The Discovery of Lechuguilla Cave
In The Discovery of Lechuguilla Cave, narrator Sir David Attenborough takes students on a journey into Lechuguilla Cave. Located beneath the desert in the United States, Lechuguilla was discovered in 1986 when cavers dug through loose rock and uncovered a vast system of passageways stretching over 120 miles. The cave is renowned for its breathtaking formations, including delicate gypsum crystals that cover its walls. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Lesson Express
Q: What makes Lechuguilla one of the most surprising caves in the world?
A: It has more than 120 miles of passageways and is known for its stunning crystal formations.
Q: How is Lechuguilla different from other limestone caves?
A: Unlike other caves formed by running rainwater, Lechuguilla was formed by a different geological process.
Q: What is unique about the pools of water in Lechuguilla Cave?
A: Unlike the running water that forms most caves, the pools are still and pristine.
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In The Formation of Lechuguilla Cave, narrator David Attenborough reveals the spectacular underground landscape of Lechuguilla Cave. Scientists were fascinated by its enormous gypsum formations and discovered that sulfuric acid played a key role in carving out the limestone caverns. Within its depths lies the breathtaking Chandelier Ballroom, where 20-foot-long crystal formations hang from the ceiling. Even more astonishing, extremophile bacteria thrive in the cave, drawing energy not from the Sun, but from the rocks themselves. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In The Formation of Lechuguilla Cave, narrator David Attenborough reveals the spectacular underground landscape of Lechuguilla Cave. Scientists were fascinated by its enormous gypsum formations and discovered that sulfuric acid played a key role in carving out the limestone caverns. Within its depths lies the breathtaking Chandelier Ballroom, where 20-foot-long crystal formations hang from the ceiling. Even more astonishing, extremophile bacteria thrive in the cave, drawing energy not from the Sun, but from the rocks themselves. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.