0
A web-site devoted to the cave's geology(rozylowicz.com) gives passage inception in already-fractured Permian limestone, as 20-30MA, after uplift had advanced sufficiently for karst development to start.
I have also seen elsewhere an age of <4MA, but that was based on analysis of minerals in one area of the system.
I would though treat Rozy Lowicz's work with some caution because it implies the cave's large passages and chambers were formed by collapse, not dissolution. This cannot happen. Collapses fill caves, not form them. For breakdown to occur, there has to be a void for the weakened rock to collapse into; and in the active phase of the passage the stream erodes fallen rock away.
A karst cave passage can only be formed by a stream; but infilled by blockfall as percolation water attacks the rock surrounding the joints in the roof rock.
Far more likely the dry passages in Carlsbad Caverns are like those in any fossil cave (including a far more modest caveI am helping explore): the original streams have changed courses or disappeared altogether; and the dry passages are now decaying.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico began to form around 250 million years ago, during the Permian period. The majority of the caverns' development occurred between 7 and 14 million years ago, through a combination of sulfuric acid dissolution and erosion of the limestone bedrock.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
When did Carlsbad Caverns start forming?
Carlsbad Caverns began forming approximately 250 million years ago, with the majority of the cave's development occurring during the last 5-10 million years. The caves were formed by sulfuric acid dissolving the surrounding limestone bedrock to create the magnificent caverns we see today.
Who founded carlsbad caverns?
The Carlsbad Caverns were not founded by a single person, as they are a natural formation that has existed for millions of years. They were discovered by Native Americans centuries ago and were formally explored and documented by European settlers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
How long ago was the giant's causeway formed?
The Giant's Causeway was formed approximately 50-60 million years ago during a period of intense volcanic activity.
What is the age of eyjajajokull?
Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland was formed around 700,000 years ago and last erupted in 2010.
How long have caves been around?
Caves have been around for millions of years, with some of the oldest known caves dating back to at least 40 million years ago. Many caves are formed through a process called karstification, which involves the dissolution of soluble rocks like limestone over long periods of time.
When did carlsbad cavern form?
In 1930, US Congress created Carlsbad Caverns National Park from the same area previously protected as Carlsbad Cave National Monument by President Calvin Coolidge.
When did Carlsbad Caverns start forming?
Carlsbad Caverns began forming approximately 250 million years ago, with the majority of the cave's development occurring during the last 5-10 million years. The caves were formed by sulfuric acid dissolving the surrounding limestone bedrock to create the magnificent caverns we see today.
How was Carlsbad Caverns formed?
•They were formed by H2S (hydrogen sulfide) gas rising from below, where reservoirs of oil give off sulfurous fumes. •This gas mixes with ground water and forms H2SO4 (sulfuric acid). The acid then dissolves the limestone from below, rather than from above, by acidic water percolating from the surface. •Formed 100o of years ago.
How long ago was Jupiter formed?
jupiter formed 4.5 Billion years ago
How long ago was the Pangaea formed?
About 200 million years ago.
When were the carslbad caverns formed?
Sometime within the last 11 million years according to what I could find rapidly on-line from here, in an on-line science magazine-once I'd waded through the exasperating crap Ask throws at you to reach anything useful. That 11Mya (Million years ago) mark is of regional tectonic upliftso is the boundary. The Big Room level of Carlsbad Caverns was dated radio-isotopically to just about 4Mya. If any of Carlsbad still takes a stream then that "active" series will still be developing. Ref: AAAS/Science web-site. What I found was simply an abstract. You'd have to register (subscribe?) to learn more. Or find other publications.
How long ago was the giant's causeway formed?
The Giant's Causeway was formed approximately 50-60 million years ago during a period of intense volcanic activity.
How long ago were rhinos formed?
around 20 million years ago
How long ago was One Direction formed?
They were formed on 23rd July 2010.
How was loch ard gorge formed?
how every people formed it a long time ago
How long ago did the galazies form?
We believe that most galaxies formed shortly after the universe itself formed, about 14 billion years ago.
How was table rock formed?
By lakes a long time ago
