San Francisco Public Library

The Kartchner Caverns

videorecording

The Kartchner Caverns

921961982

Originally produced by Chip Taylor Communications in 2009

21

The Kartchner Caverns were discovered in November 1974 by two University of Arizona cavers, Randy Tufts and Gary Tenen, who, understanding the uniqueness of their find and not wanting the caves to become exploited, kept their discovery a secret for 14 years; after protective measures were in place, the caves were officially announced to the public in 1988 and named after the rancher who owned the land. 28 million dollars was spent in development to minimize human impact and the site was opened in November 1999. Within the caverns amazingly sculpted formations are everywhere. Because these are wet "living" limestone caverns, stalactites continue to grow down like colossal icicles, while stalagmites grow up from the ground, and some meet to form columns. The Imaginary Passage leads to the Throne Room, which displays the longest recorded calcite "soda straw" in the world (21 feet 2 inches). The Big Room, open only from October 15 until April 15, serves as haven for myotis bats. Also we learn the remains of an 86,000-year-old Shasta ground sloth were found in the caverns in 1995. Over 200,000 people annually visit this geological wonder; located in Benson, about 50 miles southeast of Tucson, the Kartchner Caverns is the 26th site to attain state-park status in Arizona

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