Phreatic overgrowth on speleothems (POS)

 

POS are distinct encrustations of calcite or aragonite over existing speleothems (stalactites or stalagmites) and along cave walls (see figures below)

Present-day POS in littoral caves of Mallorca (Photos: B.P. Onac)

Coring paleo-POS related to high sea-level stands

(Photos: B.P. Onac)

(Photo: M.A. Parello)

Paleo-POS related to higher (above) and lower (below) sea-level stands