THE CAVES
THE CAVES
DON’T BE AFRAID TO EXPLORE
BENEATH THE GROUND, There is a network of large holes, or caves. Caves are naturally occurring chambers, formed out of rock.
There are
many different cave types, some housing hidden lakes and waterfalls; caverns are extensive networks of giant caves. some caves are
no bigger than a cupboard, but others are huge.
The Sarawak Chamber in Malaysia is 700m (2296 ft) long and 50m (164 ft) high; the world’s biggest sports stadium, the Louisiana Superdome, could fit
into it three times over. Damp and dark, caves have distinctive features, such
as stalactites and stalagmites.
HOW A CAVE FORMS?
Most of the
world’s biggest caves are formed by water trickling down through soluble rocks,
such as limestone. The water widens joints or cracks by dissolving the rock.
Rainwater is dilute carbonic acid and wears away the rocks, creating a cave.
CAVE
FEATURES-
Formed over
thousands of years, stalactites and stalagmites are found in caves.
Droplets of
water partially evaporate to form calcium deposits (calcite); drips create
hanging stalactites on the roof, and upright stalagmites where they fall to the
floor. Spiralling drips form twisted helictites. Flowstone is solidified calcite
on the cave floor or walls.
The biggest
and most common cave systems are formed in carbonate rocks, such as dolomite
and limestone, but small caves form in all kinds of rocks. Caves are found in
many terrains, from the sea to glaciers, and can have different formations.
SEA CAVE –
Small caves
from in sea cliffs; waves force water into cracks, blasting the rock apart. The
hole may emerge as a below-hole on the cliff-top.
FISSURE
CAVE –
The movement
and force of an earthquake can create deep fissures, long, narrow openings,
and caves.
ICE CAVE-
Greeny-blue
tunnel caves form under glaciers after spring meltwater carves out passages
under the ice.
LAVA CAVE-
Tunnel- like
caves from in lava- surface layers harden, and molten lava flows underneath.
LIMESTONE
CAVE –
Most caves form in limestones. This rock has many joints and its calcium content is vulnerable to the acid in rainwater.


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