speleothems

Speleothems are mineral formations found in caves, created when water containing dissolved minerals, mainly calcium carbonate, drips or flows through the cave environment. Over time, as the water evaporates or loses carbon dioxide, the minerals are deposited, building up structures like stalactites (hanging from the ceiling) and stalagmites (rising from the floor). These formations can take thousands to millions of years to develop, capturing valuable information about past climate and geological conditions. Speleothems are important for scientific research and are also admired for their natural beauty.