National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service: U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
 
 
Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Wind Cave National ParkGypsum Needle
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Wind Cave National Park
Speleothems - Gypsum Features
 
Gypsum Needles near the Muddle Room
NPS Photo by Larry Toole
Gypsum Needles near the Muddle Room
 
Gypsum crystals are common in some of the dryer parts of the cave. Gypsum, a mineral containing both calcium and sulfur, sometimes takes the form of needle-like crystals that radiate from clusters on the floor of the cave; in other cases, gypsum resembles puffs of cotton, or forms clusters of curved or coiled crystals called gypsum flowers.
 

More Speleothems:
Boxwork | Calcite Rafts | Cave Popcorn |
Dogtooth Spar | Flowstone/Dripstone |
Frostwork | 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.

Disclaimer Accessibility Privacy Policy FOIA Notices USA.gov

Last Updated: August 10, 2007 at 19:58 EST