Unusual stalactites and stalagmites found in Kamchatka scientists during the expedition to the Tolbachik volcano, which stopped the eruption in September 2013, said the senior scientific employee of laboratory of active volcanism of the Institute of Volcanology and seismology Feb RAS Alexander Belousov. " This Expedition is unique. In scientific history, there were no cases where the lava cave could not penetrate more than a year of the end of the eruption. I think in this respect we have some record is set, " he told ITAR-TASS Belousov. According to him, over 2 weeks Volcanology and speleologists, and among them from the Crimea, Ukraine and Belarus, were examined lava flows of the volcano. Were the maps six caves, but only 3 Were studied completely. The expedition ended on June 29." on the surface of the lava currently forms the so-called sublimates, When it highlighted the hot gases, and of them in the interaction with the air fall various mineral salts. They are mixed with precipitation in the form of snow and rain. This water dripping in the caves, forming stalactites and stalagmites of absolutely strange minerals, " said the scientist. They appear according to him, as a transparent, sometimes yellow or colorless ice columns in height up to 50 see" These stalactites and stalagmites are from as long as unknown to us minerals. Maybe it fluorides and chlorides of some metals, " said Belousov. To assure or disprove that are required laboratory research work, the results of which will be known in the near future." I think that These formations short-lived. When the cave cool down They fall down, for this reason they had previously not observed. Perhaps this is a unique observation, made for the first time in world practice ", - said the scientist. In the coming year, scientists have plans to return to Tolbachik For further study. They hope lava by the time enough to cool down and give the opportunity to discover fresh grottoes. Tolbachik began to erupt in November 2012. Liquid lava flows were More than twenty kilometers Destroying two cordons the natural Park and the tourist camping, They stopped.
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