The spectacular decorations of Mitchell Caverns form one drip at a time. Dripstone decorations form during the final stage in cave development, after the water table lowers. Spaces formed in the rock when the water table was higher are left high and dry as the cave drains.
Air fills the cavities and calcite decorations can begin to deposit.
Water picks up calcite and carbon dioxide as it trickles down through pores and cracks in the limestone above the cave. When the carbon dioxide enriched water reaches the open cave, the carbon dioxide gas escapes from the water, almost like opening a can of soda. This reduces the acidity in the water so that calcium bicarbonate cannot remain dissolved in the water. Microscopic layers of calcite are deposited drip by drip, forming intricate dripstone decorations. The lighted interior of Mitchell Caverns.