In recent years, caver explorers have discovered miles of new cave within the Fort Stanton Cave in Lincoln County, New Mexico. This new discovery is the biggest new American cave discovery in decades.

The bottom of Snowy River is covered with bright white coatings. Very slow moving ground water dissolved the grayish-brown limestone walls of the cave and recrystallized that limestone into a different white-colored mineral called calcite, creating a white cave formation in the bottom of the now dry cave passage. The passage has been subjected to numerous infilling of ground water saturated with calcite, which during periods of drying laid numerous coats of calcite as it evaporated or slowly drained from the cave. The cave formation lying on the bottom of Snowy River may well be the largest continuous cave formation in America.

It’s also one of the most beautiful. An ethical quandary trying to make sight of it available without damaging its pristine beauty.




  1. ECA says:

    I think the USA has gotten away from an OLD idea.
    An idea that created many great nations, and Great past’s…

    Exploration and discovery.

    I also think that we are being KEPT BUSY.
    So we don’t get ourselves into trouble.
    Give us small problems, give us STRESS, make us NOT CARE. the only thing they wish is for us to pay BILLS.

  2. Daniel says:

    ECA..

    I’m not against using CAPS.
    But I do find your posts OBNOXIOUS.
    If they were remotely ON TOPIC perhaps I would think otherwise.

  3. Floyd says:

    I’ve been in that cave, though not in the Snowy River area. One of the scientists that are exploring and studying that area (woman in the red coveralls) is a long time friend, as is her husband.

    Incidentally, Snowy River is sometimes a flowing stream, and sometimes completely dry.

    It’s likely that because the passage is so pristine, the only people that will be allowed in that part of the cave will be scientists.

  4. Matt says:

    In recent years, caver explorers have discovered miles of new cave within the Fort Stanton Cave in Lincoln County, New Mexico. This new discovery is the biggest new American cave discovery in decades.

  5. Libertican says:

    Interesting pics on the linked site. I am not claustrophobic, but I can’t imagine being the first person going through that small cave entrance not knowing what the payoff would be. Shudddddder.

  6. ECA says:

    2,
    and how long has it taken to discover this section of an existing cave structure?
    Because they won’t let Others wonder and discover, they can only let specific persons into these areas.
    yes, I know, they want to keep it PRETTY, they don’t WANT people to DIE or have accidents..
    They don’t want 1000+ persons carrying garbage into the caves and picnicking, and throwing beer bottles.

  7. ECA says:

    The same goes with exploring space..
    Exploring the Sea…

    LET people GO and LOOK and find..
    Give them all cameras, and wonder the Sea and space, let them design things to wonder EVERY PLACE..

  8. Glenn E. says:

    They’re probably thinking of protecting it just long enough for Hollywood camera crews to stomp around inside and photograph it, for a fee. You can be sure National Geographic will be allowed to roam around filming inside. And all that pristine calcite “snow” won’t be pristine for long. But as long as New Mexico gets the film revenue, screw the public’s needs.


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