You Can Visit A Cave In Tennessee That Can Detect Activity From All Over Globe
By Chris Dodge|Published April 04, 2023
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
In Tennessee, there is a cave that detects sound waves from all around the world. It’s called Tuckaleechee Caverns, and you’ll find this fascinating wonder in Townsend, Tennessee. This cave has the world’s most sensitive seismic station and that alone is rather impressive. Pair that with amazing geological formations and a convenient location under the Great Smoky Mountains, and you just might have the most unique cave in Tennessee.
Tuckaleechee Caverns is located in a little town called Townsend which has a reputation for being called the "quiet side" of the Smokies.
Unlike Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge -- both amazing, both filled with attractions and tourists -- Townsend tends to be a quiet place to enjoy our beautiful mountains. This softer and quieter space makes the perfect place for an underground seismic station that is like having ears inside the very crust of the earth.
You can visit the Tuckaleechee Caverns and take a 1.25-mile tour to learn all about the rock formations and the geological wonderland that can be found right under the Smoky Mountains. Among stunning features like these columns, you can also witness what is called “Big Room” which, as the name suggests, is so huge you can almost fit a football stadium inside of it!
You will also get to walk by Silver Falls which flows down 210 feet, making it the tallest subterranean waterfall in the East. The visible section you can see won’t be nearly that tall but it is still quite an impressive waterfall to witness.
With the ability to detect waves up to 500 miles away *and* have captured earthquakes around the world, this system is incredibly impressive. In more recent years, scientists have been able to pick up the activity of a hydrogen bomb blast in North Korea.
The system known as SeismicTKL has been in place since the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The station is part of a global network keeping tabs on nuclear weapon usage across the globe.
Despite the importance of the work that is being done in the cave, visitors are still welcome to enjoy this natural wonder and marvel at the structures hidden beneath the Smoky Mountains.
We hope that knowing just a little bit about the seismic station will give you a greater appreciation for the Tuckaleechee Caverns in Townsend, TN. As you are awestruck by the beauty your eyes see in the cavern just know it’s what you don’t see that makes this cave so special. For more information about this cave or the seismic station please visit the Tuckaleechee Caverns website.
While you are visiting Townsend there is one place in the Smokies you simply must visit. Cades Cove is a beautiful area filled with history, wildlife, and scenic views.
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