The Wonders of Kartchner Cavern State Park скачать в хорошем качестве

The Wonders of Kartchner Cavern State Park

Kartchner Caverns State Park is a remarkable underground attraction in southeastern Arizona, United States. Here's a concise overview of this unique state park: Location: The park is in Cochise County, Arizona, about 9 miles south of Benson and around 55 miles southeast of Tucson. Discovery: The caverns were discovered in 1974 by Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts, two amateur cavers. They kept the discovery secret for 14 years to protect the cave system. State Park Status: It became an Arizona State Park in 1988, and guided tours for the public began in 1999 after careful development to preserve the cave's delicate ecosystem. Cave Features: The caverns contain a wide variety of speleothems (cave formations) including stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, and rare formations like "bacon" and "soda straws." It's home to one of the world's longest soda straw stalactites, measuring 21 feet 3 inches (6.5 meters). The Big Room hosts a large colony of cave bats during part of the year. Tours: The park offers various guided tours through different parts of the cave system, including the Rotunda/Throne Room and the Big Room. Conservation: Stringent measures are in place to protect the living cave ecosystem, including air-lock doors, misting systems to maintain humidity, and limited tour sizes. Above-ground Attractions: The park also features hiking trails, a discovery center with exhibits, and a hummingbird garden.