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Story: Limestone country

Flowstone

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Flowstone

This cave formation is known as flowstone, because it looks as if the stone has flowed like a waterfall. Flowstone forms when water trickles or flows over the rock, slowly depositing calcite (calcium carbonate). This flowstone, known as the Easter Bonnet, is in Waipuna Cave at Waitomo. Cavers often give formations descriptive names.

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Reference: 10049356

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How to cite this page

Paul Williams, Limestone country – Caves, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/12399/flowstone (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Paul Williams, published 1 March 2009.