Recent Discovery of Secondary Mineral Deposits in an Idaho Lava Tube

Secondary mineral deposits of gypsum, mirabilite, thenardite, crisobolite have long been known and, in fact, are quite common in lava tubes of southwest Idaho. Until recently, calcium carbonate were found in a few tubes in very small amounts and were thought to be qu are. The recent ‘rediscovery’ of Helen's Hidden Hide - Away lava tube h significantly changed this thinking. The deposits in this lava tube are only quite extensive but extremely varied in structure. As this is a v recent discovery, only basic preliminary work will be presented in t paper. It is hoped this will stimulate intrest for further and more inte study of the lava tubes of southwestern Idaho.