Colossal Cave is a large cave system in southeastern Arizona about 22 miles southeast of Tucson. The cave contains about 3.5 miles of mapped passageways. Temperatures inside average 70F year-round.
The cave formations include stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, boxwork, and helictites. During guided tours you descend and climb a 6-story stairway to access the cave interior.
Colossal Cave Mountain Park
Vail, Arizona
December 2017
Colossal Cave by
Paul Sager, on Flickr
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4707/25144330367_09a1942e6a_h.jpgColossal Cave was used from 900 to 1450 AD by the Hohokam, Sobaipuri, and Apache Indians. The cave was rediscovered in 1879 by Solomon Lick, the owner of the nearby Mountain Springs Hotel. He was searching for stray cattle when he discovered the entrance to the cave.
Colossal Cave http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4748/40014746841_86383523bb_h.jpgColossal Cave is an ancient karst cave, classified as "dry" by guides (though this is not a speleologic term). The meaning is the formations are completely dry, or "dead", and are no longer growing.
Colossal Cave http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4696/26142224318_dfd8161014_h.jpgKarst is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves.
Colossal Cavehttp://farm5.staticflickr.com/4616/39983437402_0f35da4db1_h.jpgThe study of karst is considered of prime importance in petroleum geology as roughly 50% of the world's hydrocarbon reserves are hosted in porous karst systems.
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Colossal Cave is a large cave system in southeaste... (
