HELICTITES
Helictites are irregularly twisted or
branched speleothems that grow in non-gravity defined directions. They
have tiny internal canals through which water moves, and may have secondary
branching canals directed away from the center of the structure.
Helictites form by mineral precipitation from water seeping in any
direction. How can water move in a direction not dictated by
gravity? Capillary action (the same force that draws spilled water
into a paper towel).
Different varieties of helictites
are named based on their overall physical form. Most of the examples
shown below are antler helictites, having linear to sublinear branching
forms. A few are irregularly twisted - these are vermiform helictites.
The helictites shown below
are composed of travertine.
Helictites (principally antler
helictites), Queen’s Chamber, King’s Palace Trail, Carlsbad Caverns.
Helictites (antler helictites &
vermiform helictites), Queen’s Chamber, King’s Palace Trail, Carlsbad Caverns.