The Geologic Oddity in Kentucky; The World's Longest Cave, Mammoth Cave

[@JonnoPlays]

Very excited to see an episode about a place I can actually visit!

[@EatsLikeADuck]

Featuring Kentucky on Derby Day. Well-played @geologyhub!

[@augustolobo2280]

As a speleologist myself, I've always wanted to visit the Mammoth Cave. I've been to the largest cave system in the southern hemisphere, the Toca da Boa Vista cave in the brazilian state of Bahia, which has around 120km in length. I helped mapping and surveying areas on the known end of the cave, on the frontier. One of the most incredible sensations a person can feel, being the first one to ever see a place, a small tunnel with hundreds of stalactites and stalagmites.

[@robertb6889]

I lived a couple hours from there for a few years but could never get a group to do an off-the-beaten-path tour/visit there.

[@DrewNorthup]

It is definitely a super awesome experience to have been the second of fewer people THAN HAVE BEEN TO THE MOON to have been someplace in the Earth. I hope to do it again sometime! ❤🦇⛏️📏📐🧭

[@sophierobinson2738]

That was my honeymoon destination. And my second trip.

[@augustolobo2280]

@@sophierobinson2738 What a coincidence, my parents went to the US for their honey moon and they visited the Mammoth Cave as part of the trip. You see, my father is a speleologist too and I got to enter this wonderful activity with him. Of course, it's more of a hobby, but we spent a lot of time and work on it anyways

[@sophierobinson2738]

@@augustolobo2280 Lucky you! I wanted to work in geology, but my father was totally against me being anything but a teacher! No way! I ended up being an aircraft mechanic. 😁 At age 70, I'm still fascinated with rocks and caves.

[@sayeager5559]

This is my local park. One of the most beautiful places on Earth.

[@TheSpaceEnthusiast-vl6wx]

Must have been awe-inspiring!

[@jayrich71]

I live in Eastview Ky about an hour north of the park. I've been several times throughout my life. I love it there.

[@carlmorgan8452]

Went 50 years ago as kid, remember like restaurant in there? .

[@BackYardScience2000]

Glad to see my home state featured for its geology. There's much,much more to be found here if you know where to look, as well.

[@ThatKyGirl1]

Totally agree! ❤

[@carrollsanders9376]

Been their many times.

[@pon2oon]

Been there, and done that! My father was a big cave explorer. We went on a big trip to Mammoth cave back in the late 1970's. With arrangements, me and my sisters slept in Floyd Collins house (not even joking!). Saw many a sight. By slightly cracking the lid, We even got to see a peak of Floyd Collins body in his coffin, which was on display back then. Floyd Collins body has now been buried at a cemetery. But all that aside, I got a historical experience, that I'll never forget!

[@tootsiequilt]

I've been to Mammoth Cave, and it sure is beautiful. It's amazing that the entrance is a sinkhole. There are lots of caves in the area, and plenty to see and do.

[@asherikamichaela8425]

Mammoth Cave is fascinating. I used to live practically in the park itself while I was enrolled in Great Onyx Job Corps just after high school. Definitely recommend going to see it for whoever gets the chance.

[@jayjaynella4539]

In 1976 after college semester ended, I went to Mammoth Caves Park. Went on the cave tour, and then went to the park itself, and found trails that were big enough for my car. Deep into the woods I went before getting out and eating a meal. A sunny day, with new leaves emerging on the trees, the sounds of silence were wonderful and soothing. Just the light breeze through the trees, and some birds singing. Spent an hour there and then went back to Indianapolis. Fond memories of that day still.

[@dennisud]

I'd love more of these short but informative videos on unique Geographic places! I myself have visited Mammoth Cave several times!

[@sherylcascadden4988]

Back in 1975, my family was going on a cross and country camping trip and stopped in many national parks and landmarks. We planned on going to Mammoth, but took a wrong turn, and by the time my parents figured it out, it was too late to turn back, but we were near enough to another cave and campground that we went there instead. We were in time for the last guided tour of the day and it was impressive! I don't remember the name of the cavern or campsite, but it was good enough for me, an after dinner we had s'mores and watched lightning bugs. Thanks for reminding me of that trip.

[@oceantree5000]

Hey hey!! I’m from Bowling Green, about an hour southwest of there. That was pretty much my favorite place in the world when I was a kid. Thanks for giving Kentucky some love!

[@smallfootprint2961]

Love Geology Hub. Thanks for showing us these interesting formations. I visited many national parks as a young mom, but now, as an older gal, I might never see them otherwise. I had no idea about this.

[@KG-xt4oq]

My family visited Mammoth Cave 45 years ago when I was just a kid. Seeing this video has me thinking about asking my brother and sister if they'd be interested in going there sometime this summer.

[@TheSpaceEnthusiast-vl6wx]

Wow. I had a book showing how caves were formed. ALthough I am not as interested in caves as I am with volcanoes and Astronomy, they are still awesome and beautiful! Mammoth cave really deserves its name.

[@samanthamorris8368]

Was just there to visit the cave last week and I loved it! I live in TN & have gone to see the caves five or six times. It is a great family trip to take for anyone who is curious or wanting some nature and or family time ❤

[@RAMelloh-ij5sl]

Mammoth Cave was the first cave I was ever in. I went with my family in the mid 1960's. We traveled south from Bloomington, IN on what seemed a very long drive with my 8 siblings and parents packed into a VW microbus with a cooler full of baloney sandwiches and a jug full of lemonade. We started early and spent the day in the park, returning home in the dark. It was a once in a lifetime extravagance at the time, my parents paying the admission for the whole family to enter the cave on a tour. I later learned that right where we lived in Indiana is rich in caves. We spent many a weekend spelunking in wild caves while in high school and college. Back then, one had to go to the library to find books, maps and anecdotal hints to locations for wild holes in the ground across south central Indiana, all by using the library card catalog, basic research and cross referencing. I started out hand copying maps and then copy machines became more common. Who knew one could crawl into a hole and find towering rooms the size of symphony halls, solution tubes the size of subway tunnels filled with roaring streams to wade through, astounding formations at many a turn, a lot of endless crawls, duck walks and tight squeezes, a bit of danger and a whole lot of mud. I always thought of cave exploration as mountain climbing in reverse. We go down, not up It is often a lengthy physical challenge that requires careful planning, outfitting and execution. I don't think my arthritic knees would let me do now what I did in the 1960's and 70's. I need some of those cushy guided walking tours. Always up for that, up for a return to Mammoth.

[@alsmith2764]

Grew up only a few miles from here. The tour sang me happy birthday down in the cave once. Such a beautiful place.

[@redmohawkguy1]

It was cool to see a video about limestone caves. I visited Wind Cave in South Dakota during a trip to the Black Hills some years back. Wind Cave, being a dry cave as the tour guide explained, has far less moisture running through it which created distinct rock formations other than stalactites and stalagmites. I saw those formations in person and they looked almost alien. If you plan to make more videos about caves in the future, the differences between wet caves and dry caves and their associated CaCO3 formations would be an interesting topic.

[@rickkearn7100]

GH, love the animations, most helpful in visualizing and uniquely yours! Cheers.

[@benwineland]

Thank you for sharing, Geology Hub! Your work is loved, enjoyed, and appreciated by millions! I have a topic request: The Origin of the Appalachian Mountains. Please and thank you!

[@MG-cu6ny]

It's pretty crazy how big some of these caves are. I've seen some on action adventure twins channel, just huge holes in the earth. Pretty fascinating.

[@heatherblack9491]

We used to go to Mammoth Cave every year when I was younger. I love it there

[@hillliscom8599]

When you mentioned the Green River, I immediately thought of the spot in northern Wisconsin where a river appears to disappear and then flow into lake Superior. Can you do a video about this type of River?

[@Nightscape_]

Thanks for these great videos. I am so happy I left Cali for Kentucky. This is only two hours from me; I am so going to see this!

[@VTPSTTU]

Thanks for this video. Years ago, I did some cave exploring, mostly in Virginia and Tennessee. I once saw gypsum flowers similar to those in a cave called Xanadu Cave near Crossville, Tennessee. I still have some pictures of them somewhere.

[@davidcooke8005]

Dunno if you've ever covered it, but there is a lake in the crater on top of Mt Rainier, but it is under the icecap. It would make an interesting topic.

[@Archzenom]

Yay! Chocolate hills in the first scene!

[@MrDan708]

Thanks for this video. Mammoth Cave is on my short list of National Park properties I want to see.

[@williamlhelm99]

been there many times. live close buy in bowling green. always a great time in the hot summer.

[@carbonstar9091]

Been there many times. Definitely recommend visiting.

[@you2angel1]

Strange this is the 2nd video I've seen about Mammoth caves on KZbin today. I'm a military brat, my sister was born in Kentucky so I already know about these caves. I'm happy to see one of my favorite channels is also doing a video about them °~•.♡.•~°

[@peterurich3282]

Thanks for the opening image of the chocolate hills if Bohol in the Philippines. I was part of two speleological expeditions to the province in the 1990s. Lots of interesting discoveries and a dozen papers written on various aspects of karst ecosystems. Now living near Waitomo karst area in NZ. Great work!

[@Dranzerk8908]

If you look at area from above it looks like a battlefield because of all the sinkholes. Also Green River is also VERY DEEP, like hundreds of feet deep in parts. The cave also was a huge part in history, from Native Americans to producing salt peter for ammunition during civil war...they actually have buildings underground for it! I highly recommend the 18+ tour of the cave, they take you off the beaten trails into other parts of the cave, they go to parts and tell you to turn off lamp lights to experience how dark and quiet it is. Truly amazing feeling, even if scary knowing that people have been trapped in cave without light.

[@AmazingPhilippines1]

Interesting. I will want to visit this site in the future.

[@membranealpha5961]

i love how its in kentucky of all places

[@EatsLikeADuck]

In all fairness, it was here first. The Commonwealth of Kentucky arrived much later.

[@membranealpha5961]

@@EatsLikeADuck well yeah i just think its funny cause when i think of kentucky i dont think of giant caves lol

[@EatsLikeADuck]

@@membranealpha5961 Most people think of coal, horses, and bourbon.

[@ericromano8078]

Hey question for ya. I live in northwest Ohio over what used to be huge swamp. We are above limestone as well. As far as I know there aren't any caves that have been discovered but how likely do you think it is that some may be there undiscovered?

[@owenkrisnitski4262]

The most interesting part is the largest chambers that most tours go through are actually completely dry. They’re overlain with a layer of impermeable material which allows the chambers to be structurally sound despite such immense interior volumes. There are entire buildings that were constructed inside of the larger sections of the cave.

[@Rev03FFL]

I highly recommend Mammoth cave. But if you are in the Western US, try Carlsbad Cavern in New Mexico. Quite impressive! Some Hollywood movie scenes have been filmed here including Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959).

[@kaoskronostyche9939]

I love my GeologyHub mineral supplements. Thanks again. Cheers!

[@davedavedave52]

would you please give a brief overview of the volcanism in northern Israel? I was very surprised today looking around on Google maps at Capernaum and Lake ram in.

[@brianplatt5327]

I would love to see you do a video discussing the Morrison sandstone formation in Colorado, specifically Red Rocks Amphitheater.

[@huntermossakajunkerman9646]

My parents took me here 12 years ago, ill never forget it.

[@gtbkts]

For some reason Yt didn't notify me of your recent video.. Anyways thanks for the awesome content and great video!!

[@djolley61]

You might want to do a video on the Ah-shi-sle-pah Wilderness study area in New Mexico. There are incredible formations and hoodoos even more bizarre than those in Goblin Valley in Utah. They include one called Alien Throne.

[@riverAmazonNZ]

For a moment I thought you said “Cursed terrain”! As a person who would never go into a cave it’s pretty accurate!! Jokind aside, karst is beautiful. See Paparoa national park in NZ.

[@jakeaurod]

Unfortunately, river floods can damage some cave systems. I remember visiting a cave in Missouri that had saber-tooth tiger pawprints in mud that was still damp since the animal visited thousands of years before. However, part of that had been destroyed by the 1993 Mississippi River flood.

[@bevinboulder5039]

I visited Mammoth Cave back in the sixties when I was a teenager and was very disappointed because there were no stalactites or stalagmites so I was surprised by your video. I just looked it up and Wikipedia says the upper parts of the cave are dry and have none. I guess I took the wrong tour.

[@moronnucleosus3339]

Large portions werent accessible until the last 30 or so years. Distant cousin of my dads side of the family was involved in mapping some of it. We were having a family reunion there and he took about 20 of us on a tour. It was amazing and scary as hell as well.

[@bevinboulder5039]

@@moronnucleosus3339 That would explain it! Thanks.

[@lorez201]

Can you do one about the Lechugilla cave system?

[@pon2oon]

Thanks!

[@travr6]

I live here. My house is literally on top of a cave. Beautiful area.

[@jbaez4914]

While it's not an oddity in itself, you should do one over how most of the world's caves are in the KY/TN/GA/AL region. Tennessee alone has over 20% (11,500+) known caves. Some of the most picturesque caves include: Rumbling Falls (TN) - Largest chamber in the country spanning 4 acres. Fantastic Pit (GA) - Deepest freefalling pit at 586 ft. Fern Cave (AL) - 30 miles of cave including a freefalling 436 ft pit. Stephen's Gap (AL) - Excluding Mammoth Cave it is maybe the most photographed cave in the nation and one of the deepest in Alabama (Alongside Neversink in depth too) Blue Springs (TN) - Was the longest in TN at 40 miles but was overtaken by Helm's Deep (50 miles) in West TN. Has the largest underground body of water in the nation (The Lost Sea).

[@Seafariireland]

Very interesting!

[@owainw3501]

I live in western KY and ive always wanted to go

[@richardknapp570]

It might be interesting to compare the speleogenesis of Mammoth with other caves like Jewel/Wind, Carlsbad/Lechuguilla, or Huatla (and more).

[@jurepecar9092]

Visit Kras region of Slovenia to discover the birth place of speleology.

[@lilBabyBornInCalifornia]

please do one on the Bisti bad lands

[@jimster1111]

hey man you should do a video on the valles caldera in jemez new mexico. one of the 6 active super volcanos on land.

[@lindaj5492]

😮 Mammoth cave is 426 miles: London to Inverness is 444 miles (as crow flies) 🤯

[@flamingorentals6819]

Do a video on the Tepuis of Venezuela

[@fatherjamiedennis1270]

My backyard, and probably under my backyard.

[@thomastroiano296]

I live off of Hwy 728 on the west side near Nolin

[@fatherjamiedennis1270]

@@thomastroiano296 my farm is off Highway 79, and between Caneyville and short creek.

[@thomastroiano296]

@@fatherjamiedennis1270 some of the best deer hunting where your farm is. In the early 2000’s, I would travel that way to Owensboro.

[@fatherjamiedennis1270]

@@thomastroiano296 agreed

[@tdw5933]

Just as much unexplored caves in Southern Indiana and probably the same vast cave system

[@brentkeller3826]

Ah, I see that Avernum is looking well.

[@bthall7]

Could you do a video on the limestone capital of the world also known as Indiana we have more caves than you can shake a stick at.

[@EEAGLEEYE07]

You go from huge, giant rooms to crawlspaces.

[@brianedwards7142]

A stalactite has to hang on tight to keep from falling. A stalagmite might reach the ceiling one day.

[@Slothery]

There is a spooky video by Internet Historian about a man who got stuck in part of this cave that he was trying to develop for cave tourism.

[@TheSpaceEnthusiast-vl6wx]

Oh no....

[@jackwood8307]

❤️👍❤️

[@meridianlyra7480]

My family surname is Karst!

[@wendellcombs622]

Being from eastern kentucky and having lived in Central kentucky for 20 years. ...... mammoth cave Is a long distance west of us folks in Central Kentucky. It is west of western kentucky university in Bowling Green.

[@maxpower1337]

Watch out for mole people they have a great sense of smell.😮

[@alanmctavish3628]

Sounds like he is talking through a culvert. Difficult to understand.

[@Ezzell_]

It us really distracting how you stretch out the last word of each sentence.

[@MrMisdemeanor1]

Talking too fast

[@jayrich71]

I live about an hour north of mammoth cave. I've heard the sink holes in my area may be connected with the cave system somehow.