Fredlund, Daniel A. 1963. The Formation and Detailed Description of a Portion of Wind Cave-Pecks Pit-Amphitheater-Snowman's Heaven. Geological Engineering Department, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (for partial fulfillment of a Bachelor of Science Degree). 29 p.

Abstract

Wind Cave lies on the southern side of the Black Hills and is thought to be the largest of the Black Hills caves. The cave was formed in the Pahasapa limestone by solution below the water table according to the two-cycle theory of cave formation.

The authors mapped 1200 feet of cave passage that extends from station P-11, a station set by the National Park Service in 1934, near electric light 13.25 in the Pearly Gates Annex, through Peck's Pit in a westerly direction. The traverse ties back on itself at station 17, forming a loop through Snowman's Heaven, the Back Room, and over the 1897 Room.

Observations along the traverse were recorded, and a detailed description of the underground passages regarding size, shape, and ornamentation is given. The most prominent ornamentation consists of frostwork, popcorn, and boxwork.

An investigation of a material known as "moon milk" resulted in conclusions regarding its composition and occurence. It is a calcareous sinter composed of fine grained aggregates of aragonite, with some dolomite, some silica, and traces of iron, manganese, lead, and aluminum.