Outline of caves

File:Blue spring cave.jpg in Blue Spring Cave|alt=Rock formations in a cave]]

The following outline provides an overview of and topical guide to natural caves. The word "cave" is loosely defined, but most commonly refers to a natural opening large enough to be entered by a human.{{Cite web |last=White |first=William |date=Feb 18, 2025 |title=Cave |url=https://www.britannica.com/science/cave |access-date= |website=Britannica |language=en}} These landforms are common around the world, and have even been detected on the Moon and Mars. This outline's scope is limited to these natural formations, specifically excluding the rock-cut features which are often referred to as caves in Eastern Asia.

Types of cave

Worldwide, lava tubes, karst caves, and rock shelters are the most common varieties of cave. Karst caves typically form through dissolution of limestone by carbonic acid, but some caves, such as Lechuguilla, have instead been formed from the bottom up via sulfuric acid released from oil reservoirs.{{cite web |title=Lechuguilla Cave |url=http://www.nps.gov/cave/naturescience/lechuguilla_cave.htm |access-date=6 March 2025 |website=NPS}} Wherever exposed limestone is present these caves are likely to form. Lava tubes are common in volcanic areas, and form during effusive volcanic eruptions, serving as a conduit for lava to flow through. Both types can reach great lengths. Kazumra Cave, the longest known lava tube, has nearly 41 miles or 66 kilometers of mapped passage, and the longest known cave, Mammoth Cave, has over 426 miles of mapped passage as of 2024.{{Citation |last=Allred |first=Kevin |title=Development and Morphology of Kazumura Cave, Hawaii |date=April 1997 |work=Journal of Cave and Karst Studies |volume=59 |issue=2 |pages=67–80 |url=http://www.caves.org/pub/journal/PDF/V59/V59N2-Allred.pdf |access-date=2011-06-26 |last2=Allred |first2=Carlene}}{{Cite web |last=Burger |first=Paul |title=World Lava Tubes |url=https://cave-exploring.com/index.php/long-and-deep-caves-of-the-world/world-lava-tubes/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Cave-Exploring.com |language=en-US}} Many rock shelters are important scientific and archeological sites. As sheltered areas, they often served as temporary and more permanent homes for early humans and other members of the Homo genus, many of whom left behind both artifacts and remains.{{Cite journal |last=Straus |first=Lawrence Guy |date=1990 |title=Underground Archaeology: Perspectives on Caves and Rockshelters |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20170209 |journal=Archaeological Method and Theory |volume=2 |pages=255–304 |jstor=20170209 |issn=1043-1691}}

Many other types of caves exist, but are significantly less prevalent and require rarer environments to form.{{Cite web |last=Toomey |first=Rickard |date=2009 |title=Geological monitoring of caves and associated landscapes (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/articles/caves-and-karst-geological-monitoring.htm |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=NPS |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Phillip |first=Tate |date=2023-11-05 |title=Types of Caves |url=https://www.caveofthemounds.com/2023/11/05/types-of-caves/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Cave Of The Mounds National Natural Landmark |language=en-US}}

= Caves by speleogenesis =

File:Catedral II.jpg|alt=Large cave room with many stalactites, stalagmites, and horizontal spines of rock]]

Karst caves - caves formed in karst, the most common type of cave.{{Cite web |date=27 April 2022 |title=Solution Caves - Caves and Karst (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/caves/solution-caves.htm |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=NPS |language=en}}
Talus caves - piles of collapsed rocks with navigable space inside.{{Cite web |date=27 April 2022 |title=Talus Caves - Caves and Karst (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/caves/talus-caves.htm |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=NPS |language=en}}
Erosional caves - caves formed through erosion not corrosion.{{Cite web |title=Erosional Caves |url=https://caves.org/erosional-caves/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=National Speleological Society |language=en-US}}
Sea caves - caves formed in sea cliffs, typically through wave action.{{Cite web |title=Sea cave {{!}} Coastal Erosion, Marine Ecosystems & Marine Life |url=https://www.britannica.com/science/sea-cave |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Britannica |language=en}}
Salt caves - caves formed within rock salt by dissolution.{{cite web |title=Salt Caves |url=https://www.showcaves.com/english/explain/Speleology/Salt.html |access-date=2 November 2022 |website=Showcaves.com |publisher=Jochen Duckeck}}
Fracture caves - caves formed in the fractures inside a larger rock unit.{{Cite journal |last=Mörner |first=Nils-Axel |last2=Sjöberg |first2=Rabbe |last3=Obbola |first3=Umeå |date=September 2018 |title=Merging the concepts of pseudokarst and paleoseismicity in Sweden: A unified theory on the formation of fractures, fracture caves, and angular block heape |url=http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/ijs/vol47/iss3/10/ |journal=International Journal of Speleology |location=Stockholm, Sweden |volume=47 |issue=3 |pages=393–405 |doi=10.5038/1827-806X.47.3.2225 |issn=0392-6672}}
Glacial caves - caves formed within glacial ice.{{Cite journal |last1=Kiernan |first1=Kevin |last2=Jones |first2=Rhys |last3=Ranson |first3=Don |date=Jan 1983 |title=New evidence from Fraser Cave for glacial age man in south-west Tasmania |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/301028a0 |journal=Nature |language=en |volume=301 |issue=5895 |pages=28–32 |doi=10.1038/301028a0 |bibcode=1983Natur.301...28K |issn=0028-0836}}
Lava caves - caves formed in volcanic rock.{{Cite web |title=Lava cave {{!}} Underground, Volcanic, Formation |url=https://www.britannica.com/science/lava-cave |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Britannica |language=en}}
Lava tubes - primary caves formed as lava conduits during volcanic eruptions.{{Cite web |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date=16 March 2021 |title=Lava Tubes - Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/nature/lava-tubes.htm |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=NPS |language=en}}
Lunar lava tubes - lava tubes on the Moon.{{Cite journal |last1=Carrer |first1=Leonardo |last2=Pozzobon |first2=Riccardo |last3=Sauro |first3=Francesco |last4=Castelletti |first4=Davide |last5=Patterson |first5=Gerald Wesley |last6=Bruzzone |first6=Lorenzo |date=September 2024 |title=Radar evidence of an accessible cave conduit on the Moon below the Mare Tranquillitatis pit |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-024-02302-y |journal=Nature Astronomy |language=en |volume=8 |issue=9 |pages=1119–1126 |doi=10.1038/s41550-024-02302-y |bibcode=2024NatAs...8.1119C |issn=2397-3366}}
Martian lava tubes - lava tubes on Mars.{{cite web |last1=Daga |first1=Andrew |last2=Allen |first2=Carlton |last3=Battler |first3=Melissa |last4=Burke |first4=James |last5=Crawford |first5=Ian |last6=Léveillé |first6=Richard |last7=Simon |first7=Steven |last8=Tan |first8=Lin |title=Lunar and Martian Lava Tube Exploration as Part of an Overall Scientific Survey |url=http://www.lpi.usra.edu/decadal/leag/AndrewWDagaFINAL.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002050231/http://www.lpi.usra.edu/decadal/leag/AndrewWDagaFINAL.pdf |archive-date=2 October 2013 |access-date=25 February 2014}}
Open vertical conduits - vertical lava tubes.{{Citation |last=Skinner |first=Craig E. |title=Open Vertical Volcanic Conduits: A Preliminary Investigation of an Unusual Volcanic Cave Form with Examples from Newberry Volcano and the Central High Cascades of Oregon, Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Vulcanospeleology |date=August 1982 |work=Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Vulcanospeleology |editor-last=Halliday |editor-first=William R. |url=https://www.vulcanospeleology.org/sym03/ |access-date=2019-09-23 |publisher=International Speleological Foundation}}
Pit crater - craters that can form when magma doesn’t reach the surface.{{cite journal |last=Halliday |first=W.R. |date=November 1995 |title=A record year in Hawaii |journal=NSS News}}
Lava mold caves - form around trees or large animals, leaving molds of the object.Chappell, W.M.; Durham, J.W. & Savage, D.E. (1951): Mold of a Rhinoceros in Basalt, Lower Grand Coulee, Washington. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, 62(8): 907–918.
Rock shelters - overhangs of rock, typically illuminated by natural light.{{Cite web |last=White |first=William |title=Cave {{!}} Definition, Formation, Types, & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/science/cave#ref499864 |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Britannica |language=en}}

= Caves by contents =

Ice caves - caves that hold ice within them during most or all of the year.{{Cite web |title=Ice cave {{!}} Glacial, Subglacial, Erosion |url=https://www.britannica.com/science/ice-cave |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Britannica |language=en}}
Pit cave - largely vertical cave.{{Cite web |title=Aquatic Caves |url=https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/habitats/caves-karst/aquatic-caves |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Missouri Department of Conservation |language=en}}
Breathing cave - Caves where barometric pressure causes airflow.{{Cite journal |last1=Gomell |first1=Annika |last2=Austin |first2=Daniel |last3=Ohms |first3=Marc |last4=Pflitsch |first4=Andreas |date=September 2021 |title=Air pressure propagation through Wind Cave and Jewel Cave: How do pressure waves travel through barometric caves? |url=https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2393&context=ijs |journal=International Journal of Speleology |volume=50 |issue=3 |pages=263–273 |doi=10.5038/1827-806X.50.3.2393 |via=University of South Florida |doi-access=free}}

Cave geology

Caves are commonly linked to karstic or volcanic environments, and as such much of their geology is linked to these geologic contexts. Subterranean features and surface features are both highly dependent on geology. Karst caves tend to have water-based features, like waterfalls and rivers, while lava tubes contain their own set of features, many of which resemble igneous versions of karstic counterparts. Some are shared, like moonmilk and other calcite-based speleothems.{{Cite web |date=27 April 2022 |title=Karst Landscapes - Caves and Karst (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/caves/karst-landscapes.htm#:~:text=Karst%20is%20a%20type%20of,limestone,%20marble,%20and%20gypsum. |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=NPS |language=en}}{{Cite journal |last1=Miller |first1=Ana Z. |last2=Jiménez-Morillo |first2=Nicasio T. |last3=Coutinho |first3=Mathilda L. |last4=Gazquez |first4=Fernando |last5=Palma |first5=Vera |last6=Sauro |first6=Francesco |last7=Pereira |first7=Manuel F. C. |last8=Rull |first8=Fernando |last9=Toulkeridis |first9=Theofilos |last10=Caldeira |first10=Ana T. |last11=Forti |first11=Paolo |last12=Calaforra |first12=José M. |date=2022-07-15 |title=Organic geochemistry and mineralogy suggest anthropogenic impact in speleothem chemistry from volcanic show caves of the Galapagos |journal=iScience |volume=25 |issue=7 |pages=104556 |doi=10.1016/j.isci.2022.104556 |pmid=35789844 |pmc=9250005 |bibcode=2022iSci...25j4556M |issn=2589-0042|hdl=10261/279713 |hdl-access=free }}File:Cenote Zaci Yucatan 2008.jpg, in Yucatan.|alt=Huge open-air cave partially filled with water]]

= Surface features =

== Limestone surface features ==

Karst springs - springs that often carry cave water.Whittow, John (1984). Dictionary of Physical Geography. London: Penguin, 1984, p. 291. {{ISBN|0-14-051094-X}}.
Karst windows - small section of a underground river that is exposed to the surface.{{Cite web |title=Karst Window |url=https://cambrianfoundation.org/karst-window/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Cambrian Foundation |language=en-US}}
Limestone - Calcium carbonate based sedimentary rock that often forms caves.{{cite book |last1=Boggs |first1=Sam |title=Principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy |date=2006 |publisher=Pearson Prentice Hall |isbn=0-13-154728-3 |edition=4th |location=Upper Saddle River, N.J. |pages=177, 181}}
Losing streams - a common feature of karst areas.{{Cite web |title=Losing Streams |url=https://dnr.mo.gov/land-geology/geology/karst-missouri/losing-streams |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Missouri Department of Natural Resources}}
Sinkholes - collapse features that often form cave entrances.{{Cite book |last=Williams |first=Paul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bhiJ10Xx9VwC |title=Encyclopedia of Caves and Karst Science |date=2004 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-57958-399-6 |editor-last=Gunn |editor-first=John |pages=628–642 |language=en |chapter=Dolines}}
Cenotes - sinkholes resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater.{{Cite web |title=What Is a Cenote – Cenotes Of Mexico |url=https://cenotesmexico.org/what-is-a-cenote/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=cenotesmexico.org}}
Ponor - natural opening where surface water enters underground passages, similar to sinkhole.
Suffusion - geological processes by which subsidence sinkholes or dolines are formed.{{Cite web |last=Farrant |first=Andy |last2=Woods |first2=Mark |last3=Burt |first3=Elaine |last4=Pilkington |first4=Sharon |last5=Knight |first5=John |date= |editor-last=Barron |editor-first=Mark |editor2-last=Thomas |editor2-first=Joanna |title=Quarrying and the environment |url=https://www.bgs.ac.uk/mendips/caveskarst/karst_3.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321182816/https://www.bgs.ac.uk/mendips/caveskarst/karst_3.htm |archive-date=2023-03-21 |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Foundations of the Mendips |publisher=British Geological Survey}}

File:Petunia skylight.jpg

= Volcanic surface features =

Lava field - large and flat area covered in lava, common site of lava tubes.{{Cite web |last=Mat |first=Mahmut |date=2024-07-19 |title=Lava Fields |url=https://geologyscience.com/gallery/geological-wonders/lava-fields-iceland/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Geology Science |language=en-US}}
Skylight (geologic phenomona) - break in a lava tube roof, often serves as an access point.{{Cite web |last=Bunnell |first=Dave |title=Skylight |url=https://caves.org/virtualcave/skylight/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=National Speleological Society |language=en-US}}

= Other surface features =

Blowhole (geology) - hole in the roof of a sea cave that ejects water under wave pressure.{{Cite web |last=Ashish |date=2015-10-13 |title=What Are Blowholes? |url=https://www.scienceabc.com/nature/deconstructing-blowholes-do-they-pose-any-danger.html |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=ScienceABC |language=en-US}}

= Subterranean features =

== Karst ==

Subterranean lake - lakes below ground.{{Cite book |last=Palmer |first=Arthur N. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/74965086 |title=Cave geology |date=2007 |publisher=Cave Books |isbn=978-0-939748-66-2 |location=Dayton, Ohio |oclc=74965086}}
Subterranean rivers - a river or watercourse that runs wholly or partly beneath the ground, often within caves.{{Cite web |last=Sosa |first=Jeff |date=2024-06-21 |title=What is a underground river called? |url=https://www.ncesc.com/geographic-faq/what-is-a-underground-river-called/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Geographic FAQ Hub: Answers to Your Global Questions |language=en-US}}
Subterranean waterfall - underground waterfall.{{cite book |author=Adams |first=Kevin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KOnHiX7xIKIC&pg=PA32 |title=Waterfalls of Virginia and West Virginia: A Hiking and Photography Guide |date=1 June 2002 |publisher=Menasha Ridge Press |isbn=978-0-89732-414-4 |page=32}}
Sump (cave) - a passage in a cave that is submerged under water.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3laXDwAAQBAJ |title=Encyclopedia of Caves |date=10 May 2019 |publisher=Elsevier Science |isbn=9780128141250 |editor1-last=Culver |editor1-first=David C. |access-date=18 April 2023 |editor2-last=Pipan |editor2-first=Tanja |editor3-last=White |editor3-first=William B.}}

== Volcanic ==

Cupola (cave formation) - a recess, indentation, or cavity in the ceiling of a lava tube.{{Citation |last=Larson |first=Charles V. |title=Nomenclature of Lava Tube Features |date=1992 |work=Sixth International Symposium on Vulcanospeleology |editor-last=Rea |editor-first=G. Thomas |url=https://www.vulcanospeleology.org/sym06/ |access-date=24 December 2017 |publisher=National Speleological Society}}
Lava pillars - common feature in lava tubes and volcanic fields.{{Cite web |title=Lava pillars |url=https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/eoi/nemo/explorer/concepts/pillars.html |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration}}

Cave formations

Cave formations can take on two major forms, speleothems and speleogens. Speleothems are deposits of minerals that form after the initial cave passage is formed, and are often composed of calcite or other types of calcium carbonate.{{Cite web |date=27 April 2022 |title=Speleothems |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/caves/speleothems.htm |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=NPS |language=en}} Speleogens are exposed structures that have been eroded out of the rock, or patterns cut into the rock by the formation of the cave.{{Cite web |title=U.S. Code Title 16, Conservation; Chapter 63, Federal Cave Resources Protection § 4302 |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/16/4302- |access-date=14 February 2011 |publisher=Cornell University Law School}}

= Speleothems =

File:Labeled speleothems.jpg, columns, drapery, stalagmites, stalactites and straws|upright=1.6|alt=refer to caption]]{{Main|Speleothem}}

Calcite rafts - thin accumulations of calcite that appear on the surface of cave pools.{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |last3= |first3= |last4= |last5= |first5= |date=28 July 2020 |title=Speleothems |url=https://www.nps.gov/grba/learn/nature/speleothems-cave-formations.htm |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=NPS |language=en}}
Cave pearls - near-perfect spheres of calcium carbonate.
Cave popcorn - small knobby clusters of calcite.
Flowstone - sheet-like rock formation found in large mounds.
Frostwork - needle-like growths of calcite or aragonite.{{cite book |last=KellerLynn |first=K. |url=http://npshistory.com/publications/wica/nrr-2009-087.pdf |title=Wind Cave National Park Geologic Resources Inventory Report |publisher=NPS |year=2009 |location=Denver}}
Hells Bells - rare submerged bell-like shapes found in underwater caves.{{Cite web |last=Dundas |first=Suzie |title=Say Hello to Hells Bells, the World's Largest Collection of Living Stalactites {{!}} Scuba Diving |url=https://www.scubadiving.com/say-hello-to-hells-bells-worlds-largest-collection-living-stalactites |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=scubadiving.com |language=en}}
Moonmilk - white and cheese-like crystal mush.{{Cite web |date= |title=Speleothems: Moonmilk |url=http://www.showcaves.com/english/explain/Speleothem/Moonmilk.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531093129/http://www.showcaves.com/english/explain/Speleothem/Moonmilk.html |archive-date=2012-05-31 |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=showcaves.com}}
Rimstone - stone barriers that may contain water.
Shelfstone - shelf like cave formation.{{Cite web |last=Bunnell |first=Dave |title=Shelfstone |url=https://caves.org/virtualcave/shelfstone/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=National Speleological Society |language=en-US}}
Stalactites - pointed growths of calcium carbonate that hang from the cave ceiling.
Soda straws - long but thin stalagmites.{{Cite web |last=Bewley |first=Djuna |title=Soda Straws |url=https://caves.org/virtualcave/soda-straw/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=National Speleological Society |language=en-US}}
Helictite - stalactites that have twig-like or spiral projections that appear to defy gravity.
Stalagmites - vertical growths of calcium carbonate, often form under a stalactite.{{Cite web |date=9 April 2023 |title=Stalactites, Stalagmites, and Cave Formations |url=https://www.nps.gov/maca/learn/nature/stalactites-stalagmites-and-cave-formations.htm |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=NPS |language=en}}

= Speleogens =

Boxwork - honeycomb-like structures that are eroded out of cave walls.
Scallops - scoop-like indents in cave walls created by moving water.{{Cite book |last=Ford |first=Derek |url=https://sudartomas.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/karsthydrogeologyandgeomorphology1.pdf |title=Karst Hydrogeology and Geomorphology |last2=Williams |first2=Paul |publisher=John Wiley & Sons Ltd |year=1989 |isbn=978-0-470-84996-5 |edition=Revised |pages=272}}

Human use of caves

The archeological record shows that humans have used caves for various purposes for hundreds of thousands of years. They have served as homes, refuges, and religious sites for many cultures across the world.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-02 |title=Archaeology |url=https://nckri.org/caves/archaeology/ |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=The National Cave and Karst Research Institute |language=en-US}} Because of this, they have had tremendous impacts on the understanding of humanity's past. Today, caves are one of the few incompletely explored parts of the Earth, and offer unique challenges to both cavers and speleologists.{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Carson |date=2013-03-26 |title=Many find caving's challenges, thrills illuminating |url=http://newsok.com/many-find-cavings-challenges-thrills-illuminating/article/3253500/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326062046/http://newsok.com/many-find-cavings-challenges-thrills-illuminating/article/3253500/ |archive-date=26 March 2013 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=NewsOK}}

= Non-caving uses =

Caves have been used as religious sites, and often hold spiritual significance.{{Cite web |last=Dannelle |date=2024-03-18 |title=Caves as Spiritual Spaces: Cultural Significance Explored |url=https://worldofcaves.com/caves-as-spiritual-spaces-cultural-significance-explored/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=World of Caves |language=en-US}} While this makes up a significant amount of non-caving use, show caves are also popular.File:SantaCruz-CuevaManos-P2210651b.jpg, Argentina.|alt=Many painted hand imprints on a rock face in a cave, overlapping]]

Burial caves - caves used as burial places.{{Cite web |last=Rust |first=Randal |title=Prehistoric Use of Caves |url=https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/prehistoric-use-of-caves/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Tennessee Encyclopedia |language=en-US}}
Cave dwellers - humans who live inside of caves.{{Cite web |title=Definition of TROGLODYTE |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/troglodyte |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Merriam-Webster |language=en}}
Cave painting - a painting within a cave.{{Cite web |last=Clottes |first=Jean |date=2025-01-03 |title=Cave art {{!}} Definition, Characteristics, Images, & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/art/cave-art |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Britannica |language=en}}
Cave conservation - the protection of caves and cave resources.{{Cite web |last=Werker |first=Jim |last2=Hildreth-Werker |first2=Val |date= |title=Minimum Impact Caving |url=https://caves.org/conservation/minimum-impact-caving/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=National Speleological Society |language=en-US}}
Show caves - cave opened to the public.{{Cite web |last=Jennings |first=J.N |date=March 1997 |title=Cave and Karst Terminology |url=http://home.mira.net/~gnb/caving/papers/jj-cakt.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314112254/http://home.mira.net/~gnb/caving/papers/jj-cakt.html |archive-date=2017-03-14 |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=Cave and Karst Terminology}}

== Caving ==

Cave digging - digging open new caves.{{cite conference |last=Jones |first=William K. |date=31 October 2005 |title=Digging: Guidelines for Cavers and Resource Managers |url=https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1103&context=kip_talks |format=DOC |conference=National Cave and Karst Management Symposium |location=Albany |pages=88–91 |access-date=27 April 2024}}
Cave diving - the exploration of underwater caves.{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Rose |date=2022-11-09 |title=What Is Cave Diving? - Key Things To Know |url=https://www.girlsthatscuba.com/cave-diving/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Girls that Scuba |language=en-GB}}
Caving equipment - the equipment used by cavers.{{Cite web |title=Caving Gear |url=https://www.derekbristol.com/gear-overview |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Derek Bristol |language=en-US}}
Caving organizations - organizations that promote caving, cave conservation, and cave science.
International Union of Speleology - scientific organization dedicated to the international promotion and coordination of cave and karst research.{{Cite web |title=International Union of Speleology (UIS) |url=https://council.science/member/uis-union-internationale-de-speleologie/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=International Science Council |language=en-US}}
French Federation of Speleology - organization that represents cavers and canyoneering.{{Citation |title=Brève histoire de la spéléologie |date=10 February 2008 |work=Fédération française de spéléologie |df=dmy-all |url=http://ffspeleo.fr/article.php?rub_id=89 |url-status=dead |language=French |accessdate=2009-04-05 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720215602/http://ffspeleo.fr/article.php?rub_id=89 |archivedate=20 July 2011}}
New Zealand Speleological Society - national organization for recreational cavers in New Zealand.{{cite news |author=Pearson, Anna |title=Caving in New Zealand |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/new-zealand/4118082/Caving-in-New-Zealand |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223014432/http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/new-zealand/4118082/Caving-in-New-Zealand |archive-date=23 February 2013 |accessdate=12 November 2012 |newspaper=Stuff.co.nz - Fairfax NZ News}}
British Caving Association - governing body for caving in the United Kingdom.{{cite web |date=April 2016 |title=Sporting activities and Governing Bodies recognised by the Sports Councils |url=https://www.sportengland.org/media/10266/uk-recognised-ngbs-and-sport-list-april-2016.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712211539/https://www.sportengland.org/media/10266/uk-recognised-ngbs-and-sport-list-april-2016.pdf |archive-date=12 July 2019 |accessdate=6 July 2018 |publisher=UK Sport}}
National Speleological Society - organization for exploration, conservation, and study of caves in the United States.{{cite web |title=The National Speleological Society |url=http://www.caves.org/ |access-date=6 March 2025 |work=caves.org}}
Cave rescue - Specialized form of wilderness rescue for use in caves.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-28 |title=List of Cave Rescue Operations and Organizations in the World |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/list-of-cave-rescue-operations-and-organizations-in-world-1701172672-1 |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Jagranjosh.com |language=en}}
Cave rescue organizations - organizations that provide cave rescue services
Irish Cave Rescue Organization - voluntary body responsible for cave and abandoned mine rescues within the island of Ireland.{{cite web |date=11 May 2009 |title=Caver rescued after night underground |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0511/fermanagh.html |accessdate=26 September 2011 |publisher=RTÉ News}}
Cave Rescue Organization - the first cave rescue agency in the world.{{cite web |title=Cave Rescue Organisation |url=http://cro.org.uk/ |accessdate=5 March 2014 |publisher=cro.org.uk}}
British Cave Rescue Council - coordinating body for several cave rescue organizations in the British Isles.{{Cite web |title=About Cave Rescue |url=https://www.caverescue.org.uk/about-cave-rescue/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=British Cave Rescue Council |language=en-GB}}
Vertical caving - caving involving ropes and significant vertical exposure.{{Cite web |last=Kahan |first=Sol |date=2024-08-03 |title=Exploring the Depths: The Thrills and Challenges of Vertical Caving |url=https://gripoutdoor.com/vertical-caving/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=GripOutdoor.com |language=en-US}}
Cave survey - process of mapping caves.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Overview |url=https://www.derekbristol.com/overview |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Derek Bristol |language=en-US}}
Single-rope technique - the preferred rappel and climbing technique for caving.{{Cite web |date= |title=What Are The Different Techniques For Vertical Caving? |url=https://startcaving.com/info/what-are-the-different-techniques-for-vertical-caving |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606171943/https://startcaving.com/info/what-are-the-different-techniques-for-vertical-caving |archive-date=2023-06-06 |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Startcaving.com}}

== Notable cavers ==

File:Stephen Bishop.jpgThis is an incomplete list of well known cavers, both historical and modern.

Edd Sorenson - cave diver known for numerous rescues of lost or trapped divers.{{Cite web |date=2014-11-05 |title=Distressed Diver Saved at Blue Springs |url=http://www.mypanhandle.com/news/local-news/distressed-diver-saved-at-blue-springs |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706225535/http://www.mypanhandle.com/news/local-news/distressed-diver-saved-at-blue-springs |archive-date=2015-07-06 |access-date=2015-07-06 |work=myPanHandle}}
Édouard-Alfred Martel - considered the father of modern speleology.{{Citation |last=Kliebhan |first=Bernd |title=History of Cave Research: E. A. Martel 1859–1938 |url=http://www.kliebhan.de/spelhist/mar/mar-eng.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023185838/http://www.kliebhan.de/spelhist/mar/mar-eng.htm |archive-date=2007-10-23 |url-status=dead |accessdate=2009-04-04}}
Fernand Petzl - founder of equipment brand Petzl.{{Cite web |title=Petzl Brand |url=https://www.petzl.com/brand/s/Our-Roots?language=en_US |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Petzl}}
Floyd Collins - American cave explorer who became trapped and died near what is now Mammoth Cave National Park.{{Cite web |last=Harvey |first=Austin |date=2023-03-15 |title=The Story Of Floyd Collins, The Cave Explorer Who Got Trapped Underground And Took 17 Torturous Days To Die |url=https://allthatsinteresting.com/floyd-collins |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=All That's Interesting |language=en-US}}
Hazel Barton - cave microbiologist and explorer.{{Cite web |last=Augliere |first=Bethany |date=21 July 2017 |title=Down to Earth With: Cave microbiologist Hazel Barton |url=https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/down-earth-cave-microbiologist-hazel-barton |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=earthmagazine.org}}
Pierre Chevalier - pioneering caver in France.{{Cite web |last=Grancolas |first=Jean-Philippe |date=2002 |title=Pierre Chevalier (1905-2001) |url=http://archivescds69.cdspeleo69.fr/Speleo_Dossiers/SD32.pdf |work=Spéléo-dossiers : bulletin du CDS du Rhône |publisher=Comité départemental de spéléologie du Rhône |pages=2–6 |language=fr |issn=0755-8813 |volume=32}}
Rick Stanton - influential cave rescue diver.{{cite web |author1=Nick Allen |author2=Francesca Marshall |author3=Victoria Ward |date=4 July 2018 |title=Thailand cave rescue: Meet the 'A-Team' of heroic volunteer British divers who led search |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/03/thailand-cave-rescue-meet-heroic-volunteer-british-divers-best/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703113910/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/03/thailand-cave-rescue-meet-heroic-volunteer-british-divers-best/ |archive-date=3 July 2018 |access-date=4 July 2018 |website=The Telegraph |publisher=Telegraph Media Group Limited}}
Sheck Exley - pioneering cave diver.{{cite book |last=Burgess |first=Robert F. |author-link=Robert Forrest Burgess |title=The Cave Divers |publisher=Aqua Quest Publications |year=1999 |isbn=1-881652-11-4 |location=Locust Valley, New York |pages=268–274 |chapter=Cave Diving: Evolution of the Sport |lccn=96-39661 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LbwrLGZDMHMC&pg=PA268 |via=Google Books}}
Stephen Bishop - enslaved man who drew the first known map of Mammoth Cave from memory.{{cite web |last1=Lanzendorfer |first1=Joy |date=6 February 2019 |title=Enslaved Tour Guide Stephen Bishop Made Mammoth Cave the Must-See Destination It Is Today |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/enslaved-tour-guide-stephen-bishop-made-mammoth-cave-must-see-destination-it-today-180971424/ |access-date=9 February 2022 |publisher=Smithsonian Magazine}}

== Caving incidents ==

Although caving is a fairly safe activity compared to other activities that are sometimes classified as "extreme sports", accidents do occur.{{Cite web |last=Rob |title=How Dangerous Is Caving Really? – Facts, not opinions |url=https://startcaving.com/caving-guides/safety |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=startcaving.com |language=en-US}} These tend to be related to flooding, hypothermia, rock falls, falls, single rope technique accidents, or some combination of these.{{Cite news |last=Sovie |first=Adia |date=May 2024 |title=American Caving Accident Reports 2021 and 2022 |url=https://caves.org/wp-content/uploads/Publications/aca/May_24_News.pdf |work=NSS News |pages=8–29}} This is an incomplete collection of high profile caving incidents.

Alpazat cave rescue - occurred in March 2004 after six British soldiers became trapped in the Alpazat caverns in Mexico.{{cite web |date=25 March 2004 |title=Plight of Trapped Cavers Sparks British-Mexico Row |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-mar-25-fg-cavers25-story.html |access-date=10 July 2018 |work=Los Angeles Times |agency=Associated Press}}
Mossdale Caverns incident - incident in 1967 in which six cavers died after a rapid flood.{{cite web |last=Melvin |first=Mick |title=The Mossdale Tragedy 1967 |url=https://www.michaelmelvin.co.uk/mossdale/The%20Mossdale%20Tragedy.pdf |accessdate=4 September 2022}}
Nutty Putty Cave incident - John Edward Jones became stuck and died after he entered a narrow passage head first and became stuck.{{Cite news |date=2009-11-26 |title=Man trapped in cave dies during rescue attempt |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/11/26/utah.cave.man/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804053910/https://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/11/26/utah.cave.man/index.html |archive-date=4 August 2023 |access-date=2023-08-04 |work=CNN}}
Riesending cave rescue - one of the largest rescues in history, occurred at Riesending cave after a caver experienced a traumatic brain injury.{{Cite news |date=11 June 2014 |title=Ein Arzt erreicht den Verletzten: Höhlenforscher erlitt Schädel-Hirn-Trauma |url=https://www.nzz.ch/panorama/hoehlenforscher-erlitt-schaedel-hirn-trauma-1.18319827 |access-date=24 June 2017 |work=Neue Zürcher Zeitung |language=de-CH |issn=0376-6829 |author-last=Lahrtz |author-first=Stephanie}}
Tham Luang cave rescue - a youth soccer team was trapped within Tham Luang Nang Non after rising water cut off the exit.{{Cite news |date=2018-07-13 |title=The full story of Thailand's extraordinary cave rescue |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44791998 |access-date=2025-02-14 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}}

Speleology

{{Main|Speleology}}Speleology is the scientific study of caves and their formation. File:Proteus anguinus Postojnska Jama Slovenija.jpgs (Proteus anguinus), in Postojna Cave, Slovenia.|alt=Two olms, pinkish swimming creatures resembling eels with legs and triangle-shaped heads and no eyes.]]

Biospeleology - the study of cave biology.{{Cite web |title=Biospeleology Photos |url=https://www.texasspeleologicalsurvey.org/cavephotos/biospeleology.php |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=texasspeleologicalsurvey.org}}
Subterranean fauna - animal species that are adapted to live in an underground environment.{{Cite web |title=Environmental Factor Guideline: Subterranean Fauna |url=https://www.epa.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/Policies_and_Guidance/Guideline-Subterranean-Fauna-131216_3.pdf |publisher=EPA}}
Speleogenesis - the ways in which caves form.{{Cite web |last=Monroy |first=Ríos E |date=2017-12-26 |title=Speleogenesis: How were caves and cenotes formed? |url=https://sites.northwestern.edu/monroyrios/category/speleology/speleogenesis/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Karst Geochemistry and Hydrogeology |language=en-US}}
Stygofauna - animals that live in caves under the waterline.
Troglofauna - animals that live in caves above the waterline.{{Cite web |date=2019-10-21 |title=What Are The Adaptations In Cave-dwelling Animals? |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-the-adaptations-in-cave-dwelling-animals.html |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=WorldAtlas |language=en-US}}
Troglobites - obligatory cave dwellers, specialized for cave life.{{cite journal |last=Sket |first=Boris |date=2008-06-01 |title=Can we agree on an ecological classification of subterranean animals? |journal=Journal of Natural History |volume=42 |issue=21–22 |pages=1549–1563 |doi=10.1080/00222930801995762 |bibcode=2008JNatH..42.1549S |issn=0022-2933 |s2cid=84499383}}
Troglophiles - can live part or all of their lives in caves, but can also complete a life cycle in appropriate environments on the surface.
Trogloxenes - frequents caves, and may require caves for a portion of its life cycle, but must return to the surface.
Troglomorphism - the adaptations that allow the existence of troglofauna.{{cite web |title=System Glossary: 'troglomorphic' |url=http://www.fishbase.org/glossary/Glossary.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923050208/http://www.fishbase.org/glossary/Glossary.php?q=troglomorphic |archive-date=23 September 2015 |accessdate=19 October 2016 |website=FishBase |publisher=Quantitative Aquatics Incorporated}}

Notable caves and cave rooms

These caves are the longest, biggest, and deepest known as of 2025.

= Caves =

Hang Sơn Đoòng - largest known cave by volume and contains the largest known cave passage.{{cite web |last=Owen |first=James |date=9 July 2009 |title=World's Biggest Cave Found in Vietnam |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/07/090724-biggest-cave-vietnam/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228105220/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/07/090724-biggest-cave-vietnam |archive-date=28 February 2015 |access-date=24 February 2015 |work=National Geographic}}
Kazumura Cave - longest and deepest surveyed lava tube.
Mammoth Cave - greatest total length of surveyed passage.{{cite web |author=Gulden |first=Bob |author-link=Robert Gulden |date=7 January 2018 |title=Worlds longest caves |url=http://www.caverbob.com/wlong.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102100710/http://www.caverbob.com/wlong.htm |archive-date=2 November 2015 |access-date=29 May 2018 |work=Geo2 Committee on Long and Deep Caves |publisher=National Speleological Society}}
Sistema Ox Bel Ha - longest underwater cave and second longest surveyed cave.{{Cite web |title=Long Underwater Caves |url=https://legacy.caves.org/project/qrss/qrlong.htm |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=legacy.caves.org}}
Veryovkina Cave - deepest known cave, at 2,204 meters.{{Cite web |last=Baraszkow |first=Aleksej |date=2024-09-20 |title=SpeleoClub Perowo News |url=https://vk.com/perovospeleo?w=wall-97300187_1003 |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=vk.com/perovospeleo}}
Vrtoglavica Cave - deepest known pitch.{{Cite web |title=Cave Related Statistics: Caves With The Deepest Drop |url=https://www.showcaves.com/english/explain/Statistics/DeepestDrop.html |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Show Caves of the World |language=en}}

= Cave rooms =

Miao Room - world's largest known room by volume, at 10,780,000 cubic meters.{{cite news |last=Vergano |first=Dan |date=28 September 2014 |title=China's "Supercave" Takes Title as World's Most Enormous Cavern |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/09/140927-largest-cave-china-exploration-science/ |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131062902/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/09/140927-largest-cave-china-exploration-science |archivedate=31 January 2017 |accessdate=20 December 2014 |work=National Geographic News |publisher=National Geographic Society}}
Sarawak Chamber - largest known room by surface area, at 154,500 square meters.{{Cite news |last=Rongmei |first=Precious |title=What's inside the Sarawak Chamber, world's largest cave chamber? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/whats-inside-the-sarawak-chamber-worlds-largest-cave-chamber/articleshow/103286311.cms |access-date=2025-02-13 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

References

Caves

Category:Caves

Category:Geology

Category:Subterranea (geography)

Category:Archaeology