by Val Shortt
There are many different types of caves
all over the world and people of all ages have a great fascination for visiting caves and exploring them.
Caves are formed in a variety of different shapes and sizes and formed in different ways over thousands of years. Some caves are available to the public and some are not as they can be extremely dangerous.
As I have mentioned previously there are different types of caves. The most common type of cave is the limestone cave. They are also usually the longest and deepest caves.
They are formed over a period of thousands of years by water. It happens when there is rain water mixed with a chemical either in the air or in the earth that creates an acid that dissolves away the limestone.
The action of acidic water dripping inside a cave can create stalactites and stalagmites by depositing minerals as the dripping takes place.These are amazing and beautiful formations that can often be seen in limestone caves.
There is a type of cave that is relatively rare called a Sandstone cave. These caves are formed by wind and wave action carrying away grains of sand. They are generally found close to an ocean. Close to the Sandstone cave is a Sea cave.
These caves are also formed by the action of waves, as many caves are formed, as the water pounds against the land. These caves are generally found toward the ocean and are not usually very long in length.
The next type I will mention is a Lava cave which name speaks for itself. It is formed when volcanic lava flows through what is known as a lava tube during an eruption.
This type does not have the stalactites and stalagmites of limestone caves but have a different type of formation caused by the movement of the lava.
If you are adventurous to go out visiting caves you need to be aware of some of the dangers you may be facing.
Caves can be wet and slippery and there is the possibility of falling rocks.
Wearing a hard hat when going through caves is always a good idea. If there has been a recent rain there is the potential for a flash flood. Watch for an indication of recent water flows in the cave. There is also the possibility as well of bad air pockets due to rotting vegetation and landfill seepage. There could also be areas lacking oxygen. To look for these areas watch the flame of your lantern or a candle. If it seems to be getting dim you need to leave that area immediately. Another risk can be the occupants such as rattle snakes and bats, or a variety of other animals.
Its a good idea when going through the caves to never have less than 3 people. If one person gets injured there are 2 to carry the other person out.
One of the important rules when visiting a cave is to not leave anything behind and not to take anything with you such as plants or animals.
Definitely do not disturb the geological formation. Remember that caves took thousands of years to be formed and can be damaged in just a few thoughtless minutes. As a native of Southern Ontario there are surprisingly a number of areas with caves.
Here is a list of just a few of them, Chipmunk Cave near Hamilton, Falcon Cave also near Hamilton, Cricket cave near Niagara Falls,
Second Chance Cave near the Niagara Escarpment, Bed of Glass Cave near Lake ErieLeft, Door Cave also near Lake Erie, Razor Cave also near Lake Erie,
Rockwood Conservation Area in Guelph, Collingwood Scenic caves, Bruce Caves in Wiarton, and Warsaw Caves in Peterborough.
As you can see there are many that I have listed and still many I have not. If you are looking for something to do and are interested in visiting caves you don't have very far to go for a fun and adventurous activity.
There are many different types of caves
all over the world and people of all ages have a great fascination for visiting caves and exploring them. Caves are formed in a variety of different shapes and sizes and formed in different ways over thousands of years. Some caves are available to the public and some are not as they can be extremely dangerous.
As I have mentioned previously there are different types of caves. The most common type of cave is the limestone cave. They are also usually the longest and deepest caves.
They are formed over a period of thousands of years by water. It happens when there is rain water mixed with a chemical either in the air or in the earth that creates an acid that dissolves away the limestone.
The action of acidic water dripping inside a cave can create stalactites and stalagmites by depositing minerals as the dripping takes place.These are amazing and beautiful formations that can often be seen in limestone caves.
There is a type of cave that is relatively rare called a Sandstone cave. These caves are formed by wind and wave action carrying away grains of sand. They are generally found close to an ocean. Close to the Sandstone cave is a Sea cave.
These caves are also formed by the action of waves, as many caves are formed, as the water pounds against the land. These caves are generally found toward the ocean and are not usually very long in length.
The next type I will mention is a Lava cave which name speaks for itself. It is formed when volcanic lava flows through what is known as a lava tube during an eruption.
This type does not have the stalactites and stalagmites of limestone caves but have a different type of formation caused by the movement of the lava.
If you are adventurous to go out visiting caves you need to be aware of some of the dangers you may be facing.
Caves can be wet and slippery and there is the possibility of falling rocks.
Wearing a hard hat when going through caves is always a good idea. If there has been a recent rain there is the potential for a flash flood. Watch for an indication of recent water flows in the cave. There is also the possibility as well of bad air pockets due to rotting vegetation and landfill seepage. There could also be areas lacking oxygen. To look for these areas watch the flame of your lantern or a candle. If it seems to be getting dim you need to leave that area immediately. Another risk can be the occupants such as rattle snakes and bats, or a variety of other animals.
Its a good idea when going through the caves to never have less than 3 people. If one person gets injured there are 2 to carry the other person out.
One of the important rules when visiting a cave is to not leave anything behind and not to take anything with you such as plants or animals.
Definitely do not disturb the geological formation. Remember that caves took thousands of years to be formed and can be damaged in just a few thoughtless minutes. As a native of Southern Ontario there are surprisingly a number of areas with caves
. Here is a list of just a few of them, Chipmunk Cave near Hamilton, Falcon Cave also near Hamilton, Cricket cave near Niagara Falls,
Second Chance Cave near the Niagara Escarpment, Bed of Glass Cave near Lake ErieLeft, Door Cave also near Lake Erie, Razor Cave also near Lake Erie,
Rockwood Conservation Area in Guelph, Collingwood Scenic caves, Bruce Caves in Wiarton, and Warsaw Caves in Peterborough.
As you can see there are many that I have listed and still many I have not. If you are looking for something to do and are interested in visiting caves
you don't have very far to go for a fun and adventurous activity.
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