Library Guides: Geology: Caves

Caves

Caves are natural openings in the Earth that are large enough to allow a person to enter and extend beyond the zone of light penetration. They were used by early humans as natural shelters and still interest people today; many caves are open to the public as tourist attractions. The following sites provide information about caves, cave life, cave tourism opportunities and lava tubes, special types of caves that can be found in volcanic areas.

Caves and Karst (National Park Service)
This site from the National Park Service provides information about caves, cave formation and features, cave minerals and uses of caves, educational resources and references.
Exploring Caves
A K-3 educational web site from the U.S. Geological Survey, which provides a general introduction to caves and cave life. A poster to accompany the web site is available in Government Information.
The Virtual Cave
The Virtual Cave web site provides information and diagrams on four types of caves: solution caves, lava tube caves, sea caves and erosional caves, including summaries of how each type of cave forms. The site also contains photographs of cave deposits and diagrams showing where and how these deposits form, links to sites on cave conservation, educational resources, show caves, and cave organizations.
Lava Tubes & Lava Tube Caves
Information on lava tubes and lava tube caves, including descriptive information on some famous lava tube caves, links to sites on volcanic processes (such as lava flows and flood basalts) and links to web sites of several western U.S. lava tube caves.
Mysterious Life of Caves
A web site was developed to accompany the NOVA PBS show The Mysterious Life of Caves, which aired in 2002. It contains information on how caves form, cave life, Lechuguilla cave, a teacher's guide and links to a page with a list of cave organizations and books on caves.
Journey Into Amazing Caves
A web site developed for the IMAX movie Journey Into Amazing Caves, including information about the production of the film, which was partly funded by the National Science Foundation. The site contains links to cave location maps, and information resources that can be used to learn about caves, cave ecology & microbiology, preservation, a teacher's guide, list of caves that can be toured and other information resources on caves.
Show Caves of the World
This web site is an online guide to commercial and government operated "show caves" (caves that can be toured), from around the world.
White Nose Syndrome
White-nose syndrome is a disease of hibernating bats that has spread from the Northeastern US to the Midwest. This website provides information about the syndrome and its causes and control.

Illinois

Caves in Illinois: Our Subterranean Landscape
Information about caves in Illinois from the Illinois State Geological Survey.
Karst Landscapes of Illinois: Dissolving Bedrock and Collapsing Soil
A web site that explains karst landscapes in Illinois.