CAVE TOURS ... Due to an elevator renovation project, there is limited access to the cave at this time. The monument will be rehabilitating the elevator through summer 2021. A modified cave tour will be offered beginning May 30. No advanced reservations for this tour.
EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS
National Monument
Each cacher must send his/her own answers BEFORE logging a find. ... "Geocachers must complete the tasks before they log the EarthCache as found." (4.3. EarthCache logging tasks)
Enjoy the journey (learning adventure) as well as the destination (smiley earned). Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. To get credit for this Earthcache, complete the following tasks:
NOTE: Answers via message -and- log signature picture is required to post a find for this cache.
1. MESSAGE …. A ranger described Jewel Cave as a giant geode. Explain why this is an accurate description of this cave.
2. MESSAGE …. The cave walls are predominately lined with Nailhead Spar and Dogtooth Spar. a. What is the difference between them? / b. What is the relative percentage of each found throughout the cave?
3. MESSAGE …. a. How big is the largest room in the cave? / b. What is it called? / c. Why is it called by that name?
4. MESSAGE …. Here are some of the formations you may encounter on your tour. Identify each of the formations. ... boxwork - breccia - drapery - flowstone - frostwork - gypsum beard - gypsum flowers - gypsum needles - gypsum spiders - hydromagnesite balloon - paleofill - popcorn - stalactites – stalagmites
LOG ... Post a picture of you or your signature item at anything you find interesting along your cave tour. This picture is your log signature.
OPTIONAL - Please respect the time and effort involved in finding and creating this earthcache by adding A B C to your log.
A. JOURNEY OF THE MIND ... Science explains what we observe. Relate (in your own words) something you found interesting in the reading. This adds to your learning adventure and your log.
B. JOURNEY OF THE HEART ... Art shares our personal experience of what we see. Share something special you found on site, and why it is special to you ... prose / story / poem / picture. This is a memorable addition to your log and will make other hearts smile.
Journeys of Heart and Mind ...
Stories to Touch the Heart and Puzzles to Challenge the Mind / Rainbow Tree Story
C. ADVICE FROM A GEODE ... Using the characteristics of a geode, add another line ...
Let your inner beauty shine through for all to see. Beauty Within
The outside doesn't show the true story. by chill and julie too
Everyone has beauty inside if you look beneath. by Essap
JEWEL CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT
"Jewel Cave was formed by the gradual dissolution of limestone by stagnant, acid-rich water. The water enlarged a network of cracks that had formed during the uplift of the Black Hills approximately 60 million years ago. The layer of calcite crystals that covers much of the cave walls was created by the re-deposition of calcite from water saturated with the mineral."
Jewel Cave is one of the world's longest caves worldwide stretching over 200 miles. The depth extends to the water table with 13 lakes intersecting it (since 2019). The calcite crystals lining the cave are predominantly nailhead spar and dogtooth spar. A large variety of formations are located throughout the cave. The wet parts (active) include the common types but in less abundance than other well known caves. The dry parts (inactive) contain some formations created by the deposition of gypsum. Jewel Cave also contains a very rare formation called a hydromagnesite balloon, created when gas of an unknown source inflates a pasty substance formed by the precipitation of the magnesium carbonate hydroxide mineral."
GEODES - CHARACTERIESTS
A geode (derived from the Greek "γεώδης", meaning "Earth-like") is a geological secondary formation within sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Geodes are hollow, vaguely spherical rocks, in which masses of mineral matter (which may include crystals) are secluded.
GEODES - REAL or FAKE
Synthetic geodes are created to look similar to natural ones. They have no imperfections and can be made in a rainbow of color variations. The main factor that defines a natural geode is the crystal interior formed within the cavity without any intervention by humans.
RESOURCES ... Jewel Cave / Calcite Crystal / Multimedia / Photo Gallery / Geology / Geodes / Real vs Fake / Wikipedia