9.41 Cave Facts

Caves are fascinating forms of rock found in nature. In this lesson, learn about how caves are formed, how they were used by ancient humans, and animals that live in caves!

What is a Cave?

Has anyone ever asked you if you’ve been living in a cave? If they have, they probably were not being very nice! A cave is a place in the ground or in a mountain or hill that is hollowed out. So the question means maybe you aren’t up on current events or styles. But don’t take it personally!

Caves can be found all over the world, and there are different types. A primary cave is one that formed at the same time as the rock. The most common type of cave is a solutional cave, usually found in limestone. Caves can be found in glaciers as well, when the water melts in ways that create hollowed out areas.

Not all caves are dark and scary! This marble cave is full of beautiful rock formations and cool water.
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1. Main points:

A cave is a hollowed-out area in the ground, mountain, or hill, with various types including primary caves formed with the rock and solutional caves commonly found in limestone. Caves can also form in glaciers through melting water.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What is a cave and how are different types of caves formed?
• Thematic Analysis: What are the common types of caves and where are they usually found?
• Socio-cultural Analysis: How has the perception of caves as dark and scary places been challenged?

3. Further Discussion:

• If you could explore any type of cave, which one would you choose and why?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "A cave is a place in the ground or in a mountain or hill that is hollowed out… A primary cave is one that formed at the same time as the rock."
• Thematic Analysis: "The most common type of cave is a solutional cave, usually found in limestone. Caves can be found in glaciers as well."
• Socio-cultural Analysis: "Not all caves are dark and scary! This marble cave is full of beautiful rock formations and cool water."

How are Caves Formed?

Caves are formed in different ways, depending on the type. The most common type, solutional caves, are formed because of groundwater that contains acid. This acid works to erode, or wear away the surrounding rock, and it creates hollowed-out spaces. Caves can be formed when rocks fracture or break. There are even caves under seas and oceans!

Caves have features called stalactites. These are pieces of rock and mineral that form from the top or ceiling of the cave. There are also pieces that rise up from cave floors, and these are called stalagmites.

This cave has both stalactite and stalagmite features.
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Caves as Shelters

During primitive times, caves were used as shelters. You’ve more than likely seen cartoons or commercials with cavemen and cavewomen! While these images are meant to be funny, this is somewhat accurate. Caves provided protection from severe weather and also from dangerous animals. Scientists who study caves are called spelunkers. Many spelunkers have studied cave drawings that have been preserved for thousands of years. These drawings help us understand what life was like long ago.

This is a replica of a cave drawing found in the Chauvet Cave in France.
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Animal Life in Caves

Caves provided shelter for ancient man, and they also provide shelter for many animals today. Specific insects that can survive cave conditions often live in these dark, wet spaces. Several species of bats like to ‘hang out’ in caves because the darkness enables them to sleep. Caves that contain water are often homes to specific aquatic animals, including fish and salamanders.

1. Main points:

Caves are primarily formed by acid in groundwater eroding rock, creating solutional caves. They feature stalactites and stalagmites and have historically served as shelters for humans and animals. Today, caves are habitats for specific insects, bats, and aquatic animals, and are studied by spelunkers for insights into ancient life.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: How are solutional caves formed?
• Thematic Analysis: What are the features found inside caves?
• Socio-cultural Analysis: How have caves been used by humans and animals throughout history?

3. Further Discussion:

• What do you think it would be like to explore a cave and discover ancient drawings?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "Solutional caves are formed because of groundwater that contains acid. This acid works to erode, or wear away the surrounding rock, and it creates hollowed-out spaces."
• Thematic Analysis: "Caves have features called stalactites… There are also pieces that rise up from cave floors, and these are called stalagmites."
• Socio-cultural Analysis: "During primitive times, caves were used as shelters… Many spelunkers have studied cave drawings that have been preserved for thousands of years."

Lesson Summary

Caves, including primary caves and solutional caves, are amazing spaces hollowed out by groundwater, acid that erodes, or natural formations in rock development. Caves have features such as stalactites and stalagmites. Spelunkers are scientists who study caves, and many spelunkers have found primitive cave drawings, created by humans thousands of years ago, who used caves as shelters. Many animals now use caves as shelters, including bats and insects.