Speleothem
Shelfstone is a type of speleothem that grows inwards from the edge of a cave pool. It takes the form of ledges that tend to be flat on top and sloping underneath. They are almost always formed from calcite, when materials precipitated from dripping water onto a cave pool attach to the side. - wiki
Shelfstones slowly forming over time:\
😉😎
-
Those a really impressive. Sometimes stalagmites can form relatively quickly- instead of thousands of years, less than 100. Like these, also from a form of calcite:
In a very unusual place. Any guesses?
0 -
Your basement??? 🤣
0 -
"Your basement??? 🤣"
Definitely looks like somebody's basement or maybe a wine cellar?
0 -
chme: 31515865588635/comments/31515895245083
Those a really impressive. Sometimes stalagmites can form relatively quickly- instead of thousands of years, less than 100. Like these, also from a form of calcite:
https://us.v-cdn.net/6031683/uploads/PY7BS094XTTO/image.png
In a very unusual place. Any guesses?
The ceiling? Don
6 -
Lovely! For a while back in the 80's? I had a chance to work with a geologist in Carlsbad Caverns. We were often the only two people in the cave, with no electric lights late at night. Cool beyond words. He was looking at how long it takes rainwater falling on the surface of the desert to arrive in the cave. Answer: mean time was 6 months depending upon which level of the cave was being measured.
3 -
Ruger4me: 31515865588635/comments/31515911651611
"Your basement??? 🤣"
Definitely looks like somebody's basement or maybe a wine cellar?
Lincoln Memorial ... I cheated ! Very cool photo. 😜
0 -
chme: 31515865588635/comments/31515895245083
Those a really impressive. Sometimes stalagmites can form relatively quickly- instead of thousands of years, less than 100. Like these, also from a form of calcite:
https://us.v-cdn.net/6031683/uploads/PY7BS094XTTO/image.png
In a very unusual place. Any guesses?
Those in this picture are actually "stalagtites". A "stalagmite" grows from the floor upward. The old saying goes "A stalagtite holds tight to the ceiling" and "A stalagmite ~might~ grow all the way up to the ceiling". 😉
3 -
You are correct, sir- those ARE stalactites. formed by water seeping thru the Colorado marble of the Lincoln Memorial. There is a dirt floored "basement" under the Memorial. Here is how it looked about 1917-
0 -
amazing what mother nature has created that surrounds us and we just never take the the time to stop and enjoy and wonder at the amazing things we share the earth with what a mazing place we do live on
I do not live far ( relative speaking ) to the Ohio caverns back in grade school we made a couple field trips to the place . one of my favorite things in 4 thru 6th grade they did take us kids on a what seemed like a lot of field trips , most likly some program for the poor kids LOL
any way at the Ohio caverns they had a book at the office ( just a way to get you sign in my guess ) if you signed the book along the paths were a set stalagmites and stalactites ? one forming on the floor and the other from the roof they were almost touching maybe a 1/8 to 1/4 inch apart I was about ten but they were close . the tour guide told us when they grew together they would take every every one who signed the book to a steak dinner ( considering I had never even had a steak ) but wth I signed it
just for the fun of it I have thought to stop back in and have the current caretakers/ owners ( its on private land ) see if they had grown together and where is my dinner ( after them thinking I was crazy and explain why I was asking and having them laugh even more )
at the time the guide told us they estimated 50 to 100 years before the actually grew together so 55 years ? who knows LOL
0 -
Sounds almost like one of those darn fangled "lifetime guarantee's" to me Ditch-Runner! I don't think I have ever heard of one that actually paid up in later years.
0 -
Would love to have one of those base plates (stalagmites) in my Rock, Gem and Mineral collection, from the OP. Just beautiful.
I have been to Carlsbad Caverns many, many times as a kid, living in El Paso, TX. Loved the place.
Have thought about it ,many times over the years. Probably my impetus for taking various Geology courses in College, (some of my favorite courses.) and my current Collection of said Rocks, Gems and Minerals.
My Son is in to it as well. Has his own Collection going. 😊
0 -
FWIW, the Guinness World Book lists the largest music instrument in the world as the Stalagpipe Organ in Luray Caverns VA. Spread out over a couple of acres, it is properly called a "lithophone". There are small solenoids that are controlled by a keyboard- each stalactite makes a different note when the tiny hammer pings it.
3
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
12 comments