Judging by a quick look on Facebook these days, cave diving appears to have become the go-to diving activity. Many consider it the most challenging and high-risk diving activity, but it is not for every diver to participate in. Those interested and strong enough divers to complete the training will be able to see a world a relatively tiny percentage of the population will ever witness.
In this ongoing series, we’ll cover all aspects of going through a full cave training. If you have any questions about the process or equipment, please let us know in the comments.
How Are Underwater Caves Formed
Underwater caves are formed through various processes, but the origins of many popular cave diving locations worldwide are similar. Regions such as Australia, Florida, the Mayan Riviera in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, and parts of Asia and Europe are renowned for cave diving. While there are many other cave systems globally, limestone plays a crucial role in forming caves in these specific areas, including Australia, Florida, the Yucatan, Asia, and Europe.
Limestone is a relatively soft and porous rock. Over the years and various ice ages, the water level that we know has fluctuated dramatically. At times, the caves we’re now familiar with were arid. Due to rain seeping through the porous limestone, water channels formed over time. Similar to how the Grand Canyon was formed. As these channels grew more extensive, the water rush helped carve out the cave systems.
In more volcanic regions like Hawaii, you will likely find caves formed via lava tubes. In some places, sea caves formed when the seas were significantly lower, and wave action eroded a hole in a shoreline cliff, which was then submerged as sea levels rose.
How Entrances to Cave Systems Are Formed
Without an entrance to a cave, cave diving would be challenging! For cave diving, the most popular entrances are located at sinkholes or cenotes in Central America.
A sinkhole or cenote is a hole in the ground that leads to a cave. Typically, when water levels were higher, the underground flowing water pooled in various locations due to the density of the limestone. In some places, large rooms formed, and more limestone dissolved until the layer of earth made the roof reasonably thin. When the water levels dropped, the weight of the earth’s roof was no longer supported by water pressure, and it collapsed, creating an entrance to a cave.
In the next part of our Cave Diving series, we’ll discuss speleothems and haloclines!
Have you ever been inside a cave?
