network cave

geology

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July 1, 2026

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Network caves are a type of cave passage pattern characterized by a "city-block" layout with numerous intersecting passages and closed loops. This pattern forms where water flow is diffuse, maintaining low velocities and allowing erosion to occur along all available joint openings.1

Caves, in general, are natural openings in the earth large enough for human exploration. The most common types are solution caves, formed by groundwater dissolving limestone or dolomite. Other cave types include volcanic caves, glacier caves, sea caves, eolian caves (formed by wind), rock shelters, and tectonic caves (formed by bedrock movement). Caves are transient geological features that form, evolve, and eventually decay over time.23456

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Geomorphic characteristics of solution caves
Network caves are formed where flows are controlled by diffuse inlets; flow velocities remain low and solutional erosion takes place along all possible joint openings. A network cave is the underground equivalent of a swamp.
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Network caves are formed where flows are controlled by diffuse inlets; flow velocities remain low and solutional erosion takes place along all possible joint openings. A network cave is the underground equivalent of a swamp.
Read More