China's second 'cave cloud' discovered in Guangxi(1/4)

Photo shows a "cave cloud" at Xiniuyan Cave in Wuxuan County, Laibin city of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, July 2, 2022. (Photo: China News Service/Chen Lixin)

A joint Sino-French cave exploration team has discovered the rare "cave cloud" -- a special kind of natural mineral deposit within a cave -- in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The cave cloud covers an area of 300 square meters and is the second such structure found in China. It is distributed in seven pools within a cave, with each pool having the shape of a pumpkin or loaf of bread. The cave itself measures 2,754 meters long and features gentle terrain.

Photo shows a "cave cloud" at Xiniuyan Cave in Wuxuan County, Laibin city of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, July 2, 2022. (Photo: China News Service/Chen Lixin)

Photo shows a "cave cloud" at Xiniuyan Cave in Wuxuan County, Laibin city of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, July 2, 2022. (Photo: China News Service/Chen Lixin)

Photo shows a "cave cloud" at Xiniuyan Cave in Wuxuan County, Laibin city of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, July 2, 2022. (Photo: China News Service/Chen Lixin)