Organ Cave EarthCache
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Organ Cave is a National Natural and Historic Landmark located in a small town that took its name just south of Lewisburg, in Greenbrier County WV.
According to scientists, the Organ Cave System was formed during the Mississippian Age, and contains rocks that may date back as far as 300 - 500 million years. The years have turned the shells and bones of animals who lived in an inland sea, the Mississippian Sea, into a large layer of limestone and shale. As rain fell through the years, it would pick up carbon dioxide to make a solution of carbonic acid which as it worked its way into cracks in the limestone would dissolve cavities. As the cavities became larger, water from the surface would be introduced, which would errode the shale more effectively creating larger gaps that allows limestone cap rock to collapse. Over time, the dissolving limestone creates a mineral rich solution that as it drip from the ceiling it leaves a small amount of calcium carbonate, which begins the formation of a stalactite. The stalactite first forms as a hollow tube similar to a drinking straw, but at some point may become clogged causing the mineral rich water to run down the outside, which forms the more common shapes seen in caves. As the water drips onto the floor of the cave, the mineral deposits begin to grow in the shape of a mound or cone, and this is the beginning of the formation of a stalagmite. Unlike stalactites, stalagmites are always solid.
To this point over 38 miles of Organ Cave have been surveyed making it the 8th longest in the US, with still more than 200 leads un-mapped. Organ Cave has also been the site of several major prehistoric fossil finds, including the first prehistoric three toes sloth. Organ Cave is still used by students of all ages and levels for studies in geology, science, biology, archeaology, and paleontology.
Organ Cave has many ties to American History, being used in the Revolutionary War, the war of 1812, and the Cival War being known as Lee's underground ammo factory.
In an e-mail to me, answer the following questions:
1. What 3 other fossil discoveries were made at Organ Cave?
2. The limekiln at the site was used to process what?
3. Give a rough estimate of the height of the opening into Organ Cave.
4. What year was Organ Cave founded?
Although not a requirement for logging the find, feel free to post a picture of yourself at coordinates with you GPSr with the cave in the background.
Answers can be found on the grounds and in the brochure provided in the guest area.
There is no fee to enter Organ Cave grounds to log a find. Optional tours are available at the guest building and do require a fee.
Grounds are open Monday - Saturday from 10:30 - 3:00pm during the Spring with extended hours in the Summer. Closed Sundays.
Above information gathered from literature obtained at Organ Cave.
Congrats to Cache Sleuth for the FTF!!!
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