Speleology

There are many types of cave formations, but some common ones include stalactites, stalagmites, columns, flowstones, and draperies. Each cave formation is created by different geological processes over long periods of time, resulting in unique shapes and textures. Overall, the number of specific cave formations can vary depending on the cave's geological history and conditions.

Lascaux cave became a tourist site in 1948, shortly after its discovery in 1940. However, due to concerns about the cave's preservation, a replica known as Lascaux II was opened to the public in 1983.

Cave people lived in caves or simple shelters made of branches and animal skins. They hunted, gathered food, made tools from stone and bone, and created art on cave walls. Fire played a crucial role in their daily lives for warmth, cooking, and protection.

The Cheddar Gorge Caves in Somerset, England, were formed through a process of erosion by water dissolving the limestone rock over thousands of years. The caves are a result of a combination of underground rivers, weathering, and tectonic activity creating the unique geological formations seen today.

Stalactites are formations that hang down from the ceiling of caves. These mineral deposits are created as water drips through the cave's ceiling and leaves behind mineral deposits that accumulate over time.

A person who explores sea caves is typically called a cave diver or a spelunker. These individuals are trained in underwater diving techniques and often use specialized equipment to navigate through the dark and intricate passageways of sea caves.

The Chislehurst Caves, in Kent, England, are not dangerous to enter. The site is a tourist attraction and guided tours of the caves are offered. The caves were even used as bomb shelters during World War 2.

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.

The oldest known cave with representational images is the Chauvet Cave in France, which dates back to around 30,000-32,000 years ago.

The Wookey Hole Caves are based in Somerset in England. Their address is The Mill, Wells, BA5 1BB, United Kingdom. They can be contacted on +44 1749 672243.

Dolines are landforms that consist of depressions or sinkholes in the ground that are usually formed by the dissolution of underlying limestone or other soluble rocks. They can vary in size and shape, often creating unique landscapes and sometimes causing hazards such as collapse. Dolines are commonly found in karst regions.

Prehistoric man painted in caves to communicate hunting tactics, rituals, and events in their lives. The paintings served as a way to record and pass down important traditions and knowledge to future generations. Additionally, cave art may have been created for spiritual or ceremonial purposes, to honor or connect with the natural world.

The Luray Caverns in Virginia are about 4.4 miles long, but the portion open to the public for tours is about 1.5 miles in total. These caverns feature stunning geological formations like stalactites, stalagmites, and underground pools.

Smugglers used caves because they provided hidden and secure locations to store and conceal contraband goods, making it difficult for authorities to discover and confiscate them. Caves also offered protection from the elements and the ability to easily transport goods through secret passages or tunnels.

In a cave, you might hear echoes of sounds bouncing off the walls, water dripping, animals scurrying, and the sound of your own footsteps. The acoustics inside a cave can amplify and distort noises, creating a unique auditory experience.

No-one knows!

If you trawl through the cave lists for every country that has caves in limestone, the answer will run into many tens, maybe some hundreds, of thousands from the near-400miles of the Flint Ridge / Mammoth Cave System down to the most modest little solutional tube.

Then there must be many more not known - or not yet anyway - because they lie in very remote regions or their entrances are concealed by natural run-ins, glacial till chokes and the like.

A quick estimate from the index in the guide-book for just one part of Northern England alone came to something like 800 caves.

Misery Hole, called to the guano miners in 1914, the former name of the cave itself. Its cave is located in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. It is the deepest cave in the United States.

Cave entrances are typically called cave mouths, cave openings, or cave portals.

Caves usually form in areas with limestone or other soluble rocks that can be dissolved by water over long periods of time. Common locations for cave formation include regions with karst topography, such as in limestone landscapes or near volcanic activity, where lava tubes can create caves.

Cavern formation is typically caused by the dissolution of soluble rocks (such as limestone) by water, usually through a process called chemical weathering. Over time, the water erodes and dissolves the rock, creating large underground cavities known as caverns.

Caves provide critical habitats for a variety of unique species, some of which are found nowhere else. They also serve as important groundwater reservoirs, supporting local water systems and biodiversity. Additionally, caves have scientific and educational value, offering insights into the Earth's geological history and enabling research on topics such as climatology and archaeology.

The Ajanta Caves are a series of ancient Buddhist caves located in Maharashtra, India, dating back to the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE. These caves house intricately carved sculptures, paintings, and frescoes that depict stories from the life of Buddha. The Ajanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are significant for their historical and cultural importance.

Sea caves are formed through erosion by powerful waves, creating unique features such as narrow entrances, dark passageways, and hollowed-out chambers. These caves can have distinctive shapes, ranging from simple tunnels to complex networks of interconnected chambers. Sea caves often contain fascinating rock formations, such as stalactites and stalagmites.

A deposit on the roof of a cave is typically referred to as a stalactite, which is a mineral formation hanging from the ceiling that is formed by the dripping of mineral-rich water. Stalactites are a common feature in caves and can vary in size and shape depending on the minerals present in the water dripping from the cave ceiling.

cavern

Sometimes, in names and especially by show-cave owners to impress intending visitors; but the normal word in anyy English-language caving speech or text is simply "Cave" irrespective of type and dimensions.