Since we kind of just learned about caves, here's a review of everything we covered in the movie. Hope it helps!
Formation:
The most common way caves are formed is through limestone rock being eaten away at by acidic water. As the water flows through and around the rock, it carves passages that can go on for miles.
Some vocab terms:
- Stalactites: Water that contains calcite drips from a cave's ceiling. Over time the calcite hardens and creates these "fixtures."
- Stalagmites: The same things as Stalactites but on the ground of the cave. Water drips down from the ceiling and collects on the floor.
- Column: Formed when both formations connect from ceiling to ground.
- Cenote- Gigantic freshwater wells (flooded caves)
- Halocline- A meeting of fresh and salt water. The salt water "layer" is heavier, so doesn't mix with the freshwater. This looks like 2 layers of water.
Difference between salt and fresh water caves:
Instead of having acidic water erode away at limestone like in fresh water caves, salt water caves are created from the constant pounding of waves against rock.
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