Saturday, August 25, 2007

Secrets of an ancient underground river

Penny Boston New Mexico Tech

FORT STANTON FORT STANTON — Snowy River, a sparkling calcite underground "frozen river" over 2 miles in length was discovered in Fort Stanton Cave in 2001, and has already been the subject of major scientific findings.

Closed to the public by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in 2004, until a safer route could be found, that route has just been dug by BLM volunteer cavers who broke through on June 30.

This scientific wonder of unparalleled beauty has now unveiled a new surprise! This formerly dry river of crystalline minerals is now running up to 1-1/2 feet of water. Based on prior preliminary information, scientists think that the last time water flowed in this river may have been 150 years ago.

Scientists at New Mexico Tech., the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, the University of New Mexico, and the National Cave and Karst Research Institute have studied Snowy River. These studies have revealed aspects of its age, its hydrology, exotic manganese-eating microorganisms and antibiotic producing bacteria on the walls, among other findings.

This new access to the passage coupled with unprecedented flowing water will now allow scientists to study the active hydrology of the cave and its relationship to aboveground water sources. Scientists will continue to search for unique microorganisms of potential human pharmaceutical and industrial significance (e.g. antibiotics and novel enzymes), and to conduct paleoclimate studies on cave minerals and deposits which preserve the story of past climate in our region and are critical to managing our precious water resources in the face of future climate change.

Boston is the director of the Cave & Karst Studies Program at New Mexico Tech.

E-mail this story Printer-friendly version