Caves can be decorated with outrageously beautiful formations or contain ancient historic relics, weird animals, and streams. Excitement is also available in many forms: long rappels into the darkness alongside a deafening waterfall, scary climbs over empty space, or tight squeezes through holes so small that you have to take your shirt off and force the air out of your lungs to push through. But for many cavers, the most important thing that caves provide is the chance to go where no one else has ever been. In the modern world, true exploration is rare. Unless you are an astronaut, an exceptional mountain climber, or have access to a deep sea bathyscaph, caves may provide your only option to be the first to explore part of our world.

The following links will teach you how caves are formed, how cave formations grow, how caves are found and explored, what kinds of creatures live in caves, and how we make maps of caves. Keep exploring and you'll find cave pictures that will blow your mind, and cave maps that amaze with their length and complexity. And the great thing about it all is that anyone can do it. Think about it, then call your nearest caving club, or visit the closest tour cave.

HOW CAVES ARE FORMED EXPLORING CAVESCAVE FORMATIONS CAVE CREATURES CAVE PHOTOS CAVE MAPS