New cave discovered in Sequoia National Park

THREE RIVERS
May 18, 2007 12:01am

What’s described as “a significant new cave” has been discovered within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in the Central Valley.

The discovery was made in August 2006 by four researchers affiliated with the Cave Research Foundation but made public only this week by the National Park Service.

The cave has been named Ursa Minor for the Little Dipper constellation.

The cave features large passages and rooms – many of which are more than 50 feet wide – and beautiful cave formations, the NPS says. These include long and graceful cave curtains, fragile soda straws up to 6 feet in length, and large areas of multicolored flowstones.

Crystals in the flowstone produce brilliant sparkles across the cave’s floors and walls. Ursa Minor has a cave lake that may be as much as 100 feet across, and vertical drops that must be traversed using ropes. Ancient animal skeletons were found in the cave including one that resembles a bear influencing the naming of the cave. Cave-adapted invertebrates that may be new or rare species have also been seen.

Three of the 27 new species recently discovered in parks’ caves appear to inhabit Ursa Minor. It is clear that several of the larger passages continue and the actual length of the cave remains unknown at this time, the park service says.

“We are all very excited about the discovery of this beautiful new cave. It will add to our knowledge of the parks, park wildlife, and park features,” says Park Cave Specialist Joel Despain. “Knowing that the cave exists will help us manage the area around the cave with its protection in mind. It is a fine new addition to the many wonderful caves in the two parks.”

In keeping with park policies, this new cave is automatically placed in Management Class 4 from the Park Cave Management Plan. Such caves are closed to recreational visits pending evaluation and scientific study. Park cave management staff are conducting a series of trips with subject matter experts to create an accurate and detailed map of the cave, inventory its features, conduct a biological inventory, photo document cave features and formations and gate the cave entrance to protect it.

The new cave was found as part of an on-going park-approved project managed by the Cave Research Foundation that conducts searches for new caves and cave passages.