Mammoth Cave, Limestone cave system in Kentucky, United States
Mammoth Cave is a limestone cave system in the state of Kentucky, extending more than 650 kilometers beneath the surface. The passages run through several levels of rock, connecting large chambers with narrow gaps, underground rivers, and waterfalls.
Indigenous peoples explored the caves about 4,000 years ago, leaving behind footprints, tools, and torch remnants in the deep passages. In the 19th century, the cave became a source of raw materials during the War of 1812.
The name comes from the sheer size of the underground passages, which reminded early explorers of prehistoric animals. Visitors today still see traces of the historical saltpeter mining in the form of wooden pipes and transport systems from the early 1800s.
Most guided tours start at the visitor center and last between one and six hours, depending on the chosen route. Some tours require sure footing and good physical condition, while others follow paved paths and are accessible to nearly all visitors.
The Echo River flows through the lowest level and hosts blind fish species that adapted to complete darkness over thousands of years. In some sections, the water is so still that dripping sounds from the ceiling can be heard from far away.
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