Boxwork

Boxwork (English cassettes factory ) is a thin-layer of calcite ( calcite ) existing Speläothem which extends into honeycomb- like patterns of cave walls and ceilings. The individual sheets interpenetrate at different angles, and form "box" called cassette-like structures at all cavity surfaces. Some of the most extensive Boxwork - deposits in the world are located in Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota (USA).

According to recent research, the Boxwork material filled gaps in the rock, long before the cave was formed. As began to dissolve the rock of the cave, the filling material of the columns and veins remained dissolved or at least at a lower rate than the surrounding rock, so that the Kalkspatblätter remained that protrude from the cavity surface. The solvent was probably slowly through the cave running water. It quickly became saturated with dissolved calcium carbonate, while there was no saturation with magnesium carbonate ( dolomite). While it flowed through the cave, the water could thus continue to dissolve the dolomite that surrounded the Boxwork leaves, but was not able to solve the calcite of Boxwork and let him in the cave room are outstanding.