Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Features of Geologic Interest
but was left in total darkness when his matches were
Oregon Caves National Monument
expended. Fortunately he was able to follow a running
In spite of the remote location 20 miles
stream back to the entrance, where his dog appeared
southeast of Cave Junction, the cavern at Oregon
shortly thereafter. The ill-fated bear was shot the next
Caves National Monument was thoroughly explored by
day.
the turn of the century when the park was established.
This cave has been developed in limestone lenses
In actuality, Oregon Caves is really only one cave,
of the Applegate Formation, which is part of the
approximately 1,600 feet from entrance to exit, with a
Rattlesnake Creek subterrane. Here 190 million year
variety of shapes, crystals, and graceful forms built up
old Triassic limestones were folded, fractured, and
of calcium carbonate dripstone.
altered to marble by heat and pressure resulting from
The cave system was discovered in late 1874 by
collision and accretion of the terrane. Percolating
Elijah Davidson while hunting for a winter supply of
groundwater widened the cracks and joints to tunnels
meat. Following his dog through the thick underbrush,
through the rock. In a final phase of cave formation,
Davidson found a cave opening. The dog had been
calcium carbonate carried in groundwater, precipitated
chasing a bear, and Davidson could hear the sounds of
icicle-like stalactites suspended from the ceiling and
both animals fighting deep within the cave. Venturing
stalagmites rising off the cave floor.
inside, Davidson lit matches to see where he was going,
A map and cross-section of the tunnel system of
Oregon Caves National Monument through the
Applegate Formation
