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Are speleothems mechanical or chemical weathering?
Speleothems are formed as a result of chemical weathering processes. Groundwater percolating through limestone or other soluble rocks dissolves minerals, and when the water reaches the cave, these minerals are deposited as speleothems such as stalactites and stalagmites through precipitation.
What is the scientific name for stalagmites?
Stalagmites (along with stalactites and flowstones) are known scientifically as SPELEOTHEMS.
What is cave hydrology?
Cave hydrology is the study of water movement and behavior within cave systems. It examines how water interacts with geological formations, including processes like erosion, dissolution, and the formation of speleothems. This field also investigates groundwater flow, the impact of surface water on cave ecosystems, and the role of caves in regional hydrology. Understanding cave hydrology is crucial for managing water resources and preserving unique subterranean environments.
What is speleothem?
Speleothems are mineral deposits that form in caves as a result of water dripping or flowing through the cave, leaving behind minerals such as calcite. Examples of speleothems include stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and soda straws. They can provide valuable information about past climate conditions and cave environments.
What is a wavy sheet hanging in a cave?
A wavy sheet hanging in a cave typically refers to a type of geological formation known as a curtain or drapery, which is formed by the deposition of minerals, often calcite, from dripping water. These formations create a flowing, wave-like appearance as they hang from ceilings or walls. They can also be referred to as "speleothems" and are common in limestone caves, contributing to the cave's unique aesthetic.
What is the formation called when stalagmite and stalactite join together?
When a stalagmite and stalactite join together, the formation is called a "column" or "pillar." This occurs over time as mineral deposits accumulate from dripping water, eventually creating a continuous structure that reaches from the floor of a cave to its ceiling. Columns are often found in limestone caves and are a striking feature of speleothems.
What are speleothems?
speleothems are cavern formations, that live and grow in types of caverns. some are, stalatite, stalagmatite, soda straw, flowstone, or drapery. there are many more but htese are the most famous...
What did Stephen bishop do?
Stephen Bishop was an african american explorer and guide at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky from 1838-1856. He was one of the best cave explorer's of all time. He discovered more than half of the pits, domes, and speleothems in Mammoth Cave.
What features inside Mammoth Cave developed?
Odd question! All its features developed: the cave's passages and chambers, its speleothems, its sediment deposits. If any of the system's passages still carry streams, they are known as "active" and are still forming.
What are the minerals of speleothems?
Common minerals found in speleothems include calcite, aragonite, gypsum, and halite. These minerals form in caves through precipitation from water seeping through cracks in the rock and dripping from the ceiling. The specific mineral composition can vary depending on factors such as the cave environment and the chemical properties of the water.
What are the 2 types of speleothems and which is hollow?
The two main types of speleothems are stalactites and stalagmites. Stalactites hang from the ceiling of caves and are formed by mineral deposits from dripping water, making them hollow tubes. In contrast, stalagmites grow upward from the cave floor as minerals accumulate from dripping water, and they are typically solid.
What is the stuff that grows on rocks in caves called?
The stuff that grows on rocks in caves is typically referred to as cave formations or speleothems. These formations can include stalactites, stalagmites, columns, draperies, and flowstones, which are created by minerals precipitating out of water dripping or flowing in the cave.
