aaaaHowaareacavesaformed?

 

Most caves form as a result of the solvent action of water and the compounds in it.  The most common is limestone.  The surface water in limestone caves contains carbon dioxide and humid acids that come from the soil.  Water seeps  through the ground absorbing carbon dioxide from the soil.  The carbon dioxide and the water have a chemical reaction that forms a carbonic acid that attacks, dissolves, and carries away the limestone.  Usually, the mineral is redeposited creating cave formations called stalactites or stalagmites.  Often the two of these grow together forming columns.  Other formations to look for in this type of cave include:  trays, bottlebrushes, cave coral, flowstones, and draperies.       The depth of the chamber depends on the depth of the water table.  After several unusually wet years the water table rises, and the cave chamber will become flooded and new ones will start to form.  Also, during an extremely dry spell chambers will begin forming at lower levels.  These times produce multi-level cave systems.  An example of this is Mammoth Cave.       Some other types of caves include ice caves, which are formed in glaciers and iceburgs; lava caves, which are formed under lava flows; and the sea cave, which is formed by wave action against the sides of cliffs.       Most large caves experience a natural air conditioning.  Here the temperature only varies a few degrees from year to year.  These caves are ventilated constantly with fresh air.  Many of these large caves or caverns become  commercial caves.    Home Spelunker's Manual Creations 'n Dwellers Dwellers Resources Cave Fun Tourist Guide Meet the Authors Your Comments ThinkQuest    Top of Page