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Speleothems, Carlsbad Caverns National Park

A variety of cave decorations, including columns, stalagmites and soda straws are visible in the main cave of Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. The decorations, known as speleothems, are formed when groundwater containing calcium bicarbonate solution seeps into the cave. Then that solution is exposed to the air in the cave, carbon dioxide gas is released and calcite is deposited.

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A variety of cave decorations, including columns, stalagmites and soda straws are visible in the main cave of Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. The decorations, known as speleothems, are formed when groundwater containing calcium bicarbonate solution seeps into the cave. Then that solution is exposed to the air in the cave, carbon dioxide gas is released and calcite is deposited.