(Photo by Jon Jasper)

Greenish Helictites surrounding the Heart of Timpanogos

The Timpanogos Cave System is uniquely known for its high abundance of helictites, its coloration in its formations, its display of fault-controlled passages, and its alpine surroundings.  

Helictites are spiral formations that seem to defy gravity. In the Chime Chamber in Timpanogos Cave, there are hundreds of 6 to 10 inch long helictites. These formations are created by capillarity attraction, hydrostatic pressure, and tiny (0.008 to 0.5 millimeter) central canals (Hill & Forti 1997). In simpler words water is pushed and pulled through small opening where the forces of capillarity attraction and hydrostatic pressure are greater than the force of gravity. Timpanogos Cave's abundance in helictites is thought to be caused by the large amounts of wall coatings and the small amount of fault movement that creates many small openings suitable for helictites.

Timpanogos Cave contains formations displaying colors of green and yellow. X-ray analysis shows this rare green and yellow coloring to be from nickel being incorporated into the crystal structure.  The X-ray analysis of the yellow flowstone reveals only calcite, and the green flowstone is from mainly Aragonite. (White & Gundy 1974)

The passages in Timpanogos Cave are greatly controlled by faulting. Looking at a map of Timpanogos Cave, one sees many paralleling passages following the fault trends. Along the cave tour, visitors can see these fault lines running along the passages.  The initial pathways that water followed were these faults.  In some areas of the cave like the Imagination Room, passages dip along the bedding planes and follow the direction of the fault lines.  Looking at the map of the cave, one wonders if other cave passages exists following similar fault lines.  

Timpanogos Cave is surrounding by an Alpine environment. The cave trail adds to the remoteness of the cave and offering spectacular views of the geology. Unlike other tourist caves, this alpine remoteness is unique.  Because of this remoteness, the cave's escapes the polluted air and contaminated watersheds. The cave is closed for 6 months due to heavy snowfalls. The cold environment allows the cave to keep a low stable 45° F (7° C) temperature year around.  

Timpanogos Cave was established as a National Monument to preserve its features of unusual scientific interest and importance - features like its abundance of helictites, its coloration in its formations, its display of fault-controlled passages, and its alpine surroundings.