Tutorial:Cave Deposition

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Cave and rockshelter deposits
Most caves are formed by dissolution of carbonate rocks, but easily weathered sandstones and other soluble rocks (e.g. halite may also contain cave systems. Shallower rock shelters may also form in these rocks, but may also develop in areas where river or marine undercutting has occurred.

Deposits within caves and rockshelters can include debris and dissolution products from the break down of the rocks themselves, allochthonous deposits fallen, blown, washed, or carried in from outside, bird and bat guano, and human occupation deposits (usually concentrated towards the mouth of caves).

Physical and chemical weathering processes acting on the rock roof of the cave/rockshelter can lead to the accumulation of angular blocks of rock (breccia) and/or individual sand grains on the cave floor. Dripstones (stalacmites and stalactites) and flowstones are deposited by carbonate-rich percolating waters, and can cause cementation of sedimentary deposits.

Although the deposition of sediments will follow a ‘younging’ sequence, bioturbation, human disturbance and slumping of deposits can lead to the loss of stratigraphic information or inversions in stratigraphy.

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