Caves

Caves are natural voids below the surface large enough for a person to enter. They form by geologic processes that remove or displace rock over long periods. Karst caves in soluble rocks such as limestone dissolve with acidic water, creating extensive networks. Lava tubes form when flowing lava leaves hollow conduits. Other caves develop from glacier meltwater, or from coastal wave action. The resulting spaces vary from simple passages to vast chambers.

Inside, cave morphologies include passages, chambers, and mineral decorations. Stalactites hang from ceilings, stalagmites rise from floors, and columns join the two. Other features include flowstones, crystals, and speleothems produced by mineral precipitation from dripping water. Light is rare, and air flow influences temperature and humidity.

Caves host unique ecosystems, with organisms adapted to darkness and stable conditions. Insect, crustacean, and bat communities may be present, and some species live entirely within caves (troglobionts). Caves also serve as important groundwater stores and provide records of past climates and life in their mineral deposits.

Humans study caves through speleology, mapping and surveying passages. Caves are used for science, education, and tourism, but they are fragile and sensitive to damage from careless exploration, lighting, and vandalism. Conservation aims to protect formations, regulate access, and safeguard water quality, while cave rescue procedures address accidents and hazards.