Stalactite:
Stalactites are formations that hang from the ceiling of caves, hot springs, or manmade structures. They were formed from mineralized water dripping from the caves ceilings. Stalactites are made from limestone, lava, ice, amberat, minerals, mud, peat, pitch, sand, sinter or concrete. The world’s longest stalactite is 8.2 meters located in the White Chamber of the Jeita Grotto in Lebanon. When rainwater falls over a cave and trickles through the rocks, it picks up carbon dioxide and minerals. If carbon dioxide and calcium carbonate are added together is creates this equation: H₂0 + CO₂ + CaCO₃ = Ca (HCO₃)₂.
Ca (HCO₃)₂, the outcome of that equation is calcium bicarbonate. The water carries this substance (dissolved calcite) through the cracks of the roof of a cave. Once water comes in contact with air inside the cave, calcite starts to form around the crack. As water continuously drips, the length and thickness of the calcite grows, and forms a stalactite.
Stalagmite:
Stalagmites are formations that rise from the floor of a cave. This is due to the accumulation of material deposit from ceiling drippings. Stalagmites are made of the same materials as stalagmites. The longest stalagmite is 62.2 meters located in the Cueva Martin Infierno cave in Cuba. How the stalactites are formed, goes into the creation of the stalagmite. Stalagmites are created from the dripping water coming off of a stalactite.
Stalactites and stalagmites are types of speleothems. These are mineral deposits that form on the inside of caves through the deposition of soluble minerals like calcium carbonate. There are different types of stalagmites and stalactites including:
Stalactites are formations that hang from the ceiling of caves, hot springs, or manmade structures. They were formed from mineralized water dripping from the caves ceilings. Stalactites are made from limestone, lava, ice, amberat, minerals, mud, peat, pitch, sand, sinter or concrete. The world’s longest stalactite is 8.2 meters located in the White Chamber of the Jeita Grotto in Lebanon. When rainwater falls over a cave and trickles through the rocks, it picks up carbon dioxide and minerals. If carbon dioxide and calcium carbonate are added together is creates this equation: H₂0 + CO₂ + CaCO₃ = Ca (HCO₃)₂.
Ca (HCO₃)₂, the outcome of that equation is calcium bicarbonate. The water carries this substance (dissolved calcite) through the cracks of the roof of a cave. Once water comes in contact with air inside the cave, calcite starts to form around the crack. As water continuously drips, the length and thickness of the calcite grows, and forms a stalactite.
Stalagmite:
Stalagmites are formations that rise from the floor of a cave. This is due to the accumulation of material deposit from ceiling drippings. Stalagmites are made of the same materials as stalagmites. The longest stalagmite is 62.2 meters located in the Cueva Martin Infierno cave in Cuba. How the stalactites are formed, goes into the creation of the stalagmite. Stalagmites are created from the dripping water coming off of a stalactite.
Stalactites and stalagmites are types of speleothems. These are mineral deposits that form on the inside of caves through the deposition of soluble minerals like calcium carbonate. There are different types of stalagmites and stalactites including:
- Limestone is one of the most common forms of stalactites and stalagmites to appear. These are formed from calcium carbonate by dripping water. These are formed over thousands of years.
- Lava is another common form made in lava tubes while lava is actively flowing. The flowing lava will take on the role of mineralized water in limestone caves, depositing material onto the ceiling and floor of the lava tube. These can be formed in the matter of days.
- Ice stalactites and stalagmites are formed when freezing temperatures solidify dripping water into these formations. These can be formed in a matter of days.