Caves

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Caves are  natural underground chambers. These openings underground can be vast or small. Caves can be created by wind, ice or running water. Running water however, can account for most caves. While caves can be made up of all type of rocks, limestone makes up most caves. Caves are created  when, running water dissolves the limestone rock and creates a chamber underground. After the chamber has been created , running water continues to dissolve the ceiling rock above and beautiful caves features are created from this action. As the water drips from the ceiling it carries the calcite in solution. The solution forms a soda straw first and then as the soda straw thickens a stalactite is formed. A stalagmite is forms on the cave floor the same time as a stalactite is form on the cave ceiling. As the two grow toward each other , they will eventually connect to form a column. Other cave features include flow stones and curtains. Flow stones look like miniature water falls with the water moving over top of them.  Curtains look like stalactites but they form on the side of caves.

                   Stalactites                                                                            Column

                      Curtains                                                                          Flow Stone

                  Stalagmite                                                                       Soda Straws