Israeli researchers have recently made a monumental discovery near the Dead Sea- the world’s longest salt cave named Malham. Spanning over 10 kilometers (6.25 miles), this immense cavern runs through Mount Sodom, Israel’s largest mountain, and extends to the southwest corner of the nearby Dead Sea.
Remarkable Interior of Malham Cave
The interior of this massive cave features thousands of salt stalactites hanging from the ceiling. The walls of the cave showcase awe-inspiring salt crystals, formed by the dissolution of the overhead rock by rainwater. As water seeps through cracks, it leaves salt deposits on the cave’s ceiling, resulting in a stunning display of natural wonder.
The Process Behind Cave Formation
Cave formation is prominent in areas where there are alternating beds of rocks – including shales, sandstones, quartzites – with limestones or dolomites in between. This is also common in locations where limestones are dense, large-scale, and occur as thick beds.
Water percolates downward either through these materials or via cracks and joints, moving horizontally along bedding planes. It is on these bedding planes where the limestone dissolves, leading to the creation of caves. Depending on the limestone beds and intervening rocks, a complex network of caves can form at various elevations.
Tunnels are a specific type of cave formation that have openings at both ends.
Depositional Landforms Inside Caves
A variety of depositional forms develop within caves. Limestone, which primarily contains calcium carbonate, easily dissolves in carbonated water. This dissolved substance is subsequently deposited when the water evaporates or loses its carbon dioxide while trickling over uneven rock surfaces.
Cave Features: Stalactites, Stalagmites, and Pillars
Stalactites, stalagmites, and pillars are key features of many caves. Stalactites, often resembling large icicles, are broad at their bases and taper towards the ends, showcasing an array of forms.
On the other hand, stalagmites rise from the floor of the caves. These structures form due to dripping water from the surface or through the thin pipe of the stalactite located directly above them.
Informative Facts about Caves
| Cave Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Stalactites | Hanging structures formed by the accumulation of mineral deposits from water dripping from a cave ceiling. |
| Stalagmites | Structures that rise from the cave floor, typically formed by mineral deposits left by dripping water. |
| Pillars | Vertical structures formed from the union of a stalactite and a stalagmite. |
Fusing of Stalagmites and Stalactites into Pillars
Over time, stalagmites and stalactites fuse together to form columns and pillars of different diameters. This fusion leads to the creation of a spectacular array of natural structures, adding a unique beauty to these subterranean landscapes.
