Speleology

The Waitomo Caves in New Zealand were formed over millions of years through a combination of underground water flow and the dissolving of limestone rock. As acidic water trickled through the limestone, it created a network of underground tunnels and caverns, eventually forming the intricate caves and spectacular stalactites and stalagmites that we see today.

The Burren is a region in Ireland known for its limestone bedrock, which can be easily eroded by water, creating underground rivers and caves. The presence of these features is due to the processes of erosion and dissolution that have taken place over thousands of years, shaping the unique landscape of the area.

They may have used the caves as some sort of shrine or meeting-place. On a practical level, dry caves also protected their art-work from the weather. We can't be sure because these people left no records of their beliefs and ideas; only traces of how they survived.

The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark in Northern Ireland typically receives around 125,000 visitors annually.

The top of a cave is called the entrance or the mouth of the cave. It is the opening through which one can access the interior of the cave.

Caves are not typically found in savannas, as the underlying geological formations are usually not conducive to cave formation. Savannas are characterized by grasslands with scattered trees and are more likely to have open landscapes with limited underground cave structures.

The word "subterranean" is superfluous by definition, but essentially a cavern is a large void in the rock.

Normally the term is applied a bit loosely to refer to particularly long, natural caves with many large chambers and passages; but is sometimes used to describe very large, man-made, underground chambers.

the tunnels and caves, John is talking about the New York City subway system. One good piece of evidence for this is the "temple" that has all kinds of stars across the ceiling. A mighty temple it must have been, for the roof was painted like the sky at night with its stars — that much I could see, though the colors were faint and dim. It went down into great caves and tunnels—perhaps they kept their slaves there.

The building that he is referring to is Grand Central Station. Its ceiling is decorated with stars and other celestial items. It descends a long way and leads to a plethora of train and subway tunnels.

Natchitoches does not have caves within the city limits. The closest cave system is the Crystal Cave in Springfield, about a two-hour drive away.

When u enter the forest there's a white monster guy who talks to u about the witch. Go thru any Cave. If you enter a new place where there is no monster, ur on the right track. If u see the monster again u have to start a different pattern coz u got it wrong. Keep going like this and u should end up at the witch's place. Talk to her and she will give u the rat spell. Hope I helped! Rubz:) (that's my name on graal)

Slaves were procured in the caves at Shimoni through raids on local communities and capturing individuals. These individuals were then held in the caves before being transported to the coast for sale in the slave trade. The caves provided a hidden location where slaves could be kept until they were marketed to slave traders.

The Mescalero Apaches did not live in Carlsbad Caverns but they did utilize the area for shelter and resources for thousands of years. They used the caves as temporary shelters during hunting trips and as a place to gather resources.

The Altamira caves contain prehistoric paintings created by early humans. The paintings depict various animals, such as bison, horses, and deer, as well as geometric shapes. The art is predominantly found on the ceiling and upper walls of the caves.

I'd delete "most" for a start!

Touching them, even if it doesn't break them, can leave muddy finger-prints that become permanent stains, spoiling them "for ever".

To the calcite formations I think you mean, I'd add sediment features too.

Following a quick shufti at its publicity web-site it's hard to see any real, obejctive dangers! Most of it is a show-cave, so has artificial paths, lighting, etc. It has an "adventure caving" route (similar to some show caves here in the UK) but you, as a visitor would be equipped properly and led by experienced guides. So I'm puzzled by your question. Visit it - either as a straightforward show-cave tourist or on the "adventure" route - and enjoy it!

Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico is known for its stunning underground caves, rock formations, and unique ecosystem. Visitors are drawn to explore the vast chambers, stalactites, and stalagmites, as well as to witness the evening bat flight spectacle. The park offers opportunities for hiking, guided tours, and learning about the geology and history of the area.

More accurately I think you mean "What type of rocks hold caves?"

The majority of caves are in Limestone; some in its metamorphic edition, Marble. These, "karst" caves, often also hold calcite deposits (stalactites etc) formed by precipitation of the calcium carbonate dissolved from the rock above the cave by the water oozing through its joints.

There are also lava tubes in basalt lava, formed by molten rock flowing from below a solidified crust.

Sea-caves and mass-movement fissures can occur in most competant rocks.

The Sterkfontein Caves are important because they have yielded some of the oldest hominid fossils, providing valuable insight into human evolution. They are also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their scientific significance.

Underwater caves can collapse due to a variety of factors such as changes in water pressure, erosion from water flow, seismic activity, or the dissolution of rock material over time. These collapses can be dangerous to divers exploring these caves as they can create sudden blockages and entrapment hazards.

The type or more accurately, age and lithology, of the limestone does not influence cave development within it significantly, though its structure will.

CALCITE, the mineral Calcium Carbonate, is deposited in caves as Stalactites, Stalagmites and related formations, having been dissolved from the limestone above.

The original answer said Travertine, but although that is the same mineral, it is a form deposited in the open air.

Who knows? They've not been found yet.

I'll invite the local cavers to expand specifically but the joy - and often frustration - of original cave exploration is that you have no real idea until you find it. Yes, you can predict that extensions to a cave may exist, but you cannot be sure till you reach them.

There's an old Somerset (S.W. England) cavers' dictum (actually I know who coined it), that, "Caves be where you find 'em!"

That's as true in Carlsbad Caverns or the Flint Ridge - Mammoth system as it is on the saying's home territory of the more modest Mendip Hills.

The caves of Lascaux were discovered by four teenagers and their dog, Robot, in 1940. The boys stumbled upon the caves while exploring the woods near their village in France. The discovery of the cave paintings inside, dating back over 17,000 years, was a significant archaeological find.

There are over 5,000 named caves in Washington state. The majority of these caves are located in the Cascade Range and Olympic Mountains. Each cave offers unique geological formations and ecosystems for visitors to explore.

Dark, very darK! :-)

They have certain classes of passage morphology, especially cross-sections, due to their detail mode of formation. The walls have textures related to the specific rock and chemical weathering regime that formed them. All these details are valuable in assessing how the particular cave developed.

They can be "active" - carrying the stream still carrying them. They can be "fossil" or "abandoned" - left high and dry by losing their formative streams, and these especially may present large heaps of fallen boulders, sand-banks, rich masses of stalactites and stalagmites, etc.

The "passage" may be a vertical shaft, which may or may not open to the surface, and many of these are very impressive indeed.

Each cave is unique.