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I can't speak for Mammoth Cave as I've never visited it (nor come to that the USA!) but generally, caves form on levels controlled by the relative elevations of their sinks (absorbing water from the land-surface) and risings (springs) - the water's outlet at a lower level.
Over geological time the outlet level is lowered, typically by the valley in which the spring lies being deepened by "rejuvenation" in response often to falling sea-levels. This down-cutting works its way back up-stream.
If the rising is lowered, the cave's stream will erode its way down to the new level, often developing new, descending passages to do so. The original outlet may thus be left abandoned higher up the hillside, as a dry entrance.
This cycle may be repeated several times, as in Mammoth Cave (and many others) to leave a distinct set of passage levels throughout the system.
For a detailed description of Mammoth Cave's specific development you'd have to seek out formal reports or books on it, written by cavers who have explored, surveyed and studied it.
What else can I help you with?
How many levels of passages does the cave have?
Mammoth Cave has 5 levels of passages.
Who discovered passages in Mammoth Cave where he was a tour guide?
Stephen Bishop was slave guide who discovered more than 20 miles of Mammoth cave.
Where is the largest caves found in the US?
The largest caves in the US are found in Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park. Mammoth Cave is the world's longest known cave system, with over 400 miles of explored passages. It is a popular destination for cave tours and exploration.
What is the length of Mammoth Cave?
Mammoth Cave near Cave City, Kentucky, is the world's longest cave. More than 390 miles of passages have been mapped. Mammoth Cave is three times longer than its nearest competitor. Not only is the cave the longest in the world, but cave mappers believe the cave system will eventually prove to be 560 miles (900 km) long. The second longest cave in the world, Optimisticeskay Cave, in the Ukrainskaya region of the C.I.S. (former Soviet Union), is only 143 miles (230 km) long.It is 4.6 miles long.
Is the Mammoth Cave the largest cave system ever explored by man in Central Kentucky?
Mammoth Cave is the longest known cave system in the world. Therefore, yes, it is indeed the longest cave system explored by man in central Kentuky, in Kentucky, in the United States, in North America, in the Western and Northern Hemispheres and on Planet Earth It is also the longest cave system known to have ever been explored by man in the Universe. If the question was intended to find out where Mammoth Cave is located, then yes it is located in cental Kentucky near Bowling Green.
What features inside Mammoth Cave developed?
Odd question! All its features developed: the cave's passages and chambers, its speleothems, its sediment deposits. If any of the system's passages still carry streams, they are known as "active" and are still forming.
How many acres in Mammoth Cave?
You'd have to study the surveys or formal reports by the cave's explorers to establish that. Generally cavers don't usually count the number of passages (just that, not "~ways") but do quote the total length surveyed - approaching 400miles for the Mammoth / Flint Ridge System.
How do you use the word Mammoth Cave in a sentence?
The mammoth cave was discovered yesterday.This is one huge, mammoth cave!The mammoth cave paintings were incredibly detailed.
What are some landforms around Mammoth Cave?
mammoth cave is a cave
Mammoth Cave is in what region?
Mammoth Cave Region
What is the largest cave in the world called?
In Kentucky, the largest is Mammoth Cave. Not only in Kentucky either! Together with Flint Ridge Cave and others to which it is linked, Mammoth Cave forms the world's most extensive system, approaching 400 miles surveyed passages. The name "Mammoth" though, refers to passage cross-sections near its own entrance; not present known length or the extinct animals.
The largest known underground cave system in the world?
The Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, USA, is the largest known underground cave system in the world, with over 400 miles of passages mapped and explored. It is a popular destination for cave enthusiasts and tourists due to its vast size and unique geological formations.
