Cave Formations Be prepared to identify all these cave formations When we visit:

Scientists call cave formations speleothems. Spelaion means cave Thema means deposit

Speleothems Speleothems take thousands of years to form. They are made when rainwater percolates through the ground. As the water seeps through the cracks found in many limestone areas calcite is dissolved. When it reaches the cave, the water drops hang from the ceiling or dribble down a wall. The speleothem may be found on the floor, hanging from the ceiling or along the walls of the cave. The following slides show some examples of speleothems.

Stalactite

Stalagmite

Column

Flowstone

Shield

Cave Popcorn

Helictite

Bacon

Totem

Soda Straws

Fried Egg

Cave Pearls

Draperies

Bird’s Nest Quartz Needles

Boxwork

Canopy

Rimstone Dams

Cave Rafts & Shelfstone

Turnip Welts

Baldacchino Canopy Baldacchino “add an n”

Can you identify this?

Choose 5 of these speleothems to incorporate in your own colored drawing of the inside of a cave. You must label your speleothems. To go “over and above”, make a 3D representation of your cave. Use whatever household materials you can find. Parents may give advice but cannot assist!

To go “over and above”, make a 3D representation of your cave. Use whatever household materials you can find. ***Parents may give advice but cannot assist!