Cave

Lechuguilla Cave Pearlsian Gulf

HallOfTheMountainKings

hawaiian lava tube

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Painted cave

Sodom Salt Cave 031712

Cave is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. Caves form naturally by the weathering of rock and often extend deep underground. The study of caves is called speleology, which involves the exploration, mapping, and analysis of caves. Some people, known as cavers or spelunkers, engage in the recreational exploration of caves. Caves have played a significant role in human history, serving as shelters, religious sites, and sources of minerals and water.

Formation

Caves can form through various processes, including the dissolution of limestone by acidic water, volcanic activity, erosion by water, and the melting of ice in glaciers. The most common type of cave formation is through the dissolution of limestone by acidic water. When rainwater combines with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere or soil, it forms a weak carbonic acid. As this acidic water seeps through cracks in the limestone, it gradually dissolves the rock, forming cavities that eventually become large enough to be considered caves.

Types of Caves

There are several types of caves, classified based on their formation process:

• Solution Caves: The most common type, formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks like limestone.
• Lava Tubes: Formed by flowing lava beneath the surface of a hardened lava flow.
• Sea Caves: Created by the power of the ocean eroding rock along coastlines.
• Glacier Caves: Formed within the ice of a glacier by melting.
• Erosional Caves: Carved out by the action of water or wind, removing material from their interiors.

Features

Caves can contain a variety of features, including stalactites and stalagmites, which are formed by mineral deposits from dripping water. Other features include columns (formed when stalactites and stalagmites meet), flowstone, and cave pearls. These features are collectively known as speleothems.

Ecology

Cave environments are unique and can support diverse ecosystems. Many caves are home to specialized species that have adapted to the dark, often nutrient-poor environments. These species, known as troglobites, can include fish, insects, and other organisms. Caves also provide habitats for bats, which in turn contribute to the cave ecosystem through guano deposits, which support a complex web of life.

Human Use

Throughout history, caves have been used by humans for shelter, burial, religious sites, and art. Prehistoric cave paintings, such as those found in Lascaux in France, are famous examples of early human art and are of significant archaeological and historical interest. Caves have also been used for mining and as sources of minerals and water.

Conservation

Caves are sensitive environments, and their ecosystems can be easily disrupted by human activity. Conservation efforts focus on protecting caves from pollution, vandalism, and the impacts of tourism. Organizations such as the National Speleological Society work to promote cave conservation and responsible caving practices.

See Also

• Karst Topography
• Subterranean River
• Cave Diving