Cave Formations
- Formations from the cave ceiling to the cave floor are columns. Columns form when stalactites and stalagmites connect.
- A flowstone is formed from calcite-rich water flowing like a frozen waterfall. These cave formations are formed slowly by mineral-rich water dripping and depositing minerals.
Types of Caves
- Solutional caves form over time when groundwater dissolves cracks and openings in soluble rock like limestone and gypsum.
- Lava tubes are primary caves formed simultaneously with surrounding volcanic rock when the lava’s surface hardens while the interior remains molten and flows out.
Composition of Cave Structures
- Stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones are composed of deposited minerals like calcite.
- Caves begin when water erodes rock layers and joints.
Differences and Characteristics
- The key difference between stalactites and stalagmites is stalactites hang from the ceiling while stalagmites rise from the floor.
- Though geologically precious, broken formations lack value to most as they darken into ordinary rock.