# @nationalparkservice on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CP1EbADDQ16
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/21101776-nationalparkservice-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/d85dd372c3.jpg
- **Posted:** 2021-06-07T18:34:46.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** National Park Service (@nationalparkservice) — https://gondola.cc/nationalparkservice

## Caption

If you were a cave formation, which one would you be?⁣
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🔦Flowstone - I go with the flow, obviously. ⁣
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Flowstone refers to sheets of calcium carbonate that form along cave walls. Flowstone hangs downward and may create curtain-like sheaves along ledges, better known as draperies.⁣
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🔦Helictites - Gravity be darned! I grow as I see fit. ⁣
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Helictites form in cave areas with minimal water seepage. Because water does not drip off of the helictite, as would happen with a stalactite, the water coats its surface creating strange, branch-like shapes that often defy gravity. ⁣
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🔦Soda straw - I’m totally tubular to the max! ⁣
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A soda straw (or simply straw) is a speleothem in the form of a hollow mineral cylindrical tube. They are also known as tubular stalactites.⁣
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🔦Stalactites - I’m very patient. I’ll hang tight no matter the situation. ⁣
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Stalactites form along ceilings and hang downward. You can remember this with the phrase “Stalactites hang TIGHT to the ceiling.” ⁣
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🔦Stalagmite - Well-grounded and growing everyday. ⁣
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Where that water hits the floor, a mound-shaped stalagmite will form. You can remember this with the phrase “Stalagmites push up with all of their MIGHT.” ⁣
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Image: Caving is rarely easy. Here, cavers use rope to help ascend steep, slippery flowstone areas near Lake Lebarge at @carlsbadcavernsnps, New Mexico. NPS/Jean Krejca⁣
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#CaveWeek #cavesandkarst #nationalparkservice #carlsbadcaverns #newmexico

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## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| National Park Service | @nationalparkservice | https://gondola.cc/nationalparkservice | Government Organization |

## Tags

caveweek, carlsbadcaverns, cavesandkarst, nationalparkservice, newmexico

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