What is the meaning of the words "karst cave"?How did these beautiful natural sites?Answers to these questions can be found in this article.In addition, here we list the longest caves in the world (photos of these subterranean cavities You can also see).Curiously, most of them located in the United States.
Cave - is ... the meaning of 'karst cave "
These underground cavities since ancient times served as a home for the animals and primitive people.They hid them from the cold and wild predators.Interestingly, the caves are found not only on Earth, but on the Moon, Mars.Find out for the beginning of the meaning of the words "karst cave."
This phrase consists of two parts: the "cave" and "Karst".
- Cave - is any underground cavities of natural origin.
- Karst - is both a process and a result of the deterioration (dissolution) of certain rocks aggressive (chemical composition) groundwater.
The term "karst" comes from the German word or karst, or from the name of a plateau in Slovenia (Kras), where these natural phenomena are particularly strong.
What is karst cave?
This type of caves is most common among all other underground cavities.What is a karst cave and how it is formed?
There are two main definitions.According to a first, a natural cavity (void) in the upper part of the crust, which is connected with its surface one or more inputs.According to the second definition, karst cave - underground cavity is of natural origin, which is not illuminated by the Sun, but is available for penetration from the outside.
study of caves is engaged special science - caving, for which the material is often produced by so-called speleotourists.
How caves form?
caves of this type are formed by exogenous processes, namely due to the dissolution of rocks waters.It is worth noting that the caves are present only in those areas of the earth where lie the unstable rocks, which are easily dissolved by water.Among them - gypsum, salt, chalk (kaolin), dolomite, marble and limestone.
Worst of all other degraded limestone and marble.Caves are formed in these rocks for a long time.On the other hand, they are retained better than others.For example, gypsum caves often collapse and crumble.
an important role in the formation of underground cavities plays not only the chemical composition of the water (there should be an increased concentration of carbon dioxide), but also the presence in the bowels of the earth cracks and extended breaks.They usually are the center lines along which caves are formed.
Most of the studied caves - a relic of the type.This means that water has left these subterranean cavities.Nevertheless, it appears it is the sculptor that forms the inner "microrelief" cave.Underground water saturated with sulphates and carbonates, lays them on the walls, floor and vaults underground cavities.That and formed what we call the stalactites and stalagmites.Very often, these growths become strange and bizarre forms, which in the darkness look even more unusual.
main types of caves
On the mechanism of the genesis (formation) is isolated, in addition to karst, and even tectonic, volcanic, erosion and ice caves.Underground cavity
also classified by size (based on the total length and depth) as well as the type of rock in which they are formed.So, there are caves:
- limestone;
- plaster;
- chalk;
- salt;
- cave conglomerates and so on.
top 5 longest caves in the world
Four out of five of the longest caves in the world are located in the United States, another - in Ukraine.
Mammoth Cave (about 630 km) - the longest cave system of the Earth.It was formed in limestone 10 million years ago.Each year, the length of the cave is growing as new cavers scout its corridors.
Jewel Cave (257 km) - is located in South Dakota, near the town of Custer.Its unique feature is the calcite crystals that cover the walls with a thick layer of underground corridors.
Cave Optimistic (231 km) - a multi-level network of mazes in Ukraine (in the Ternopil region), the largest underground system in Eurasia.Formed in the cast.
Wind Cave (217 km) - another American miracle of nature, which is known for its patterns on the arches, resembling a honeycomb.
Cave Lechuga (207 km) - gypsum cave in the United States (New Mexico), the hallmark of which are unusual "luster" of education, reaching up to 5-6 meters in diameter.
Conclusion
Well, now you know the meaning of the words "karst cave."This underground cavity of natural origin, which has one or more outlets to the surface.All caves cavers classified by size, the mechanism of the genesis, as well as on the rocks in which they are embedded (formed).
