The formation of caves is associated with which type of rock?

Caves predominantly form in limestone, which is primarily composed of calcite, a mineral derived from calcium carbonate. This process occurs through chemical weathering, where slightly acidic groundwater filters through soil and interacts with the calcite in the limestone. The acid reacts with the calcite to dissolve it, gradually enlarging fractures and openings over time, ultimately leading to the development of cave systems.

While basalt, granite, and siltstone are also types of rock, they do not usually undergo significant dissolution to form caves. Basalt and granite are igneous and metamorphic rocks, respectively, which are typically more resistant to weathering and do not readily dissolve in water. Siltstone, being a sedimentary rock, lacks the solubility characteristics that lead to cave formation like calcite. Therefore, the correct association of cave formation is with calcite, as it is directly involved in the dissolution process that creates cave structures.