Spanish cave has extensive collection of helicitites ever

[Ernie Coffman]

This is quite a find, so go to this link http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010 ... nts-submit and see the article on the "most extensive collection of helictites ever found, and one wonders why we've never heard of it before now. The area is full of caves and this one had been mined for zinc from 1857 to 1978, but is now a science project, as well as a tourist cave, so...enjoy, but

[Steven Johnson]

It may be so, but the few and small photos from the article don't make it look *that* extraordinary in the helictite department, at least by worldwide standards. Perhaps someone know of more/better photos that more adequately back up the claim?

[caverdan]

I wonder if they have ever been to Breezeway.

[trogman]

A few other helectite meccas come to mind- Helectite Heaven, in Fern Cave, and a cave in New Zealand called "Bohemia Cave." The photos of the room called "The Dream of the Alberice" are awesome.

It would be nice to see more photos of this Spanish cave, but when I googled for images, most of what came up was of the prehistoric cave art.

Trogman

[Steven Johnson]

and a cave in New Zealand called "Bohemia Cave." The photos of the room called "The Dream of the Alberice" are awesome.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking of. Maybe the Spanish cave has more, but Bohemia is pretty jaw-dropping. (My profile pic is a shot from there.)

[Martin Sluka]

http://www.orcus-speleo.cz/viewpage.php?page_id=39

just another cave full of crystals, helictites, ...

[Martin Sluka]

Emine Bojir Chasar

http://www.orcus-speleo.cz/viewpage.php?page_id=54
http://www.paveldobes.com/galerie/jeskyne.html
http://www.tvmarko.cz/video/emine_bojir_chasar.wmv
http://tinyurl.com/3a3uppz
http://tinyurl.com/35264ak

[Ernie Coffman]

NZ, I really didn't put the article on CaveChat to let others know that "this" particular cave was "the most extensive one with helicites," but that's the way the BC newspaper put the article out; thus, I was just sharing. It seems to have taken on a "can you top this" discussion, so that's the way it goes. As Steven wrote there are other caves that are full of these fabulous formations, as well. And, like Dan wrote, Breezeway comes to mind.

Anyway, here are some other links that were available to view:

http://www.elsoplao.es/ENG/itinerario.htm

There are caves, even ones that are open to tourists with this type of concretions inside, but there are none with the abundance and grandeur of those in the Soplao cave.

http://www.erik-rasmussen.com/blog/2010 ... plao-cave/

http://www.lasrozasdecabuerniga.com/index13.htm

http://www.turismocantabria.net/eng_soplao.htm

El Soplao Cave has been already baptized as the "Cathedral of the Geology" as it has the highest amount and best quality of eccentric formations ...

Again, this last statement was just taken from the Internet and is not my thought, but the thought of the person who put it out there.

[Martin Sluka]

El Soplao Cave has been already baptized as the "Cathedral of the Geology" as it has the highest amount and best quality of eccentric formations ...

"Cathedral of the Geology" :) I apologize myself, but there are many others "Cathedrals of the Geology". Main difference is if the baptists are able to visit only part for tourists or not. It is very common, to make science from concrete paths only.

One example: There is a cave in Slovakia which small part is for tourists too. There was big big problem with biologists, because only one small lake on tourist path with few cave bugs. But in rest of cave there are many of such lakes. But they are not accessible for those biologists.

[KeyserSoze]

I was curious to know if there are any tourist caves that have trails for viewing helectites or crystals. All of the tourist caves I've ever been to only seem to have the most common formations. Are there any tourist caves like that in the USA?

[ArCaver]

I was curious to know if there are any tourist caves that have trails for viewing helectites or crystals. All of the tourist caves I've ever been to only seem to have the most common formations. Are there any tourist caves like that in the USA?

Most show caves in the Ozarks have at least a few. It's unlikely the guides will point them out but if you keep your eyes open you can spot them. Caverns of Sonora in Texas is known for helectites.

[Phil Winkler]

Caverns of Sonora in Texas came to mind to me, too. Just last year or so a visitor broke off and stole the famous butterfly formation from there. This picture was taken in 1973 or so.

[Steven Johnson]

I was curious to know if there are any tourist caves that have trails for viewing helectites or crystals. All of the tourist caves I've ever been to only seem to have the most common formations. Are there any tourist caves like that in the USA?

Black Chasm (northern CA) has a pretty good set of path-viewable helictites.

[reeffish1073]

Dont know about the tourist cave thing, but my project has some awsome ones!

[Anonymous_Coward]

Timpanogos Cave National Monument has many helictites that can be seen from the tour trail.