Explore: Speleothem

A speleothem (/ˈspiːliəθɛm/; from Ancient Greek σπήλαιον (spḗlaion) 'cave' and θέμα (théma) 'deposit') is a geological formation made by mineral deposits

A soda straw (or simply straw) is a speleothem in the form of a hollow mineral cylindrical tube. They are also known as tubular stalactites. Soda straws

volcanic fields. Cave formations can take on two major forms, speleothems and speleogens. Speleothems are deposits of minerals that form after the initial cave

found in "solution caves", in limestone, where they are the most common speleothem. However, they may form in any type of cave where water enters that has

visitors since its discovery in 1878. The cavern system is adorned with speleothems such as columns, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and mirrored pools

dissolved. The speleothem precipitation sequence is: calcite, Mg-calcite, aragonite, huntite and hydromagnesite. Hence, the most common speleothem (secondary

(crystallized urine of pack rats). A stalactite is not necessarily a speleothem, though speleothems are the most common form of stalactite because of the abundance

between 25 and 27 °C, with a humidity higher than 95%. All sorts of speleothems, where numerous endemic troglobionts are living, can be found along the

earliest primates were discovered. Bolt's Farm was heavily mined for speleothem (calcium carbonate from stalagmites, stalactites, and flowstones) in the

happen as well. A speleothem is a geological formation by mineral deposits that accumulate over time in natural caves. Speleothems most commonly form