DRAPERIES
Draperies are relatively thin, wavy,
curtain-like speleothems, formed by water flowing down steep inclines.
Dripstones (stalactites) typically form at the lowest extremities of
draperies. Drapery physical forms range from planar to subplanar to
slightly wavy to extremely crenulated. Draperies are often thin enough to
be translucent. Many tourist caves have lights mounted behind draperies
to demonstrate their translucency & color banding.
All draperies shown below
are composed of travertine.
Draperies, Papoose Room, King’s
Palace Trail, Carlsbad Caverns.
Queen’s Draperies, Queen’s Chamber, King’s
Palace Trail, Carlsbad Caverns.
Draperies, Green Lake Room, King’s
Palace Trail, Carlsbad Caverns.
Drapery, Green Lake Room, King’s
Palace Trail, Carlsbad Caverns.