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Wind Cave National ParkCave Popcorn
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Wind Cave National Park
Speleothems - Cave Popcorn
 
Cave popcorn with frostwork
NPS Photo by Paul Horsted
Cave popcorn with frostwork
 
Small, knobby growths of calcite on the cave walls are called cave popcorn. Popcorn commonly forms in one of two ways in the cave: where water seeps uniformly out of the limestone wall and precipitates calcite; or, when water drips from the walls or ceilings of the cave and the water splashes on the floor or on ledges along the walls. This splashing action causes loss of carbon dioxide and the subsequent precipitation of calcite.
 
Boxwork
Bibliography
Cave Geology and Hydrology
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White Penstemon  

Did You Know?
White Penstemon is the most widespread penstemon or beardtonue in the Great Plains. The insides of the blossoms are bearded and often spotted with purple.
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Last Updated: August 10, 2007 at 19:48 EST