Name/Title
S07.06.036Description
Cave formations at Ohio Caverns near West Liberty in Champaign County, Ohio. The image shows stalactites and stalagmites within the cave formed from Columbus Limestone of the Devonian Geologic Period. The slide image was created in 1952 by Philip M. Smith for the Ohio Cave Survey Project. The Ohio Cave Survey Project was formalized in 1952. The Central Ohio Grotto of the National Speleological Society in cooperation with the Ohio Geological Survey established a comprehensive survey of Ohio caves and caverns.
Information for this slide comes from Philip M. Smith's presentation notes for Exploring Ohio's Caves: An illustrated discussion of Ohio's underground caverns prepared for the information program of the Ohio Division of Geological Survey. The notes are in Box 1154, Folder 3 of the Geology Subject Files compiled by Pauline Smyth. This is slide 43 in the notes: The commercial cave is a method of exploring in comfort. Besides the Bass Island commercial caves, one may visit Seneca Caverns near Bellevue, Seven Caves near Bainbridge, and Ohio Caverns near West Liberty. Ohio Caverns is considered one of the outstanding commercial caves in the United States. It is noted for the pure white decorations and the dual formation of manganese and calcium seen in this picture
For more information about the project, see the following article resources:
The Ohio Cave Survey by Philip M. Smith (Ohio Journal of Science, vol. 53, no. 6, Nov. 1953, pages 325-236).
Let’s Save Ohio’s Caves. Smith, Philip M. Ohio Conservation Bulletin, v. 17, no. 4 (1953). Pages 6-7, 31 (4 figs.).
This slide image included in the USGS National Digital Catalog for NGGDPP Grant G15AP00115 in FY2015.Context
White, triangle shaped rock formations inside of cave. Ohio Caverns near West Liberty, Ohio.