Underground Limestone Features

All images taken from “google images”

Stalagmites are formed when water drops down and evaporates so depositing calcium carbonate on the ground and this builds up making stalagmites.

Stalactites are formed when rain water falls from the roof of the cavern evaporating the water and depositing calcium carbonate (calcite).

Caverns are created when water runes underground and a chemical reaction causes limestone to be eroded, this continues to create a cavern.

Chemical weathering is the process at which limestone is weathered to create caverns and caves.

CaCO3 + H2O + CO2

(Limestone calcium carbonate)

(water) (Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere)

Ca(HCO3)2Calcium bicarbonate

Malham Cove has 3 types of rock: Silurian Limestone,

Conbrifirous limestone, Bowland Shales.

There is impervious rock where the surface rivers are and then porous rock where the swallow holes are this allows for the erosion of the limestone so caves and caverns can be created. This is essential for the creation of stalagmites and stalactites.