CAVES - THE FORMATION

                                        CAVES

                                            

     Caves have for long been linked with the history of civilization in many interesting ways. In the stone age, men used to live in caves to protect themselves from cold and animals. Ancient people had many strange notions about caves. The people of Greece believed that their Gods Zeus, Pan, Dionysus, and Pluto lived in caves. The Romans believed that caves were the homes of nymphs and sibyls. People of Persia worshipped caves considering them to be the abodes of God. Today, huge and beautiful caves all over the world have become centres of attraction for tourists.

Do you know how these caves are formed?

     A cave is a deep hollow space in a mountain. It is formed in different ways. When water waves coming from sea, collide with the mountains, they wash away the soft stones present in between the layers of the rocks. This process continued over a period of thousands of years created large spaces inside the mountains which we call caves.

     Some caves are formed below the earth's surface also. These have been formed by the water streams flowing below the earth's surface. The underground waterstreams wash away the limestone from the rocks and the voids so created are called caves. Quite often, waterfalls create hollow spaces within the rocks which ultimately becomes caves. Such caves have been formed below the Niagara Falls.

     Caves are also formed by the volcanic changes taking place in the earth's layer. Some caves are very long while some are very deep. 

    

 The deepest cave is 'Guffre de la piere st.' situated on the border of France and Spain. It is 1310 metres (4300 ft) deep.

                                        

                                              Guffre de la piere st.

 The longest cave, 'Flit Ridge cave system' is situated in America and is 116.8 km (73 mile) long.

       

                                                 Flit Ridge cave system                                             

     In India caves of Ajanta and Ellora are very famous. Millions of people come to see them. These caves contain very beautiful sculptures. Ellora has about 36 caves which are widespread in the mountains. The formation of these caves started in the year 300 and was completed in 1300.

                      

                                                                AJANTA CAVES

               

                                                                    ELLORA CAVES