Speleology

Russia has the most caves. It has 19% of its total area covered by carbonate rocks at the surface, which are the primary constituents of caves.

The Ajanta Caves are Buddhist cave monuments in Maharashtra, India, dating back to the 2nd century BCE. They are known for their exquisite ancient rock-cut architecture and breathtaking frescoes depicting the life of Buddha and other important stories from Buddhist mythology. The caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are considered one of the finest examples of ancient Indian art and architecture.

The Tilly Whim Caves in Dorset, UK, were formed by the erosive action of the sea on the softer rock layers along the coastal cliffs. Over time, the pounding waves undercut the cliffs and created caves, which were later expanded by human hands for limestone extraction.

Probably a contraction of Histology which is the scientific study of microscopic anatomy and is a medical term one might speak oif histology of certain illnesses, such as black spots on the lungs in smoking-related cancers, and so on. The term is not related to the word (history).

Answer No The so-called cave pearls are stalactite pearls of a brown, terracotta color. The have distinct, concentric layers over several cores and "may" develop a pearly luster similar to nacre. The pearl-like objects are not round either. They are usually more baroque in shape.

A cave or part of a cave that has not been visited by people in "recorded history." For example, if a cave explorer finds what appears to be newly unexplored passage, but then happens upon a petroglyph or an arrowhead, then he or she could claim, they were in virgin passage. ( The petroglyph or tool may be of neanderthal origin, and would therefore, not count as human visitation. ) However, normally a virgin passage shows no sign of human visitation at all. If it could be proven that any footprints were hundreds of years old; then it would be noted by the discoverer that "the passage appeared to be virgin with the exception of footprints left by a native inhabitants of the region."

Not sure, but the names below could possibly make the list 1. Bill Stone ( only human to reach the deepest point in a cave ). 2. William Steele ( extreme caver ) 3. Henry Bruil ( french archeaologist ) 4. Dr. George Veni ( speleo-hydrologist ) 5. Dr. William Elliot ( speleo-biologist ) 6. Bob Richards ( speleo cartographer )

Many universities offer coursework in speleology, or the scientific study of caves, as well as clubs associated with universities. In the United States of America alone dozens of universities like MIT, Western Kentucky University, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Texas in Austin all offer courses in speleology.

One can earn certificates in Speleology by completing courses and training offered by organizations such as the National Cave and Karst Management Program, National Speleological Society, and British Cave Research Association. These programs provide education in cave exploration, safety, conservation, and research techniques.

Caves, and other karst features, are produced because limestone is soluble in water containing dissolved carbon dioxide and organic acids. Rain picks up atmospheric carbon dioxide as it falls. On passing through the soil more carbon dioxide, from plant roots and decaying vegetable matter becomes dissolved in the water, along with complex organic acids called humic acids. This ground water is easily able to dissolve limestone.

phreatic conditions result in three dimensional solution either forming large dome-shaped chambers or complex three dimensional mazes. The rock may become like a Swiss cheese producing what is called spongework.

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With respect, you've summarised cave formation but forgotten to define "phreatic"!

A phreati passage is one formed by dissolution as above but withinthe saturation zone of the rock mass' i.e. entirely filled withwater underhydrostatic pressure.Because the passage is totally filled the rock is attacked on all its exposed surface,so creating characteristically circular or elliptical passage sections.

Cave depths are measured from the altitude of the upper most portion of the cave with the altitude of the lowest portion of the cave passage. In the case of a lava tube cave, the passage is related to the lava flowing down the slope of the landscape. Since a lava cave can be over 8 km long, it is possilble that the upper portion of the cave is over 300 meters higher than the lower portion of the cave. It can be very strenous to travel from the top of such a cave to the bottom and possibly back out the entrance from which you came. Ref: http://www.caverbob.com/lava.htm

The study of caves is called speleology. Speleologists study the physical characteristics, formation, and geological context of caves, as well as the flora and fauna that inhabit them.

Speleology: it's a blanket term for a wide range of sciences including geology, hydrology, biology and archaeology each studying its own interests within the caves.

Cave draperies, also known as cave curtains or soda straws, are thin, hollow formations of minerals that hang like curtains from the ceiling of caves. They are typically composed of materials such as calcite or gypsum deposited by dripping water over thousands of years. These delicate formations are often found in limestone caves and can vary in size and shape.

The Lascaux Cave was discovered in September of 1940. This cave is known for its numerous drawings which date back 17,000 years ago.

Caves are typically formed in rock formations such as limestone, marble, or volcanic rock. The creation of caves is primarily influenced by water erosion, chemical weathering, and geological processes over millions of years. Inside caves, various mineral deposits and formations such as stalactites and stalagmites can be found.

Limestone caverns are formed when the acid in the rain drops or sea water erodes the stone through attrition and eliminates to rock. Limestone is a permeable rock - which means it can soak up liquid, like a sponge.

People who search caves are commonly referred to as spelunkers or cavers. They are individuals who explore caves for either recreational purposes or scientific research.

Groundwater seeping through the limestone rock over thousands of years dissolved the rock, creating cracks and fissures. Eventually, these cracks formed larger passageways that became the cave system of Lascaux.

The main types of caves are solution caves, lava caves, sea caves, glacier caves, and talus caves. Solution caves form from the dissolution of soluble rocks like limestone; lava caves are created by flowing lava; sea caves are carved by the action of waves on coastal cliffs; glacier caves form within glaciers due to melting and refreezing processes; and talus caves are formed by fallen rocks creating cave-like structures.

Fissure, Talus, Solutional, Granite, Slate, Erosional, man-made, rare emerged Sea caves, Sea caves, and Sandstone caves.
Most are created over millions of years by water dissolving minerals in the rock, leaving a void or hollow behind.

Caves form through a combination of geological processes, including erosion from water, chemical weathering, and the dissolution of rocks like limestone or dolomite. Over time, these processes create underground voids and caverns that eventually form a cave.

Some notable caverns around the world include Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, USA, Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, USA, Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand, Son Doong Cave in Vietnam, and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River in the Philippines.

Ice age people lived in caves because caves provided shelter from harsh weather conditions, protection from predators, and a place to store food and resources. Caves were naturally insulated, making them ideal for maintaining an environment that was warmer than the outside.