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Image showing the six most common speleothems with labels. Enlarge to view labels. A stalactite (UK: / ˈ s t æ l ə k ˌ t aɪ t /, US: / s t ə ˈ l æ k t aɪ t /; from Ancient Greek σταλακτός (stalaktós) 'dripping', from σταλάσσειν (stalássein) 'to drip') [1] is a mineral formation that hangs from the ceiling of caves, hot springs, or man-made structures such as ...
Image showing the six most common speleothems The "Witch’s Finger" in the Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico. A stalagmite (UK: / ˈ s t æ l ə ɡ ˌ m aɪ t /, US: / s t ə ˈ l æ ɡ m aɪ t /; from Greek σταλαγμίτης (stalagmítēs); from Ancient Greek σταλαγμίας (stalagmías) 'dropping, trickling' and -ίτης (-ítēs) 'one connected to, a member of') [1] is a type of ...
This list of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names is intended to help those unfamiliar with classical languages to understand and remember the scientific names of organisms. The binomial nomenclature used for animals and plants is largely derived from Latin and Greek words, as are some of the names used for higher taxa , such ...
Helictites are stalactites that have a central canal with twig-like or spiral projections that appear to defy gravity Include forms known as ribbon helictites, saws, rods, butterflies, hands, curly-fries, and "clumps of worms" Chandeliers are complex clusters of ceiling decorations; Ribbon stalactites, or simply "ribbons", are shaped accordingly
Calthemite straw stalactite growing from the concrete ceiling of an undercover car-park Calthemite straw stalactites, the rightmost example demonstrating bending due to the direction of air currents during its formation. Calthemite is a secondary deposit, derived from concrete, lime, mortar or other calcareous material outside the cave environment.
Main article: Anthodite A speleothem (cave formation) composed of long needle-like crystals situated in clusters which radiate outward from a common base. B Belly crawl A passage that is very low. Biospeleology Main article: Biospeleology A branch of biology dedicated to the study of organisms that live in caves and are collectively referred to as troglofauna. Boneyard An intricate maze of ...
A helictite starts its growth as a tiny stalactite. The direction of the end of the straw may wander, twist like a corkscrew, or the main part may form normally while small helictites pop out of its side like rootlets or fishhooks. In some caves, helictites cluster together and form bushes as large as six feet tall.
Straws (stalactite precursors) in Gardner's Gut. Soda straw. 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 grow in places where water leaches slowly through cracks in rock, such as on the roofs of caves.