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High resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) has been barely used in speleothem science. This technique has been used to study a Holocene stalagmite from Praileaitz Cave (Northern Spain) to evaluate its potential for petrologic studies. Results were compared with those derived fromthe routine procedures and a very good correlation was found. Our work indicates that HRXCT can be considered as a useful tool for a rapid and non-destructive characterization of the speleothem, providing important information about petrological textures, spatial distribution of porosity, and diagenetic alteration, as well as stratigraphic architecture. These encouraging results indicate that HRXCT can offer interesting perspectives in speleothem science that are worth future exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]