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Wind Cave National ParkHelictite Covered with Calcite Rafts
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Wind Cave National Park
Speleothems - Calcite Rafts
 
Calcite rafts floating on the surface of Calcite Lake
NPS Photo by Dave Schnute
Calcite rafts floating on the surface of Calcite Lake
 
Calcite rafts are thin sheets of calcite that today are precipitating and floating on the surface of Calcite Lake in the deepest part of the cave. The thin rafts float on the surface due to surface tension before eventually sinking when they become too heavy or when the pool is disturbed. Calcite rafts which litter the floor of some dry areas of the cave are evidence that these passages were once flooded too.
 
Stalacties
Minerals
in Wind Cave
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Boxwork
Bibliography
Cave Geology and Hydrology
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Star Lily  

Did You Know?
The Star Lilly (Leucocrinum montanum) has several common names including sand lily, sage lily, mountain lily, wild tuberose, and Star-of-Bethlehem. The word Leucocrinum comes from Greek meaning "white lily."
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Last Updated: August 10, 2007 at 19:46 EST