Q: What’s hard on the outside, airy on the inside, wet, dry, mostly light colored, and totally dark?
A: A CAVE!

Scouts from Pack 27 (Chisholm Trail) and Pack 170 (North Shore) came together to explore Inner Space Caverns to complete the EARTH ROCKS adventure. While it’s a Webelos adventure, we had scouts and families of every rank joining in the fun (including a few draggin’ siblings). Scouts learned about what the science of geology really covers. From earth formations to rock analysis, to weather, farming, and mining – geology is the study of earth, and all physical traits that comprise it.

We learned about fault lines, magma, volcanoes, minerals, and other natural resources that are used in the construction of homes and structures. We also learned about how the landscape of Texas has changed since the mid-cretaceous period. Did you know that much of Texas, from Del Rio arcing north-eastward to Dallas, was under water when dinosaurs walked the earth? In fact, the same continental shaping that occurred during the formation of the Garden of the Gods outside of Colorado Springs began the process of shaping Texas into what it is now. More recently, the Balcones Faultline began to shift – 13 to 20,000 years ago – leading to the creation of sinkholes and huge quantities of water spilling through the local limestone.

As the water passed through the porous mineral rock it mixed with trapped carbon dioxide and became saturated with carbonic acid. The acid solution exited the limestone into hollowed out caverns, stripping away calcium from the rock surface, and allowing it to harden in droplet form both on the cavern ceiling, as well as in mounds on the cavern floor. These stalactites (holding tight to ceilings) and stalagmites (they might trip you) form fragile and ever-changing structures and decor in our caves and cavernous rooms.

S.T.E.M Fact
Photographs transcribe a 3-dimensional view into 2 dimensions, but our minds still perceive depth by using the size of familiar objects to estimate the distance and placement of the elements in the photo.

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DID YOU KNOW?:
– You can “kill” a cave rock formation. Oils and chemicals from our hands can actually bind to the surface of these different rocks, preventing the calcium from being stripped away. It is a 3rd degree felony in the state of Texas to touch the rock formations in our caves. Luckily, as scouts, we follow the outdoor code, respect nature, and leave no trace!
– Dolomite is a rock primarily made of calcium and magnesium. It absorbs water so fast that even as you pour water on it, the water disappears almost instantly. Where does it go???

Here are some achievements your Scouts can earn from a visit to Inner Space Caverns.