Columns, Flowstone, Onyx, and Drapery
Not All Cave Formations Are the Same
Majestic Caverns contains a concentrated variety of visible speleothems that can be clearly identified during a guided tour.
Formations inside the cave include:
• Columns
• Stalactites
• Stalagmites
• Draperies (rock curtains)
• Flowstone
• Banded calcite formations commonly called “onyx”
Understanding what you are looking at transforms a tour from scenic to scientific.
1. Columns
Columns form when a stalactite (ceiling formation) meets a stalagmite (floor formation).
They demonstrate:
• Long-term drip stability
• Sustained mineral deposition
• Centuries to millennia of uninterrupted growth
Columns are vertical geological timelines.
2. Flowstone
Flowstone forms when mineral-rich water flows across surfaces instead of dripping vertically.
It appears:
• Layered
• Smooth
• Sheet-like
• Similar to a frozen waterfall
Flowstone records the direction of water movement inside the cave.
3. Drapery (Rock Curtains)
Draperies form when water travels along an angled ceiling crack.
Instead of dripping straight down, it deposits calcite along a sloped surface, creating thin translucent sheets.
They indicate:
• Sloped fracture systems
• Controlled mineral flow
• Stable airflow conditions
Draperies are among the most visually dramatic formations in the cavern.
4. Onyx (Banded Calcite Flowstone)
In 1912, Ida Elizabeth Brandon Mathis purchased the cave intending to mine what was described as “onyx.”
Technically, cave “onyx” is banded calcite flowstone — not quartz gemstone onyx.
The visible banding reflects fluctuations in mineral saturation over time.
5. Soda Straws
Soda straws are hollow mineral tubes that often precede stalactites.
They represent early-stage speleothem growth and are among the most delicate formations inside the cave.
Journalist Pull Quotes
“Columns inside Majestic Caverns represent centuries of uninterrupted mineral deposition.”
“The so-called ‘onyx’ in the cave is technically banded calcite flowstone, not quartz gemstone.”
“Visitors can identify multiple speleothem types within a single accessible chamber.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of formations are inside Majestic Caverns?
Columns, stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, flowstone, soda straws, and banded calcite formations.
Is the cave’s onyx real gemstone onyx?
No. It is banded calcite flowstone, not quartz onyx.
What is a cave column?
A column forms when a stalactite and stalagmite connect.
What causes flowstone?
Mineral-rich water flowing across cave surfaces deposits calcite in layers.
Sources
Encyclopedia of Alabama – Majestic Caverns
Show Caves of the United States – Majestic Caverns
Timeless Cave Tour Materials
Historical Documentation of Ida Mathis Purchase (1912)
