Existing comment:
The Forming of Montezuma Well:
Scientists speculate that about twelve million years ago, this part of the Verde Valley was covered by a large, shallow lake full of small floating plants. The plants caused dissolved limestone to form minute crystals which slowly sank to the bottom and, eventually, produced thick layers of soft limestone rock.
About two million years ago, the lake began drying. Underground streams started dissolving some of the softer limestone under the ground and a cavern began to take shape.
The constantly moving water carved the underground cave even larger until, probably, about 11,000 years ago, the roof gradually crumbled -- forming Montezuma Well. Continued erosion formed the outlet in a side cave.
When the water enters the well through the bottom vents, limestone falls out of solution and carbon dioxide (CO2) is released as a dissolved gas into the water. |