Formation of a Sea Cave-
Sea caves are formed from the forces of the sea, waves seething at the rock face of a coastline sometimes produce huge caverns, which are typically not very long. They are as long as the water reaches. The existence of this caves is not dependent on the kind of rock. Of course, it helps if the rock is weaker.
Typically sea caves are formed using a weakness in the rocks, like faults, other sediments or weaker layers. Faults in the rock sometimes produce chains of caves; everywhere the fault reaches the seashore.
The coastal erosion opens already existing caves and the water starts to widen the cave. Typically those caves are karst caves. Many karst areas at the coast have caves opening to the sea, where the entrance is widened by the waves. They are often called sea caves, which is only partly true.
Sometimes faults, existing caves, or weaknesses in the rock produce a small hole to the surface. The water swashing into the sea caves build up a high pressure inside the cave, which emerges in form of water and air of the small hole. This is called a blowhole. They are found all over the world along the coasts.
Sea caves are formed by the power of the ocean attacking zones of weakness in coastal sea cliffs. The weak zone is usually a fault, or fractured zone formed during slippage. Another type of weak zone is formed where dissimilar types of rocks are inter-bedded and one is weaker than the other. Typically this is a dike, or intrusive vein of more easily eroded rock found within a stronger host rock. The cave may begin as a very narrow crack into which waves can penetrate and exert tremendous force, cracking the rock from within. Sand and rock carried by waves produce additional erosive power on the cave's walls.
Sea caves rarely have formations like solution caves or lava tubes. Occasionally some flowstone or small stalagmites are seen, formed much as in solution caves.
Typically these occur in caves formed in sandstone or basalt.
Sea caves are found all over the world, and may be one of the most numerous types of caves. Areas known for large concentrations of sea caves include the Pacific coast states of the USA (Washington, Oregon, and California, and especially, California's Channel Islands); the Na Pali coast of Kauai; the Greek Isles; and many other places with good solid rock to host the caves.
Typically sea caves are formed using a weakness in the rocks, like faults, other sediments or weaker layers. Faults in the rock sometimes produce chains of caves; everywhere the fault reaches the seashore.
The coastal erosion opens already existing caves and the water starts to widen the cave. Typically those caves are karst caves. Many karst areas at the coast have caves opening to the sea, where the entrance is widened by the waves. They are often called sea caves, which is only partly true.
Sometimes faults, existing caves, or weaknesses in the rock produce a small hole to the surface. The water swashing into the sea caves build up a high pressure inside the cave, which emerges in form of water and air of the small hole. This is called a blowhole. They are found all over the world along the coasts.
Sea caves are formed by the power of the ocean attacking zones of weakness in coastal sea cliffs. The weak zone is usually a fault, or fractured zone formed during slippage. Another type of weak zone is formed where dissimilar types of rocks are inter-bedded and one is weaker than the other. Typically this is a dike, or intrusive vein of more easily eroded rock found within a stronger host rock. The cave may begin as a very narrow crack into which waves can penetrate and exert tremendous force, cracking the rock from within. Sand and rock carried by waves produce additional erosive power on the cave's walls.
Sea caves rarely have formations like solution caves or lava tubes. Occasionally some flowstone or small stalagmites are seen, formed much as in solution caves.
Typically these occur in caves formed in sandstone or basalt.
Sea caves are found all over the world, and may be one of the most numerous types of caves. Areas known for large concentrations of sea caves include the Pacific coast states of the USA (Washington, Oregon, and California, and especially, California's Channel Islands); the Na Pali coast of Kauai; the Greek Isles; and many other places with good solid rock to host the caves.
A school project for science class.