MAMMOTH CAVEBy: Katie Hudson

Mammoth CaveNational Park

• Mammoth Cave was established July 1941 to keep the cave system preserved and to protect natural areas.• The Green and Nolin River is very special because it is the

biggest river throughout mammoth cave and also popular the people who had explored it and learned about it.

• People cannot build or hunt in the National park or else that would be hurting nature and it would take up all the space for nature the nature trail and for the animals.

• But people can camp and hike to explore and to see all sorts of rocks,caves,trees,plants,and animals.

Landforms It is Longest recorded cave system in the world, with more than 345 miles exported

and mapped. Stalactites: Drips of water from the ceiling containing calcium carbonate dissolve

forming hanging stalactites Stalagmites: The drips of water containing calcium carbonate hit the floor and build

up rocks called stalagmites.

Limestone which forms stalactites, stalagmites, and popcorn rocks are the type of rocks that can be found inside the cave. These rock formations are continuing to grow over millions of years. In fact, it takes 100 years for a stalactite to grow one inch longer!

Tiny animals that lived in the sea left behind skeletons. Over time, water and rivers flowed through and the limestone layers began to crack to let the water in. The water began to wash away the limestone and began to form into caves.

Air pollution can kill plants and animals. A new power plant is being built near the park. Water pollutions is another concern that can bring polluted water into the cave.

Visitors to the caves have to be careful not to touch the rock formations because they are fragile and millions of years of rock growth can break off in your hand! Many years ago, people burned their names into the cave walls which also damaged the caves.

Technology

Map of Mammoth Cave

This is a map of Mammoth Cave National Park. The caves are underground, but the beautiful woods and rivers are above.

Bibliography

 Graf, Mike. Mammoth Cave National Park. Mankato, Minn.: Bridgestone, 2004. Print

Lindop, Laurie. Cave Sleuths. Minneapolis, Minn.: Twenty-First Century, 2006. Print

Mills, J. Elizabeth. The Creation of Caves. New York: Rosen Central, 2010. Print

 Hanson, Jeanne K. Caves. New York, NY: Chelsea House, 2007. Print.