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Wind Cave National ParkGypsum Needle
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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
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Boxwork
Bibliography
Cave Geology and Hydrology
more...
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 19:58 EST