Devil's Icebox EarthCache
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Devil's Icebox
While there are many attractions in central Missouri, one gem, located southeast of Columbia, outshines them all. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is one of Boone County’s most popular attractions. The park itself is a treasure trove to both the geologist and simply curious alike due to its concentration of geological phenomena in its 2,273 acres.
While often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, the Devil's Icebox is worthy of its own investigation. It is the remaining cave that the more famous Rock Bridge originates from. Rock Bridge and Devil's Icebox are separated by a canyon, collapsed remnants of the larger cave system. The limestone that makes up this area is the Burlington Limestone.
This cave, much like many other caves, was formed when rainwater seeped into the ground. This water, carrying a weak form of carbonic acid, slowly enlarged cracks and crevices. Adding the erosional effects of groundwater, over time those crevices enlarged to the passages we see today.
The cave itself has miles of explored passageways, some dry and some filled with water, and it generally trends in a southeast direction from the cave's opening. Sinkholes throughout the area are a reminder of the underground world, some of which open directly into the cave.
While Devil's Icebox seems like a desolate place, it is home to many forms of life, some of which are unique to the area. For instance, the cave is home to many species of bats, including gray bats and some endangered species.
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park owes it existence as a public area due to the efforts of Professor Lewis Stoerker, once part of the University of Missouri faculty. He initiated the purchase of this land for public use as a memorial to his nine-year-old daughter Carol, who was killed when struck by a car. It was dedicated by Governor Christopher Bond on the 50th anniversary of the State Park Board.
SOURCE: Geologic Wonders and Curiosities by Thomas R. Beveridge,
Second Edition, revised by Jerry D. Vineyard, 392 p., 163 figs., app., 1991.
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is open from sunrise to sunset. Do not seek the cache outside of these hours! Doing so will jeopardize the hides in the park.
Please note that this Earthcache can be done from the listed coordinates.
Don't go into the cave! White-nose syndrome is confirmed in Missouri and doing so could endanger the bats that live here.
To get credit for this EarthCache, please answer the following questions, email or message them to me through my profile and then log your find.
Any logs that do not follow these requirements will be deleted.
1. According to the informational sign before you, not counting bats, what are the other kinds of animals that live here?
2. How many miles of known passage are there, according to the sign?
3. Find the picture of the soda straws. How long is the longest?
4. What is the elevation at the posted coordinates?
5. While completely optional and not required, it would be nice to post a photo of yourself with the Devil's Icebox behind you.
Permission for this cache has been given by Superintendent Jim Gast of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)