Description: a creamy-white, subaqueous calcite pool/stream deposit that covers the mud and gravel foor of the borehole-like passage, forming what could be the world’s longest continuous speleothem (18km).

References:

Michael Norman Spilde (2017) Mineralogy and Origin of the 18 km-long Snowy River Formation, Ft. Stanton Cave, New Mexico (USA). In 17th International Congress of Speleology (No. I, p. 270). Australian Speleological Federation Inc.

ⓘ Gypsum

Formula: CaSO₄ · 2H₂O

Habit: Long, needle like crystals.

References:

Northrop, Stuart A., LaBruzza, F.A. (1996) Minerals of New Mexico (3rd ed.) University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, NM.

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Calcite	5.AB.05	CaCO₃
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘ	Gypsum	7.CD.40	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
Ca	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

North AmericaContinent

North America PlateTectonic Plate

Mazatzal DomainDomain
Mazatzal TerraneVolcanic Arc

USA

New Mexico
- Sacramento MountainsMountain Range

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Fort Stanton cave, Lincoln County, New Mexico, USAiRegional Level TypesFort Stanton caveCave Lincoln CountyCounty New MexicoState USACountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

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Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

List of minerals for each chemical element

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Fort Stanton cave, Lincoln County, New Mexico, USA i
Regional Level Types
Fort Stanton cave Cave
Lincoln County County
New Mexico State
USA Country