trail Traverses the
Kentucky/Virginia State line.
A cave is a natural underground void large enough for a human to
enter. Some people suggest that the term cave should only apply to
cavities that have some part that does not receive daylight;
however, in popular usage, the term includes smaller spaces like
sea caves, rock shelters, and grottos.
The formation and development of caves is known as speleogenesis.
Caves are formed by various geologic processes. These may involve a
combination of chemical processes, erosion from water, tectonic
forces, microorganisms, pressure, atmospheric influences, and even
digging. Most caves are formed in limestone by dissolution.
Solutional caves may form anywhere with rock that is soluble, and
are most prevalent in limestone, but can also form in other
material, including chalk, dolomite, marble, granite, salt,
sandstone, fossilized coral and gypsum. The largest and most
abundant solutional caves are located in limestone. Limestone
dissolves under the action of rainwater and groundwater charged
with H2CO3 (carbonic acid) and naturally occurring organic acids.
The dissolution process produces a distinctive landform known as
karst, characterized by sinkholes, sinking streams, and underground
drainage. Limestone caves are often adorned with calcium carbonate
formations produced through slow precipitation. This include:
flowstones, stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, draperies, soda
straws and columns. These secondary mineral deposits in caves are
called speleothems. The world's most spectacularly decorated cave
is generally regarded to be Lechuguilla Cave in New Mexico.
Lechuguilla and nearby Carlsbad Caverns are now believed to be
examples of another type of solutional cave. They were formed by
H2S (hydrogen sulfide) gas rising from below, where reservoirs of
oil give off sulfurous fumes. This gas mixes with ground water and
forms H2SO4 (sulfuric acid). The acid then dissolves the limestone
from below, rather than from above, by acidic water percolating
from the surface. To claim this earthcache plese answer the
following questions and include a picture of yourself in front of
Staircase Cave with your GPS 1. Estimate the length of this cave 2.
Estimate the size of the opening? 3. What do you think formed this
cave. (The answer may be found in the cave)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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Treasures
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