Caves are formed by water wearing away rock. When rainwater falls through the air, it picks up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Together, water and carbon dioxide become a mild acidic solution called carbonic acid. Water soaking through soil can also pick up carbon dioxide and become carbonic acid.
When this acid hits rock, it very slowly begins to dissolve the rock and create tiny cracks. Over thousands of years, these cracks can grow into caves.
Water also creates formations within caves, like stalactites and stalagmites.
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