Journal of Cave and Karst Studies - ISSN 1090-6924
Volume 61 Number 2: 73-78 - August 1999

A publication of the National Speleological Society

Mineralogy of Kartchner Caverns, Arizona
Carol A. Hill

Abstract

The mineralogy of Kartchner Caverns is both diverse and significant. Six different chemical classes are represented in this one cave: carbonates, nitrates, oxides, phosphates, silicates, and sulfates. It is significant primarily because: (1) the silicate minerals, nontronite and rectorite, have never before been reported from a cave occurrence; (2) the nitrate mineral, nitrocalcite, has never been described using modern techniques; (3) ‘birdsnest’ needle quartz has been reported only from one other, non-cave, locality; and (4) extensive brushite moonmilk flowstone has not been reported from anywhere else in the world. Kartchner is a beautiful cave because its carbonate speleothems are colorful (shades of red, orange, yellow and tan) and ‘alive’ (still wet and growing).

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