Bulletin of the National Speleological Society - ISSN 0146-9517
Volume 22 Part 1: 3-4 - January 1960

A publication of the National Speleological Society

Introduction to the Origin of Limestone Caves
George W. Moore

Abstract

This symposium presents evidence bearing on cave origin derived principally from the shape and spatial relations of caves. The observations suggest that most limestone caves were formed in a zone of saturation directly below a nearly horizontal local or regional piezometric surface. Acids resulting from chemical and biochemical processes operating in this zone during oxidation of sulfide minerals and organic matter present in the limestone are thought to have made the zone especially favorable for cave development.

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