Stalactites, Straws, Drapes & Flowstone - stock photo

Speleothems are mineral deposits created by mineral-laden water that has percolated through rock formations. The water finally drops into caverns and onto bedrock and deposits the mineral content, by evaporation, creating amazing new formations. Examples of speleothems are stalactites (that build downwards from the roofs), stalagmites (that build up from the floor) and columns that connect floor to roof. Other types include flowstones, drapes and straws. The minerals deposited will depend on the composition of the formation(s) the rocks have flowed through (amongst other factors), and can include calcite, aragonite and gypsum.