UNRAVELING THE INTERWOVEN TAPESTRY OF GRAND CAVERNS, VIRGINIA: AN IN-DEPTH EXPLORATION THROUGH THE GEOHERITAGE FRAMEWORK

Grand Caverns, first discovered in 1804, holds the esteemed title of being the oldest show cave in continuous operation in the contiguous United States. Since 1806, it has consistently offered guided and interpretative tours to visitors, at least once a year, in the Town of Grottoes in Virginia. Over its two-century existence, Grand Caverns has appeared as a pivotal focal point for multidisciplinary research, particularly in geology and history, contributing crucial insights into the karst landscape of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.

In this talk, our focus is exploring the convergence of diverse heritages at Grand Caverns, encompassing geological, historical, and economic aspects. We delve into their significance in understanding various aspects, including the local economic impact of show caves, cave development processes, cave digital cartography, identification of microbial communities, archaeology, and the development of an educational (formal and informal) program. Moreover, we share the ongoing efforts being made to secure a proposal for Grand Caverns' inclusion on the UNESCO global geosites list. This recognition would not only enhance the cave's global prestige and contribute to the economy revitalization of the Shenandoah Valley, but also contribute to the broader understanding of the significance of Grand Caverns as an invaluable gem in the world's geoheritage.