A term used to describe speleogenesis that occurs at or below the level of the water table Passages formed phreatically are typically horizontal passages, rounded and smoothed by the passage of underground water "Fossil trunks" are always formed phreatically, at least initially
Formed under water by chemical solution Phreatic passages are not controlled by gravity flow and so may rise or fall at will Most phreatic passages are rounded or elliptical in cross section