Black Hills Caverns
Black Hills Caverns is nature's masterpiece of underground wilderness, featuring 28 different cave formations in three level wind caverns.
Geology and Chemistry
The walls of Black Hills Caverns consist of two types of limestone (coeymans and manlius) from different periods in the Earth's early history, as well as a rock known as rondout waterred.
Cave Life
With the exception of a few bats near the natural entrance, moss growing around the electric lights, and bacteria in the underground stream, there is little animal or plant life in Black Hills Caverns.
Cave Conservation
Great care must be taken to protect and preserve these great underground wonders. Caves are non-renewable natural resources which benefit and enrich our lives in many ways, a few of which are: insect control, scientific knowledge, water supply, education and recreation.
Prehistoric Era
It takes many thousands of years for the underground rooms to be formed. The rain water soaks through the soil, picking up carbon dioxide from the vegetation and soil. Water and carbon dioxide form a mild acid, carbonic acid, which as it seeps through limestone forms calcium carbonate. The calcite is deposited as crystals, stalactites, stalagmites, and many formations found in the caverns.
Scientists believe nature began to slowly craft Black Hills Caverns some six million years ago - long before even the ancient, extinct animal known as the woolly mammoth appeared on Earth. The caverns are unique for more than their age and beauty - they are among a very small number of mineral caves in the world.
Black Hills Caverns Contact:
On Hwy 44, four miles W of Rapid City.
Open May 1-Sept 30.
2600 Cavern Road
Rapid City SD 57702
Phone: 605-343-0542
Fax: 605-342-4579
Rapid City, SD Weather
Currently Outside51F Scattered clouds. Cool. |
