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What is a stalactite?

In: Geology, Earth Sciences, Speleology [Edit categories]

Answer:

A stalactite is a mineral formation that hangs down from the roof of a cave. It may or may not be hollow, and it is built up over long periods of time (on the order of many, many thousands or tens of thousands of years).

The primary minerals from which this dripstone is formed are calcium based, but other minerals intrude during the long formation process. The "complimentary" formation is the one that rises from the floor of a cave, and it's called a stalagmite. When the two link up, a column or pillar is formed. A link can be found below for more information.

First answer by Tara chan. Last edit by Tara chan. Contributor trust: 26 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question].

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Wikipedia: Stalactite

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Relevant answers:

What are stalactites?
Stalactites are calcium deposits that stem from the ceiling of a cave.
What's a stalactite?
when you go into a cave and you see large spikes pointing downwards from the ceiling then you are looking at a stalactite, spikes that point up are stalagmites. Stalactites hang from the ceilings...
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