Cave Terms Flashcards
Most common mineral found in caves. It is composed of calcium carbonate and often takes a crystalline form. It is the usual mineral of stalactites and stalagmites.
Calcite
Naturally formed cavity or series of cavities in the ground, large enough to permit entrance for humans. Synonymous with “cavern”.
Cave
A form of drapery. On a slanted ceiling, water deposits calcite in thin, translucent sheets that hang in delicate folds. At times, the water may have minerals in addition to the calcite causing dark brown or orange bands to appear, forming the “bacon”. The mineral is usually iron oxide.
Cave Bacon
Formation caused when a stalactite and stalagmite grow together, or when a stalactite grows all the way to the floor.
Column
Formation that looks like a “rock waterfall”. Forms when water flows down walls, over floors and over older formations, building up sheets of calcite, like icing on a cake.
Flowstone
Odd-shaped formation that grows in all directions. Seems to defy gravity.
Helictite
A sedimentary rock composed mainly calcite. It is the most common matrix in which caves are formed.
Limestone
Deposits of calcite formed from slow-moving streams.
Rimstone
Thin, hollow stalactites about 1/4 of an inch in diameter. They grow from ceilings of caves as water runs down inside them, depositing rings of calcite at their tips. Appear to be similar to drinking straws.
Soda Straws
Formations in a cave such as stalactites and stalagmites formed by minerals being deposited.
Speleothem
A person who explores caves
Spelunker
Formation that hangs from a cave ceiling
Stalactite
Formation that builds up from a cave floor
Stalagmite
A flower-like formation, usually aragonite or calcite, forming a spray of needles from a center stalk.
Anthodite
