The Chemistry Behind Cave Formation Cave formation starts with a simple chemical reaction between water and carbon dioxide in ...

The most common process by which limestone caves form involves carbonic acid — or weakly acidic groundwater — as the primary agent. When carbonic acid contacts limestone, it dissolves minerals in the ...

Deep below the Earth's surface, rock and mineral formations lay hidden with a secret brilliance. Under a black light, the chemicals fossilized within shine in brilliant hues of pink, blue and green.

Through the intricate study of lava tubes -- caves formed following volcanic eruptions when lava cools down -- an international team of researchers has uncovered clues about Earth's ancient ...

Mammoth Cave, the world's longest known cave system, stretches 426 miles under Kentucky. The cave's limestone began forming 330 million years ago when the region was submerged under an ocean. Visitors ...

Stalagmites that formed in caves hundreds of thousands of years ago preserve a record of how fires behaved the last time Earth’s temperatures were as high as they are today. New Scientist environment ...

For years, scientists were mystified by the origins of Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. This massive natural wonder is a staggering ten miles wide and plunging more than 2,400 ...