wunder beta

📘 How a cave forms in limestone

Follow carbonic acid, groundwater, dissolution, and calcite deposition through a cave.

lessons

~10 min

to learn

🔬 Science

subject

Adults

level

Start the course →

What you’ll learn

Limestone
Carbonic acid
Percolation
Water table
Passages
Degassing
Stalactites
Stalagmites
Streams
Karst landscape

Questions this course answers

What common rock dissolves to form most solution caves?

Calcite-rich limestone dissolves in weakly acidic groundwater.

How does carbonic acid form in recharge water?

Water combines with carbon dioxide from air and soil to form weak carbonic acid.

What happens when cave water loses carbon dioxide?

Degassing reduces the solution’s ability to hold calcite, so mineral is deposited.

Where does a stalactite grow?

Ceiling drips leave calcite that builds a hanging formation.

Why are karst waters vulnerable to contamination?

Rapid conduit flow can carry surface contaminants directly to springs.

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