Two parallel plates of calcite separated by a thin crack; Over 300 present in Lehman Caves. Soda straw stalactites that are growing on broken formations in Lehman Caves are mostly less than an inch to about four inches long. Most of these speleothems were broken between 1885 and 1922, or roughly a century ago. Keep in mind that because soda straws are hollow, they grow longer and at a faster rate than wider speleothems. The same amount of calcite may be deposited per year on other formations, but the change would not be as noticeable if it is spread over a greater surface area ( i.e. flowstone or large columns). Growth rates vary depending on the amount of calcite in solution and the drop rate. Dripstone is a generic caver term that encompasses any cave decoration caused by dripping, splashing, or seeping water.
n/a
n/a