Speleothem
Structure formed in a cave by the deposition of minerals from water / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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For secondary deposits, derived from concrete, lime, or mortar, outside the cave environment, see Calthemite.
A speleothem (/ˈspiːliəθɛm/; from Ancient Greek σπήλαιον (spḗlaion) 'cave', and θέμα (théma) 'deposit') is a geological formation by mineral deposits that accumulate over time in natural caves.[1] Speleothems most commonly form in calcareous caves due to carbonate dissolution reactions. They can take a variety of forms, depending on their depositional history and environment. Their chemical composition, gradual growth, and preservation in caves make them useful paleoclimatic proxies.