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Wind Cave National ParkFrostwork
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Wind Cave National Park
Speleothems - Frostwork
 
Frostwork
NPS Photo
Frostwork
 
Delicate needle-like growths of calcite or a related mineral, aragonite, are called frostwork. In places the frostwork may grow on top of cave popcorn or boxwork. The origin of frostwork is controversial. In Wind Cave, it seems to concentrate in passages with above average airflow where, it is thought, evaporation plays a role in its formation.
 

More Speleothems:
Boxwork | Calcite Rafts | Cave Popcorn |
Dogtooth Spar | Flowstone/Dripstone |
Gypsum Features | Helictite Bushes
Stalacties
Minerals
in Wind Cave
more...
Boxwork
Bibliography
Cave Geology and Hydrology
more...
Caver surveying through a small passage in Wind Cave  

Did You Know?
With more than 132 miles (212 kilometers) of explored passages, Wind Cave is the 4th longest cave in the world. The cave is still being explored.

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Last Updated: February 03, 2007 at 11:06 EST