Gruta de Maquiné (MG-0243) (English: Maquiné Grotto), also Lapa Nova de Maquiné, is the oldest and one of the most commercially visited caves in Brazil.[1] It is located about 5 km (3.1 mi) from Cordisburgo and 143 km (88.9 mi) northwest of Belo Horizonte, in the State of Minas Gerais. The cave has seven huge chambers explored, amounting to 650 m (2,130 ft) (linear) and unevenness of the ground of only 18 m (59 ft). Safety measures like lighting, walkways and handrails allow a multitude of visitors to enjoy safely the wonders of the grotto where the whole journey is accompanied by an experienced local guide.[2]
Gruta de Maquiné
Cave painting found in one of the chambers inside of Gruta de Maquiné
Maquiné finds itself facing north, with a portico shaped in the form of a shallow arch with width of approximately 18 m (59 ft) and height of only 8 m (26 ft).[3] The main direction of the cave is from north to south, being its greatest extent of 438.91 m (1,440.0 ft).[3] With an internal temperature ranging from 26 to 27 °C (79 to 81 °F),[4] it is essentially horizontal, forming a continuous gallery with an average width of 9 to 12 m (30 to 39 ft) and height of 15 to 18 m (49 to 59 ft).[3] The main element of its formation is calcium carbonate, presenting also other minerals such as silica, gypsum, quartz and iron. Its galleries and halls, true architectural oddities, are the result of the formidable job of water in the persistence of millennia.[3]
Morphologyedit
The grotto features beautiful morphology due to its wide halls and aesthetic value due to their speleothematic beauty,[citation needed] in addition to its scientific value as it must have accommodated a considerable volume of water in the past.[citation needed]
First chamber, called "Vestibulo" ("Entrance Hall"), is fully illuminated by the natural light coming from the entrance of the cave. It measures 27 m (89 ft) in length, 20 m (66 ft) in width and contains numerous stalagmites that rise from the ground. The most distant of them are heaped in a single group that rises up to the upper dome, forming a back wall where two large blocks of quartz detach from the huge layer of the same mineral.
Second Chamber, called "Sala das Colunas" ("Room of Columns"), is 37 m (121 ft) long by 22.5 m (74 ft) width. Masses of stalagmites that rise up to the dome link this wall to that which separates the preceding chamber. Other masses have risen as the first, leaving only a descent. The layer of stalagmites here formed was punctured so that the nitrogenous component contained therein might be extracted. This layer contains a large quantity of small bones and teeth.
Third chamber, called "Altar" or "Trono" ("Altar", or "Throne"), is 67 m (220 ft) long, 35 m (115 ft) wide and 15 m (49 ft) high. A group of stalagmites which separates this chamber from the preceding one form a bouquet on both sides, creating a niche arranged like an amphitheater in whose entry, a 7.5 m (25 ft) high figure resembling a bear on a pedestal is displayed.
Fourth chamber, called "Carneiro" ("Lamb"), measures 18 m (59 ft) long, 20 m (66 ft) wide and 11 m (36 ft) high. It distinguishes itself from all the other chambers mostly because the ground is covered with gypsum powder. Noticeable also in this room, besides the figure of a lamb, is the imposing figure of a gigantic mushroom.
Fifth chamber, called "Salão das Piscinas" ("Hall of Pools"), measuring 23.5 m (77 ft) in length and width and 18 m (59 ft) in height, forms the deepest part of the cave. In the center of this cavern is a large basin about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) deep whose walls are covered with delicate crystals of fluorsparlimestone. Large masses of stalagmites resembling ancient statues in a Roman bath adorn the opposite edges of the basin.
Sixth chamber, called "Salão das Fadas" ("Hall of the Fairies"), is 13 m (43 ft) long and 15 m (49 ft) high. In this room bones of large animals, including the remains of a mammoth have been found. In the background of this chamber there is a passage to another room and a limpid cascade which has condensed itself into bright alabaster. The whole chamber and all the figures existing in it are decorated with a delicate crust of crystals of calcium carbonate, sometimes of the purest white, sometimes differently colored. The splendid reflections produced by the light illuminating the many facets of this crystal, dazzle the eye of those who gaze at this imagery and with it, see themselves transported to a fairy-like palace. Dr. Lund said: "My eyes have never seen anything more beautiful and magnificent in the domains of nature and art."
Seventh chamber is divided into two parts. The first one is referred to as "Salão do Dr. Lund" ("Dr. Lund's Hall"), and is considered the most important of the chambers by the amount of bones that it contains. It is 42 meters long, 22 meters wide and 15 meters high. It leads downwards and forms many watersheds along the way. In the middle of the chamber there is a 60-centimeter-wide by 4.5-meter-deep coverage through which all excess of water is drained out of the cave. The second chamber is called "Salão do Cemitério" ("Cemetery Hall"), which is the largest of the chambers in the cave measuring 162.5 meters long by 56 meters wide. It is coated with a crumbly layer of plaster powder stalagmites which covers the ground, piling up to the ceiling.
Paleontologyedit
Considered as the "cradle" of paleontology in the country, the grotto was discovered in 1825 by farmer Joaquim Maria Maquiné, then the landowner. It is widely known for its paleontological importance detected initially by Peter Claussen and the DanishnaturalistPeter Wilhelm Lund who scientifically first explored it in 1834.[3] Dr. Lund remained inside the cave nearly two years doing his research on the Brazilian paleontology, describing all the chambers, explaining the formation of stalagmites and stalactites and examining human remains and petrifaction of animals from the Quaternary period. Among others, he found fossilized skeletons of birds with an extraordinary curvature of up to three meters and the Nothrotherium maquinense, the smallest and most emblematic of the terrestrial sloths which he found in 1835 when he first explored the cave.[5]
In 1868, after more than 30 years after the exploration of the cave, Lund wished to return to Cordisburgo and show the Duke of Saxe who visited the country, the natural beauty of this huge cave.[6]
^A. Auler, A.R. Farrant (2007). A Brief Introduction to Karst and Caves in Brazil(PDF). UK: University of Bristol. p. 190.
^Revista brasileira de geografia (1975). Tipos e aspectos do Brasil (in Portuguese). Departamento de Documentação e Divulgação Geográfica e Cartográfica. p. 279. OCLC 3059711.
^ abcdeConfederacao Nacional de Municipios (2011). Historico da Gruta de Maquine(PDF). CNM. pp. 1–2.
^Ben Box; Jane Egginton; Mick Day (2003). Brazil Handbook. Footprint Handbooks. p. 231. ISBN1-903471-44-3. Gruta de Maquine.
^Vialou, Águeda Vilhena (2005). Pré-história do Mato Grosso: Santa Elina. Editora da Universidade de São Paulo. p. 159. ISBN85-314-0861-X.
^Felizardo, Alexandre (2010). Cavernas em Foco - Espeleologia Histórica e Cultural Mundial. Bookess. p. 171. ISBN978-85-62418-93-8.
External linksedit
Cavernas do Brasil - Gruta de Maquiné 2006-11-04 at the Wayback Machine at Sociedade Brasileira de Espeleologia Website
gruta, maquiné, 0243, english, maquiné, grotto, also, lapa, nova, maquiné, oldest, most, commercially, visited, caves, brazil, located, about, from, cordisburgo, northwest, belo, horizonte, state, minas, gerais, cave, seven, huge, chambers, explored, amounting. Gruta de Maquine MG 0243 English Maquine Grotto also Lapa Nova de Maquine is the oldest and one of the most commercially visited caves in Brazil 1 It is located about 5 km 3 1 mi from Cordisburgo and 143 km 88 9 mi northwest of Belo Horizonte in the State of Minas Gerais The cave has seven huge chambers explored amounting to 650 m 2 130 ft linear and unevenness of the ground of only 18 m 59 ft Safety measures like lighting walkways and handrails allow a multitude of visitors to enjoy safely the wonders of the grotto where the whole journey is accompanied by an experienced local guide 2 Gruta de MaquineCave painting found in one of the chambers inside of Gruta de MaquineLocationMinas Gerais BrazilDepth18Length650Discovery1825GeologyLimestoneAccessMG 231WebsiteGruta de Maquine Contents 1 Description 1 1 Geography 1 2 Morphology 1 3 Paleontology 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksDescription editGeography edit Maquine finds itself facing north with a portico shaped in the form of a shallow arch with width of approximately 18 m 59 ft and height of only 8 m 26 ft 3 The main direction of the cave is from north to south being its greatest extent of 438 91 m 1 440 0 ft 3 With an internal temperature ranging from 26 to 27 C 79 to 81 F 4 it is essentially horizontal forming a continuous gallery with an average width of 9 to 12 m 30 to 39 ft and height of 15 to 18 m 49 to 59 ft 3 The main element of its formation is calcium carbonate presenting also other minerals such as silica gypsum quartz and iron Its galleries and halls true architectural oddities are the result of the formidable job of water in the persistence of millennia 3 Morphology edit The grotto features beautiful morphology due to its wide halls and aesthetic value due to their speleothematic beauty citation needed in addition to its scientific value as it must have accommodated a considerable volume of water in the past citation needed First chamber called Vestibulo Entrance Hall is fully illuminated by the natural light coming from the entrance of the cave It measures 27 m 89 ft in length 20 m 66 ft in width and contains numerous stalagmites that rise from the ground The most distant of them are heaped in a single group that rises up to the upper dome forming a back wall where two large blocks of quartz detach from the huge layer of the same mineral Second Chamber called Sala das Colunas Room of Columns is 37 m 121 ft long by 22 5 m 74 ft width Masses of stalagmites that rise up to the dome link this wall to that which separates the preceding chamber Other masses have risen as the first leaving only a descent The layer of stalagmites here formed was punctured so that the nitrogenous component contained therein might be extracted This layer contains a large quantity of small bones and teeth Third chamber called Altar or Trono Altar or Throne is 67 m 220 ft long 35 m 115 ft wide and 15 m 49 ft high A group of stalagmites which separates this chamber from the preceding one form a bouquet on both sides creating a niche arranged like an amphitheater in whose entry a 7 5 m 25 ft high figure resembling a bear on a pedestal is displayed Fourth chamber called Carneiro Lamb measures 18 m 59 ft long 20 m 66 ft wide and 11 m 36 ft high It distinguishes itself from all the other chambers mostly because the ground is covered with gypsum powder Noticeable also in this room besides the figure of a lamb is the imposing figure of a gigantic mushroom Fifth chamber called Salao das Piscinas Hall of Pools measuring 23 5 m 77 ft in length and width and 18 m 59 ft in height forms the deepest part of the cave In the center of this cavern is a large basin about 1 5 m 4 9 ft deep whose walls are covered with delicate crystals of fluorspar limestone Large masses of stalagmites resembling ancient statues in a Roman bath adorn the opposite edges of the basin Sixth chamber called Salao das Fadas Hall of the Fairies is 13 m 43 ft long and 15 m 49 ft high In this room bones of large animals including the remains of a mammoth have been found In the background of this chamber there is a passage to another room and a limpid cascade which has condensed itself into bright alabaster The whole chamber and all the figures existing in it are decorated with a delicate crust of crystals of calcium carbonate sometimes of the purest white sometimes differently colored The splendid reflections produced by the light illuminating the many facets of this crystal dazzle the eye of those who gaze at this imagery and with it see themselves transported to a fairy like palace Dr Lund said My eyes have never seen anything more beautiful and magnificent in the domains of nature and art Seventh chamber is divided into two parts The first one is referred to as Salao do Dr Lund Dr Lund s Hall and is considered the most important of the chambers by the amount of bones that it contains It is 42 meters long 22 meters wide and 15 meters high It leads downwards and forms many watersheds along the way In the middle of the chamber there is a 60 centimeter wide by 4 5 meter deep coverage through which all excess of water is drained out of the cave The second chamber is called Salao do Cemiterio Cemetery Hall which is the largest of the chambers in the cave measuring 162 5 meters long by 56 meters wide It is coated with a crumbly layer of plaster powder stalagmites which covers the ground piling up to the ceiling Paleontology edit Considered as the cradle of paleontology in the country the grotto was discovered in 1825 by farmer Joaquim Maria Maquine then the landowner It is widely known for its paleontological importance detected initially by Peter Claussen and the Danish naturalist Peter Wilhelm Lund who scientifically first explored it in 1834 3 Dr Lund remained inside the cave nearly two years doing his research on the Brazilian paleontology describing all the chambers explaining the formation of stalagmites and stalactites and examining human remains and petrifaction of animals from the Quaternary period Among others he found fossilized skeletons of birds with an extraordinary curvature of up to three meters and the Nothrotherium maquinense the smallest and most emblematic of the terrestrial sloths which he found in 1835 when he first explored the cave 5 In 1868 after more than 30 years after the exploration of the cave Lund wished to return to Cordisburgo and show the Duke of Saxe who visited the country the natural beauty of this huge cave 6 See also editList of caves in BrazilReferences edit A Auler A R Farrant 2007 A Brief Introduction to Karst and Caves in Brazil PDF UK University of Bristol p 190 Revista brasileira de geografia 1975 Tipos e aspectos do Brasil in Portuguese Departamento de Documentacao e Divulgacao Geografica e Cartografica p 279 OCLC 3059711 a b c d e Confederacao Nacional de Municipios 2011 Historico da Gruta de Maquine PDF CNM pp 1 2 Ben Box Jane Egginton Mick Day 2003 Brazil Handbook Footprint Handbooks p 231 ISBN 1 903471 44 3 Gruta de Maquine Vialou Agueda Vilhena 2005 Pre historia do Mato Grosso Santa Elina Editora da Universidade de Sao Paulo p 159 ISBN 85 314 0861 X Felizardo Alexandre 2010 Cavernas em Foco Espeleologia Historica e Cultural Mundial Bookess p 171 ISBN 978 85 62418 93 8 External links editCavernas do Brasil Gruta de Maquine Archived 2006 11 04 at the Wayback Machine at Sociedade Brasileira de Espeleologia Website 19 7 31 S 44 21 10 W 19 12528 S 44 35278 W 19 12528 44 35278 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gruta de Maquine amp oldid 1158343794, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
