Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in Southeastern New Mexico. There are more than 300 known caverns, around 85 of which are located within the park. The caverns were formed when the earth's crust shifted and formed cracks in the limestone. This allowed water to sift through the limestone. The slightly acidic water dissolves some of the limestone and carries it downward. When the water evaporates the limestone appears to have flowed downward and forms a stalactite. Water that does not evaporate drips to the floor and after evaporation forms a stalagmite. They always form in pairs. When the stalactite and stalagmite grow together they form a column. The average growth rate of stalactites is 0.13mm (0.005-inches) a year. The quickest growing stalactites are those formed by fast flowing water rich in calcium carbonates and carbon dioxides. They can grow 3mm (0.10-inches) a year. The cave temperature is a constant 56F. Entrance to the caves is either by a gentle 1/2 mile long downward walk of 750-ft. or descent of 900-ft. by elevator, exit is only via elevator. From April to September the caverns are home of approximately one million Mexican free-tail bats that live in one of the branches of the cave. Each sunset the colony emerges which takes up to half an hour. There are numerous large caves, one, called 'The Big Room' is 1,800-ft. long and 1,100-ft. wide, another is 250-ft. high. A walking tour, about 1.5 miles long, allows visitors to see some of the caves. The majority of caves are off limits and there are many still unexplored. Many formations of stalactites and stalagmites have names and are lit by colored lights. Carlsbad Caverns were made a National Monument on October 25, 1923 and a National Park on May 14,1930. They were made a World Heritage Site on December 6, 1995. This picture was taken in September 1998 and later scanned. Thank you for viewing and commenting on my recent uploads and a special 'Thank you' to those that may have added some of them to their favorites, Sig...