Env Sci Cave Notes

CAVE NOTES!

SPELEOLOGY The science of the study and

exploration of caves. It involves many areas of science:

Geology (earth) Biology (living things) Cartography (maps) Meteorology (weather)

SPELEOLOGY Cave science is unique because most

of it is done by non-scientists. Spelunkers are people who explore

caves simply for fun and adventure. They contribute most of the scientific

knowledge about caves!

SOLUTIONAL CAVES

The name refers to the term Solution. A Solution is any solids suspended in a

liquid. The rock was formed first, then

dissolved by a liquid later. The most common example is a

Limestone Cave. Water dissolves and carries limestone!

SOLUTIONAL CAVES There are 2 ways Solutional Caves

form:1. Water dissolves rock. (Ohio Caverns!)2. Hydrogen Sulfide dissolves rock.

(Lechuguilla!)

Solutional caves always have formations because the water eventually drops the minerals it is carrying.

LAVA CAVES Lava Caves form at

the same time the lava is flowing.

Volcanic gas leaves “bubbles” in lava.

Fresh lava flows can tunnel through old lava flows and drain leaving “tubes”

These caves do not always have enough water to support life.

SEA CAVES

Sea Caves are always formed by the waves.

They can be dry, tidal, or flooded. The amount of water in the cave

determines the organisms living there.

GLACIER CAVES Glacier Caves are formed from ice, not

rock! They are carved by melt water or

geothermal heat below the glacier. They are extremely dangerous and

unstable. Glacier Caves constantly shift and

collapse. Organisms can live in the cave if they

can survive it’s changes!

CAVE ECOLOGY Cave Ecology is weird. Each cave can have a unique ecology

that evolved just in that cave. The result is organisms and food chains

that look nothing like what you are used to. The Sun is not always the source of energy.

Sometimes, Cave Ecology is used to predict what alien life might be like!

TROGLOBYTES Troglobytes are organisms that never

leave the cave. They are so specialized and highly

evolved that they would die out side of their cave.

Troglobytes have: No pigment or eyes! Heightened sense of smell. Ability to detect vibrations or chemical

changes.

TROGLOXENES Trogloxenes are cave users! These are the animals that can leave the cave. They use the cave for protection or

reproduction. They must leave to find food. Bats are an example of Trogloxenes.

CAVE FORMATIONS We are going to study formations in

Solutional Caves. All Cave Formations are made when a

liquid deposits the minerals it was carrying.

In limestone caves, this mineral is Calcite.

Most of the names were created by the first caver who saw the formation!

STALACTITES Grow from the cave roof when water

starts dripping down. Types of Stalactites:

Soda Straws: long, thin, hollow Helicites: Twisted, branching, defy gravity!

You can remember Stalactites grow on the roof because they must hold on tight!

STALAGMITES Stalagmites grow on the cave floor

when water lands there. Stalagmites can be thin or fat. Sometimes, they just look like lumps! They are usually found under a

Stalactite. When a Stalagmite and a Stalactite

meet, they form a Column.

FLOW STONE Flow Stone is formed when water is

moving slowly over a surface. It can take many forms!

Draperies: thin, wavy sheets hanging on the wall.

Rimstone Dam: a series of “stair steps” that formed in a moving stream.

Cascade: a stone waterfall that formed under a real waterfall.

OTHER TYPES Cave Popcorn looks like it’s name!

It was formed by water seeping up through the floor.

Frostwork is a coating of crystals on any surface. The crystals are delicate threads that can be

any color. Cave Pearls are highly polished spheres.

They can only be formed in running streams with the help of specialized bacteria!