At 754 feet below the New Mexico desert, DISPATCH Monthly Editor Gary Allen pauses next to a stalagmite formed by millions of years of dripping water in Carlsbad Caverns. There are over 30 miles of explored caves, and new caverns are being explored and found every year. The caverns consists of 75 separate caves, some connected by tunnels so small that you have to wriggle through. Some of the caves are taller and larger than any covered football stadium, yet the stalagmites and stalagtites are so delicate that a single human touch would stop them from growing. Some of the tallest formations (similar to that pictured here) are 125 tall, 50 feet wide at the base, and are considered to be 600,000 years old.

The caves were formed from the dissolving action of water on beds of limestone. Other features were formed as water dripping from the ceiling of the caves.