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An interesting question: I don't know that anyone has studied the statistics!
Sticking to caves in limestone - the most numerous by far - it's more accurate to
consider the entire cross-section of the passage.
Karst cave passages develop along joint and bedding-planes - also faults but leave them for now.
Initially the water dissolving the limestone occupies the whole passage volume, from its start as a minute micro-conduit. In these "Phreatic" conditions erosion takes place place along roof, floor and walls at the same time.
If the guiding conduit is along a joint, the passage becomes a tube of circular cross-section. If the guide is a bedding-plane, or the intersection of joint and bedding-plane, the passage becomes elliptical as the water spreads itself into the bedding-plane on each side of the conduit.
In some circumstances under phreatic conditions a layer of sediment can protect the floor from dissolution, and the passage tends to develop upwards into the joint, giving a tapering or "pointed" roof.
If the roof is an insoluble "aquiclude", phreatic passages are flat-roofed - the udnerside of the aquiclude. The water will also tend to spread out below the insoluble bed to form a network of small tubes, with one eventually becomg dominant. An example familiar to me is Blacknor Hole, in Portland, (Southern England), where the aquiclude is a tabular chert band about 100mm thick within the Jurassic-age Portland Formation of limestone.
On the other hand, a thin bed of resistant micrite called the Porcellaneous Band influenced many caves in the NW Pennines (Northern England), particularly Gaping Gill, to give a series of flat-floored, semi-circular phreatic passages on its upper surface.
If the cave's formative stream abandons phreatic passages relatively quickly their tubular cross-sections remain intact.
If though the cave's outlet level falls, typically by down-cutting of the landscape holding the springs, the cave's stream level falls to leave air above it. This is called the Vadose Phase. Now the water can attack only the walls and floor, principally the floor, and a vadose Canyon of key-hole cross-section may for. The "stem" of the keyhole is the original cylindrical phreatic tube, called the passage's 'precursor'. The section may resemble a letter T, with an arched roof, if the precursor was a bedding-plane.
Sometimes bedding-plane passages can be very wide. The largest in Porth yr Ogof (South Wales) is nearly 30m wide at its widest, but not much more than 2m high, with an unusually flat roof.
In very old caves, the beds in the roofs of large passages and chambers may collapse in stages to develop a cantilevered arch.
To go back to passages on faults (major tectonic fractures extending throughout the rocks, often from crust upwards). The way in which a fault forms shatters the rock on each side of the fault plane, giving ready access to the water. Such passages are marked by roofs of breccia and often obstructed by fallen angular boulders.
So to summarise... there is a variety of passage forms, with little or no prevalence overall of one type over the other; and the actual shape and size of a cave passage is highly individual.
What else can I help you with?
What are the different kinds of caves?
The most common types of cave are limestone caves.
Which area of the caves were the prehistoric painting found what does their location indicate?
The prehistoric paintings were found in the deepest, darkest, and most remote sections of the caves. This indicates that the ancient artists likely chose these locations intentionally, possibly for spiritual or ritualistic reasons.
Why do most bears live in caves?
They don't in the sense of being cave-dwelling animals, and most don't live in caves anyway because they are far more widespread than caves. Like all animals bears sometimes need shelter from the elements and possible attackers, somay use any suitable caves they might find; but for the most part they have to make do with whatever shelter the forest offers. Caves are common but only in specific areas, and caves that can be used as dens are by no means as common as bears!
Why most caves form by limestone?
Limestone is susceptible to dissolution by acidic water, which is common in most natural environments. Over time, this dissolution process carves out cavities underground, leading to the formation of caves. Additionally, limestone is a common and widespread rock type, which contributes to the prevalence of limestone caves.
Two most common types of rock in which sea caves form?
The two most common types of rock in which sea caves form are limestone and sandstone. This is because these types of rock are more susceptible to erosion by the action of waves and coastal processes, creating caves and other coastal formations over time.
What is the most commonly foundd cave in New zealand?
Sea caves would be the most common caves in New Zealand, because of the extensive coast line. There are a number of notable limestone caves in NZ, some near Nelson, and others in the North Island.
How do you find coal in minecraft beta?
You can find it in caves and on the side of cliffs. It is the most common ore.
What size drywall should be used for a ceiling?
The most common size of drywall used for ceilings is 4 feet by 8 feet.
What type of animals are in caves?
Animals commonly found in caves include bats, insects, spiders, salamanders, and certain species of birds and mammals. These animals have adapted to the dark, damp, and sheltered environment of caves to thrive.
What is the average height of ceilings in most buildings?
The average height of ceilings in most buildings is typically around 8 to 10 feet.
Which of the following rocks would you most likely find in a cave?
You've not given a "following" list from which to choose! Most of the world's caves are formed in limestone.
What is the standard height of ceilings in most homes and buildings?
The standard height of ceilings in most homes and buildings is typically around 8 to 9 feet.
