The Prickley Ice Cube Passage in the Lechuguilla caves in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, USA. Even at the end of the 20th century there were still natural treasures to discover, the Lechuguilla caves were one of them. In 1986, wind blowing out of a deep pit put explorers on the track of an underground maze now known to comprise over 80 kilometres of tunnels, lakes and caves.

A hanging garden of stalactites in the Lechuguilla Caves in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Even at the end of the 20th century there were still natural treasures to discover, the Lechuguilla caves were one of them. In 1986, wind blowing out of a deep pit put explorers on the track of an underground maze now known to comprise over 80 kilometres of tunnels, lakes and caves.

Shelves shaped like birdbaths mark the surface of a lake that has since receded in the Lechuguilla caves, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Even at the end of the 20th century there were still natural treasures to discover, the Lechuguilla caves were one of them. In 1986, wind blowing out of a deep pit put explorers on the track of an underground maze now known to comprise over 80 kilometres of tunnels, lakes and caves.

The Temple of the Dragon in the Lechuguilla caves, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Even at the end of the 20th century there were still natural treasures to discover, the Lechuguilla caves were one of them. In 1986, wind blowing out of a deep pit put explorers on the track of an underground maze now known to comprise over 80 kilometres of tunnels, lakes and caves.

The gypsum crystals of the Chandelier Ballroom in the Lechuguilla caves, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Even at the end of the 20th century there were still natural treasures to discover, the Lechuguilla caves were one of them. In 1986, wind blowing out of a deep pit put explorers on the track of an underground maze now known to comprise over 80 kilometres of tunnels, lakes and caves.

These 15 metre-high calcite columns in the Lechuguilla caves, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, were shaped by water as it washed over the cavern walls. Even at the end of the 20th century there were still natural treasures to discover, the Lechuguilla caves were one of them. In 1986, wind blowing out of a deep pit put explorers on the track of an underground maze now known to comprise over 80 kilometres of tunnels, lakes and caves.

Member of a research team in the Lechuguilla Caves, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Even at the end of the 20th century there were still natural treasures to discover, the Lechuguilla caves were one of them. In 1986, wind blowing out of a deep pit put explorers on the track of an underground maze now known to comprise over 80 kilometres of tunnels, lakes and caves.

In the Lechuguilla caves, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Even at the end of the 20th century there were still natural treasures to discover, the Lechuguilla caves were one of them. In 1986, wind blowing out of a deep pit put explorers on the track of an underground maze now known to comprise over 80 kilometres of tunnels, lakes and caves.

Cave pearls are formed when loose matter picks up coats of calcite, Lechuguilla caves, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Even at the end of the 20th century there were still natural treasures to discover, the Lechuguilla caves were one of them. In 1986, wind blowing out of a deep pit put explorers on the track of an underground maze now known to comprise over 80 kilometres of tunnels, lakes and caves.

A spelunker explores a water-filled side passage in Lake Castrovalva in the Lechuguilla caves, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Even at the end of the 20th century there were still natural treasures to discover, the Lechuguilla caves were one of them. In 1986, wind blowing out of a deep pit put explorers on the track of an underground maze now known to comprise over 80 kilometres of tunnels, lakes and caves.

Cavers scale a rope after an initial exploration of Chasm Drop, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Even at the end of the 20th century there were still natural treasures to discover, the Lechuguilla caves were one of them. In 1986, wind blowing out of a deep pit put explorers on the track of an underground maze now known to comprise over 80 kilometres of tunnels, lakes and caves.

Crystal clear water surrounds stalagmites in Lechuguilla Cave, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Even at the end of the 20th century there were still natural treasures to discover, the Lechuguilla caves were one of them. In 1986, wind blowing out of a deep pit put explorers on the track of an underground maze now known to comprise over 80 kilometres of tunnels, lakes and caves.

Science & Technology - 1st prize