description Skeleton Cave Overview
Skeleton Cave is a 3,560-foot-long lava tube located in the high desert near Bend, Oregon, formed by ancient volcanic activity in the region. Discovered in 1924, the cave is paleontologically significant for containing fossilized remains of Pleistocene-era animals, including the extinct horse species Equus niobrarensis. Today, it is managed by the US Forest Service as part of the Arnold Ice Cave system and is accessible for permitted recreational caving.
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Where is Skeleton Cave located?
Skeleton Cave is a prominent lava tube located in the high desert near the city of Bend, Oregon. It is situated within the Deschutes National Forest, which is famous for its extensive network of volcanic caves.
How long is Skeleton Cave in Oregon?
The subterranean lava tube extends for an impressive 3,560 feet beneath the surface of the Earth. This makes it one of the longest and most accessible cave systems in the region.
Why is it called Skeleton Cave?
The cave earned its name due to the discovery of numerous Pleistocene-era animal bones found inside its dark chambers. Early explorers found the skeletal remains of various prehistoric animals that had fallen into the cave and perished.
What specific extinct animal remains were found in Skeleton Cave?
Paleontologists exploring the cave discovered the fossilized remains of the extinct horse Equus niobrarensis, among other ice age mammals. These significant finds have helped researchers understand the prehistoric ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest.
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