Illustrated here are some of the wonders that you get to see inside the Dark Cave.
STALACTITE
Hangs from the 'C' for ceiling and 'T' for top, often begins as a small cave straw which gets bigger and wider as more calcite saturated water flows over and through it.
STALAGMITE
Which are on the 'G' for ground, is usually below a stalactite. As the water drips off the stalactite, it splashes onto the ground where the calcite can crystallize. It takes 1 drop of water for 50 years to form 1 cubic cm of formation.
COLUMN
Is formed when the stalagmite & the stalactite meet. It can range in size from a few tenths of a meter in height and a few centimeters in diameter to enormous structures with several tens of meters high and several meters thick.
FLOWSTONE
This is formed when water comes out of cracks from the wall or passage ways that water flows through. The rate this formation is formed is based on the amount of water flowing down. Average speed in Asia is a hundred years for one 1cm.
SCALLOP MARKS
These marks were created by rivers which flowed through the cave passages millions of years ago. The big scallop marks were formed by big waves and deep water. The small scallop marks were formed by small waves and fast moving water.
CAVE STRAWS
Incredibly delicate structures. Occurs when water drips through slowly in very small amounts, they begin by crystallizing minimally around the edge of a drop of water hanging from the ceiling. The average speed of forming is 70 years for one inch.
CURTAINS
This is formed when the water runs along the same narrow path on an inclined ceiling, depositing calcite along a winding trail. The resulting formation can have folds and falls like a real curtain, but not as flexible.
CAVE PEARLS
This is formed when water swirls in a depression and the minerals get rolled round and round. The minerals cement together to form a ball like structure which the English call pearls and the scientific name is pisolites 'Greek' meaning pea-stones. Americans call it cave popcorns.
GOUR / RIMSTONE POOLS
This is formed when the saturated water deposits calcite at the edge of a pool which is a result of slow flow of water. The deposit on the edge builds up over the years, until it form a basin. Usually, a series of basins is formed giving rise to very attractive cascades.
Some of these formations have different colors. This is a result of minerals being transported together with the calcite when the formation is being formed. The following indicate different minerals.
- White - limestone / calcite
- Green - copper oxide
- Orange - iron oxide
- Black - Manganese modules (from sea creatures)
