The secondary chemical sediments in Zhijindong Cave developed well.There are two kinds of chemical type and mineral composition :carbonate and sulfate,among which, carbonate including calcite, aragonite, hydromagnesite,etc. and sulfate including gypsum,etc. Stalactites such as soda straws, stalactites, stalagmites, columns, draperies, curtains, stone waterfalls, cave flags, cave shields, flowstone dams, palm slices, helictites, fusiform stone, spherical stalactites, calcite flowers, anthodites ,etc.could be found in this cave. Stalagmites in helmet shape, hill shape, tower shape, mushroom shape, deodar shape, fusiform and crutch shape,etc.are the most characteristic by their own odd shapes.From different gravitational sediments, such as dripping water sediments, flowing water sediments, splashing water sediments and pool water sediments to non-gravitational sediments, synergetic sediments and superimposed sediments, all types and shapes of sediments that could be found in current scientific classification and nomination could be found in this cave; besides, from macroscopic to microscopic, from surface to subsurface, from ancient to modern times, from carbonate to sulfate, various kinds of sediments also could be found.These different types and shapes of sediments respectively represent different kinds of formation environments.The beautiful and rare shapes, large dimensions, perfect and various mineral crystals, abundant quantities, complete types and dense distribution, all of them make Zhijindong Cave unique all over the world.
Main types of secondary chemical sediments in Zhijindong Cave