Philippines’ Tourist Spot: Palawan Underground River

The tracks of Palawan Underground River winds through one of the world’s most interesting cave systems. Hidden beneath St. Paul Mountain, these geologic formations form are components that make the park worthy to be part of the list of the world’s Seven Natural Wonders. Most caves share common characteristics. Others have their own attributes that stand out. Here’s what makes the Palawan Underground River to be the Philippines’ tourist spot.

The Stalactites and Stalagmites

This two are often confusing to most people, perhaps because of the way they’re named. You’ll find many stalactite and stalagmite formations at the Palawan Underground River. It’s not difficult to distinguish between these two kinds of formations. Stalagmites just from the ground, whereas stalactites hang from above.  Here’s a good way to avoid getting them mixed up. If it hangs on “tite,” it’s a stalactite. If it crawls on the floor like a “mite,” it must be a stalag-MITE. You can also get them straight by remembering the “C” and “G” in their spellings. The “G” in stalaGmites means that the “ground” yields them. The “C” in stalaCtites means they form from the “ceiling”. They play a great role in attracting tourists from all over the world.

How Did They Form?

Now that you’re aware what makes stalactites and stalagmites different from each other, you’re probably asking where they came from.  All it takes to form a stalactite is a drop of water from the ceiling. Every drop has dissolved calcite that is collected as water seeps through the joints and cracks of the bedrock.  Other Philippine’s tourist spot are Caves in the Palawan Underground River that have karst formations, having landscapes composed mainly of limestone. As rain falls, it combines with the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide and mixes with gas when it flows into the soil. The result is a slightly acidic solution that dissolves the karst rock mineral called calcite. Stalagmites form as water with dissolved calcites drip from stalactites and fall on the cave floor. This explains why people see the two in pairs or even join together to make one column. A column forms after thousands of years of joint stalagmite and stalactite formation.

These formations have greatly contributed to its rarest beauty which compelled everyone to protect them. It is strictly protected by the Philippines because it gives them the unique identity from among all the other countries. Read more about it in this article The Palawan Underground River: Philippines’ Renowned Treasure.

Different Formations

Cave formations, also called speleothems, are like snowflakes. Each speleothem is irreplaceable, as no two types of cave formations are the same. There are draperies or stalactites with curtain-like appearances. Other formations have colorations that lend them a striped or bacon-like semblance.  The cave of the Palawan Underground River shows many huge drapery and striped formations from cave ceilings and on walls. Some stalactites are flowstones, which are sheet-like formations on cave floors or walls that are very attracting and are Philippines’ tourist spot that are loved by many who visit to see them. There are also cave crystals (frostwork) and popcorn speleothems (cave corals).

To look for a place where to stay in Palawan, it is as simple as clicking the internet and in a short while enormous suggestions will be up for your choice.