1. A mineral deposit formed by the flow of water containing dissolved minerals over cave walls or floors, creating a smooth, layered formation.
Usage: geology; speleology

Examples

• The cave walls were covered with beautiful flowstone formations that sparkled in the lamplight.
• Flowstone develops slowly over thousands of years as mineral-rich water cascades down cave surfaces.
• Geologists study flowstone deposits to understand the history of water flow through caves.
• The flowstone in Carlsbad Caverns displays striking bands of color from different mineral compositions.
• Unlike stalactites, flowstone creates broad, sheet-like structures rather than pointed formations.