"from" the inside? No vegetation for a start - apart from the patches of algae and ferns known as 'lampenflora' that grows around floodlights in show-caves, creating something of a headache for the cave's owners as it is a form of pollution. One of the most noticeable is that the rock is not weathered as it is on the surface. The surfaces of the walls and roof usually carry erosion forms not seen in surface stream-ways. Passage morphologies, especially cross-sections, have pecularities not found outside. The cave may be decorated with stalagmites, stalactites etc. And if you all turn your lamps off.... dark. Very dark. Absolute darkness: an odd experience unfamiliar to most people and uncomfortable even for experienced cavers.
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Caves can vary in appearance depending on their formation and location. Some caves have unique rock formations like stalactites and stalagmites, while others may have underground rivers or crystal formations. Many caves are dark, damp, and can have narrow passages or large chambers.
The Altamira caves contain prehistoric paintings created by early humans. The paintings depict various animals, such as bison, horses, and deer, as well as geometric shapes. The art is predominantly found on the ceiling and upper walls of the caves.
The main types of caves are solution caves, lava caves, sea caves, glacier caves, and talus caves. Solution caves form from the dissolution of soluble rocks like limestone; lava caves are created by flowing lava; sea caves are carved by the action of waves on coastal cliffs; glacier caves form within glaciers due to melting and refreezing processes; and talus caves are formed by fallen rocks creating cave-like structures.
Caves provide shelter for animals and humans, offer protection from the elements, and can contain valuable mineral resources. They also serve as unique ecosystems with specialized species adapted to the dark and cool environment inside caves.
Caves are typically formed in rock formations such as limestone, marble, or volcanic rock. The creation of caves is primarily influenced by water erosion, chemical weathering, and geological processes over millions of years. Inside caves, various mineral deposits and formations such as stalactites and stalagmites can be found.
Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales are considered one of Australia's most outstanding cave systems. They comprise enormous chambers filled with amazing formations of stalactites, stalagmites, columns and more. Some, such as Lucas Cave and the River, Imperial and Pool of Cerberus Caves, have views of the underground rivers. In some of the caves, such as the Jubilee and Orient Caves, you can see an assortment of beautiful delicate limestone crystal. See the related link below.