Why do the Ozarks have so many caves?

The Ozarks is an area typified by what is called Karst Topography. This means that the geologic structures underneath the earth are made of soluble limestone and dolomite. Water has been at work underground wearing away passages- waterfilled ones we call springs and formerly water-filled ones we call caves.



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With almost 10,000 caves, Tennessee is home to more explorable caves than any other in the United States. This is about 20% of all the caves in the country. The caves in this state come with incredible diversity and have unique resources, including habitats for cave-adapted wildlife.

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Son Doong is considered to be the largest cave in the world, based on volume and also the biggest cave in Vietnam, found by Ho Khanh – a Phong Nha jungle man in 1990.

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The Geological History of the Jenolan Caves Scientists have determined, through the examination of the clay found in the caves, that the Jenolan subterranean system is around 340 million years old. This makes it the oldest known and dated open cave system in the world, and it is still being heavily researched today.

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