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Alabaster Caverns in Oklahoma is one of the most unusual show caves of the United States because it is the only gypsum cave in America open to the public. The tour of Alabaster Caverns leads from the entrance in a rock cliff that overlooks the canyon into several huge rooms. Gypsum caves are characteristically large, so it’s no surprise the very 1st room of Alabaster Caverns is 60 m in diameter and is 23 m high. The tour then leads to the ground of a sinkhole where the roof of the cave collapsed.
Because it is a gypsum cave, Alabaster Caverns has none of the formations as are known to form in limestone caves. The most interesting features of this cave are the selenite crystals, the crystallized form of gypsum. The walls are covered with formations of this glass-like mineral up to 50 cm thick, and individual crystals of up to 35 cm length can be found. |
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