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FZ10 Users Group | all galleries >> POTW 2005 Archive >> POTW August 13 - 19, 2005 > Wind Cave Boxwork
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19-AUG-2005

Wind Cave Boxwork

Wind Cave, Hotsprings SD

While many speleothems have formed as water has dripped into the passages, the most conspicuous feature of Wind Cave, boxwork, has probably formed differently. Boxwork is found in small amounts in other caves, but perhaps in no other cave in the world is boxwork so well-formed and abundant as in Wind Cave. Boxwork is made of thin blades of calcite that project from cave walls and ceilings, forming a honeycomb pattern. The fins intersect one another at various angles, forming "boxes" on all cave surfaces. Boxwork is largely confined to dolomite layers in the middle and lower levels of Wind Cave.

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FZ10 Users Group23-Aug-2005 02:57
Fractures were made during the formation of the mountains. Continued pressure bent, twisted, and warped the limestone beds. Such pressure may create checkerboard-like layers, porous enough for water to stand in or flow through. All of these joints fill with the calcite as water flows over and through these fractures. Thus, boxwork is created. There will be no more growth because of the complete filling and cementing of the cracks. Boxwork projects from the walls or ceilings, forming a pattern much like that of honeycomb. The sides intersect each other at different angles forming "boxes" on the surface areas. Some of these ribbon- like structures are translucent. Linda
Tim O'Donoghue22-Aug-2005 02:29
Very cool! I've seen some unusual things in caves, but that's a new one. Was there any indication as to what caused it to happen so locally?
FZ10 Users Group21-Aug-2005 07:47
How wierd it looks.
Thanks for the description
Leevan
FZ10 Users Group21-Aug-2005 06:30
Linda, that is amazing. Well done. Pauline
Laura Milholland21-Aug-2005 06:13
Linda, fascinating formations. I love caves, and don't think I've seen this formation before. Happy spelunking!