About Caves
Caves form when natural processes create underground spaces. Many famous caves develop in limestone as slightly acidic groundwater dissolves rock over long periods.
Limestone Caves
Explore the key ideas behind limestone caves.
Learn MoreGroundwater
Explore the key ideas behind groundwater.
Learn MoreStalactites
Explore the key ideas behind stalactites.
Learn MoreStalagmites
Explore the key ideas behind stalagmites.
Learn MoreLava Tubes
Explore the key ideas behind lava tubes.
Learn MoreCave Ecosystems
Explore the key ideas behind cave ecosystems.
Learn MoreCave Mapping
Explore the key ideas behind cave mapping.
Learn MoreCave Conservation
Explore the key ideas behind cave conservation.
Learn MoreLimestone Caves
Limestone Caves is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying limestone caves also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Groundwater
Groundwater is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying groundwater also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Stalactites
Stalactites is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying stalactites also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Stalagmites
Stalagmites is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying stalagmites also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Lava Tubes
Lava Tubes is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying lava tubes also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Cave Ecosystems
Cave Ecosystems is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying cave ecosystems also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Cave Mapping
Cave Mapping is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying cave mapping also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Cave Conservation
Cave Conservation is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying cave conservation also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.