Are you ready to experience a National Park without leaving your classroom? Jump in to The Walking Classroom’s brand new episodes, thanks to the incredible support of the National Park Foundation! Hear from two Park Rangers and two students as they guide you around Mammoth Cave National Park and teach you about the history of the cave. Then tune into the second episode to learn about cave weathering and erosion.
These podcasts were created with a grant from the National Parks Foundation.
Episode 1: The History of Mammoth Cave National Park
Learn about the rich history of Mammoth Cave National Park. This geographic area has significantly impacted people in Kentucky and worldwide, from prehistoric times to the present, through exploration, saltpeter mining, and tourism. Beyond its historical importance, Mammoth Cave National Park boasts incredible biodiversity, with a vast array of plant and animal life. As we continue to explore Mammoth Cave, let’s commit to preserving this natural wonder.
Episode 2: Cave Weathering and Erosion
Dive into cave weathering and erosion! Caves are hollow spaces underneath the earth’s surface with openings large enough for a person to enter. Many caves form in a karst environment, a type of landscape made of rocks like limestone, or dolomite, that slowly dissolve in the presence of water with a slightly acidic tinge. There are several different types of caves, and they are named by how they are formed. The most common type of cave is a solutional cave, a cave formed by the chemical reaction of water with limestone bedrock. While chemical weathering gets things started, caves continue to develop over time through ongoing physical and chemical weathering, as well as erosion.