Frostwork

Frostwork

Frostwork is the term for a rare type of speleothem composed of needle-like growths of calcite or aragonite (a polymorph of calcite). In places the frostwork may grow on top of cave popcorn or boxwork. The origin of frostwork is somewhat controversial. Formation of cave frostwork has been attributed to moist, circulating air which, containing dissolved calcium carbonate, drifted against rock surfaces and coated them with the delicate crystals. Frostwork has also been attributed to water seepage from cave passageways in which there are relatively high evaporation rates.

Notable frostwork deposits are found in a number of caves in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, USA, most notable in Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument.

External links

* [http://www.nps.gov/archive/wica/Speleothems.htm Wind Cave National Park: Speleothems]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Frostwork — Frost work , n. The figurework, often fantastic and delicate, which moisture sometimes forms in freezing, as upon a window pane or a flagstone. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • frostwork — [frôst′wʉrk΄] n. 1. the tracery formed by frost on glass, etc. 2. ornamentation like this, as on silver …   English World dictionary

  • frostwork — noun Date: 1729 the figures that moisture sometimes forms in freezing (as on a windowpane) …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • frostwork — /frawst werrk , frost /, n. 1. the delicate tracery formed by frost, esp. on glass. 2. similar ornamentation, as on metal. [1640 50; FROST + WORK] * * * …   Universalium

  • frostwork — noun Any naturally occurring intricate pattern of ice crystals …   Wiktionary

  • frostwork — n. pattern created by frost (i.e. on glass); decorative design made to resemble frost on glass …   English contemporary dictionary

  • frostwork — n. Frost tracery, tracery of the frost …   New dictionary of synonyms

  • frostwork — frost•work [[t]ˈfrɔstˌwɜrk, ˈfrɒst [/t]] n. 1) the delicate tracery formed by frost, esp. on glass 2) similar ornamentation, as on metal • Etymology: 1640–50 …   From formal English to slang

  • frostwork — /ˈfrɒstwɜk/ (say frostwerk) noun 1. the delicate tracery formed by frost, especially on glass. 2. similar ornamentation, as on metal …  

  • frostwork — ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun 1. : the figures that moisture sometimes forms in freezing (as on a windowpane) 2. : ornamentation (as on silver, glass, paper) imitative of frost figures …   Useful english dictionary

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