calcareous sinter

mineral

Also known as: calc-tufa, calcareous tufa, tufa

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June 22, 2026

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Calcareous sinter is a mineral deposit characterized by a porous or vesicular texture, meaning it contains small cavities. It is a type of sinter, with siliceous sinter being the other recognized kind.1

Calcareous sinter is composed of calcium carbonate and is also known as travertine, calcareous tufa, or calc-tufa. It is often formed by waters rich in calcium carbonate, which deposit a sintery crust on objects exposed to them, a process sometimes referred to as petrifying springs. The cavities within calcareous sinter can result from the decay of mosses and other vegetation that aid in its precipitation.123

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sinter
Calcareous sinter, sometimes called tufa, calcareous tufa, or calc-tufa, is a deposit of calcium carbonate, exemplified by travertine. So-called petrifying springs, not uncommon in limestone districts, yield calcareous waters that deposit a sintery incrustation on objects exposed to their action. The cavities in calcareous sinter…
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Calcareous sinter, sometimes called tufa, calcareous tufa, or calc-tufa, is a deposit of calcium carbonate, exemplified by travertine. So-called petrifying springs, not uncommon in limestone districts, yield calcareous waters that deposit a sintery incrustation on objects exposed to their action. The cavities in calcareous sinter…
Read More

tuff
(The Italian term tufa is sometimes restricted to the soft, porous, sedimentary rock formed by the chemical deposition of calcite, or calcium carbonate, or silica from water as sinter.) Tuffs may be grouped as vitric, crystal, or lithic when they are composed principally of glass, crystal chips, or…
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(The Italian term tufa is sometimes restricted to the soft, porous, sedimentary rock formed by the chemical deposition of calcite, or calcium carbonate, or silica from water as sinter.) Tuffs may be grouped as vitric, crystal, or lithic when they are composed principally of glass, crystal chips, or…
Read More