A Tale of Two Caves: How Is Hurricane Crawl Cave Different From Crystal Cave?
Caves are important natural features in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California. Past studies of some of these caves revealed information about the area’s mountains, the formation of caves, and the age of rocks. The scientists in this study were interested in two particular caves, Hurricane Crawl Cave and Crystal Cave.
The scientists knew that Hurricane Crawl Cave developed under similar conditions to Crystal Cave because they are located near one another. However, the scientists noted that Hurricane Crawl Cave had a different morphology, or structure, than Crystal Cave. Crystal Cave has many levels and mazes, but few canyons. The scientists wanted to know why the morphology is different between Hurricane Crawl Cave and Crystal Cave.
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In this FACTivity, you will grow your own speleothem. At the end of this FACTivity, you answer the following question: What does this activity tell us about the formation of...FACTivity – A Tale of Two Caves
In this FACTivity, you will grow your own speleothem. At the end of this FACTivity, you answer the following question: What does this activity tell us about the formation of...
Glossary
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Joel Despain
My favorite scientific experiences involve understanding the geomorphic history of a given cave or cave area. Some geomorphic questions are, “Why did the cave form, and why did it form...View Profile -
Benjamin Tobin
Each science experience is amazing, interesting, and fun in its own way. If I had to choose, however, my favorite would be conducting dye traces at the Grand Canyon. This...View Profile -
Greg Stock
My favorite science experience was mapping caves in Sequoia with Mr. Despain. We used those maps, along with dated sediment in the caves, to determine long-term river downcutting rates. The...View Profile
Standards addressed in this Article:
Social Studies Standards
- Culture
- People, Places, and Environments
- Science, Technology, and Society
- Time, Continuity, and Change
Note To Educators
The Forest Service's Mission
The Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For more than 100 years, our motto has been “caring for the land and serving people.” The Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recognizes its responsibility to be engaged in efforts to connect youth to nature and to promote the development of science-based conservation education programs and materials nationwide.
What Is the Natural Inquirer?
Natural Inquirer is a science education resource journal to be used by students in grade 6 and up. Natural Inquirer contains articles describing environmental and natural resource research conducted by Forest Service scientists and their cooperators. These scientific journal articles have been reformatted to meet the needs of middle school students. The articles are easy to understand, are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, contain glossaries, and include hands-on activities. The goal of Natural Inquirer is to stimulate critical reading and thinking about scientific inquiry and investigation while teaching about ecology, the natural environment, and natural resources.
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Meet the Scientists
Introduces students to the scientists who did the research. This section may be used in a discussion about careers in science.
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What Kinds of Scientist Did This Research?
Introduces students to the scientific disciplines of the scientists who conducted the research.
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Thinking About Science
Introduces something new about the scientific process, such as a scientific habit of mind or procedures used in scientific studies.
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Thinking About the Environment
Introduces the environmental topic being addressed in the research.
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Introduction
Introduces the problem or question that the research addresses.
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Method
Describes the method the scientists used to collect and analyze their data.
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Findings & Discussion
Describes the results of the analysis. Addresses the findings and places them into the context of the original problem or question.
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Reflection Section
Presents questions aimed at stimulating critical thinking about what has been read or predicting what might be presented in the next section. These questions are placed at the end of each of the main article sections.
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Number Crunches
Presents an easy math problem related to the research.
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Glossary
Defines potentially new scientific or other terms to students. The first occurrence of a glossary word is bold in the text.
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Citation
Gives the original article citation with an internet link to the original article.
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FACTivity
Presents a hands-on activity that emphasizes something presented in the article.
Science Education Standards
You will find a listing of education standards which are addressed by each article at the back of each publication and on our website.
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Contact
Jessica Nickelsen
Director, Natural Inquirer program -
Email
Lessons
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In this lesson plan, students will complete a guided reading activity while reading their chosen article. As they read, they will complete a double-entry graphic organizer where they will note...Lesson Plan – Haikus
In this lesson plan, students will complete a guided reading activity while reading their chosen article. As they read, they will complete a double-entry graphic organizer where they will note...
Education Files
Project Learning Tree
If you are a trained Project Learning Tree educator, you may use “Water Wonders” as an additional resource.
Related Resources from the Natural Inquirer
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When snow melts or rain falls, some of the water runs off into streams or rivers. Most of the water, however, goes down into the soil. The water that stays...Under Where? Underground Water and Its Contribution to Streams
When snow melts or rain falls, some of the water runs off into streams or rivers. Most of the water, however, goes down into the soil. The water that stays...
Additional Resources
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National Park Service: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Visit WebsiteBrowse the official National Park Service site for these national parks.
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National Park Service: Speleothems
Visit WebsiteLearn more about speleothems and how they are formed.
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National Speleological Society: A Guide to Responsible Caving
Visit WebsiteRead a thorough guide on caving, including tips on safety, conservation, and more.