Ice caves and ice in caves

From the mineralogical point of view, ice is a mineral - the crystalline phase of hydrogen oxide. Analogue to calcite, ice is subject to dripstone formation in caves, were it builds up stalagmites, stalactites, draperies and even helectites quite similar to the ones made by calcium carbonate. During cold winter spells, we can observe time-lapse dripstone formation in the entrance areas of some caves. A transient decoration, vanishing as soon as temperatures rise again. In alpine caves, where temperatures are permanently below freezing, most water contributes to the build up of ice, leading to the formation of sometimes giant ice domes.