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Title: Mineralization, crystallography, and longitudinal seismic wave velocity of speleothems

Conference · · Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States)
OSTI ID:7069656
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Missouri, Rolla, MO (United States). Dept. of Geology and Geophysics
  2. Univ. of Missouri, Rolla, MO (United States). Dept. of Mining Engineering

Speleothems, or cave deposits, of Fisher Cave in Sullivan, Missouri, display unique arrangements of overlapping and interwoven crystals that provide the foundation for intricate shapes and patterns. Research has found that the deposition of such forms are affected by many variables associated with carbonate petrology. An active cave system having a consistent yearly rate of water flow will deposit trace, non-carbonate mineralization at locations of initial contact with the cave environment. Deposit specimens were tested using X-ray diffraction methods resulting in the identification of a manganese oxide coating of a psilomelane. Speleothems, considered a natural resource, are protected along with the cave from industrial advancements outside the cave environment. When the detonation of explosives during the construction of a highway near Crystal Cave in Springfield, Missouri threatened the speleothegenic decoration, a study of the damaging resonant frequency of the speleothems was instigated. To calculate this frequency, the longitudinal and transverse seismic wave velocity was measured by geophysical techniques.

OSTI ID:
7069656
Report Number(s):
CONF-9303210-; CODEN: GAAPBC
Journal Information:
Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States), Vol. 25:3; Conference: 27. annual Geological Society of America (GSA) North-Central Section meeting, Rolla, MO (United States), 29-30 Mar 1993; ISSN 0016-7592
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English