{{short description, Shelf-like speleothem set upon sessile streams Shelfstone1

Shelfstone is a type of

speleothem A speleothem (; ) is a geological formation by mineral deposits that accumulate over time in natural caves. Speleothems most commonly form in calcareous caves due to carbonate dissolution reactions. They can take a variety of forms, depending ...

that grows inwards from the edge of a cave pool. It takes the form of ledges that tend to be flat on top and sloping underneath. They are almost always formed from calcite, when materials precipitated from dripping water onto a cave pool attach to the side. The deposition continues to grow laterally, underneath. The shelfstone above the current water level in a pool is an indicator of past levels of the pool. Shelfstone can be very thick when the water level has stayed constant over a long period of time. If the water level is constantly changing, the shelfstone will be thin and delicate.

Gallery

File:Shelfstone2.jpg, Shelfstone growing on the edge of a small cave pool File:Tropfsteine.svg, Diagram of dripstone cave structures (shelfstones labelled S)

Sources

The Virtual Cave: Shelfstone
Speleothems