by chac » Feb 20, 2015 3:20 pm
Hi Raft Hunter,
One can see all the different stages of calcite rafting most anywhere in Quintana Roo where the aquifer is exposed to atmospheric air. These rafts are major components to the silts and "muds" of dry caves. In the underwater cave environment they can create thick, impressive bedding layers on the floor of the cave. These rafting layers can exceed 2 meter or more in depth. They are also responsible for choking many deeper underwater conduits in dry cave sumps in this area of Mexico.
The fresh water aquifer of Quintana Roo caves is generally characterized as having a very gentle drainage current. If you will pardon my sweeping generalization, it has been this way for thousands of years (low hydraulic head). I have also seen rafting in Yucatan state There are a few papers written on rafting if you search the literature.
Jim
Jim Coke