My wonders of my country - SLOVAKIA step #1 | страница 10

Ochtinská aragonite cave
My wonder of Slovakia is Ochtinská aragonite cave. I chose this one, because I think it is very
unique. It is a national natural monument and is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is
located in Ochtinský cryptocrase on the north-western slope of Hrádok in Revúcka vrchovina
between Jelšava and Štítnik. It is long 300 meters.
Aragonite filler was formed under specific hydrochemical and climatic conditions in closed
underground cavities. The cave was accidentally discovered in 1954 when excavating the geological
exploration galley. The cave was available in 1972 in lenght of 230 meters as one of the three
aragonite caves in the world. The access gate leads to the cave at an altitude of 642 meters. The
wedge-shaped, upward tapering corridors and sheds were formed by the corrosive activity of
precipitation water, which leaked along significant tectonic disturbances. The shape of the
different, predominantly horizontal corridor and the walls are between parallel tectonic
disturbances. Three generations of aragonite have been found in the cave. The oldest have from
121-138 thousand years. The most common is the second generation of aragonite, which occurs in
the form of sThe rich and varied needle, spiral and kidney-shaped aragonite filling similar to sea
corrals creates an unusually varied mixture of images. They are 14 thousand years old. The second
generation is still growing.
The youngest generation of aragonite, now formed on sediments and ferrets, creates tiny rays. The
air temperature in the cave reaches 7.2 to 7.8 ° C, a relative humidity of 92 to 97%. The artificial
entrance to the cave is 144 m long and overcomes the altitude difference of 19 meters with the aid
of 104 stairs. The ceiling of the cave is decorated with unique forms of eccentric form of aragonite.
There are not many accessible caves of this type in the world, and its characteristic decoration is
unique in the world. The most beautiful part of the cave is considered to be The Hall of Milky. I
think the Ochtinská aragonite cave is very beautiful and I hope you once get a chance to go there.
https://bit.ly/2Q6yXSI
Author: Natália PIsarčíková
7