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Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico
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Created slowly over the millennia, Carlsbad Caverns' formations have been considered by many as the Eighth Wonder of the World.
Each movement of the earth, each drop of water, each puff of acidic air has left its mark on the caverns' formation. It began about 250 million years ago with the creation of a long reef in an inland sea. The sea eventually evaporated and left the reef buried under deposits of gypsum and salts.
Then, 20 to 30 million years ago, the Guadalupe Mountains were uplifted, fracturing the ancient reef. Groundwater seeping into these cracks combined with hydrogen sulfide gas from the oil and gas deposits below, creating sulfuric acid. This very strong acid carved out the large rooms and passageways that exist today.
Finally, about 500,000 years ago, after groundwater levels had dropped, the slow process of speleothem— stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone—formation began with a single drop of water. Drop by drop, and millions of years later we have what we see today!
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Jonny Tsunami suggested this perspective.... it's my favorite!
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Thank you for taking the time to look at my photos.
There are plenty of other galleries if you are interested. Please feel free to leave me comments or suggestions below.
Check out my website at www.truelifeimages.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/truelifeimages
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Comments on This Gallery Page
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CC05
by a landslide! so good.
CC13 sweet and phallic.
» Posted by
ChrisCarlson
on 6/26/2006 10:06:47 PM.
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cc 16
amazing place and photos. can't tell if cc 16 is smooth, wet, rough, sparkling. simply amazing formation. thanks for the explanation. wish i could go there.
» Posted by
jude
on 6/28/2006 7:19:15 AM.
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