• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Nourishing My Scholar

  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Disclosure Statement
    • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Subscriber Bonuses
You are here: Home / Homeschool / Subjects / Fieldtrip / Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

April 30, 2019 by Erin Vincent 2 Comments

Pin243
Share92
Tweet3
Share
338 Shares

Caves & Caverns are a fantastic way to study geology! Visiting local caves & caverns can be a great hands-on way to study the formations of Earth’s rocks. Check out these fantastic resources including books and hands-on activities!

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure statement for more information.

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

If you live in the southeastern region of the United States, then more than likely you’ve heard of Ruby Falls, Tennessee. This unique underground waterfall and limestone cavern is a favorite destination for many families. We’ve passed by it for years, but we finally made the stop and visited on our last trip back from Atlanta. Wow, what an amazing experience! We learned tons about the different speleothems or cave formations such as stalactites, and stalagmites, plus so much about cave and cavern formations. Did you know there is even a flowstone called Bacon? Seriously, it looked like a slab of BACON hanging from the ceiling! How amazing is that!

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

Fun Facts about the Caves & Caverns of Ruby Falls

  1. In 1928 Chemist and Cave enthusiast, Leo Lambert, discovered Ruby Falls and its connecting caverns while trying to drill a new opening into the Lookout Mountain Cave on Lookout Mountain.
  2. He named Ruby Falls after his wife Ruby Lambert.
  3. The Falls are located at the end of the main passage of Ruby Falls Cavern, in a large vertical shaft.
  4. The Falls are 1120 ft. underground!
  5. Ruby Falls is considered a cavern because it has no natural opening above ground. This also prevents it from being inhabited by normal cave-dwelling creatures.
  6. The water of the falls has large concentrations of magnesium which is leached from the mountain. This makes the water a natural laxative!
  7. Ruby Falls features many of the more well-known types of cave formations including stalactites, stalagmites, columns, drapery, and flowstone.

We even got to touch the cave formations that were no longer actively growing!!!! This big one was called the “Dripping Candle.”

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

We learned an insane amount about the subterranean world of caves and caverns while visiting Ruby Falls. These caverns are gorgeous and amazing to behold. The kids were in awe and delight the whole time we were underground…that just sounds exciting doesn’t it?

“Underground!”

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

It’s even more exciting when you know you’re 1,120 ft. underground. If you happen to pass through Chattanooga, Tennessee, then I highly recommend stopping for a quick tour. It only takes an hour and a half and it’s always a comfortable 60 degrees! You’ll be so glad you did!

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

Additional Fun Cave & Cavern Facts

  1. A cave or cavern is a naturally occurring space or chamber under the surface of the Earth
  2. A cavern is a special type of cave that is larger, consists of a series of smaller caves with connecting passages, and with its opening located underground. All caverns are caves but not all caves are caverns.
  3. The scientific study of caves and their surrounding environments is called Speleology.
  4. The world’s longest cave system is Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, USA, 651.8 km (405 miles)
  5. The deepest known cave is Voronya Cave, Abkhazia, Georgia, 2,197 m (7,208 ft.)

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

Learn more about Caves & Caverns

If you want to study the mysterious world of caves or perhaps you don’t have a nearby cave to visit, then here are some geology books and resources that we used to help us learn more about this underground environment.

BBC Video Planet Earth: Caves/Deserts/Ice Worlds narrated by David Attenborough – Enjoy this family-friendly documentary as you are transported to the highest mountains and deepest caves on Earth. This series takes you on an unforgettable journey through the daily struggle for survival in Earth’s most extreme habitats. If you can’t get out to visit a cave, then this documentary is the next best thing!

 

 

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

 

Caves by Kimberly Hutmacher – Dark hollows form deep underground. Caves create underground rooms of discovery. What mysteries are hidden inside these landforms?

 

 

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

 

Cave by Donald Silver – From the wriggly-one-celled bacterium to a sleeping grizzly bear, the cave is alive with activity and musty with history. Detailed illustrations and safe activities shed light on a mysterious habitat, complete with creepers, crawlers, swimmers, and fliers–hooters, buzzers, and growlers!

 

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

 

Caves and Caverns by Gail Gibbons – Here is a fascinating journey through those dark, mysterious hollow places on earth–sea caves, lava caves, ice caves, and more.

 

 

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

 

Caves (Nature in Action) by Stephen Kramer –  captivate your readers, by stirring their interest in science with these dramatic photographs of the powerful effects of nature in caves.

 

 

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

 

Caves by Cassie Meyer – In this book, children learn about the features of caves, where caves are found, and what makes caves unique.

 

 

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

 

Cave Unit Study by Susan Evans

More Great Resources for Learning about Caves, Caverns, and Earth Science!

Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls

Tell me, are there any local caves or caverns where you live?

You may also enjoy these other science posts:

  • A Picture Book About The Science of Fireflies

  • Backyard Biology: Frogs for Kids

  • 100 Strewing Ideas for Your Homeschool

  • Backyard Biology: Birds for Kids

  • Backyard Biology Insects for Kids

Pin243
Share92
Tweet3
Share
338 Shares

About Erin Vincent

Erin is a writer, blogger, and homeschooler to two intense kids. She loves nature, farm life, good books, knitting, new pens, and hot coffee. Erin is a contributing writer for Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers. Her work has also been featured on Simple Homeschool and Book Shark.

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. Backyard Biology: Birds for Kids ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    April 30, 2019 at 5:33 pm

    […] Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls […]

    Reply
  2. Backyard Biology: Frogs for Kids ~ Nourishing My Scholar says:
    April 30, 2019 at 5:31 pm

    […] Learning about Caves & Caverns at Ruby Falls […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome! I'm Erin, a homeschooling mom to two very intense kids. Every day I try to find what works best for me and my family. My blog is filled with information to help you explore a child led education while making meaningful connections with your children. Discover favorite read alouds, seasonal books, games, art projects, hands-on activities, and learn to just breathe through the ups and downs of life. I hope these posts will encourage you on your homeschool adventure.

Search

Follow Us Online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe to Updates

Waldock’s Wizards and Wands

Literary Adventures for Kids Clubhouse

All About Reading

All About Reading

Chalk Pastel Video Art Lessons

Join the fun at ChalkPastel.com!

THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES: Outdoor Curriculum and Survival Skills

Subscribe at Think Outside Boxes

Our Favorite Homeschooling Resources on AMAZON

Our Favorite Homeschooling Resources on AMAZON

Universal Yums

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in