Saltpeter - a salt mined from caves, which was used for the production of gunpowder. Sandstone - the protective sandstone roof sheds rainwater to vertical cracks. This roof protects the existing wet and dry passageways from further erosion. Scallops - one of the two most common characteristics of cave walls. The other is anastomoses.
Scallops are spoon-shaped hollows dissolved in limestone floors, walls, and ceilings.
These scallops are created by the flow of underground streams. The size and shape of the scallops indicates the last sustained direction and rate of flow of the underground streams or rivers. Faster current was indicated by smaller scallop. Show Caves - caves that are open to the public for tours. The sinkholes help guide rainwater and melting snow into underlying caves like a funnel.