speleothem

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English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek σπήλαιον (spḗlaion, cave) + θέμα (théma, what is laid down).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈspiː.li.əˌθɛm/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

speleothem (plural speleothems)

  1. (geology) Any secondary mineral, deposited in a natural cave by the action of water.
    • 2021 January 13, Becky Ferreira, “Pig Painting May Be World’s Oldest Cave Art Yet, Archaeologists Say”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
      But it is possible that the painting itself might be thousands of years older because the technique only assesses the age of a mineral deposit, speleothem, that formed on the cave walls.

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