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caves. When the temperature
drops to below freezing, ice forms
and accumulates. Sea caves are
cut into rocky cliffs by the cease-
less energy of the ocean waves.
Other things found in caves
include cave pearls, which look
like real pearls and are found in
shallow pools. Balloons are little
pouches filled with gas. People
really don’t know what causes
them. Moonmilk is made up of fine
crystals deposited on the wall. It
has a cream cheese texture when
it’s wet and is crumbly when it’s
dry. Chandeliers are stalactites
Stalactites and stalagmites made out of gypsum, with crys-
tals that grow out to the side like
the ceiling. sheets on the walls and floor of crystals found in real chandeliers.
• The Mammoth Caves in Ken- the cave, and types of speleo- Popcorn are clusters of knoblike
tucky are the longest known thems called helictites twist and growths. They are very common
caves in the world. turn all over the walls, floors and in caves but no one is sure how
they form. They can be found in
ceilings. Some are tiny, delicate
• Spelunking is the term used for spikes and others are as large as the air or under water.
exploration of caves. Spelunk- moose antlers.
ing is a hobby for many people. Famous Caves
• Bats roost in or near caves How do caves form? • Mammoth Cave is in central
because caves are dark, the At first, the cave is filled with wa- Kentucky and has its own river,
temperature inside is generally ter as it dissolves away the rock waterfalls and lakes as well as
moderate, and the ceilings pro- over thousands of years. Then, spectacular formations.
vide protection from predators. the water level drops and air is • The Caves of Altamira in north-
allowed to enter, though water ern Spain are the site of famous
Formations and features in still drips in through cracks in the prehistoric paintings. Archae-
caves ceiling and the walls. This water ologists believe these paintings
Types of formations in caves is full of calcium bicarbonate and are at least 20,000 years old.
include stalactites, which hang is slightly acidic. As it evaporates, The Lascaux Cave in south-
down from the cave ceiling like carbon dioxide gas is released western France is also famous
huge icicles. There are also pil- and calcium carbonate is depos- for its cave paintings.
lars called stalagmites, which are ited as a solid called calcite. Cal-
similar to stalactites but rise up cite helps form the dripstones and • Carlsbad Caverns in New Mex-
from the floor. These formations other features inside the cave. ico is the home of the magnifi-
are called dripstones. Sometimes, Less common caves are lava cent stalactites and stalagmites.
they meet, fuse and form great, caves, which are formed near vol- • The Blue Grotto on the the is-
stony columns. canoes. They arise when molten land of Capri is a sea cave fa-

Other features include spe- lava hardens at the surface while mous for its almost luminous,
leothems, which also hang down magma flows beneath it. This turquoise blue water. Fingal’s
from the ceiling, cover the walls leaves a small cave with a thin Cave in Staffa, a Scottish is-
in sheets or sprout up from the crust of hard lava for a roof. Ice land, is also a famous sea cave.
cave floor. Flowstone forms rocky caves start as ordinary limestone • Waitomo Cave in the New Zea-
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