Rock Deposits On The Floor Of A Cave

A stalagmite from the greek stalagmias dropping trickling is a type of rock formation that rises from the floor of a cave due to the accumulation of material deposited on the floor from ceiling drippings.

Rock deposits on the floor of a cave. Cave deposit also called speleothem any of the crystalline deposits that form in a solution cave after the creation of the cave itself. Speleothems ˈspiːliːəθɛm. Speleothems typically form in limestone or dolomite solutional caves. The dominant mineral in such deposits is calcite calcium carbonate and the largest displays are formed in caves of limestone and dolomite.

Cross section of a cave. Travertine ˈtrævərˌtiːn tra vər teen is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs especially hot springs. A deposit that hangs like an icicle from the roof of a cave. Travertine often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white tan cream colored and even rusty varieties.

Other minerals that may be deposited include other carbonates opal chalcedony limonite and some sulfides. A helictite is a speleothem found in limestone caves that changes its axis from the vertical at one or more stages during its growth.