Description Gruta de Maquiné

1 description

1.1 geography
1.2 morphology
1.3 paleontology

description
geography

maquiné finds facing north, portico shaped in form of shallow arch width of approximately 18 m (59 ft) , height of 8 m (26 ft). main direction of cave north south, being greatest extent of 438.91 m (1,440.0 ft). internal temperature ranging 26 27 °c (79 81 °f; 299 300 k), horizontal, forming continuous gallery average width of 9 12 m (30 39 ft) , height of 15 18 m (49 59 ft). main element of formation calcium carbonate, presenting other minerals such silica, gypsum, quartz , iron. galleries , halls, true architectural oddities, result of formidable job of water in persistence of millennia.

morphology

the grotto features beautiful morphology due wide halls , aesthetic value due speleothematic beauty, in addition great scientific value must have accommodated considerable volume of water in past.

first chamber, called vestibulo ( entrance hall ), illuminated natural light coming entrance of cave. measures 27 m (89 ft) in length, 20 m (66 ft) in width , contains numerous stalagmites rise ground. distant of them heaped in single group rises upper dome, forming wall 2 large blocks of quartz detach huge layer of same mineral.
second chamber, called sala das colunas ( room of columns ), 37 m (121 ft) long 22.5 m (74 ft) width. masses of stalagmites rise dome link wall separates preceding chamber. other masses have risen first, leaving descent. layer of stalagmites here formed punctured nitrogenous component contained therein might extracted. layer contains large quantity of small bones , teeth.
third chamber, called altar or trono ( altar , or throne ), 67 m (220 ft) long, 35 m (115 ft) wide , 15 m (49 ft) high. group of stalagmites separates chamber preceding 1 form bouquet on both sides, creating niche arranged amphitheater in entry, 7.5 m (25 ft) high figure resembling bear on pedestal displayed.
fourth chamber, called carneiro ( lamb ), measures 18 m (59 ft) long, 20 m (66 ft) wide , 11 m (36 ft) high. distinguishes other chambers because ground covered gypsum powder. noticeable in room, besides figure of lamb, imposing figure of gigantic mushroom.
fifth chamber, called salão das piscinas ( hall of pools ), measuring 23.5 m (77 ft) in length , width , 18 m (59 ft) in height, forms deepest part of cave. in center of cavern large basin 1.5 m (4.9 ft) deep walls covered delicate crystals of fluorspar limestone. large masses of stalagmites resembling ancient statues in roman bath adorn opposite edges of basin.
sixth chamber, called salão das fadas ( hall of fairies ), 13 m (43 ft) long , 15 m (49 ft) high. in room bones of large animals, including remains of mammoth have been found. in background of chamber there passage room , limpid cascade has condensed bright alabaster. whole chamber , figures existing in decorated delicate crust of crystals of calcium carbonate, of purest white, differently colored. splendid reflections produced light illuminating many facets of crystal, dazzle eye of gaze @ imagery , it, see transported fairy-like palace. dr. lund said: eyes have never seen more beautiful , magnificent in domains of nature , art.
seventh chamber divided 2 parts. first 1 referred salão dr. lund ( dr. lund s hall ), , considered important of chambers amount of bones contains. 42 meters long, 22 meters wide , 15 meters high. leads downwards , forms many watersheds along way. in middle of chamber there 60-centimeter-wide 4.5-meter-deep coverage through excess of water drained out of cave. second chamber called salão cemitério ( cemetery hall ), largest of chambers in cave measuring 162.5 meters long 56 meters wide. coated crumbly layer of plaster powder stalagmites covers ground, piling ceiling.

paleontology

considered cradle of paleontology in country, grotto discovered in 1825 farmer joaquim maria maquiné, landowner. known paleontological importance detected peter claussen , danish naturalist peter wilhelm lund scientifically first explored in 1834, showing world natural beauty. dr. lund remained inside cave 2 years doing research on brazilian paleontology, describing chambers, explaining formation of stalagmites , stalactites , examining human remains , petrifaction of animals quaternary period. among others, found fossilized skeletons of birds extraordinary curvature of 3 meters , nothrotherium maquinense, smallest , emblematic of terrestrial sloths found in 1835 when first explored cave.

in 1868, after more 30 years after exploration of cave, lund wished return cordisburgo , show duke of saxe visited country, natural beauty of huge cave.