Anthodites Calcium Carbonite Minerals forming needle like features.

Caves Week 2

AnthoditesCalcium Carbonite Minerals forming needle like

features.

StlagmitesSeptember 29, 2010

Water will drip for thousands of years leaving a trace of calcium carbonate behind which forms the Stalagmites.

StalactiteSeptember 29, 2010

Sometimes, the water will drip leaving the calcium carbonate hanging from the ceiling.

BreakdownPieces of lava tube ceiling or wall that have

broken off and fallen to the floor. Much of this breakage occurs during the cooling phase, as shrinkage of the tube's lining occurs and contraction cracks form.

ColumnsSeptember 29, 2010

A stalagmite, and stalactite will eventually combine forming a column.

Flow Stone (Cave Bacon)September 28, 2010

composed of sheet like deposits of calcite formed where water flows down the walls or along the floors of a cave.

Rimstone PoolSeptember 29, 2010

Formed when a large surface spreads out water allowing it to lose carbondioxide allowing calcite to be left behind.

Drapery      Draperies are deposited from calcite-rich

solutions flowing along an overhung surface. Surface tension allows these solutions to cling to a wall or sloping ceiling as they stream slowly downward.

Straw StalactitesStraws are dripstones pointing vertically

downwards from the cave ceiling. They are very straight, thin and fragile. They are always hollow, the water is coming from inside, the outside is normally dry. They are formed by dripping water.

Cave Pearlsthey were created similar to the way

oysters create real pearls. In the case of the cave pearls, as water dripped from the ceiling and splashed into a puddle, tiny amounts of calcium dissolved in the puddle water slowly built up around small fragments of rock. Over a long period of time, the accumulated layers of calcium created these smooth, round pearls

Tiered StalagmiteShape is determined

largely by drip rate, ceiling height, cave atmosphere conditions, and the carbonate chemistry of the drip water solution.

Cave Conservation CreedOctober 4, 2010

National Speleological Society believes:Caves have unique scientific,

recreational, and scenic values

These values are endangered by both carelessness and intentional vandalism

These values, once gone, cannot be recovered

The responsibility for protecting caves must be formed by those who study and enjoy them.

Conservation TipsOctober 4, 2010

• Always have permission to enter the cave, and observe any rules or restrictions the owner may specify.

Do not damage or remove anything from caves, formations, cave life or historical artifacts.

Avoid touching cave formations, particularly with muddy gloves, clothing or boots - many are quite fragile and mud on your hands can become embedded in the formations.

Stay on established trails through the cave to avoid tracking mud into pristine area. Never write or mark on cave walls or other surfaces, and do not leave food, trash of any kind, or human waste in the cave.

"Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time." (and keep those footprints on the established trails!)

BatsOctober 5, 2010

Bats are flying mammals.The forelimbs of bats are

webbed and developed as wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. The wing of the bat is composed of the forearm and extended “fingers” of the hand.

There are about 1,100 bat species worldwide.

Cave BatsOctober 5, 2010

Crystal Cave, WI is home to four species of bats. They can generally be seen in the cave throughout the year but are most common during the winter months. Bats are gentle, intelligent creatures that rarely interact with humans.

Wisconsin and Minnesota are home to seven species, all insect eaters. Three species spend only summer months in our area. The remaining four species are cave bats, are the most common, and remain here throughout the year.

Wisconsin BatsOctober 5, 2010

These bats are the little brown bat, big brown bat, eastern pipistrelle, and northern myotis.

Cave bats feed at night, catching insects such as moths, flying beetles, and mosquitoes. They use ultrasonic sound, called echolocation, to locate their food. This echolocation involves emitting a high frequency sound which bounces off obstacles.

Many people think bats are dirty, disease-carrying creatures. Bats are actually clean, relatively disease-free.

Little Brown BatOctober 5, 2010

Most common bat in Wisconsin This bat is about 3-3.5 inches long with a

wingspan of 8.5-10.5 inches. They gather together in clusters on the

cool cave ceiling to conserve body heat. Little brown bats return every year to the

same cave or building to hibernate. Little brown bats may live as long as

twenty-five years

Big Brown BatOctober 5, 2010

The big brown bat is approximately 4-5 inches long. It has a wingspan of about 12-13 inches

The bat’s fur is usually dark brown with the face, ears, and wing membranes a blackish color.

Big brown bats can be found in the city or country.

They like to roost in attics, barns, behind doors and shutters, and in hollow trees.

They may live to be as old as twenty years.

White Nose SyndromeOctober 5, 2010Named for a cold-loving white fungus typically

found on the faces and wings of infected bats, White-nose Syndrome causes bats to awaken more often during hibernation and use up the stored fat reserves that are needed to get them through the winter. Infected bats often emerge too soon from hibernation and are often seen flying around in midwinter. These bats usually freeze or starve to death.

Mortality rates approaching 100 percent are reported at some sites.

Cave Safety - - the DON’TsOctober 6, 2010

NEVER run or jump in a cave. (Twisted ankles would be a major rescue effort!)

NEVER cave alone.NEVER use a flashlight as a

primary light source (have back-ups)

NEVER break or remove formations in caves - - that just took thousands of years to grow!

NEVER graffiti on the wallsNEVER not tell someone where

you are going

Cave Safety PrepOctober 6, 2010

1. Know your group – experience, medical, fitness

2. Equipment – proper equipment in condition3. Whereabouts known – EXACTLY where you

are4. Know your limits – stay within your limits5. Conservation ethic – take care of the beauty6. Consider “what-ifs” – know what to do just

in case7. Know your cave – avoid dangerous areas8. Permission to enter cave

What to BringOctober 7, 2010

Clothing – strong durable, fast dryingBoots/ tennis shoes – ankle support,

tractionHelmet – good quality rockclimbing helmetFood – depending on how much time

insideLight source – flashlightFirst aid kitWater – to keep hydratedWool or synthetic hatEmergency phone numbers