Earth’s Surface

Caves
A cave is a big hole in rock.
How did it get there? Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is the
longest cave ever discovered.
Most caves form when water It is 628 kilometers
(390 mi.) long. Kentucky
flows through cracks in
underground rock. The rock
dissolves (mixes completely)
in the water. Then the water
washes away the rock. Only
a hole is left. It is a cave!

Ocean waves can also make

caves. The waves wear away
rock in the base of ocean
cliffs. Over time, the waves
A person exploring a cave
remove enough rock that
caves form. Caves are homes for many
animals. Bats roost there.
Insects and spiders live there,
too. Who else explores caves?
People do!

o What are two ways that caves form?

Bats roosting in a cave o Name three animals that live in caves.

Credits: left: © Pat Morris/ardea.com; right: © Tim Wright/Corbis

© Learning A–Z All rights reserved. www.sciencea-z.com