Gypsum (Inventory)/Cotton/Hair
From LagWiki
The Cotton/Hair field of the Gypsum section should be used to record any observation of fibrous forms of gypsum.
Fibrous forms of gypsum are known by several descriptive names depending upon the appearance. These include: cotton, hair, beards, ropes, wool and others. All of the fibrous forms are closely related and should be inventoried in this field. Needles and flowers have their own fields.
The fibrous forms of gypsum are among the most delicate of speleothems. They appear as fine threads of gypsum, sometimes individually and sometimes in clusters or even coils like ropes. They can be found hanging from ceiling, growing from the walls, on ledges or on the floor especially in damp mud.
Fibrous gypsum is very fragile and even disturbance of the air from a passing caver or breath can damage them.
Look for the fibrous forms of gypsum anywhere gypsum may be present. Be sure to look under breakdown especially if the floor sediments are moist. Take great care not to damage them.
See also
References
- Hill, Carol; Paolo Forti (1997) Cave Minerals of the World (Second Edition ed.) National Speleological Society pp 66-68 ISBN: 1-879961-07-5
- Palmer, Arthur N. (2007) Cave Geology CAVE BOOKS, Dayton, OH pp 290-291 ISBN-13: 978-0-939748-66-2, ISBN-10: 0-939748-66-5
Cotton/Hair, Gypsum
 Gypsum cotton |
 Gypsum hairs |
