Miles of previously unknown passages were recently discovered at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.
The nonprofit Cave Research Foundation found an additional 8 miles of passages through mapping and exploration of the cave, the park said in a Facebook post on Sunday. Already the largest cave system in the world, Mammoth Cave now lists 420 explored miles of passages.
"When it comes to discoveries in Mammoth Cave, there truly is no end in sight!" the post reads.
More:40 different species of shark fossils found in Mammoth Cave
Volunteers from the CRF visit the park annually to survey newly discovered passages, according to the National Park Service's website. Surveyors often used a compass, measuring tape or laser range finder and an inclinometer to record the direction, distance and slope of the passage.
Cave mapping is primarily used to locate potential research sites and assist with park management.
The national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve. It's one of several driveable trips to national parks from the TriState, less than four hours south of Cincinnati.
Temperatures inside the cave usually hover around 54 degrees year-round.
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