How Were Caves Formed?
Caves, or caverns, are holes made in the earth’s surface by the forces of nature. Sea caves were formed by the steady beating of the sea against large rocks on shore. This beating, over thousands of years, hollowed out a cave. The Blue Grotto on the Isle of Capri in Italy is probably the best-known sea cave. Limestone, or dolomi
In many interesting ways caves have been linked with the history of man. Caves are deep hollow places in the rocky sides of hills or cliffs. Large caves are called “caverns.” Today, huge and beautiful caves all over the world are tourist attractions. Caves are formed in many different ways such as by the constant beating of the sea waves against the rocks. Caves that appear under the surface of the earth are usually formed due to the old courses of underground streams that have worn away layers of soft rock such as limestone. While others are formed by the volcanic shifting of the surface rocks or by the eruption of hot lava. Some caves have galleries in tiers or rows, one above another. Underground streams wind through some caves, though in many cases after a cave has been formed, the streams that once flowed through it may find a lower level and leave the cave dry.
I am expecting to hear the words, Teacher, how do holes get underground? Why do the walls look like a Star Trek movie? What are those things hanging from the ceiling? Where does all of this water come from? I will explain much of this topic on caves in simplistic terms corresponding to the needs of my students. There are five ways that caves are created; wind caves, wave caves, ice caves, lava caves, and dissolution caves (Hamilton 8). Erosion is usually the culprit in carving out these hollows. This research paper will focus on the limestone caves because they are the most abundant and are the most exceptional as far as the sizes and extent. When we talk about rocks, we know that everything takes time to happen. We talk in terms of millions of years old, not just ones, tens, and hundreds. Erosion must act on some preexisting material, therefore the rock or mineral that is being worn away has to be older than the cavity that it contains (Watt). The cave is always younger than its enclo
