The Blowing Cave

Geology On The Rocks

Episode 37

After a crazy September, we are finally back back! This episode is a follow-up to the Speleology Special, and we dive a bit deeper into the fascinating world of caves. We begin our discussion with the controls of cave temperatures – latitude and altitude, among other variables. Fun fact, the temperatures at lower depths in caves can be regarded as “fossil” temperatures. An example of this is seen in the Pierre St. Martin Cave in France. This cave is measured to have a depth of 1,474 meters, and by doing a little bit of maths, temperatures near the bottom of the cave presumably reflect the average annual temperature of the region as it was nearly 40,000 years ago! Mind. Blown. We then focus on relative humidity, air currents, barometric changes, chimney & reverse-chimney effects that all lead to the blowing cave phenomenon. On the back half, we walk our way through how early cave scientists studied the breath of caves to help better understand the mysteries of the underground abyss. We then have a little discussion about the formation of caves in Texas and marvel at the epic names of the rooms get, using Natural Bridge Caverns as an example. As always, between the bars of our main discussion, we present to you another Mineral Minute, sponsored by Tyuyamunite, and we close things out with another That Freaking Rocks.

Until next time, we remind you to be cool, stay tuned, and keep it on the rocks!

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