Buzz
On August 17, 2020, visitors observe the spouts inside Tenglong Cave in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei Province, China. Photo credit: Chen Li/VCG via Getty ImagesThe Earth's surface is marked with countless craters and fissures, many of which evolve into caves and caverns that attract explorers and spelunkers, both amateurs and professionals. Perhaps you've even experienced one yourself during a trip.
But do caves and caverns truly differ from one another?
Perhaps one evokes a sense of something vast and enigmatic, while the other conjures up images of tight, suffocating spaces that pose a threat to human life.
Some say that caverns feature stalagmites and stalactites, while caves do not. Other sources claim that caves include areas devoid of direct sunlight. Some even suggest that plant and animal life cannot survive in caverns, but can in caves.
In truth, however, geologists assert that there is no real distinction between the two.
"In essence, 'cave' and 'cavern' are interchangeable terms," explains John Mylroie, Professor Emeritus of geology at Mississippi State University, in an email. "The Glossary of Geology notes that 'cavern' generally refers to a large room or series of rooms and is often used for commercial caves, like Howe Caverns in New York State."
Mylroie played a key role in assisting NASA to refine its understanding of caves and their formation. With this knowledge, space researchers are now better equipped to locate caves within structures across the galaxy, as these may offer clues to discovering subterranean alien life or other significant findings.
"It's packed with jargon, and it's definitely on the fringe," Mylroie remarks about his research paper, "but it was designed to help NASA understand what caves are and how they might exist over time and across space."
He suggests that trying to distinguish these terms based on factors like light or air is not really accurate.
"A commercial cavern would be difficult for tourists if it lacked air," Mylroie points out. "For those of us who study and explore caves seriously, the public's misconceptions and myths about caves are a never-ending source of amusement. Don’t even get me started on the myths about bats."
"There really isn't a significant difference between 'caves' and 'caverns' aside from the choice of terminology," agrees William White, Professor Emeritus in geochemistry at Penn State University, in an email. "'Cavern' seems to be favored by show cave operators, perhaps because it makes their caves sound more impressive. That’s why we have 'Luray Caverns' and 'Endless Caverns' in Virginia. But the world’s longest cave is simply called 'Mammoth Cave.'"
Stalagmites and stalactites embellish Luray Cavern in Virginia.
Michael Orso/Getty Images"Life forms differ from one cave to another based on the surrounding environment, but the terminology—whether it's called a 'cave' or a 'cavern'—doesn't impact the types of creatures living there," he points out.
Amateur spelunkers and cave enthusiasts often prefer one term over the other, depending on their level of experience.
"Professionals and hobbyists in the caving community rarely use the term 'cavern' (and they never use 'spelunker')," says Mylroie. "We refer to it as 'caves' and 'caving.' Cave divers distinguish between cavern diving and cave diving, where the former involves exploring only the entrance area of an underwater cave, without venturing deeper inside. Cave diving is highly hazardous, and open-water divers experience the most accidents due to a lack of proper training; that’s why the two terms exist."
The use of the term 'cavern' instead of 'cave' seems to be primarily driven by one factor: marketing.
"It's worth noting that 'Moaning Cavern' was previously called 'Moaning Cave' before being commercialized," says Mylroie. Both of these caves are located in California. Remember the famous Gold Rush song about Clementine: 'In a cavern in a canyon, excavating for a mine'? The term 'cavern' connects history to the tourism-driven cave business in the state,"
Different Cave Types
Although there’s no actual difference between caves and caverns, there is a wide variety of cave types, often named after the natural processes that formed them. Here are just a few examples:
- Glacier caves are formed by meltwater inside glaciers, typically creating long tunnels between the bedrock and the ice itself.
- Lava caves are formed when lava cools after volcanic activity, creating intriguing tubes that, once solidified, become fascinating areas for scientific study and exploration.
- Solutional caves, the most common type, develop in soluble rocks such as limestone, gypsum, salt, chalk, dolomite, and marble. Acidic water seeps into cracks and joints in the bedrock over millions of years, gradually creating extensive cave systems.
- Sea caves are formed by the movement of seawater and waves. Some of these caves may be dry during low tide, while others remain submerged at all times.
- Eolian caves form in deserts, where high-speed winds carrying sand particles erode rock faces, leaving behind voids that dramatically alter the landscape.
The largest known cave in the world is Son Doong, located in Vietnam. It was discovered in 1991 by a logger who unexpectedly came across its entrance in the forest. The cave stretches over 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) long, and its chambers are so vast that entire skyscraper blocks could fit inside without their pointed tops touching the ceiling. You can experience this extraordinary cave yourself by taking a $3,000 tour.
