A brief history of exploration in Lechuguilla Cave in New Mexico, USA

Lechuguilla Cave, located within Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, USA, stands as one of the most extensive cave systems globally, surpassing 222 kilometers in mapped length and reaching a depth of 475 meters. Discovered initially as a small guano pit in the early 20th century, systematic exploration began in the 1980s after significant airflow was detected. The cave's complex three-dimensional structure, characterized by parallel branches trending west/southwest to east/northeast and deep rift features, was shaped by sulfuric-acid speleogenesis, creating remarkable speleothems and earning it the nickname 'the Jewel of the Underground.' Over four decades, international teams of cavers have mapped its extensive passages, with recent efforts focusing on tight crawls and fissures. The cave's ongoing exploration continues to yield significant discoveries, driven by multi-day expeditions and advanced cartographic techniques, promising further revelations for speleo-scientists.

Lyles, J. T. M., & Davis, D. G. (2016). A brief history of exploration in Lechuguilla Cave in New Mexico, USA. Boletín Geológico Y Minero, 127(1), 111–129. https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.127.1.008