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That is such a common question on ‘Answers’ I wrote this single reply I can simply paste!

Most of the world’s caves are in Limestone.

Caves need three materials: a soluble rock like Limestone or Gypsum, water and carbon-dioxide (CO2).

Their host limestone also needs to be of appropriate physical structure and raised into hills, then subjected to reasonably consistent precipitation for many tens or hundreds of thousands of years.

Limestone is a sedimentary rock of which the world’s greater proportion was laid down in warm, relatively shallow, seas. The rock was laid in horizontal layers – Beds – separated by Bedding-planes which generally reflect geologically-brief changes in the environment. The suite of beds is known as a Formation, generally named after its “type area”.

Later continental uplift (tectonic processes) raise the formation along with its underlying rocks, usually tilting and folding it to at least some extent in the process. Since most rocks are brittle they cannot take much stress, and limestone beds crack into grids of fine fractures called Joints. The uplift and folding often also causes Faulting – major breaks with the rock mass one side of the Fault Plane being raised, lowered or moved horizontally past that on the opposite side. (Note: Plane – the “Fault Line” sometimes misused as a political metaphor is that of the fault-plane cutting the land surface.)

Now we have the hills, next we need rain-water that has absorbed atmospheric CO2 to create Carbonic Acid (weak but natural soda water in fact!). This permeates through all those joints, bedding-planes and faults; flowing very, very slowly under considerable pressure applied by its depth, from its sinks on the surface to its springs at the base of the formation. In doing so, it dissolves the limestone (chemical weathering), creating meshes of tiny micro-conduits that over many tens of thousands of years coalesce and capture each other to form cave passages.

Once this happens, the rate of erosion can increase – though still to perhaps only a few millimetres per thousand years under generally temperate climates.

A cave, or series within a cave system, that still carries its formative stream is called “Active”, and is still being developed.

Surface changes such as the valley floor being lowered by erosion, or down-cutting within the cave by its stream, changes the water’s route and the original, now dried-out, stream-way is called “Fossil” or “Abandoned”. Such passages may be filled with silt left by floods as the main flow gradually abandons them; or may become richly decorated with Speleothems – calcite deposits such as stalactites and stalagmites precipitated from ground-water still oozing through the joints in the limestone above the cave. In time such passages may start to break down as there is no stream to dissolve away slabs falling from the roof as permeating ground-water attacks the rock above.

In the end, surface lowering of the landscape as a whole, breaches and destroys the cave. Nothing is permanent in Nature!

Caves in limestone are also parts of Karst Landscape. i.e. a landscape developed by the dissolution of limestone, giving surface features like Dolines, Limestone Pavement, and in the tropics, distinctive hills such as those represented in Chinese Willow-pattern images. ‘Karst’ is from the Slavic word ‘Kras’, the name for its world type-area.

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The above is purely an introduction to a vastly more complex and subtle series of processes, of course, and I would refer you to appropriate text-books on geology and cave studies to learn these.

The scientific study of caves is Speleology – embracing geology, hydrology, Biology, Archaeology and other disciplines.

Simply visiting caves to enjoy them for their scenery and the physical and mental challenges they present, is called Caving, though you can’t study a cave unless you can negotiate its obstacles. We caving enthusiasts are simply Cavers, throughout the English-speaking world – not “spelunkers”, which appears to be merely rude, USA-only, slang for novices and dilettantes!

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How can groundwater cause caves to form?

Groundwater can dissolve minerals in the rock over time, creating underground cavities as the water flows through the rock. The dissolved minerals are carried away by the water, leaving void spaces that eventually form into caves. Over long periods of time, erosion and deposition can also help shape these formations into the caves we see today.


How does ground water create certain features?

Groundwater can create certain features on the Earth's surface through erosion and deposition. The slow movement of groundwater can dissolve and carry away rock material, creating caves, sinkholes, and caverns. When groundwater deposits minerals as it flows through the ground, it can form features like stalactites and stalagmites in caves.


What landforms are made by ground water erosion?

Groundwater erosion can create landforms such as caves, sinkholes, and karst topography. As water dissolves and transports soluble rocks like limestone, it can form underground caverns and passages. Over time, these features can collapse, creating sinkholes on the surface. Karst topography is characterized by unique surface features like sinkholes, disappearing streams, and springs, all formed by groundwater erosion in soluble rocks.


Are caves formed by erosion or weathering?

Caves are typically formed by a combination of erosion and weathering. Erosion from water, wind, and ice can wear away rock formations, while weathering processes such as chemical weathering can dissolve minerals in the rock, creating openings that can eventually form caves over time.


How can water from earth's surface create caves?

Water can create caves through a process called erosion. Over time, water can dissolve and erode soft rock formations like limestone, creating openings and caverns underground. As water flows through cracks and fissures, it can widen them to form caves. Additionally, underground rivers can carve out caves as they flow through the rock layers.

Related Questions

How can groundwater cause caves to form?

Groundwater can dissolve minerals in the rock over time, creating underground cavities as the water flows through the rock. The dissolved minerals are carried away by the water, leaving void spaces that eventually form into caves. Over long periods of time, erosion and deposition can also help shape these formations into the caves we see today.


How does ground water create certain features?

Groundwater can create certain features on the Earth's surface through erosion and deposition. The slow movement of groundwater can dissolve and carry away rock material, creating caves, sinkholes, and caverns. When groundwater deposits minerals as it flows through the ground, it can form features like stalactites and stalagmites in caves.


What landforms are made by ground water erosion?

Groundwater erosion can create landforms such as caves, sinkholes, and karst topography. As water dissolves and transports soluble rocks like limestone, it can form underground caverns and passages. Over time, these features can collapse, creating sinkholes on the surface. Karst topography is characterized by unique surface features like sinkholes, disappearing streams, and springs, all formed by groundwater erosion in soluble rocks.


Are caves formed by erosion or weathering?

Caves are typically formed by a combination of erosion and weathering. Erosion from water, wind, and ice can wear away rock formations, while weathering processes such as chemical weathering can dissolve minerals in the rock, creating openings that can eventually form caves over time.


Caves most commonly form in?

Caves most commonly form in areas with limestone or other soluble rocks that are easily eroded by water. The process of cave formation typically involves the dissolution of rock by acidic groundwater, creating underground voids. Over time, these voids can develop into large cave systems through ongoing erosion and geological processes.


How can water from earth's surface create caves?

Water can create caves through a process called erosion. Over time, water can dissolve and erode soft rock formations like limestone, creating openings and caverns underground. As water flows through cracks and fissures, it can widen them to form caves. Additionally, underground rivers can carve out caves as they flow through the rock layers.


What is the process of formation of caves?

Caves are formed through a process called speleogenesis, which involves the dissolution of soluble rocks like limestone, dolomite, or gypsum by groundwater. Over time, the water creates underground passages and caverns as it erodes and dissolves the rock, creating the intricate formations seen in caves. Other processes like tectonic activity, erosion, and lava flows can also contribute to cave formation.


Can ground water erode in the formation of stalactite and stalagmite in caves.?

Yes, groundwater can erode in the formation of stalactites and stalagmites in caves. Groundwater dissolves minerals like calcium carbonate as it moves through rocks, then deposits these minerals as it drips from cave ceilings to form stalactites. As the mineral-laden water drips onto the cave floor, it leaves behind deposits that build up to form stalagmites.


What agent of erosion is responsible for creating limestone caves?

Water erosion, specifically through the dissolution of carbon dioxide in water to form weak carbonic acid, is the primary agent responsible for creating limestone caves through the process of chemical weathering. Over time, this acidic water dissolves the limestone, creating caves, sinkholes, and other karst topography features.


What type of bedrock would you expect to find in a region with caves and sinkholes?

Limestone bedrock is commonly found in regions with caves and sinkholes. Limestone is susceptible to erosion by slightly acidic groundwater, which can create underground caves and cavities over time. Sinkholes often form when the roof of a cave collapses, leading to the characteristic landscape features in such regions.


What can create underground caves and form stalactites and stalagmites?

Water, erosion, and time. Limestone is a common rock that these geologic structures form in because of it's relative softness.


How can groundwater create a cave?

Groundwater creates caves through a process called chemical weathering, which dissolves rock over time. As water seeps through the ground, it reacts with minerals in the rock, slowly eroding it and creating cavities. Over thousands of years, these cavities can grow larger and eventually form caves.