Cave Formations

Be prepared to identify

all these cave formations

When we visit:

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Scientists call cave formations speleothems.

• Spelaion means cave

• Thema means deposit

Speleothems

• Speleothems take thousands of years to form. They are made when rainwater percolates through the ground. As the water seeps through the cracks found in many limestone areas calcite is dissolved.

• When it reaches the cave, the water drops hang from the ceiling or dribble down a wall. The speleothem may be found on the floor, hanging from the ceiling or along the walls of the cave.

• The following slides show some examples of speleothems.

Stalactite

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Stalagmite

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Column

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Flowstone

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