Stalagmites should normally not be touched, since the rock buildup is formed by minerals precipitating out of the water solution onto the existing surface; skin oils can alter the surface tension where the mineral water clings or flows, thus affecting the growth of the formation.

An easy way to remember that the prefix sub- means “under” is through the word submarine, or a vehicle that travels “under” the sea.

: cave especially : one of large or indefinite extent. cavern.

A cavern is a large cave or a large chamber in a cave. The word cavern is a late Middle English word that comes from the Latin root cavus, meaning “hollow.” Cavern typically describes a cave, but it can refer to any large enclosed space, especially a space that’s dark like a cave.

A Cave or a Cavern? A cave is defined as any cavity in the ground that has a section which does not receive direct sunlight. A cavern is just one type of cave which is formed naturally in soluble rock and grows speleothems (the general term for cave formations like stalagmites and stalactites).

Solution caves are formed in carbonate and sulfate rocks such as limestone, dolomite, marble, and gypsum by the action of slowly moving ground water that dissolves the rock to form tunnels, irregular passages, and even large caverns along joints and bedding planes.

cave

• cavern.
• grotto.
• cavity.
• den.
• hollow.
• pothole.
• rock shelter.
• subterrane.

grot, grotto. a small cave (usually with attractive features)

grotto

GROTTO. a small cave (usually with attractive features)

Here are some adjectives for cave: vast mammoth, hexagonal metallic, totally lousy, sturdy artificial, tremendous, self-contained, misty eastern, so-called remarkable, cool fluorescent, roughly oblong, patch-coral, dank gloomy, gray, conical, airy dry, monstrously ancient, shadowy, triangular, omnipresent and resonant.

For years men have had the man cave; a spot that is completely theirs and uninhabited by others. Now women have introduced the She Shed and it seems the outdoor trend is here to stay.

The Different Types Of Caves And Cave Systems

• Glacier Caves. Glacier caves are caves formed near the snouts of glaciers.
• Sea Caves. Sea caves are formed by wave action along coastlines.
• Eolian Caves.
• Rock Shelters.
• Talus Caves.
• Primary Cave – Lava Cave.
• Solution Caves.

Types of Caves

• Ice Caves. Ice caves are further classified into two types that are pretty much unrelated to each other.
• Sea Caves. Sea caves are among the most visually stunning sites that exist on earth.
• Solution Caves.
• Lava Caves.
• Eolian Caves or Wind Caves.
• Sandstone Caves or Rock Shelters.

These secondary mineral deposits in caves are called speleothems. The portions of a solutional cave that are below the water table or the local level of the groundwater will be flooded. Lechuguilla Cave in New Mexico and nearby Carlsbad Cavern are now believed to be examples of another type of solutional cave.

Cenotes are surface connections to subterranean water bodies. While the best-known cenotes are large open-water pools measuring tens of meters in diameter, such as those at Chichen Itza in Mexico, the greatest number of cenotes are smaller sheltered sites and do not necessarily have any surface exposed water.

Officials from the National Park Management Board described their attempt as potentially deadly. “Traveling into Son Doong Cave without protective equipment or proper guidance is very dangerous and might lead to life-threatening situations,” said Le Thanh Tinh, the director of the national park.

Several species of bat, which are very likely candidates to inhabit Son Doong, call Nha-Ke Bang home. Many rare birds, including the chestnut-necklaced partridge (Arborophila charltonii) and the short-tailed scimitar babbler (Jabouilleia danjoui), are found here.

The biggest cave on the planet when measured by cross-section. Discovered and explored for the first time in 2009. Only open to the public since 2013. Unique for the two enormous dolines (cave roof collapses) and underground rainforests.

Son Doong Cave is currently the world’s largest cave and it is environmental sensitive therefore the Government of Quang Binh province issued a regulation that allows only 1000 tourists can visit the cave each year, each tour normally 10 tourists.

To reach Hang Son Doong, you need to pass through the only village located inside the Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park. The Ban Doong ethnic minority village is only accessible by foot, as it is surrounded by dense jungles.

Dong Noi cave

Mammoth Cave

Son Doong

Blombos Cave