Synopsis
How stalactites and stalagmites are formed in caves, from limestone dissolved in water droplets.
- Programme: Planet Earth
- Episode: Caves
- Channel: BBC One
- Broadcast year: 2006
- Geography
Licence: ERA Licence required
UK only
Staff and students of licensed education establishments only
Cannot be adapted
Add Notes
More clips from Planet Earth
4: Caves | Planet Earth
4: Caves | Planet Earth
Documentary series which celebrates earth in all its natural glory. This edition looks at caves, including Deer Cave in Borneo, a daytime retreat for...
Cave glow worms | Planet Earth
Cave glow worms | Planet Earth
Developed by Japanese TV company NHK, the image intensifier (II) system has a camera chip 300 times more powerful than the standard digibeta c...
Cenotes | Planet Earth
Cenotes | Planet Earth
Footage from diving in cenotes in the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula.
Lechuguilla Cave | Planet Earth
Lechuguilla Cave | Planet Earth
The walls of these caves are covered in fragile crystals made of gypsum, which is created when limestone is dissolved by sulphuric acid.
Limestone | Planet Earth
Limestone | Planet Earth
How limestone has been shaped over millions of years into a variety of different rock formations, including underground cave systems.
Villa Luz cave | Planet Earth
Villa Luz cave | Planet Earth
Life that manages to survive in a cave in Mexico that has sulphuric acid in the water.
More resources about Ecosystems and Biomes
Camargue | The Geography Programme
Camargue | The Geography Programme
This programme looks at the conflict between those people who want to make a living out of the unique wetlands environment and those who w...
1: Africa | Equator from the Air
1: Africa | Equator from the Air
In Africa, Gordon takes to the skies to see how a growing human population is affecting wildlife, from flamingos and elephants in Kenya to h...
1: Arctic Part 1 | Undiscovered Worlds with Steve Backshall
1: Arctic Part 1 | Undiscovered Worlds with Steve Backshall
Steve Backshall visits unexplored parts of the world. This time his team is kayaking in the Arctic - they face pe...
1: Congo | Wilderness with Simon Reeve
1: Congo | Wilderness with Simon Reeve
Simon Reeve battles his way across the Congo, braving thick jungle and tropical swamps in search of the people and the wildlife who ma...
1: Galapagos | Nature's Microworlds
1: Galapagos | Nature's Microworlds
The Galapagos is home to a myriad of bizarre and unique creatures endemic to these islands, but how did they get here and what is the key...
1: Heart of the Dragon | Wild China
1: Heart of the Dragon | Wild China
The hills of Guilin and the fishermen of the Li River form the heart of this exploration of the rice-growing cultures and strange creatur...
1: Land | Australia: Earth's Magical Kingdom
1: Land | Australia: Earth's Magical Kingdom
A look at one of the most magical lands on the planet. Its unique wildlife includes tree-dwelling kangaroos, spiders that surviv...
1: Nature's Miracle | Great Barrier Reef
1: Nature's Miracle | Great Barrier Reef
Monty Halls explores Australia's Great Barrier Reef, examining the vast, complex structure of the coral reef itself and the wildlife...
1: North by Northwest | Himalaya with Michael Palin
1: North by Northwest | Himalaya with Michael Palin
Michael Palin sets off on an epic journey through the rugged terrain of the Himalayas. First, he follows the Khyber Pass ...
1: Ocean of Islands | South Pacific
1: Ocean of Islands | South Pacific
Documentary looking at the remote South Pacific islands, which are inhabited by some of the most curious and precarious examples of life ...
1: Oceans - Into the Blue | Human Planet
1: Oceans - Into the Blue | Human Planet
Humans have always found ways to live an almost aquatic life so they can exploit the sea's riches. This journey reveals tales of ing...
1: Protect & Restore Nature | The Earthshot Prize: Repairing Our Planet
1: Protect & Restore Nature | The Earthshot Prize: Repairing Our Planet
Sir David explains exactly what aspect of our approach to modern life is causing a global decline in ...
1: Rockies | Mountain: Life at the Extreme
1: Rockies | Mountain: Life at the Extreme
This episode looks at the Rockies in North America, home to cougars, wolves and grizzly bears.
1: Sand, Wind and Stars | Wild Arabia
1: Sand, Wind and Stars | Wild Arabia
Wildlife documentary series which enters the wilderness of Arabia and reveals a magical cast of characters, from the snow-white oryx to...
1: Scotland's Trees | Making Scotland's Landscape
1: Scotland's Trees | Making Scotland's Landscape
Professor Iain Stewart reveals how Scotland's unique landscape was shaped. Here, he uncovers the devastating impact of mank...
1: Siberia | Arctic with Bruce Parry
1: Siberia | Arctic with Bruce Parry
Bruce Parry meets the Sakha horse people and Eveny reindeer herders in Siberia's Verkhoyansk Mountains to see how they are embracing the...
1: Spring - Season of Extremes | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart
1: Spring - Season of Extremes | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart
Ewan McGregor narrates a series about the wildlife of the Scottish Highlands. It is spring, the most unpre...
1: The Bountiful Sea | Life in the Freezer
1: The Bountiful Sea | Life in the Freezer
A natural history of Antarctica presented by David Attenborough. Looks at how the abundant wildlife survives some of the hardest c...
1: The Waimaha | Tribe with Bruce Parry
1: The Waimaha | Tribe with Bruce Parry
Deep in the Amazon, Bruce Parry undergoes a brutal training regime to prepare his mind and body to take ayahuasca and understand how ...
1: To the Ends of the Earth | Frozen Planet
1: To the Ends of the Earth | Frozen Planet
David Attenborough sets out on an extraordinary journey across the earth's polar regions, exploring the Arctic and Antarctic.
More from Sir David Attenborough
7: Human | Planet Earth III
7: Human | Planet Earth III
Discover the extraordinary ways in which wildlife survives in a rapidly changing human world. From cobras hunting in houses to macaques stealing ...
The mystery of the whale shark nursery | Blue Planet II
The mystery of the whale shark nursery | Blue Planet II
Nutrients from the deep provide sustenance for a large gathering of sea life.
Ant pharmacists | Natural World
Ant pharmacists | Natural World
Wood ants have a remarkable solution for avoiding disease.
3: Jungles | Planet Earth II
3: Jungles | Planet Earth II
Jungles provide the richest habitats on the planet - mysterious worlds of high drama where extraordinary animals attempt to survive in the most ...
Lizard Heaters | Life in Cold Blood
Lizard Heaters | Life in Cold Blood
Wall lizards take advantage of foul-smelling dead-horse arums.
How Many People Can Live on Planet Earth? | Horizon
How Many People Can Live on Planet Earth? | Horizon
Naturalist Sir David Attenborough investigates whether the world faces a population crisis and if it is the duty of indiv...
7: Great Plains | Planet Earth
7: Great Plains | Planet Earth
Documentary series which celebrates Earth in its natural glory. A look at the great plains - wildernesses which support the greatest gathering...
Weighty wanderers | Life in the Freezer
Weighty wanderers | Life in the Freezer
With a wingspan of over 3m, the wandering albatross has the biggest feeding range of any bird. Throughout the winter they remain in n...
Our Precious Isles | Wild Isles
Our Precious Isles | Wild Isles
David Attenborough celebrates the rich variety of habitats in our wild isles, the existence of which is critical for the survival of species ...
5: Human Worlds | The Green Planet
5: Human Worlds | The Green Planet
Two out of five wild plants are threatened with extinction. Today people are finding remarkable ways to help them, and so make our world a...
David Attenborough | The Queen's Platinum Jubilee
David Attenborough | The Queen's Platinum Jubilee
David Attenborough speaks about the environment. Also, includes footage of the drones that turn into animals.
Greta meets David Attenborough | Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World
Greta meets David Attenborough | Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World
Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough discuss their hopes for the future of the planet.
COP26 delegates and climate scientists | Climate Change: The Facts
COP26 delegates and climate scientists | Climate Change: The Facts
COP26 delegates and climate scientist Hannah Cloke discuss their hopes for the COP26 conference.
The People v Climate Change
The People v Climate Change
Meet the 108 ordinary Brits who Sir David Attenborough says we should listen to. This warm and honest documentary reveals how everyday people fee...
Self-sacrificing fish | Life
Self-sacrificing fish | Life
Flying fish can leave the water and soar great distances on their elongated fins to escape from predators below the waves. But finding a place t...
Leopard seal vs penguin | Seven Worlds, One Planet
Leopard seal vs penguin | Seven Worlds, One Planet
Glaciers crumbling more quickly, due to climate change, give the advantage to leopard seals hunting penguins.
Poison dart frogs battle it out | Attenborough's Life in Colour
Poison dart frogs battle it out | Attenborough's Life in Colour
A poison dart frog fights off a contender until he's sufficiently warned off.
Biodiversity loss | Extinction: The Facts
Biodiversity loss | Extinction: The Facts
An exploration of the devastating impacts of the loss of insect and plant biodiversity.
David, The Ruler | Dynasties
David, The Ruler | Dynasties
One strong and determined leader, David, rules the land, but can trust no one.
Marine predators and scavengers | The Blue Planet
Marine predators and scavengers | The Blue Planet
The scavengers of the deep ocean rely on predators at the surface to provide their nutrition.