Conulite

Conulite in Bristol Caverns (glove for scale)

A conulite, also called a mud cup, is a type of dripstone[1][2] that forms when water drips into a soft sediment, both eroding the sediment and depositing calcite.[3][4][5] Because they form in soft sediments when those sediments are washed away, these formations are left standing like ice cream cones stuck in mud.[6][7] These Formations can be white and often have Cave pearls inside them.[8]

When dripstones specifically stalagmites form, they will sometimes create a conulet first, making a kind of 'root' for the stalagmite.[9][10][11]

Variations

There are a few variations on cave conulites formed in very similar ways but different enough to have their own names.[12][13]

  • Cave birdbaths. These are low-angle conulites that often have a rim around the edge similar to that of a Rimstone dam. These formations form on more silt of sand rich substraght.[14][15]
  • Cave fans. These are conulites that are not calcified all the way around their circumference. These formations look like fan coral, hence the name. The calcite crystals in this formation have a dendritic crystal structure.[16][17]
  • A Raft Splash Cup is a Conulite variation created when water drips into a pile of calcite rafts. As this happens, the rafts are fused together, creating a cup shape.[18][19]
  • Conulite in Bristol Caverns (glove for scale)
    Conulite in Bristol Caverns (glove for scale)
  • Conulite in Bristol Caverns
    Conulite in Bristol Caverns

References

  1. ^ Hill, Carol A.; Forti, Paolo (1995). "The classification of cave minerals and speleothems". International Journal of Speleology. 24 (1/4): 77–82. doi:10.5038/1827-806X.24.1.5.
  2. ^ Hill, Carol A.; Forti, Paolo (1997). Cave Minerals of the World (2nd ed.). Huntsville, Alabama: National Speleological Society. pp. 57–59, 217, 225. ISBN 9781879961074.
  3. ^ Hill, Carol A.; Forti, Paolo (1997). Cave Minerals of the World (2nd ed.). Huntsville, Alabama: National Speleological Society. pp. 57–59. ISBN 9781879961074.
  4. ^ Smith, Garry K. (2023). "Calcium Carbonate Rafts, Cones and Conulites: Speleothems and Calthemites" (PDF). Helictite. 48: 1–10. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  5. ^ Monroe, Watson H. (1970). A Glossary of Karst Terminology (PDF) (Report). Water-Supply Paper. Vol. 1899-K. United States Geological Survey. p. 26. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  6. ^ "Conulites". Virtual Cave. National Speleological Society. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  7. ^ Smith, Garry K. (2023). "Drip Holes (Pits) and Conulites (Drip Cones, Splash Cups)" (PDF). Caves Australia (225). Australian Speleological Federation: 28–31. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  8. ^ Smith, Garry K. (2023). "Drip Holes (Pits) and Conulites (Drip Cones, Splash Cups)" (PDF). Caves Australia (225). Australian Speleological Federation: 28–31. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  9. ^ Thayer, Charles W. (1967). "Mud Stalagmites and the Conulite". National Speleological Society Bulletin. 29 (3): 91–95.
  10. ^ Peck, Stewart B. (1976). "Mud Stalagmites and the Conulite: Discussion". National Speleological Society Bulletin. 38 (3): 69–70.
  11. ^ Smith, Garry K. (2023). "Drip Holes (Pits) and Conulites (Drip Cones, Splash Cups)" (PDF). Caves Australia (225). Australian Speleological Federation: 28–31. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  12. ^ Hill, Carol A.; Forti, Paolo (1997). Cave Minerals of the World (2nd ed.). Huntsville, Alabama: National Speleological Society. pp. 57–59. ISBN 9781879961074.
  13. ^ Smith, Garry K. (2023). "Drip Holes (Pits) and Conulites (Drip Cones, Splash Cups)" (PDF). Caves Australia (225). Australian Speleological Federation: 30–31. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  14. ^ Hill, Carol A.; Forti, Paolo (1997). Cave Minerals of the World (2nd ed.). Huntsville, Alabama: National Speleological Society. pp. 57–59. ISBN 9781879961074.
  15. ^ Smith, Garry K. (2023). "Drip Holes (Pits) and Conulites (Drip Cones, Splash Cups)" (PDF). Caves Australia (225). Australian Speleological Federation: 30–31. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  16. ^ Hill, Carol A.; Forti, Paolo (1997). Cave Minerals of the World (2nd ed.). Huntsville, Alabama: National Speleological Society. pp. 57–59. ISBN 9781879961074.
  17. ^ Smith, Garry K. (2023). "Drip Holes (Pits) and Conulites (Drip Cones, Splash Cups)" (PDF). Caves Australia (225). Australian Speleological Federation: 30–31. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  18. ^ Smith, Garry K. (2023). "Calcium Carbonate Rafts, Cones and Conulites: Speleothems and Calthemites" (PDF). Helictite. 48: 1–10. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  19. ^ Smith, Garry K. (2023). "Drip Holes (Pits) and Conulites (Drip Cones, Splash Cups)" (PDF). Caves Australia (225). Australian Speleological Federation: 30–31. Retrieved 27 April 2026.

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