This is one of the questions I was in doubt for long, it could not be differentiated by their names, but here goes. The most common is to find within of the caves, because there is lots of moisture and water that seeps through the land that lies on top of these caves. When entering the water evaporates or falls, but the water carrying minerals such as calcium carbonate , they accumulate slowly. This mineral remains even when the water evaporates and forms a column.
calcite columns which grow from the roof down are called stalactites , those that grow from the ground up are stalagmites.
The stalagmites are usually wider than the stalactites, and the far less pointed. They have a huge variety of forms which are the result various factors such as speed and height drip of falling drops, evaporation, etc.. Sometimes the two columns grow while touching each other and form one. Video
, as are the "stalagmites and stalactites "
Other Details:
- The stalactites and stalagmites formations are known to the layman in world of caving.
- estimated a stalactite grows an inch every hundred years, depending on the terrain calcareous.
- The stalactites hang from the ceiling of caves, caverns and caves formed by water droplets.