LAND DOWN UNDER
Since the dawn of time humans have been attracted to caves as places of safety and shelter. They are also seen as gateways to the unknown, shrouded in mystery, evoking curiosity and wonder in people of all ages and cultures.
In travelling across our wide brown land, we often overlook the natural wonders that lie beneath — an estimated 6500 subterranean marvels, ranging from developed ‘show’ caves to ‘wild’ caves requiring a hard hat and headlight.
Underground caves form by a variety of processes, mainly weathering, erosion and tectonic forces. Those most commonly found in Australia occur in ‘karst’ landscapes produced by the action of water on soluble rocks, such as limestone or dolomite. The world's largest limestone karst lies beneath Australia's Nullarbor Plain.
When rain absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere it produces a weak acid. As it penetrates rock through cracks and crevices, the
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