The NSS Bulletin - ISSN 1090-6924
Volume 52 Number 1: 95-98 - December 1990

A publication of the National Speleological Society

On Hydrothermal Phases During Later Stages of the Evolution of Cup Coutunn Cave System, Turkmenia, USSR
Vladimir A. Maltsev and Dmitry I. Malishevsky

Abstract

Recent researches in Cup Coutuun system and other caves of Kugitangtau Ridge, Turkmenia, have revealed that the early caves were modified by termal water activity in three distinct phases: first, deposition of calcite crystals up to 2 m in length; second, deposition of fluorite crystals (< 10 cm) with minor quartz, galena and calcite; third, dissolution of the fluoite. Limestone walls and breakdown were altered to depths of 0.5 m. Thermal minerals have since been attacked and reworked by H2S -rich condensation waters, with deposition of barite and celestite.

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