What are the horizontal cracks in the cave referred to as?

The correct designation for horizontal cracks in a cave is known as bedding planes. Bedding planes are the surfaces that separate distinct layers of sedimentary rock, which can reveal much about the geological history of the area. These planes are typically where sediment was deposited in layers over time and can serve as significant indicators for understanding the rock's formation and structure.

While other terms are relevant to geological features, they do not specifically describe the horizontal nature of the cracks found in caves. Joints refer to fractures in rock where no significant movement has occurred, and while they can be horizontal, they are not specifically defined that way. Fissures are typically larger openings or cracks often associated with movement. Strata are layers of rock or sediment but do not specifically refer to the cracks themselves. Thus, understanding that bedding planes are the actual surfaces and markers of depositional layers lends itself to why this term is correct for describing horizontal cracks within cave systems.