Speleology

In the context of a pseudoplastic fluid, a cavern refers to a void or cavity that forms due to the fluid's ability to shear-thin under stress. When the fluid is agitated, its viscosity decreases, causing localized regions of low viscosity that can trap air or form voids, creating cavern-like structures within the fluid. This behavior is common in materials like certain polymers, paints, and even some food products.

The process of rainwater dissolving and eroding soluble rock, such as limestone, to create underground caves is known as chemical weathering. This happens over a long period of time as water seeps through cracks in the rock, dissolving and carrying away minerals to form cave systems.

Collapsed caves are often referred to as sinkholes. This occurs when the roof of a cave collapses, creating a depression or hole on the surface. Sinkholes can pose dangers to infrastructure and properties located above them.

I'm not really sure what you had in mind.

Given that the cave is in limestone (as the vast majority of them are) there has to be a dimensional limit to the dissolution and erosion processes. The floor is there by default: it is the lowest surface along a passage at that given time in the cave's development.

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Stalagmites are depositional formations found on the floor of caverns that extend upward. They are formed as mineral-rich water drips from the ceiling of the cave, leaving behind layers of calcite or other minerals that build up over time to create these formations.

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The calcium deposit formed from water dripping through the roof of a cavern is called a stalactite. Stalactites hang from the roof of the cave and are formed as mineral-rich water drips down and leaves behind calcium deposits that slowly build up over time.

For caves in limestone (the most common):

Rain-water & snow melt water absorbs atmospheric CO2, making carbonic acid.

Though weak, this will, over time, dissolve the calcium carbonate that is the primary constituent of limestone.

The water's acidity is enhanced by humic acids from soil cover but it is not necessary for limestone dissolution, and the carbonic acid is still the main solvent.

Right - rain absorns atmospheric CO2 to become slightly acid.

When this water percolates through discontinuities in limestone, the rock is dissolved by this carbonic acid (an example of chemical weathering), and over time the conduits this creates enlarge and coalesce to form caves.

Stalagmites are cave formations that are formed when water dripping onto the cave floor evaporates and leaves behind mineral deposits, building up over time to create a cone-shaped structure.

Calcite, selenite, and that's normally about it apart from perhaps some other metallic minerals if the cave is an area affected by mineralisation. They are not for collection though, except in serious scientific study, but to be left undisturbed for other cavers to enjoy seeing.

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The average temperature inside land caves is typically around 55°F (13°C). This is due to the insulation provided by the surrounding rock and the fact that caves maintain a relatively constant temperature throughout the year.

Scientists who study caves are called speleologists

Chemical weathering. Ground water originates as rain acidified slightly by absorbed atmospheric carbon-dioxide, sometimes enhanced by organic acids from the soil. In flowing through the joints & other discontinuities in limestone, it dissolves the calcium carbonate that is the rock's primary constituent, to form conduits from sink to rising (spring).

Carlsbad Caverns experience physical weathering primarily through frost wedging. This process occurs as water seeps into cracks in the rock, freezes, expands, and causes the rock to break apart over time. Additionally, temperature changes and the expansion and contraction of rock layers due to heating and cooling can also contribute to physical weathering at Carlsbad Caverns.

Acidic ground water (rain-water that has absorbed atmospheric carbon dioxide to form carbonic acid) forms caves by dissolving the limestone as it flows through the joints & other discontinuities in the rock mass.

The Jenolan Caves in Australia are an example of karst landforms, formed by the dissolution of limestone over millions of years. These caves showcase unique geological formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, and underground rivers.

Acidic ground water (rain-water that has absorbed atmospheric carbon dioxide to form carbonic acid) dissolving the limestone as it flows through the joints & other discontinuities in the rock mass.

Principally chemical as the limestone is dissolved by carbonic acid (rain-water acidified by absorbed atmospheric CO2). As the cave develops mechanical weathering of its stream-passages may contribute, by abrading the rock with sand carried in the stream.

The temperature of a cave is usually close to the average annual temperature for the region where it's located. For example, caves in Texas can be as warm as 70º F. Caves in Missouri might be between 55º F and 60º F. Caves in Wisconsin might be a chilly 50º F.

They act as conduits for the ground-waterso putting into contact with the limestone to initiatedissolution of the limestone. Consequently they also guide passage directions and morphologies.

At a much later stage they control the nature of collapses in large voids.