The NSS Bulletin - ISSN 1090-6924
Volume 45 Number 1: 12-13 - January 1983
A publication of the National Speleological Society

The Origin of Coral Pipes
Louise D. Hose and Thomas R. Strong

Abstract

Coral Pipe speleothems are rare, small, cylindrical depostis on walls in a few caves. Although their existence has been recognized in the literature, no method of deposition has been proposed previously.

A newly recognized deposit in Silent River Cave, northern Arizona clearly shows that coral pipes are thin coatings of travertine deposited on silt pillars by dripping water. This mechanism of development is consistent with evidence from Old Man Cave, east-central Nevada.

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