What’s described as “a significant new cave” has been discovered within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in the Central Valley. Posted on 05/18/2007 12:19:04 PM PDT by LibWhacker
• Cave off limits to public as research continues
• ‘It will add to our knowledge’
What’s described as “a significant new cave” has been discovered within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in the Central Valley.
The discovery was made in August 2006 by four researchers affiliated with the Cave Research Foundation but made public only this week by the National Park Service.
The cave has been named Ursa Minor for the Little Dipper constellation.
The cave features large passages and rooms – many of which are more than 50 feet wide – and beautiful cave formations, the NPS says. These include long and graceful cave curtains, fragile soda straws up to 6 feet in length, and large areas of multicolored flowstones.
Crystals in the flowstone produce brilliant sparkles across the cave’s floors and walls. Ursa Minor has a cave lake that may be as much as 100 feet across, and vertical drops that must be traversed using ropes. Ancient animal skeletons were found in the cave including one that resembles a bear influencing the naming of the cave. Cave-adapted invertebrates that may be new or rare species have also been seen.
Three of the 27 new species recently discovered in parks’ caves appear to inhabit Ursa Minor. It is clear that several of the larger passages continue and the actual length of the cave remains unknown at this time, the park service says.
“We are all very excited about the discovery of this beautiful new cave. It will add to our knowledge of the parks, park wildlife, and park features,” says Park Cave Specialist Joel Despain. “Knowing that the cave exists will help us manage the area around the cave with its protection in mind. It is a fine new addition to the many wonderful caves in the two parks.”
In keeping with park policies, this new cave is automatically placed in Management Class 4 from the Park Cave Management Plan. Such caves are closed to recreational visits pending evaluation and scientific study. Park cave management staff are conducting a series of trips with subject matter experts to create an accurate and detailed map of the cave, inventory its features, conduct a biological inventory, photo document cave features and formations and gate the cave entrance to protect it.
The new cave was found as part of an on-going park-approved project managed by the Cave Research Foundation that conducts searches for new caves and cave passages.
Could we dynamite an opening so the rest of us can get in?
Any cave writings?............Like in China?............
New cave?.......Looks pretty old to me.........
I guarantee you that if ONE human bone is found in that cave the nearest Indian Reservation will claim it as their ancestor and forbid any further desecration of their ancient burial grounds..........
LOL!
LOL
Interesting, too, that they have an active search program looking for other caves. Wonder what things they look for? If it were me, I'd be flying overhead with a spectroscope, looking for telltale wisps of cave air.
I’m surprised the Indians didn’t find it........Thousands of years.....
“I’m surprised the Indians didn’t find it........Thousands of years.....”
This wasn’t the first time it was necessarily “discovered” Perhaps it was the first time it was discovered by somebody who cared.
Is it near Boyden Cavern?
“It will add to our knowledge,,,”
...unless you already know the difference between your ass and a hole in the ground, anyway.
Not sure. Same general area, of course. I think it’s exact location is still secret.
That made me laugh.
I saw an article recently that said California’s population is slated to hit 40 million people real soon... And we just found it.
They can live in the cave.........
There are some very pretty caves in King’s Canyon. In my younger days I caved there a number of times with a group affiliated with the National Speleological Society.
It is true that a lot of California caves were known durnig the Gold Rush, but probably more have been found (or re-found) in the intervening years. Many have been dug open or, as you say, had very small entrances that had to be enlarged.
Your idea of flying over looking for cave air is very perceptive. One way new caves are found is by ridge-walking in the winter and looking for plumes of warmer cave air fog or for spots where the snow is melted for no apparent reason. Another way is by digging at likely spots to see what can be found. In many, many cases explorers spend long years searching and digging and digging some more before finding anything (usually small). A find like the one in the article is a once in a lifetime thing!
I saw an article recently that said California’s population is slated to hit 40 million people real soon... And we just found it.And you probably saw an article saying that all of the land in California has been swallowed up by evil developers too.
Actually, California's population hit 30 million long ago and will probably hit 40 million before the next election.
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